Strings of Fate

SM Tanza was packed like always—mall music playing overhead, random kids running around, and families queuing in food stalls. Pero sa gitna ng ingay at gulo, nandito kami ni Jace sa pinakatahimik na corner ng Jollibee. Caps down. Heads low. Eyes alert. Para kaming undercover agents… on a date.

“Dalawang 2-piece Chickenjoy with extra gravy,” he said, cool and composed as ever habang inaabot 'yung tray. “At Coke float,” dagdag niya habang tinitignan ako with that smirk.

“Wow. May float pa talaga,” sabi ko, sinubukang itago ‘yung kilig. “Hindi mo na kailangan basahin ‘yung order ko, ha?”

“Taste mo ‘yan, Solene. I remember.” His voice dropped a little sa last word.

God. That name.

Sa dami ng tumatawag sa akin ng "Eli," iba talaga ‘pag siya ‘yung nagsabi ng "Solene." It felt softer. Like a secret. Like he was calling someone only he knew.

Umupo kami sa dulong booth. Saktong tago sa mata ng mga dadaan. While he arranged the tray—gravy sa kanan ko, ketchup sa gilid, extra tissue—I just stared.

“Ano?” tanong niya nang napansin niyang nakatingin ako.

“Ang OC mo, Jace.”

Nag-angat siya ng kilay, but there was a slight tug in his lips. “I’d rather call it… thoughtful.”

“Right,” I said, trying not to laugh. “Sure ka hindi ka pressured maging perfect kasi kasama mo ako?”

“Solene,” he said in that warning tone, leaning a bit closer. “You know I’d be OC kahit sinong kasama ko. Pero… mas ganado ako pag ikaw.”

I rolled my eyes. “Pogi mo na naman sa sarili mong script.”

“Pwede ba,” he said, picking up his chicken. “Nag-effort nga ako maglagay ng ketchup heart sa tissue mo, o.”

I glanced down. Totoo nga. A small heart-shaped ketchup mark sa gilid ng tissue. Pangit ang hugis pero effort is effort.

Tahimik kami habang kumakain. Chicken, fries, float—lahat masarap. Pero ang pinaka-malasa? ‘Yung atmosphere sa pagitan namin. 'Yung silence na hindi awkward. The subtle glances. The way his pinky brushed mine habang inaabot niya ‘yung gravy.

“Grabe, Solene,” he suddenly said, watching me as I dipped my chicken again. “Parang second boyfriend mo na ‘tong gravy ah.”

“Sino yung una?”

“Sana ako,” he said, calm pero halata ang pilyong ngiti. “Pero parang panay sa gravy attention mo.”

I almost choked. “Jace!”

“Totoo naman.”

“Huwag mo akong tinatawag ng ganyan sa public,” I whispered, leaning forward.

He raised an eyebrow. “Sensitive si Solene.”

“Kasi ikaw lang dapat tumatawag sa akin n’yan,” I said, soft. And immediately regretted it.

But he smiled. That smile. 'Yung rare, genuine smile na parang hindi niya ginagamitan ng filter o timing.

“Exactly,” he replied, voice low. “Kaya ko rin lang gustong-gusto marinig ‘yung Jace mula sa’yo.”

My heart skipped. No—tumatambling.

I tried to hide it sa pamamagitan ng pag-inom ng Coke float, pero sa bawat sipsip ko, naririnig ko pa rin sa isip ko 'yung sinabi niya.

Kahit walang label. Kahit secret lahat. Parang may sarili kaming mundo. A small corner in a loud, busy Jollibee—just for Solene and Jace.