Strings of Fate

5:07 PM.

I was already seated sa passenger seat ng kotse ni Rhyler habang binubuksan niya ‘yung aircon, sabay tingin sa’kin nang nakakunot ang noo.

“Okay ka lang?” tanong niya, low voice as usual.

I gave him a small smile and nodded. “Mm-hmm. Gutom lang ulit.”

He chuckled. “Kanina lang tayo nag-Jollibee.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m growing. I’m allowed.”

Nagpark kami saglit sa gilid ng isang quiet road behind SM Tanza. Dito kami madalas dumaan pauwi kapag gusto naming umiwas sa masyadong matao. Rhyler leaned back sa driver’s seat habang ako, nakasandal na rin with my phone in hand.

Binuksan ko ang Instagram.

Blank Story screen. Add Photo.

Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa utak ko pero pinili ko ‘yung isa sa mga photobooth shots namin kanina—‘yung picture kung saan nakabackhug siya sa’kin, pero hindi kita mukha niya. Just his broad shoulders, arms, and part of his hand na nakapatong sa waist ko.

It felt soft. Genuine. But still safe.

I added it to my story. No caption. No tag. Wala. Just vibes.

The moment I posted it, napansin ko na agad ‘yung pangalan niya sa viewers.

“Uy, napansin mo ‘to agad?” tanong ko habang tina-turn off ‘yung screen ng phone ko.

“Noticed what?” tanong niya habang nagsisiksik ng Mentos sa bulsa ng bag niya.

“Nothing,” I said, smiling to myself.

Then my phone buzzed.
One. Two. Five. Seven.

Sunod-sunod na notifs. DMs. Reactions.

“GIRL. WHO IS THIS?!”
“IS THAT A SOFT LAUNCH?”
“HALA. ELI. OMG.”
“TEKA LANG, BACKHUG???????”

I bit my lower lip to hide the smile forming. Di ko in-expect na ganito ka-reactive agad.

“Jace,” I said softly, still looking at my phone.

“Mm?”

“Pumunta ka sa story ko.”

He did. Then he smirked. “This one? The one na obvious na ako?”

I nodded. “Sobrang subtle naman ‘no?”

He just laughed, tahimik pero genuine. Then nag-lean siya papalapit sa’kin, resting one arm on the steering wheel habang tinititigan ako.

“Kung ako ‘yan… bakit ‘di mo tinag?”

I stared at him. “Kasi hindi pa naman tayo ‘hard launch,’ duh. Trial run lang.”

“Trial run?” he repeated, chuckling. “So, soft reveal?”

“Hard launch, but not really,” I teased.

“Hmm,” he said, eyes narrowing a little. “Then what happens next?”

I shrugged. “Depende. If no one goes full FBI mode, maybe I’ll keep posting… konti lang. Lowkey.”

He leaned back ulit. “Do what you want, Eli. I’m not in a rush. We move on your pace.”

And just like that, napatingin ako sa kanya.

That was the thing with Rhyler. He never pushed. Never forced. He was just… there. Constant. Comfortable.

While my story kept buzzing with replies and fire emojis and nosy questions, all I could think about was how I didn’t really care anymore kung may makapansin.