(author's note:

most of the places are entirely fictional.)

ONE

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a b i n i t i o

(Latin) from the beginning

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THE LATE NOVEMBER rain poured as if drowning the noise down all the usually bustling streets. From the cafe's huge windows, I watched as cars pass by and the mere sight of the city lights that dotted the backdrop made my heart full.

I opened my laptop to initiate a full-on study mode. Someone from our bloc sent a link for the additional last-minute cases. Ugh. I hate when our profs pull this trick.

"Busy naman masyado," A tall cup was slid across the table. Inabot niya sa 'kin ang isang green na straw at ilang tissues. "Baka wala nang time for other things."

I glared at him, but he just pouted and chuckled afterward.

I admit. I like seeing him like this.

I always took notice even the littlest details: His turtleneck sweater hugging his body. His hand gently tucking some loose strands of hair back into its slicked-back form. He was not any less attractive even if he was wearing his glasses. It just made him looked more serious, damn.

"The last thing I need right now," I shot him a dark look. "Is a demanding boyfriend."

Silence enveloped our table, in contrast to the group of office colleagues who were having a great time in their kaffeeklatsch. When I thought he was offended by it, the jerk Isaiah Carson's lip rose up to a smile until he couldn't suppress his laughter anymore.

"Sungit. Parang 'di ako mamimiss,"

"Bwisit ka talaga, Ice." Naiirita na ako sa kanya. Bakit ba kasi mas lalo siyang gumagwapo kapag sinusungitan 'ko siya? Hindi man lang ata marunong magalit ang lalaking 'to. I tested his patience so many damn times but it turns out he was testing mine.

But I like this. I want him annoying me, at the same time, I feared that this would be his last time seeing me get pissed.

I took a sip from my cup and he just watched me, waiting for my response whether he made the right decision of buying me that drink. First-time lang kasi namin sa cafe na 'yun dahil it was pretty far from school. Probably, this would also be the last. "So what do you think?" His eyebrows arched.

"I..." I struggled to get the right words to describe how it tasted. It was that good.

"Masarap ba? Toffee nut latte," he said coolly. "Mine's hot pep mocha."

"No one asked. I mean... yeah. It tastes like Christmas."

"So what does Halloween taste like?" He's enjoying this.

I shot him another dark look, to which he dodged with more laughter.

"My day's not complete without pissing the hell out of you, Atty. Dos Santos, you know that." Ugh. Kung 'di lang talaga kita—

All of a sudden, his phone vibrated, saving me from my thoughts. I tried to distract myself while he was answering so I skimmed through my lecture notes as I took another sip from my cup.

"Huh?" His forehead was creased. "...next month? That's two weeks from now."

I looked up from my laptop when I heard the words that I feared for months to hear.

He looked at me but I couldn't read his expression. We both knew that this would come. Hindi lang namin inaasahan na ngayon tatawag ang Dad niya. He wants Ice to study abroad. At least, that's what he told me.

"Okay. Call me again next week." He heaved a heavy sigh. Our eyes are cemented on each other.

"Hey," he reached for my hand and started to draw circles on the back of my palm. He was trying to make this light.

"So when's the flight?" I asked even though I already know. I was just too scared to hear the answer directly from him.

"First week of December," He replied. Every word pained him. "I know it's too soon. I can't go with you at the Christmas ball."

I gave him a solitary nod. Parang sinasaksak ang puso 'ko. The thought of not having his company at the Christmas ball made me wished it would happen as soon as tonight. At least nandito pa siya. Although my friends would also come, I will feel alone.

"It's fine. Sasamahan naman ako nila Armie at Freesia." I plastered a smile but I know he could see through that.

"No. It's not fine. I promised you, Laurie, that we'll see the lantern parade together." His lips were dry, but his eyes were otherwise.

"It's okay. We sometimes break promises, you know?" I settled for another weak smile. Hindi na ako umasa na aabot pa siya sa Christmas ball namin. Deep down, I know I'm going to spend the holidays without an Isaiah Carson Ramirez by my side.

"Can I do something to make up for breaking a promise?"

At that, I took a moment to think. He's leaving, I can't do anything about that. I also wouldn't want to be selfish. Seeing him fulfilled and happy is everything that I could wish for. We still have time, but it's limited. If I could spend every second with him, I would be willing to pay anything for it.

"Take me somewhere. Kahit saan, I don't care. As long as I'm with you..."

It took him a brief moment before his face lit up. His lips curled into a smile.

"Are you suggesting a road trip?"

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to be continued...

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