When You're Tired, Rest With Me

23

When the only things apparent in a coffee shop filled with two customers are the clicking of cups on the counter and the soothing aroma of brewed coffee, you cannot help but wander your eyes on the person sitting just right next to you.

"What?" Rhealle asked without averting his eyes from his computer. He was editing the Film Society's entry in the Philippine Thriller Film Festival. Kasama pa ako sa filming nun just a month ago so it's sad that I was not able to at least finish the project before leaving.

"Galing mo mag-edit, 'no? Pero bakit ikaw gumagawa niyan. May film editors naman sa Film Soc."

"They have a lot on their plate. Kaya ko naman."

I cannot help but wonder. Rhealle has always been passionate about films. Ever since his first year of junior high, part na siya ng organization. He was the one who encouraged me to join 4 years ago but mainly because it was Org Day and they needed new members. Luckily, I was fishing for more credentials on my resume so I gave in.

"You have a lot in your plate rin naman. Kay na Kayla at Jorge pa lang, nakakastress na. Musta na pala yung dalawang yun?"

"They're fine, actually. Nagulat nga ako. They work pretty well with each other. Their expertise complement each other. Ganun lang talaga sila magbonding."

Yung dalawang yun. I remember years ago nung magkaaway lang talaga sila, we spent 30 minutes of our meeting watching them clash ideas on a documentary. Walang gusto magpatalo so ako na yung naging referee. Ever since, I was the considered the peace maker sticking my butt between them kapag mag-aaway ulit.

"Sabihin mo dun sa dalawa, wag sakupin yung feed ko. Puro away na nila makikita sa account ko."

He laughed subtly but then, his brows curled a little bit into thinking.

"Pwede ka parin ulit mag-apply, We'd accept you," He told me while focusing on his work.

"Ang bias naman ng president. If ever man babalik ako, ayoko na maging referee nung dalawa."

"Ok, I can handle those two on my own."

I did not reply. I do not know what to say. Ilang beses niya na rin ako pinupersuade na bumalik sa org, not in forceful way naman. It's just nice that somehow I am still welcome to come back. However, I feel like I need to prioritize my needs first.

We were filled with silence. I was busy studying for college entrance exams while he was doing org work. I thought it was going to be awkward since we were not that close naman before. It was actually wondering why. We have been schoolmates and batchmates for more 10 years now.

I started to yawn because of tiredness so I got a candy from my bag para naman magising ako kahit papano. However, di ko mabuksan yung wrapper. Nakakahiya naman. Buti na lang he's too focused on editing right now.

"Akin na," Rhealle offered his hand so that I could give him the candy.

Out of surprise, binigay ko na lang sa kanya yung candy. He opened the wrapper without too much effort. I got the candy out and put it in my mouth.

"Thank you. Gusto mo rin ng candy?"

"No, thanks. May coffee pa ako."

I nodded and returned to my work. Medyo nawala na yung antok ko.

"If you're tired, you can rest a bit. It's effective to take a nap for a while and study again," He suggested.

For someone too busy on his work, he sure knows how to be attentive to his surroundings.

"Okay lang. Kaya pa naman," I replied but after a while, bumigay na rin yung mata ko.

"Sige na nga. 15 minutes lang."