An Old Summer Daydream (Old Summer Trilogy #1)

28

YORI

"Hello, I'm Yoritsune Alanis. You can call me Yori."

That was how I introduced myself in front of my blockmates during the freshman party. I passed the Honors program even though we lost the debate because I still won the e-games competition, and I had a lot of achievements that boosted my CV. I passed the University of Flare Alva. Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering and Master of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering. It was an accelerated program, and only a few students were chosen to qualify. I was glad to be one of them.

Kaunti lang kami sa block kaya nakipag-merge na rin kami sa ibang engineering program pagkatapos ng introduction. The freshmen party had drinks and a lot of events like the singing competition. 

"Inom ka muna, bro," alok sa akin ng blockmate ko. His name was Wale. 

"I don't really drink," sabi ko naman sa kanya.

"Minsan lang! Masarap 'to. Hindi mo gaanong malalasahan 'yong alak."

I tried the cocktail drink and ended up liking it. Nang maubos, kumuha naman kami ng beer na nasa bote. I was already with three of my blockmates, including Wale. Nag-aya silang lumabas muna para maghanap ng mga potential 'crushes' daw nila at natangay pa ako. 

"Ang daming magaganda," tuwang-tuwang sabi ng blockmate ko. Si Jero. "Heaven! This is heaven!"

"Ano ba ang type mo sa babae, Yori? Hahanapan ka namin," sabi ni Nam at inakbayan ako. "Ang dami, oh! Tulungan kitang magpakilala. Basta, tulungan n'yo rin ako, ah!" 

Umiling ako pagkainom ko sa bote ng beer na hawak ko. "Hindi ako naghahanap."

Pagkasabi ko noon, may lumapit na dalawang babae sa akin, nagtutulakan pa. "Uhm... Hi!" bati noong isa sa akin. "So... Pinapatanong ng friend ko kung ano'ng name mo..." 

Agad akong inasar ng mga blockmates ko at inalog-alog pa ang balikat ko. I forced a small smile, feeling uncomfortable and awkward. 

"Yori! Yori pangalan niya," sabi ni Wale. "Go mo na, bro! Ang ganda niya," bulong niya pa sa akin. 

"Ako nga pala si-"

"Kukuha lang ako ng drinks," sabi ko sa mga blockmates ko at agad nang umalis. 

I was just walking around to find where the cocktail drinks were until I heard a loud laugh. Napalingon kaagad ako sa gilid ko. My eyes widened when I saw her. 

Nam was asking about my type.

There she was. The answer was already in front of me. 

"Saan sa internet mo naman napulot 'yan?" She laughed more while talking to a friend. I unconsciously smiled while watching her. 

I found you again. Destiny really liked playing games with me. 

I wanted to greet her... but I didn't know what to say, so I just looked away and went back to where my blockmates were standing. 

"Grabe ka, Yori! Iniwan mo 'yong girls dito. May girlfriend ka ba? Hindi ka naman nagsasabi!" sabi ni Jero pagkabalik ko. 

"I already found my type," sabi ko at uminom ulit ng beer. Lumingon ako sa gilid kung nasaan si Nat kanina pero wala na siya roon. 

"Saan, bro? Patingin din ako!" sabi ni Nam. 

"She left." 

After that, we played some drinking games to get to know each other. We shared experiences on different topics... until we arrived at the topic of love and heartbreak.