Chapter 15: Matters

“WHAT’S with the smile, Rui?”

Biglang nawala ang mga ngiti ni Rui at napalingon kung saan nagmula ang tinig ng isang lalaki. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang makita kung sino iyon.

“Nick! What are you doing here?” bulalas na tanong ni Rui na mabilis na lumapit sa kinatatayuan ng binata at agad na binigyan nang mainit at mahigpit na yakap. “Damn it! There is something very exciting about showing up in unexpected places, don’t you think?”

Tumawa si Nicholas sa sinabi ng kaibigan. “You know me, I am always on the lookout for ways to surprise people.”

Napailing na lamang si Rui sa asal ng kanyang kaibigan. “So, why are you here?” Muling pagtatanong nito.

“Don’t you think it would be nice if you invited me inside before we have any further conversation?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Let’s come inside,” alok ni Rui.

“Thanks.”

At sumunod si Nicholas sa kaibigan papasok ng apartment na tinutuluyan nito.

“You seemed just to be passing by, so I thought you might not have much time to spare,” wika ni Rui hab