The following day, I went to the gym again after my classes. Margarita texted me that she'd be here as well so I'm now roaming around this huge place and trying to find her.

Maya-maya pa ang training ko kasama ni Chloe kaya naglibot-libot na lang muna ako. Nagmamasid-masid din ako dahil gusto kong malaman kung nandito ba si Martell at kung saan siya madalas nagwo-workout.

Hindi naman ako stalker, curious lang!

"Hey, miss," anang isang lalaki na bigla na lang sumulpot mula sa likuran ng isang punching bag. "May I help you?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks," I answered and was about to turn around to leave when he spoke again.

"Want to train with me?" Alok niya ngunit agad akong umiling at naglakad papalayo mula sa kaniya.

Sa wakas, nakita ko rin si Margarita sa may snack bar at may kausap. When she spotted me, she raised a hand and waved. The person whom she was talking had his back on me so I wasn't sure whom it was.

She gestured me to come to their table. But when the guy sitting in front of her turned to my direction, I ran to the other direction out of impulse. Hindi ko alam ba't ako tumatakbo pero nang nakita ko si Martell, kaagad kong natandaan ang message ko kahapon at biglang nahiya para sa sarili.

Pero... pwede naman pala akong magpanggap na walang alam, ah! At isa pa, hindi naman kami nag-uusap. Sigurado akong binalewala niya lang ang message kong iyon.

Bumalik ako sa may snack bar at dinahilanan si Marga na naiihi ako kanina kaya kumaripas ako ng takbo. She looked unconvinced but nodded. Her brother on the other hand, had a serious look but a ghost of a smile was playing on his lips.

"By the way, guys," panimula ni Marga at saka ipinakilala kami sa isa't-isa. "I feel like the two of you would get along together," dagdag pa niya na ikinasang-ayon ko naman.

Hindi na kami nagtagal ni Margarita sa snack bar at nag-workout na. Chest day ngayon at marami-raming machines din ang nagamit namin. It was an hour session but I couldn't feel my arms after it. Sanay akong mag-exercise pero iba talaga ang intensidad kapag sa gym talaga!

Pagkatapos mag-shower, nauna nang umalis si Marga habang ako naman ay dumiretso sa snack bar. Unlike yesterday, there were more people in here so there were only few vacant seats.

And surprisingly, Martell was still here. And just like yesterday, he was again reading books while snacking.

I was about to sit when the guy who approached me earlier called my name which is surprising because as far as I can remember, I didn't introduce myself to him.

Balak ko sanang magpanggap na hindi ko siya narinig kaso akala niya siguro hindi ko talaga narinig ang tawag niya at mas nilakasan pa ang boses kaya napatingin na ang ibang mga kumakain sa akin.

Wala akong choice kundi dumiretso roon sa mesa ng lalaki. Nang nilagpasan ko ang mesa ni Martell, naramdaman ko ang kaniyang titig pero hindi ko ininda iyon dahil unti-unti na akong naiinis sa isang lalaking 'to.

When I reached his table, he gave me a smile which honestly crept me out. I usually trust my gut and instincts and this guy right here... he smells trouble... or maybe... I'm just being judgmental...

"Hey, Galaxy," aniya at tinulungan akong kunin ang mga inorder mula sa tray.

I sat on the seat in front of him and made myself comfortable. "How did you know my name?"

He smiled sheepishly and lightly scratched his head, "Uh... I'm actually a Filipino youtuber as well and you're actually my idol..."

"Oh..." that was all I could muster before taking a sip from my yogurt drink. "That's nice to hear, really..."

Patuloy kaming nag-usap-usap ngunit hindi pa rin mawala ang kakaibang pakiramdam. I tried shrugging all my doubtful thoughts and concentrated in conversing with Inigo.

If it wasn't for the voice at the back of my head that kept whispering me some indecent thoughts regarding his "agenda", I would actually think Inigo's a cool guy.

"Oohh, by the way, is that yogurt drink good? I always wanted to try it," he shared and gave me an expectant look.

"Yup," I answered, still unsure on what he's implying with the look he's giving me. "Uh... should I buy you one?"

His smile widened and he nodded excitedly. Binilhan ko siya ng inumin katulad nung akin at magiliw naman niya itong tinanggap.

"Thank you talaga ha!" Aniya pa bago sumilay ang ngiti na parang may napanalunan siya.

Pinatuloy ko ang pagkain habang siya naman ay abala na sa cellphone. Nang matapos, nagpaalam na ako sa kaniya at magalang na nagpasalamat sa pagsama sa akin kahit napilitan lang naman talaga ako.

Medyo nagabihan ako ng uwi ngayon kaya naabutan ako ng rush hour. Hindi naman masyadong malayo ang gym sa apartment ngunit sobrang traffic na.

I connected my phone to the car's bluetooth and played some Disney songs. I always loved listening to such music since they bring me good vibes. 

Plus, I also think I haven't outgrown my childhood favorites yet and it would take years before I'd finally be able to let them go.

I scrolled through my twitter and accidentally honked out of surprise when an article caught my attention. Pinaghalong emosyon mula sa pagkadismaya, gulat, at galit ang naramdaman ko.

Gazella, Inigo Dating: Famous Youtubers' Relationship Revealed, it says.

Bago ko pa mabasa, nag-go signal na. Nang makarating sa condo, iyon agad ang inuna ko. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling ang mga kabobohang ito pero nang makita ang mga larawang nakalagay sa artikulo, alam ko na agad ang nagpakana nito.

Pinuntahan ko ang profile ni Inigo at chineck ang kaniyang Instagram story. Dalawa lang ang naroon— yung una, picture ko habang nagwe-weights. Ang sunod naman ay isang video habang kumakain ako kanina. Pinakita rin ni Inigo sa video ang yogurt drink na binili ko para sa kaniya at may nakalagay na "thank you <3". Hindi pa nakatulong ang mga ni-retweet niya na mga articles tungkol sa "dating" kuno namin.

I sighed, then thinking of a rational way to solve this. I'm quite impulsive and harsh but when the subject in question has something to do about my social life, I really try to be careful.

People can be judgmental and quick to jump to conclusions so in times like these, I carefully plan in my head the things I should do in order to resolve the issue.

I messaged Inigo and told him to make it clear to his followers that we are not dating. Iyon din ang ginawa ko at hopefully, hindi ako maakusahang indenial. Ang mahirap kasi sa iba ay akala nila dine-deny kasi tinatago ang relasyon kahit wala naman talagang ibang nagaganap.

My mood was actually turning sour. I just don't like ridiculous rumors like this spreading around. Mas matatanggap ko pa siguro ang mga ganito kung totoo ngang may ka-date ako!

I only felt better after taking a long, cold shower and eating. My friends' and some fan accounts' tweets also helped.

@marcellaCararara:

isang disney princess po ang one true love ni @urgurlGalaxy. hulaan niyo na lang po kung sino ♡

Caramel's not wrong though. Disney princesses do have a special place in my heart.

@gazeLUVaxyne:

@urgurlGalaxy dating or not, still here to support you!

As always, user @gazeLUVaxyne was present. Isa sa mga na-notice ko ay hindi siya nakikisali sa mga kung ano-anong issue at palaging "I support you" ang sinasabi. I'm not complaining though, at least I know that someone out there doesn't think that my career is solely based on whether I'm in a relationship or not.

@lorelle_andionna:

@urgurlGalaxy ba't hindi mo kami ininform na pinalitan mo na pala si Nana sa puso mo?

London's tweet made me smile. Nana is my favorite teddy bear and I still sleep with it every night. My friends are aware how much I adore Nana and they even once told me that they think that I'd choose Nana over everyone.

Sandali kaming nag-chat ng mga kaibigan bago ako nagpaalam para makagawa ng assignments. Nasimulan ko na ang mga ito kanina kaya mahaba-haba pa ang oras na mayroon ako bago matulog.

In times likes this, when I have nothing else to do, I would either sew, knit, crochet, sing, play my piano, or just think. But since I feel exhausted already, I decided to just lay on my couch and think.

I always wanted to make a website for all the things I create. So when I saw Martell reading books about programming and such, that plan of mine that I buried came back. Patuloy akong nag-isip ng kung ano-ano hanggang sa nakatulog na ako.

My week continued and it was all the same. I would go to school, then head to the gym, then back to my apartment.

Araw-araw kong nakikita si Martell at ganoon din si Inigo. He apologized to me for his posts and promised not to do so again. I thought he'd stop bugging me but things turned out worst... well, as for myself only since it seems like Inigo is really enjoying my company though I already made it clear to him that I didn't want to "hang out" with him.

"And also Inigo, I'm not saying this because of the issue," I said, making a hand gesture as if quoting the word "issue". "But I just don't like hanging out with you. It's nothing against you personally. That's just how I feel."

He just finished apologizing and assuring me that he won't post the same thing again and I feel like it's also the perfect time for me to tell him about such matter because if not now, then when?

I'm not the type of person who's gonna force myself to be with someone I don't like. If I don't like the vibe, then I'd be honest about it but I also make sure that my honesty is not harsh.

I'm not a fake person. I always make sure that what I'm showing and saying to other people are not forced but rather genuine ones. Hindi ako ang tipo na pipilitin ang sarili para lang magustuhan ako ng iba at para "mag-fit in" ako.

Plus, I always believed that we all deserve to be treated with genuineness. And showing some fake act and pretending to Inigo that I like his company is clearly not what he deserves.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked. "Am I hindering you from working out?"

"Yes."

"Oh... if that's the case, then maybe we could hang out after gym?" He suggested, clearly misunderstanding what I said.

But before I could even explain it to him again, he was called by his gym instructor so I was left sighing.

The following days at the gym were suffocating because of Inigo's presence and attempts in conversing with me. So now that it's weekend, I was able to breathe.

"Ahhh, the smell of a museum," wala sa sarili kong sabi at umikot sa kinatatayuan. I even raised both arms to enjoy the moment even more but accidentally hitting someone in the process.

I immediately opened my eyes when I felt my hans hitting someone's face. My racing heartbeat doubled when I heard an "ouch" from the person I hit.

"Martell?" Wala sa sarili kong sabi habang pinagmamasdan ang nakabusangot na lalaki.

He eyed me warily, "You can't just spin around on museums you know."

"Well, no one's around except for us and I'm in the middle of this wide space," I replied with a cheeky smile. "So, technically, I can."

He raised a brow before turning his back on me. When I realized that I wasn't able to apologize, I ran after him.

"Hey!" I called, my voice echoing. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you."

He nodded and gave me a thumbs up.

"Do you mind if I tag along?" I asked. I don't mind if I'll explore this museum all by myself but I could use some company right now.

"Aren't you going to the gym?" I took his question as a yes.

"Supposedly," Sagot ko at saka nagsimula na kaming maglakad-lakad. "But I wanted to breathe... so yeah..."

"And that is by coming here?"

Tinanguan ko siya at pinatuloy ang pagmamasid-masid sa mga artworks.

This is my idea of relaxation. Just walking around a museum or just anywhere actually... as long as I'm immersed in art.

"There's just something in art that soothes me. I feel alive when I'm immersed in it," I shared.

"Hmm... I feel share the same sentiments," he agreed. Napatingin kami sa isa't-isa bago sumilay ang maliit na ngiti sa kaniyang labi.

We continued roaming around the museum and believe it or not, I honestly feel a connection between us! It's not the romantic kind of connection, but rather the one achieved because we share the same interest— arts!

Paminsan-minsan, tumitigil kami sa harap ng paintings at huhula-hulaan namin ang mga nakatagong simbolismo at kung ano ang gustong ipahiwatig ng artist mula sa kaniyang gawa.

"Hey, hey," tawag ko sa kaniya. "I have a question."

"Okay, let's hear it," aniya pero mukhang nagdududa dahil nakangisi ako.

"What's the name of Van Gogh's dizzy aunt?"

"What?" He asked back, not even trying to guess.

"Name's Verti Gogh!" I answered then laughed. I'm not sure why but I really find art puns and jokes really amusing, even the corny ones.

Patuloy akong humalakhak habang si Martell naman ay nawe-weirduhan akong pinagmasdan pero mahina ring tumatawa.

"Oohh... you smiled," I pointed out. "I'm so funny, noh?"

"It's your laugh that's amusing," aniya at umiling-iling.

Nang sumakit na ang panga ako dahil sa mababaw kong kaligayahan, tumigil na ako. "I'll think of a better one next time."

"Hmm. When's the next time?" He asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

"I didn't mean it that way," I said, raising both hands.

For the third time today, he smiled again! It wasn't an ear-to-ear smile but I could see its sincerity. Even in his normal, serious face, he looked like an angel in my eyes. How much more now that he's flashing his pearly whites?

"Well, I'll see you around then," his words brought me back from my short reverie.

I raised a hand to wave and he did the same. We both walked out from the museum, my mind occupied by the flashing memories of just a while ago.

I smiled to myself, chest full of unnamed emotions that I think are too vehement for my own good that it actually hurts! But damn, this is my idea of a peaceful and relaxing Saturday; the one with art.