@SeverinaAugustine 18 November 2025 more from that month

Another Guy with a Plane: This Time, He Stays on the Floor (Final Chapter)

The three-week trial had finally come to an end. And just like the very first thing I said when I told you about the Navi-gator, I didn’t know where to begin. Honestly, my emotions were so tangled that all I wanted to do was spill everything out at once, to just *yap* until the words sorted themselves into sense. As I told you before, he had been inconsistent lately. Two whole days had passed without a single message from him, and the silence felt heavier than it should have. Last Sunday, while I was standing over a basin washing my clothes, the thoughts kept circling in my head. I told myself that if I messaged him that day, if I finally asked about his intentions and he rejected me, then Monday would be my reset. I would wake up and start building a new life without him. I knew one thing for sure. If I tried to face that kind of heartbreak on a Monday, I would carry the misery with me for the rest of the week. Okay, here it comes. I finally dropped the bomb I had been revising for days. “Hi Navi, just a quick check. I hope you don’t mind me asking directly. I like being straightforward and respecting both our time. Is the reason you’re talking to me because we have a business transaction, or is there something more personal on your mind, like dating me? Either way is fine. I just want a little clarity.” Then I went back to my laundry, folding and sorting as if I hadn’t just sent the riskiest text of my week. After two minutes, my phone buzzed with a notification. It was from him. He replied almost immediately, as if he hadn’t spent much time thinking about the words he was about to say. I couldn’t tell if it was because he instinctively knew, deep down, the right words to say, or if he was just skilled at handling situations like this when a girl asked him directly. I didn’t really know. But I hoped, desperately, that it was the first. He replied: “Hi Severina, I like you, that’s why I’ve been talking to you. But now I realize that I’m not ready for a relationship. Is it okay if we stay friends? I’ve enjoyed talking with you, and I feel comfortable with you.” That “I like you” part made me smile like a lunatic. Hahaha. But the words that followed shattered my heart. He could have said he wasn’t ready for a relationship yet but was willing to get to know me more before deciding. Instead, he asked, “Is it okay if we stay friends?” I hated that he said it to me. Sooo I said it, trying to sound unaffected, even though his message had clearly stirred something inside me. “Oh, thank God! I was about to say the same thing. I really appreciate you saying that. Actually, I’m not sure either if I’m ready for a relationship. I think I’m just impulsive because, honestly… you’re my type. At least now we’re both clear.” “I appreciate you too, Severina. What happened to us is so hard. We both came from a long-term relationship. But at least now it’s clear. I like you too, but maybe it’s better if we just stay friends for now. Who knows, maybe you and your ex got back together. Hahaha.” His words appeared on my screen. “You’re annoying! Hahaha. Well, this is better than you ghosting me just because you’re not ready yet. Hahaha. I know, believe me, I’m the most understanding person you could meet in this lifetime. I hope you’ll heal fully, because I think you’re not quite there yet,” I said, feeling as if my wet clothes were quietly pitying my situation. Huhu. “Uy, it’s not like that! I’m just inactive on Viber every weekend. And also, I’m sorry, I’ve just been busy these past few days,” he defended. “Umm, we’re here already, so I’m going to ask you this too,” I said. “Are we going to cancel the plan to meet? I’ve been canceling my plans since last week because of you. You live far away, so it feels awkward if you ask and I’m not available.” I just wanted to check and quietly remind him that he wasn’t the only one asking for my time. That I had a life beyond him. “Oh, no. I’m sorry, Severina. We will still go. When I have a site visit in Pasig, we’ll grab some coffee. Just a friendly date, catching up like that,” he replied. “Okaay. So I can finally book a flight. I’m starting to feel sorry for my friends who are yearning for me. Hahahaha.” As if I were capable of booking flights when my wallet barely has enough change to pay for a UV Express ride. He seemed a bit amazed that I had other plans. I told him it wasn’t that surprising. I’m not so introverted that I don’t have things going on—I’m a social person too. But what he said next icked me a bit: “I agree. We became friends right away when we first met.” Ugh. I ended the conversation by saying, “Let’s just message here on IG, okay? So you won’t ghost me ‘unintentionally.’ Hahahaha. I’m glad this happened. See you when I see you, Navi.” He replied, “Uyyy. Okay, we’ll just message here so we can keep in touch. Hahaha. Alright, see you soon.” I simply reacted to his message and closed my IG. Then I stared at my laundry, heartbroken, almost waiting for the clothes to wash itself. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a relationship with him in the first place. The signs were already there. First, I don’t think we share the same faith. Second, he lives so far away, working even farther, and we barely have the chance to see each other. People say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for me, distance makes forgetting so much easier. When someone is out of your sight, they slowly slip out of your mind. And honestly, he might find another girl closer to him than I am, someone he gets to see every day, someone he might eventually fall in love with. With the way things were, I knew we weren’t going to work out. The next day, which is today, I wrote an email to their company, informing their accounting department that their check was ready for collection. I CC’ed him, as I should, and sent it out. A minute later, a notification from Viber flashed on my screen. It was him. “Good morning, Severina.” I saw the message only in the preview, yet I could already hear my heart pounding like it was trying to escape my chest. “I received your email,” he double-texted. “Good morning, Navi. Oh, yes, I sent an email so that the transaction is already secured,” I replied as casually as I could, even though I had typed and deleted my message several times before finally pressing send. “Thank you, Severina,” he replied, adding a smile emoji. “You really are hardworking.” Uhh, here we go again. “You will be the one who will get this, okay? If it’s not you, I won’t give it. Hahaha,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood. “We have a collector. Hahaha. When I have an area in Pasig, make me a coffee.” I honestly didn’t know what this person was thinking. That sounded like full-on girlfriend treatment he was asking for. Hahaha. “Oh, so I’m the one who owes you something? Hahahaha,” I said sarcastically. “Hahaha. Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Looks like I’m the one bringing you coffee. Starbucks okay? I’m just collecting stickers. Hahaha.” “Okay, we’ll switch then. Hahaha. Whaaat? I’m collecting too. Hahaha,” I said, joking as if I were really going to make him coffee. “What’s your fave drink at Starbucks?” he suddenly asked. “Their limited edition holiday drink, mint chocolate. But caramel macchiato is my regular,” I answered. “How about you?” “Iced latte and black tea.” “So, you also like tea?” I asked back. “Only black tea, with syrup. You should try it. It’s good,” he replied. “Just black tea? How about… *the other tea*? Hahaha,” I joked. “That’ll work. So I am updated. Hahaha.” Then we started talking about the different kinds of tea—the Ellen and Derek Tea. Hahaha. It was so funny. We were talking about business, pre-mob inspection, and somehow ended up spilling the tea. But I felt something had changed. Maybe in me, maybe in him, or maybe in both of us. We were holding back on flirting, because that’s something “just friends” aren’t supposed to do. I have to admit; I really missed it. I don’t know where this “just friends” thing will go. Honestly, sometimes I catch myself thinking of telling him how I truly feel… and then disappearing for good. Like a real ghost. What if, after this project we’re working on, on New Year’s night, I finally confessed to him? I know I’ve been a bit harsh at times and not fully honest about my feelings, but I just want to get it off my chest—with no expectations. After all, we might never see each other again, so dropping a bomb like this wouldn’t hurt me. What if…?