Athena nodded in agreement, her curiosity evident. "Exactly. I mean, how often do you get to cross paths with someone like Jackson?"
I sighed playfully, realizing that they weren't going to let this go easily. "Fine, fine. You guys win. It was unexpected, and yes, I ran into Jackson at the Nexus Painting. But it was just a brief encounter, and I don't really know what he was doing there."
Alex leaned back with a satisfied grin. "See? That's all we wanted to know. So, did you at least say hi or exchange a few words?"
Alex and Athena exchanged amused glances as I hesitated, clearly trying to find the right words to explain. Athena's concern was evident in her expression, while Alex seemed more intrigued by the unfolding story.
"Hey, may nangyari bang hindi maganda?" Athena asked, her brows furrowed in worry.
I let out a deep breath, realizing that I couldn't keep them in suspense any longer. "Uh-umm… A-actually…"
Alex leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Come on, spill the beans. What happened?"
After taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I finally continued. "Well, you know how I told you I ran into Jackson at the art gallery, right?"
Both of them nodded eagerly, waiting for me to continue.
"Hindi ko lang inexpect na he was actually standing in front of a painting that I was admiring," I said, my words coming out in a nervous rush. "So, when I saw the painting, I accidentally blurted out his name."
Athena gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. "Oh no, Zaniyah! You said his name out loud?"
I nodded, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and amusement at the memory. "Yeah, I did. And a few moments later, someone entered the art room, and Jackson quickly pulled me aside to hide. But, umm, he kind of... blocked my path."
Understanding slowly dawned on Alex's face as he realized the implication. "Wait, are you saying he used himself as a shield to hide you from view?"
I nodded again, feeling a bit self-conscious about the whole situation. "Yeah, that's pretty much what happened. He pulled me behind him, and when the person entered the room, they didn't see us because Jackson was standing in front of me."
Athena let out a delighted laugh, clearly finding the scenario amusing. "Oh, my God! Nai-imagine ko 'yong sinabi mo. Isang Jackson ang humarang sa'yo para hindi ka makita ng mga tao. Ang gentleman."
Alex joined in the laughter, his eyes sparkling with humor. "Well, well, Zaniyah, it looks like you had a real-life celebrity shield. That's definitely a memorable encounter."
I couldn't help but chuckle along with them, feeling a bit more at ease now that I had shared the story. Despite my initial hesitations, their reactions reminded me that sometimes the most unexpected and awkward moments could turn into amusing tales to share with friends.
"Sana all nalang talaga sa'yo, Zaniyah," Alex remarked, munching on his chips with a grin.
I raised an eyebrow playfully at his statement. "Alex, you do realize that being 'shielded' by a celebrity isn't exactly a common occurrence, right?"
He shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, it should be. If all celebrities were as chivalrous as Jackson, the world would be a more entertaining place."
Athena nodded in agreement, though her expression was tinged with a hint of wistfulness. "True. Pero Zaniyah, kahit papaano, may unique encounter ka na with a famous person. Ikaw na."
I chuckled, feeling their support and the lighthearted atmosphere ease away any lingering embarrassment. "Yeah, I guess I'm the lucky one this time."
We continued to enjoy our conversation, talking about various topics and laughing together as we shared stories from our own lives. As I looked at Alex and Athena, I couldn't help but feel grateful for their friendship. They were the kind of friends who could turn any situation into a source of amusement, and their presence was like a soothing balm for my sometimes hectic life.
Eventually, the conversation shifted to our plans for the weekend, and the idea of going on a spontaneous outing resurfaced. We talked about possible destinations and activities, with Alex and Athena suggesting various options.
"Maybe we could check out a new cafe or visit a local market," Athena suggested.
"Or take a day trip to that nearby nature park we've been talking about," Alex added.
The excitement of planning an adventure together rekindled my spirits, and I found myself looking forward to spending quality time with them. It was these simple moments—the shared laughter and the camaraderie—that made the bonds of friendship even stronger.
As we continued to chat, our laughter echoing through the apartment, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment. In the company of true friends, life's little quirks and unexpected encounters seemed to lose their edge, and the world felt a bit brighter and more inviting.