The Story of the Cheat (Ang Sabi sabi at Kuro kuro sa Santa Rosa)

Alone (Bagong Araw)

In the few days that Jeff had gone, a lot of things had happened. As they return to their old apartment, Manang once again extended her hand to ask for her to stay with her. She refused and decided to not further talks about it by maintaining her silence. It was awkward but her point was put forth within the family. 

When she returned half past three in the morning, she was able to see Gina had set for a trip to his husband family  home in Cabuyao. He decided to stay there and as always, she in turn  alone in the apartment, wants his company in the weekend.

They talked.

"Oi, When is Jeff returning?", Gina asked, intrigued more so as a landlord. She prefers her renters to stay longer. 

"December at least. Its is a bunch of six months contracts. ", she responded. a bit tired ready to put her head in her pillows. 

"I would like to ask you something", Gina started to fidgets. She does not know if her question warrants even questioning. It is absurd. "Would you like to live with me".

The already tired Lydia,  was taken aback but tried to hide her disbelief. It was nice of her to offer but it is unlike they are young single ladies. She does not want murmurs and chitchat in their small barangay. "Ok, Gina. You have a husband, Please. I do not want to be in the middle of something."  , she answered with her brows rising. 

"Oh no, He's out always. You know that" , she explained and added, We'll be out here during the weekend, you know." she muttered. She tries to piece together this weird request to a understandable state. "He works every week and with how things are, he's just much closer to his family after work than here.", she muttered frowning, regretting the word that slipped out of her mouth. But she is still determined and added, "And you'll have just to have to pay your half with the water bill and half of the electricity".

"Promise." 

This offer intrigued Lydia, though there is no doubt for her the reason for the request. But she is still not into it, and offer her a deterrent to her request. "I'll have to ask my husband, if he feels comfortable with that request.", and she left.

"Just think about it" Gina mustered. She really want her to live with her. "Please."

................................

The first night alone, was weird to Lydia. She was alone. She does not know what to do. It was the too early to eat and too late too sleep. She was irritable, as if wanting to tell someone her feelings but her friends are already offline. Then she decided, maybe she should initiate some chats with her sibling. 

As a kid, Lydia and her sibling never really were in the same place. Her father, a delivery truck driver, left them when they were young. As a kid, the sibling of four were separated into two. Half of them lived with their mom in Mindoro, she was a teacher there but was always moved to nearby towns every now and then. She was with her mom and thus them moving too. Her other sibling lived with their Grandparents in the Binan. Every now and then, the kids was shuffled. Their mother wants to have some time together at least. They would ride roros and meet with the others riding backto their grand parents.

This time encapsulates her fondest childhood memories. Her running with friends and sibling running around rice paddies and swimming thru nearby shallow lakes in Mindoro. She remembers the clearness and brisk flow of the river. But luck would proved city life more stable to live in, her stay with her grandparents in the Binan, provided a larger tapestry and stable experience. When she came of age, she decided to stay.

...........................

Lydia looked at her phone and saw a glimmer of hope, his youngest brother, Lyndon. Lyndon is still online.