Win was sitting quietly in one of the lounge chairs at the balcony of his parents' house in San Francisco.
His work in LA went pretty well--Win decided to just concentrate and drown himself with work, if only to forget for now how things were left in the air with Bright.
To be fair, Bright has been messaging him almost every hour, everyday, just to check up on him. Win replies, but that was it. Win knew Bright was not going to spill whatever it is he was up to, so he just let him be. It was disappointing, but maybe they could use this time apart to think about things, about their future.
Yun eh kung meron pang future, Win thought to himself, heaving a sad sigh.
Win was so deep in his thoughts he didn't notice that his mom Ole was already behind him, rubbing his shoulders and giving him a peck on the top of his head.
"Tired sweetheart?" Win's mom asked.
Win looked up at his mom, placing his hands over hers. "I'm okay Ma."
Ole sat beside her son. "Did you have fun driving around the city? I know you've seen it several times already."
Win smiled. "Of course, Ma. You know how I love this place. I don't think I'll ever get tired of San Francisco."
Ole nodded. "Now imagine how much more fun you'll have if Bright were here to see the sights with you," she said with a knowing smile.
Win sighed. "Ma, I already told you, biglaan yung work ko sa LA. Besides, Bright's booked solid for this month, he can't take a leave."
Ole chuckled, shaking her head. "How about telling me what's really going on?"
Win looked at her questioningly. How do moms do that? How do they know that something was wrong?
"Wala nga, Ma," he continued to deny.
"Win Metawin Ocampo, nung tumawag ka pa lang sa akin to tell me na pupunta ka dito alam ko na something's up. Just tell me, anak. Nag-away ba kayo ni Bright?"
Win heaved out another sad sigh. Wala ka talagang kawala sa nanay mo, Win.
"I don't know Ma. Bright's been keeping to himself lately, like there's something's going on that I'm not aware of."
Win continued to tell his mom about how Bright's been missing their dates, how he's always busy with work, and how he seems to be getting a little too close for comfort with Love.
"Did you talk to him about it?" Ole asked her son.
"I tried, Ma. Believe me, I tried. But he just kept on dodging me," Win explained. "And you know what's worse? He's not budging to tell me anything. He's neither admitting nor denying it." Win was now pouting.
"Maybe you didn't try hard enough, anak." Ole said.
Win looked at his mom, a little taken aback. "Ma yung totoo, sino ang anak mo sa min ni Bright?"
Ole laughed, taking Win in her arms. "Anak, you have known and loved Bright for almost 10 years. How can you possibly doubt him now?"
"Because he's giving me reasons to doubt him, Ma."
"Reasons that you have not even confirmed with him," his mom pointed out.
"Eh ayaw niya nga magsalita Ma." Win was practically whining.
"So you gave up and flew all the way here para magmukmok?"
Win pouted. "I think he's done with me."
"Done with you? Ano ballpen lang na nawalan ng tinta?"
Win rolled his eyes. "Ma naman eh."
Ole chuckled again, then took her son's hands into hers.
"Win, listen to me. Your dad and I may not have spent that much time knowing Bright yet, but we both feel we know enough for us to trust him that he will take care of you and will love you. And we know you feel the same, otherwise you wouldn't be here now para pagbigyan yung pananahimik niya about whatever it is he's up to."
Win hugged his mom tight, then buried his face on his mom's shoulder.
"Nauubos na yata ako Ma."
"But you know he's worth it right?"
A tear fell on Win's cheek. Tangina, sobrang worth it naman talaga.
Ole dried up Win's tears. "I know you'll keep on loving Bright no matter what anak. So do yourself a favor and call him. I'm sure naghihintay lang yun."
Win hugged his mom again. They really do know the right things to say and give you a whole new perspective.
"Thanks Ma. I love you po."
Ole gave her son a peck on his cheek. "I love you most, anak."
She stood up to leave. "Oh video call ha, para kahit papaano magkaharap kayo."
Win had to laugh. Hay nanay ko.
Bright immediately picked up Win's call on the first ring. He was rubbing his eyes but was smiling excitedly on the camera.
"Tawinwin, mahal ko. Uwi ka na? Miss na miss na miss na miss na miss na kita!" Bright said, his eyes getting all dopey and googly.
Win smiled, almost tickled pink. Sinong tanga ang hindi rurupok diyan?
"Hi Vachichi. Yeah, uwi na ako in a couple of days. Miss na rin kita gago mo."
Bright chuckled. "Sige lang, murahin mo ako all you want. Basta umuwi ka na sa kin please?"
Win laughed with him. "Susunduin mo ba ako?"
"Gusto mo ngayon na eh, gagawin ko talaga Mahal."
"Gago."
Bright laughed, then turned serious.
"Mahal, I'm sorry talaga kung hindi ko pa maipaliwanag ang sarili ko ngayon. May dahilan ang lahat, and I promise you will know when you come home to me," Bright apologized.
"I'm sorry too, Mahal, kung naiwan tayo sa ere..."
Bright cut him short. "Shh Mahal ko, wala kang dapat ipag-sorry okay? I'm just really thankful that you're giving me this chance to explain. All I can promise you is that it will all be worth it."
Sana nga Vachichi. Sana talaga.
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