Aga arrives at the restaurant a little earlier than planned. He looks around, trying to find a perfect spot for a table.
"Hoy, ang aga mo ah! Himala!"
The familiar voice instantly puts a smile on his face. He has been feeling uneasy lately. Perhaps, it had something to do with the letter he wrote for Lea. Or maybe it had something to do with Charlene's reaction, or perhaps, it had to do with Lea herself. For days he wondered how she felt about the letter. He and her have not had the chance to talk since then, and he cannot help but wonder what she thought about it. He needs this escape. He knew he needed to be with someone who could make him feel better.
"Pre, kamusta?" he says, giving his friend Bayani a slight pat on the shoulder. "Kanina ka pa?"
"Okay lang, kadarating ko din lang. Akala ko kasi mala-late ka na naman kaya hindi ko na masyadong inagahan," Bayani replies jokingly.
Aga takes a seat across his friend and lets out a big, deep sigh.
"Oh, bakit ganyan istura mo? Anong problema?" Bayani asks, suddenly concerned.
"Pre, naalala mo yung letter na ni-request sa'kin ni Lea para sa 35th Anniversary Concert niya?"
"Sinulat mo ba?" he asks, intrigued.
"Oo, sinulat ko ka--" Bayani interrupts.
"Nagsulat ka talaga?" he asks again, shocked. "Eh anong sinabi mo sa sulat?"
Aga puts down his head, "Yun ang problema, pare, hindi ko maalala lahat ng sinulat ko," he says, shaking his head.
"Anong ibig mong sabihin? Hindi mo ba muna binasa bago mo pinadala sa kampo ni Lea?"
"Binasa ko kaso nung time na yun kasi parang wala namang mali sa mga sinulat ko. Totoo naman lahat ng mga isinulat ko dun kaya lang.."
Bayani interrupts again. "Kaya lang ano?"
Aga stays silent. He stares at his friend for what seems like eternity, and puts his head down.
"Pare, alam ko mahal mo si Lea, hindi na natin mapagkakaila yan. Pero paalala lang pare ko, may mga asawa na kayo at ang mga mata ng publiko nakatutok sa inyo. Isang pagkakamali mo lang at nandyan agad sila."
"Alam ko. Hindi ko talaga alam, pre, anong pumasok sa isap ko at sinulat ko yun. Basta ang alam ko lahat ng sinulat ko dun, lahat yun galing sa puso."
"E anong sabi ni Charlene?" Bayani asks.
"Kilala mo naman si Char, maunawain. Wala siyang sinabi, ni hindi niya nga binanggit sa akin. Pero alam ko nabasa niya at nararamdaman ko na medyo sumama ang loob nya."
"E si Lea, anong sabi? Nakausap mo na ba?"
Aga gets up from his seat. "Hindi pa."
"Ano kayang sabi ng asawa niya? Nabasa niya na kaya?"
Before Aga could even answer, his phone rings...
"Oh, sino yan? Bat di mo sagutin?" Bayani asks.
"Pare, si Lea tumatawag," Aga says nervously.
Bayani looks at him. "Wag mo munang sa---"
"Hello, Lea?" Aga answers, ignoring Bayani.
"Ayan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko eh. Pagdating kay Lea tameme ka." Bayani shakes his head while mumbling under his breath.
"Kamusta na? Long time no speak," Aga says, his hands beginning to tremble.
He doesn't know what it is, but Lea has this strong hold over him. He may be married now and has his own family but Lea's control over him, is just as strong as it has always been. No matter what happens or where life takes them, their bond has remaind strong. His feelings for her are still strong, even many years later.
