Our Songs

Chapter 18: One Direction

Asher's not answering his phone.

Nakailang tawag na ako pero ring lang ng ring at hindi naman siya sumasagot. Ano ba talagang problema niya? This is the first time I couldn't get hold of him.

Wait. Paano kung may nangyari na palang masama sa kanya? Lord, please. Wag naman sana.

I stopped calling him and dialed April's number.

"Hi, Althea!" April's voice sounds cheerful on the other end.

"Hello, April. I just want to ask, how's Asher?" 

"Si Kuya? Okay naman. Hay naku Althea. Sabi ko naman di ba na hindi malala ang lagay niya. Sumama pa nga sa inyo kaninang magsimba. Don't worry. He's fine. Nagpapahinga na nga siya sa kwarto ngayon."

He's fine? But I'm not.

I ended the call in a bad mood.

Seriously, what's wrong with him? I've never experienced this kind of treatment from him. Kahit anong misunderstanding meron kami, hindi naman umaabot sa ganito. 

I dialed his number again but it's still the same. Hindi niya pa rin sinasagot.

I tried again and gave up. Kung ayaw niyang sumagot edi wag.

But at the same time, I'm worried. Ano ba kasing nangyayari sa kanya? Hindi naman siya ganito dati ah.

Papasok na ako ng kwarto para sana magbihis nang makatanggap ako ng message galing kay Miguel.

Hi! Do you have time later? Baka pwede na natin ituloy ang naudlot nating dinner. :)

Agad akong nag type ng reply.

Sure! Let's meet at the same restaurant. See you!

Since Asher's not answering my calls, at okay lang naman daw siya ayon kay April, why not meet Miguel?

We agreed to meet at 7 pm. Pero nang makarating ako ng 6:30 sa restaurant, nandun na din si Miguel. As expected. He's always been the early type.

"Kanina ka pa?" tanong ko at umupo na sa bakanteng upuan sa harapan niya.

Umiling siya. "Kararating ko lang."

I met him just a few hours earlier but this is my first time looking at him closely. He's wearing a navy blue shirt tucked in his jeans. He looked more casual and approachable than the last time I saw him in the office. But I can say, this version of Miguel is far from the high schooler I fell in love with years ago. He has become mature. And I guess, I did, too.

May lumapit na waiter at inabutan kami ng menu. Agad naman akong namili ng o-order-in.

"I'll have an order of gambas," saad ni Miguel sa waiter. "Anong sa 'yo Althea?"

"Mmm. Isa nitong pomelo glazed chicken wings."

Inulit ng waiter ang order namin at umalis na.

Nabalot naman kami ng katahimikan pagkatapos. I couldn't find the words I wanted to say. At maging si Miguel ay tahimik lang din.

Napainom ako ng tubig. And when I looked up, our eyes met. Hindi ko alam pero natawa ako sa sitwasyon namin. Natawa na din siya and it felt good.

"Ang weird natin," sabi ko sa gitna ng pagtawa.

"You're right. So, how are you?"

"I'm good, I guess." Aside sa hindi sinasagot ni Asher ang mga tawag ko, okay naman ako. "Just a little busy because of our firm's opening."

"Seriously, it's very nice to see you again. Buti na lang talaga tinanggap ko ang recommendation ni ate na sa inyo na magpa-consult. She's friends with Asher."