Loving Leonora

Chapter Eleven: Connection

Alon couldn't form a coherent answer right away. He is wary of people who ask too many questions, and he likes to keep things under wrap while he's in a foreign place.

"Uhmm, I don't exactly work there, but I know someone who does. And I don't think it's illegal that you're searching for your own mother. Some even do it on TV shows, radio programs or even the social media. Did you try looking for her in Facebook and the likes?"

It's her turn to be silent.

"Actually, I've tried a gazillion times, but to no avail. It's as if she doesn't want to be found." the hurt in her voice says it all.

"You know, some people tend to stay away from socmed for their mental health, others are not too tech savvy. I'm not proud, but back home, some places still don't have internet yet..." he explained.

"Yeah, I think I've read it somewhere, the Philippines have one of the slowest internet connections. How do you cope with that?"

"Well, we're trying to bring in new internet providers to break the duopoly. But of course, logistically it's difficult, since the country is an archipelago. Have ever visited there?"

"I haven't been there, though I really wanted to. I was in Japan a couple of years back with my best friend's family, and I really wanted to come and visit, but my father forbade it. I guess it brings back bad memories for him..."

They both fell silent. He look at his watch, and he didn't realize the time. Has it been a couple of hours already?

"Hey, you must be starving, and it's nearly lunch time..."

She also took a glimpse of her watch.

"Oh shoot, I didn't realize... I'm really sorry for taking so much of your time. I think I better get going."

Ring...ring...ring...

She fumbled in her bag for a disposable phone. He didn't utter a word, but it really made him curious.

"I need to get this..."

"Okay..."

She stood up and went to a corner to answer the call. He took his time appreciating her beauty. The way her eyes lighten up when she smiles, her luscious lips pursing, her slender fingers tucking stray hair in her ears. She looks like a model for luxury brands. But her face radiates this certain aura, an old soul. He can't believe that this person that he'd just met, will stir emotions that he thought he'd already kept under lock and key. He took another sip of his now stale coffee. He didn't realize that she has returned to their table.

"That was my friend, she said that the film just started, and that they can't join me for lunch..."

He look up and blurted out the words before he could even think.

"Would you like to have lunch with me?"