"Bea, 42 ka na. We lost hope na magka apo sayo long time ago. So please don't say sorry. Hindi kabawasan bilang babae at bilang anak namin ang pagpili maging mag isa. We are so happy that you are successful and happy."
"Not sure about the happy part, Tita." Jamie cut in.
"I know it is not your priority but do you want me to set you up? One last time." Brix offered. For sure fireman nanaman. I'll pass.
"Pass sa fireman."
"Oh he's not a fireman. At least not anymore. Computer Engineer. Works at Google."
"Baka naman bata yan." Pag rarason ko pa.
"About your age as well. Sige na. Last na."
"Fine pero next month nalang. Busy ako."
"Yon!" Brix celebrated. Napailing naman si Jamie at Mom na parang alam na nila saan to papunta. Lagi ko naman diniditch dates na sila ang nagaayos.
Hindi na ko nagtry mag move on parang ayaw na din naman ng sarili ko. Di ko na pinilit. Ako nalang mag adjust.
The company is too big. Ni hindi ko nga alam sino magmamana ng mga pinagtrabahuhan ko. Siguro, lilista ko nalang lahat sa mga inaanak ko. Tag iisa silang shares. Siguro okay na ko. Lagi ko nga sinasabi, kung mamaatay ako anytime soon, masaya na ko sa mga narating ko. Masaya na ko sa lahat ng naranasan ko sa buhay.
Fulfilled na. Lahat ng kaibigan ko, kasal na. May anak at pamilya na. Siguro kung hindi nauna si Josh may tatlo na kaming anak.
After Pepper left to join his dad, hindi na rin ako nag alaga pa. Siguro pagod na rin ako na maiwan.
Just like that, I found myself driving to the location Brix sent. Ni hindi ko nga alam sinong kikitain ko at 'di ko rin alam kung anong pangalan. Sabi lang niya sabihin kong table number 14. I sighed and just obeyed.
"This way, Ma'am." The waitress smiled at me and I just followed.
Hindi naman ako kinakabahan kasi ilang blind dates na ba pununtahan ko? Hindi ko na ata mabilang.
When I reached the table, bigla akong sumimangot kasi wala pa ata yung sinet up ni Brix. - 5 for being late.
I used my phone and ranted sa imessage gc namin. Told Brix to pay for this date kasi late yung guy.
But he replied immediately.
"Andyan na raw siya. Baka nag CR lang. Judgemental much?"
I rolled my eyes at that reply. After a few minutes I heard a guy.
"Hi!"
And suddenly the spin of the world was felt.
I can see his wrinkles.
His smile is different and I can't describe it.
"Parang hindi naman nabanggit ni Brix na mute ka or deaf." Napakamot pa siya sa ulo niya.
May sobrang kaunting white hairs na rin siya. Hindi mo makikita sa unang tingin. He aged like a fine wine.
"I uhm." That's all I can utter.
He's wearing a blue suit. So clean.
His hair, fixed and cleanly cut.
I have to say something. But I have no words.
Felt like his presence suck out all of my words.
"Thirdy, Thirdy Ravena." He offered his hand this time.
"Be-a, Bea De Leon" I stuttered.
He smiled at my name.
"I know."
Nagulat ako. Nakaka alala na ba siya? Impossible na no one told me.
"Brix was so excited, he built you up too much." Natatawa niyang sabi.
I sighed. I can't still comprehend what is happening. Si Anton, tapos si SJ. They will be so fucking mad. Sasaksakin ko si Brix gamit ang bread knife.
"Let's order na, Bea?" He asked and smiled. Oh how I missed that smile. How I missed to be called by him again.
The waiter comes up and Thirdy ordered. Wala pa pala akong order. I quickly scan the menu. Ayoko ng pasta gutom ako. Gusto ko ng kanin. Pero walang kanin.
"How about you, Bea?" That's the sign for me to say what I want.
"Oh uhm Ceasar salad and one rib eye medium-well. Please add mash potato." Bahala na ako nalang magbabayad. Gutom talaga ako.
When the waiter left, Thirdy smiled and spoke "gutom?"
"Actually yes. Bakit kasi walang rice." Pagrereklamo ko. Nalimutan ko na para pala sakanya bagong tao ako.
Tumawa siya. "You're different."
"Oh Is that a bad thing?" Kinabahan ako bigla. Bakit ang landi ko?
"No no please don't change." Umiling iling siya. Tinanong ko siya sa bago niyang work. Ang hot niya magkwento pag gusto niya yung pinaguusapan.
Iniisip ko ngayon kung bakit ngayon lang ako sinet up ni Brix sakanya.
Nainom ako ng water when he admitted something.
"Actually, I think you stood me up before."
"What?"
"Blind date also. Jamie fixed it for us. But bigla kang nagkaroon ng meeting. But that's okay. I liked the food here."
"I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. Gets ko na at this age, blessing nalang talaga if makahanap pa tayo."
"Sayang yung time mo so sorry talaga."
"All goods. You're here now naman na."
He smiled again. A genuine one. Buti nalang dumating yung orders kasi mukhang malapit ko na siya halikan. Bakit ang gwapo niya ngayon? Or baka muntik ko nalang talaga malimutan yung mukha niya sa pagtatago ko sakanya.
We are enjoying our food and all when he suddenly blurted out.
"Weird but did we meet before?"
Hindi ako nakasagot. Pinagpawisan ako bigla.
"I feel like I know you already. Hindi ko maalala from where."
Alam kong nagiisip siya.
Nagulat ako when my phone suddenly received a text. It was my mom.
"Hindi man maalala ng utak, maalala naman ng puso. Enjoy your date."
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AN:
Hi. Hindi ko rin alam bakit pa eh matagal naman ng tapos. Hehe. But sana nagustuhan niyo.
All the love,
Jaye
