Muli (An Agnes-Jerry fic)

SIX

MELISSA is helping Jerry pack Alie's things for their trip when he brings up having dinner with Agnes the other day. 

He tells his sister that Agnes and Daisy are also leaving on Saturday. That they're going to spend a week in Bacolod, then fly back to Manila to figure out where they want to go next. They have both extended their leaves from work -- two more weeks -- because they want to head up north. He tells her about Agnes' many other stories, especially about Daisy and the new "prospect".

Of course Melissa knows all of that already. She's in touch with Daisy every day. 

But she can tell there's something else because he's trying not to smile.

He doesn't tell her how much fun it was to sit there and just talk to Agnes. It has been years since they were able to do that, and how comforting it was, how easy. And how nice it was of her to make sure Alie was not left out of the conversation, going back to talks of tutu and Mushu and Disneyland. He doesn't tell Melissa that Alie fell asleep in Agnes' arms on the way home, so she ended up going with them to his place first.

That she stayed for a couple of beers.

Agnes. Drinking beer. Now that was something. 

"Anong oras raw ang flight nila, Kuya?" It's at 10:30, she thinks.

"10:30. Tinanong niya nga kung anong oras 'yung atin -- "

"10:30 rin!" Melissa nudges him. "Kuya, sabay sabay na kaya tayo?"

He frowns, putting another rolled shirt in Alie's little suitcase. "Ano na namang balak mo, ha? Ikaw offer ka nang offer tapos hindi alam ni Agnes."

"Kaya nga ikaw ang mag-o-offer, 'di ba? Ride lang naman, ha!" She smiles. "Parang hatid hatid mo lang sa kaniya sa hotel..."

He shakes his head, about to say something when Alie comes in the room, fresh from her nap, arm around Mushu. "O, what's wrong?" The child just moves closer, letting him embrace her. "Bad dream?" She nods.

"Naku, Kuya... ako nang bahala dito. Aliwin mo na muna 'yan."

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Jerry spends more hours in the office on Friday night, going through more paperwork that need his approval. Alie is staying at Melissa's for the night, to allow him to do more work before he drives to their place and on to the airport for their flight the next day.

For dinner he decides to call for pizza. As he places his order, a chat box pops up on his Facebook tab. It's Agnes. "Hello? Can I call you back? No, no, not yet. Don't place it -- Yes, thank you."

He hangs up and turns to the Mac.

yes?

I was just wondering if I left my black pouch in your car?
I remember I still had it when we went to your house.
is this the one with your camera?
Yes. 
okay, will look for it.
but i'm still in the office. 

if it's not in the car, it might be at home.

AFTER A FEW MINUTES...

agnes?
I'm here.
it's not in my car.

i'll drive home to check.
Naku, if you're still at work, it's fine.
Maybe tomorrow at the airport instead?
baka magkalimutan pa tayo.
omw home.

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Agnes is alone in the room she shares with Daisy when the phone there rings. She doesn't pick it up right away, finding it weird since she didn't order from room service. But the incessant ringing agitates the Type A in her. She lifts the receiver. "Hello?"