Always And Forever

Golf

The golf course stretched endlessly under the sun. Green, expensive. Yet it didn't matter for Atty. George Fererro. He wasn't there to play, he was there simply because Leonor threatened him if ever he goes to his office that weekend.

Threatened is a strong word-Concerned, rather. She was concerned, aggressively concerned. "George pag nahuli kita sa opisina mo ngayong sabado, susunduin talaga kita tamo."

And because he value his life, he found himself standing on a place where rich people pay just to hit a white ball and walk under the sun. Hands on his waist, he stared at the golf club he was holding. No spark.

"Sir?", his caddy called and gestured that it's time to hit.

With the confidence of a man who watched youtube videos the night before, he positioned himself and swung. His form looked acceptable then the golf club wooshed, it felt like every muscle in his body was used. And yet...

The ball stayed exactly where it was. George stared at the ball, the ball stared back.

"You're supposed to hit the ball, you know?" A man spoke behind him.

George turned around and his reply was ready.
"I was just testing the wind".

The stranger chuckled. Then George paused, he lowered his club and rested his hands on it. "I know you"

"Yep, was there when you were buying a ring". The guy replied walking towards him and extended his hand,"Dr. Ferdinand Rodriguez".

He accepted the handshake,"Atty. George Fererro".
"First time playing?", Ferdinand asked after looking at the untouched ball.

"Halata ba?"
"Attorney, di gumalaw yung bola"
Both of them chuckled.

"Yeah, my partner suggested na mag unwind muna ako", George adjusted his cap, "Puro raw ako trabaho".

"Well, that shows that she cares", Bongbong replied, "Did she say yes? I hope she did".
George didn't pick that up immediately, which he noticed.
"I mean the proposal. We briefly met when you were buying a ring." Bongbong clarified.

"Ah yes, right" George realized and slightly shook his head. "I didn't ask yet. But I will, malapit na"

"Good"
George raised an eyebrow, "Good?"
"Yeah, you look certain"
"Very"
"Then that's good"

There was something unexpectedly sincere in Bongbong's voice, in which George found himself smiling.

"Now hit it", the doctor gestured towards the ball.
George looked at the ball and then his club.
"Doctor, you can't rush greatness" he joked.

Ferdinand chuckled before replying,
"Exactly, attorney fifteen minutes na yang bola"

Right. George shrugged in defeat and positioned himself once again. When he finally swung, the hit made a perfect sound. The ball flew, both of them watched it until it curved aggressively towards the right. Eventually disappearing from the cluster of trees.

Ferdinand broke the silence first, "Greatness nga" .
"It was the wind" George pointed immediately.
"You're impossible"
"I get that a lot", the lawyer nodded in agreement.
"From your partner?"
"The one and only"
"Then she must be smart"
"She is"

George smiled again, it was noticeable every time the conversation shifts to "his partner".

Bongbong clicked his tongue, "This won't do"
Without another word, he walked to the spot where George was standing moments ago.

"Show me your grip"
"My what?"
"Your grip attorney, baka yan yung rason baket pa kaliwa yung bola mo"

For the next moments, Ferdinand found himself teaching a lawyer how to do a proper swing.
"Hmm, no not like that" He shook his head.
George adjusted his stance.
"Too much"
He adjusted again.
"Too little"

George frustratingly sighed and looked at Ferdinand, "Doctor"
"Yes?"
"Baka gawa gawa mo lang to ha"
Ferdinand laughed, "Trust me"
"Well, I just want you to know that I'm a visual learner"

Ferdie got what he was implying. Eventually, he walked to a spot. Positioned himself, and demonstrated.

A clean and effortless swing. The ball flew beautifully down the fairway. It left George impressed. What supposed to be a short conversation turned into a golf teaching session. Somehow, it stretched into another hole, then another until eventually George got a hold of his swing.

"Cardiology?" Ferdinand randomly asked.
"Hm?" George replied while practicing a swing.

"Your partner, is she in cardiology?"
His statement made George stop, "Yeah, how'd you know?"
Ferdinand shrugged, "Just a hunch"

George lowered his club first before responding,
"Well, your hunch is correct", there was a short pause, "She takes care of everyone."

"I bet she's good at it"

"Pero minsan naiinis din ako by that fact"
The doctor raised an eyebrow, "Bakit?"
"Cause she forgets that she needs to take care of herself too"

"Hmm", Ferdinand handed the club to his caddy, "That's where you play your part", he uttered and walked near George, "You take care of her".

A comfortable silence settled between them.

"Can I ask you something?", George broke.
"Go on"
"You ever get scared?"
Ferdinand frowned, "Of what?"
"Future stuff"
"That's vague, attorney"
It's now George's turn to shrug, "Getting married, growing old, making plans"
Ferdinand got even more confused and turned to face him entirely, "Why?"

George did not bother to look at the person he was talking to. Instead, his gaze lingered to the vast golf coarse beneath the blue sky.

"Because for the first time in my life, I actually have something to lose".