The Space Between

Chapter 15: Still Fighting It

"Dang, Kief! You said a forked road, not a road with tines of a fork...," I complained, trying to maneuver my car in the narrow road, approaching the area where Kiefer said he was. I heard him laugh, and I really have the good sense of sticking a fork in his head when I see him.

"Nasaan ka na ba?"

"How would I know??! That's why I'm calling you, because I'm lost!" I swear, I'd really wring his neck.

He called late this afternoon, just right after I took a bath to prepare for the meeting tonight. He asked if I could pick him up after his taping in No Harm, No Foul. He was saying that he was supposed to ride with his Mom, but it seems that his Mom is also stuck in another engagement, and will just go straight ahead and meet him for dinner with Coach Chot.

I thought the instruction was quite easy, but as I got in the road, and the closer I was at the location, I felt I was swallowed whole by the narrow and veined roads.

"Basta, 'pag nakita mo na yung poste na may ilaw, kakanan ka dun."

"Kief, dalawa ang nakikita kong poste na may ilaw..." I was trying to control my frustration.

"Uhm, wait lang...," he said, and he seems to mumble something to someone, and said, "Kapag may nakita ka daw mga pedicab na nakahilera, dun ka pumasok."

There, saw it!

"Okay na, Ly?"

"Yah, saw it," I replied absentmindedly, as I was slowly approaching the narrow road again, which looks like a one-way street.

"Ingat ka, Baby," he said. I had to honk my horn so that the kids will know a car is approaching.

"Thanks, Babe."

Fudge! What did I just say?!? I could hear Kiefer laughing. Hard.

"Dang it! I mean... Gahd! I'm gonna end this call. Bye," and I meant it, and didn't wait for him to respond.

****************************************

She's here.

We were having a quick break before another take, and just as I went to the bleachers of the covered court, I saw her car approaching, and parked on the side. She got out of the car, and took hesitant steps forward, craning her neck. Most probably looking for me.

I puffed my chest, and smiled. My Baby is here. She just called me her "Babe", and even if she didn't mean it, I could feel that it was already her subconscious mind speaking.

I went to meet her, and embraced her. I love how she fits in my arms, and I wish it doesn't have to end soon. She pulled away, though, and I guess I'll have to wait for another opportunity to hold her close.

And never let her go.

I led her inside, and she hesitated when I led her to one of the bleachers.

"Dito na lang ako, Kief. Nahihiya akong pumasok."

"Ano ka ba? Di ka nila makikilala dito, walang dudumog sa 'yo dito. 'Wag kang pabebe," I joked, whispering in her ear. I actually just wanted to do that so I could smell her hair.

She ribbed me with her elbow, and just in time that I was being called again for another take. I looked at her and asked, "Okay ka lang ba talaga dito?"

"Yeah, yeah," she answered, trying to avoid my gaze.

"Ly, okay ka lang?" I asked, holding her hand. She blushed and pulled her hand away, and trying to push me forward.

I know you feel it, too, Ly. I just could feel it.

I was not aware I was smiling when I went back to the set. The PA was looking at me funny, and I realized I must be smiling like crazy. She handed me back my script and directed me to the other cast members.