Down The Line

Chapter 17

B

I heard a soft knocking on my door.

     "Hey. Can I come in?"

Oh. It's her.

     "Uhm, yeah. Come in."

She comes in and sits at the food of my bed.

     "Did I disturb you?"

     "No. I was just reading a book."

     "I see. What are you reading?"

     "Uhm, 'The Ego Trick' by Julian Baggini."

     "What's it about?"

     "Did you come here just to ask what book I was reading?"

She lowers her eyes and smiles.

     "No."

     "Ok. Do you need anything from me, though?"

     "No. I just want to know how you are. We rarely talk anymore."

     "We don't talk at all, actually. And our daughter noticed that apparently, we don't smile at each other, too."

     "So, she showed you her drawing? You noticed din pala."

     "So why are you really here again?"

     "Mangangamusta lang talaga ako. You've been busy din kasi."

     "Yes, I have."

     "I just thought, we don't go out anymore, you know, on a date."

     "..."

     "Remember when we were in San Francisco? You used to take me out and we'd eat ice cream when you came home from work."

     "Yes. I remember that."

     "I miss eating ice cream with you."

     "..."

     "What's your schedule like tomorrow? Do you want to..."

     "I have ASAP tomorrow."

     "I see. Uhm, you want me to cook you breakfast before going to the studio?"

     "No, it's ok. I'll have an early rehearsal tomorrow. I'll just have breakfast there or on the way."

     "I see. What will you be singing?"

     "They said it's 'Just Give Me A Reason'."

     "Oh. How appropriate."

     "What do you mean?"

     "It's appropriate to our situation."

And she laughed bitterly. I couldn't help feeling sad for her. I know she doesn't deserve this. She doesn't deserve me. That was why I told her to let go. That was why I told her she can be free. But she said she couldn't. She wouldn't.

     "Please don't start THIS conversation.", I said.

     "So, who's going to be your Pink?"

     "I'm sorry?"

     "Who are you going to sing the song with?"

     "Oh. Sarah."

     "I see. So you're singing with her again."

     "Yes. Yes I am."

     "You seem very fond of her."