Payb Takes

Day 2

March 10, 8am, Bulacan:

M is awakened by Nanay's voice and gentle shaking.

N: Menggay, may dumating para sa'yo sa baba.

M: *peeks a little to see Nanay's face* Ano daw po?

N: Di ko alam pero mukhang galing kay Tisoy.

M: *eyes widen, sits up and hugs Nanay before running off downstairs*

Downstairs, M sees the building messenger in her condo building again. She approached him curiously.

M: Kuya, nakarating ka talaga dito?

BM: Yes, Maam. Sa amin po kasi talaga binilin to ni Sir Alden. Nakausap na din po ata nyang mabuti yung Admin sa building kaya eto po ako ngayon. May sasakyan naman po. *hands M a big paper bag and a bouquet of flowers*

M: *receives them* Grabe. Sobrang thank you, Kuya. Mag-almusal muna po kayo.

BM: Hindi na po, Maam. Kailangan ko na din pong bumalik agad. May idadaan din po akong mga papeles dito malapit sa inyo.

M: Sige, Kuya, saglit lang. *runs to the kitchen, reappears after a few minutes* Pabaon ko na lang po sa inyo, kuya. Salamat po ulit.

BM: Sige, Maam. Salamat din po. *walks to the door and leaves*

M walks to the living room and checks the bouquet, no note.

She looks in the paper bag. There was a pack each of her favorite pasta, vegetable salad, sliced fruits and a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice. There was a little not attached to it.
"Juice muna and less coffee. Stay hydrated, Love."

M's tiny protest of not having coffee for the day is overcome by her appreciation for his thoughtfulness, she smiles.

The last item in the bag was a USB drive. She goes up to her room and finds her laptop. She plugs the storage device and plays the content.

It was R in a white shirt smiling in his dimpled glory.

"Hi, Love! *pabebe wave* Day 2 na. Sobrang miss na kita. I'm sure miss mo na din ako. Confident ako dyan. *grins* Kaya naisip ko na instead na love letter lang ulit, eto naman iiwan ko. I know maaga ka gumigising para sa trabaho at baka tulog pa ako kaya I planned to have a full breakfast delivered to you everyday while I'm away. Yung mga sulat and notes pati na din ito, naipagbilin ko na din...."

M: *tears up while watching him on the screen* Oh, Love... Sobrang sweet at thoughtful mo. How did I get so lucky? Ano bang nagawa ko to deserve you?

"Kain ka mabuti ha? Ubusin mo yang breakfast na padala ko. Alagaan mong mabuti ang sarili mo. Pagaling ka palagi. *laughs* Seriously, I love you. Wag ka pasaway ha? "

M: *laughs then pouts* Di naman ako pasaway ah. Ikaw kaya yun? *glares at her laptop*
"I miss you so much, Love. I miss you everyday, every minute, every second. I love you so much..."

M: *tears streamed down her face* I miss you so much, Love. Uwi ka na agad please. I love you.

"Oo nga pala, Love. Naisip ko na dahil nagtatrabaho ako dito, di mo rin ako matatawagan agad pag matutulog ka na kaya kakantahan din kita dito para kahit kailan. Maririnig mo ako. Eto muna... Tsaka ka na mag-request paguwi ko. Uuwi ako agad. Promise. I love you."

M: *smiles with her tears* Grabe ka talaga, Richard Faulkerson Jr. *dreamily stares at him on her laptop*

R starts singing. M lays down to watch him sing to her.

🎶Aren't you somethin' to admire?
'Cause your shine is somethin' like a mirror
And I can't help but notice
You reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone and
The glare makes me hard to find
Just know that I'm always parallel on the other side🎶

She closes her eyes, imagining his arms around her as he is singing to her. The thought of his warm embrace that always makes her feel safe and contented, his pleasant scent and gentle breathing on her hair comforted her.

🎶'Cause I don't wanna lose you now
I'm lookin' right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I'll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin' back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along🎶

With R's song still playing, M drifted off to sleep with a happy smile and tears of longing, gratitude and love.

🎶Girl you're my reflection, all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do
You're my reflection and all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do🎶

🎶You are, you are the love of my life🎶
❤💐❤2⃣❤🍝❤🍲❤💻❤🎤❤💑❤