Ignorance

Chapter 4

What happened with Amor was a wake-up call: it made Eduardo realize that he needed to stop making things about himself, stop being so cynical with the people around him, and start enjoying his life in the Philippines over the next few weeks. It also was the reason why Eduardo woke up this morning, a literal wake-up call. The issue (or what used to be an issue) rested at the back of his head until he fell asleep like a baby the night before, and it was the first thing on his mind that fine Saturday morning.

            It is then part of his Operation: Get Self Together to go the extra mile. This morning is his first opportunity to do so. Instead of staying in, and being a bum as much as he wanted to, he is going to the office to sort the things he neglected yesterday, confer with Claudia regarding the missing cash transfer statements to local retail stores, and hopefully run into Amor while he's at it. It'll all be fine.

            So he doesn't exactly notice that there's a woman sleeping on his pristine white couch when he was on his way out. Why would he, when Amor de Jesus was plaguing his mind, watering his thoughts during the drought?

---

So things are supposed to be well and fine. Amor has let the problem with Eduardo go. If anything, she's gone way past that, past her little crush, and into more mature territory, where she's ready to be friends despite the wedge that he drove between them during the banquet.

But she couldn't bring herself to do that, because it's 12:30pm, and Betty Mae still hasn't arrived.

            She tried reaching her landline, no answer. Even Betty Mae's doorman at her apartment building had no idea where she is; she didn't even come home the night before. Her best friend's mobile phone is unresponsive, maybe out of juice from a night out with Eduardo and Diego.

            Shit. Eduardo and Diego would know where she is. But she doesn't have either of their numbers.

            Just after the conflict was resolved with one of the Buenavistas, is she ready to make a new one with the other? Is Diego capable of taking advantage of Amor's best friend? Eduardo would never dare, given the way things were concluded with him and Amor. Is Diego so deluded and thirsty to do such a thing to Betty Mae? She doesn't want to consider it.

            "Mommy, I'm hungry already," David muses from the living room, idly watching the program on the television. "Do we really have to wait for Ninang? Or can I start eating na?"

            "Anak, wait lang ha," Amor apologizes. "I haven't heard kasi from Ninang since last night, and she's supposed to be here. I might have to go to the office to ask around."

            David moans, throwing his hands up in the air, and along with them, the remote control. "But I'm hungry!" he whines.

            "David," Amor scolds, absently packing her back with her mobile, wallet, essentials. "Don't be like that. Hindi mawawala ang binalayok dito. I'll leave it in the oven to stay warm for when we get back. Halika na."

            David perks up at the prospect of going with his mother one what feels like a search party. "I get to come look for Ninang? At your office, Mommy?" the boy asks excitedly. Amor nods, waving him over. "But you never let me go to the office!"

            "I know, but if you're just going to mope about here, then I might as well take you," Amor says, ruffling his hair. "Tara na."

            Amor and David walk to Buenavista Publishing—they didn't have to bring a car. On most days they do because Amor regularly has to drop of David in school, but today, of all days, Amor needs to clear her head before proceeding. And she is rather fond of walking.