Everything Has Changed

XV

Patricia has her eyes closed already and is ready to sleep. But she hears someone outside the house so she turns the light of the lampshade on and sits up.

"Patricia!"

Someone's calling her repeatedly, but not so loudly. It's like shouting but whispering at the same time.

"Patty!"

She chuckles. Stop it, Patricia. Your imagination is knocking on your head again... She lies down but gets up again when she hears it again. She takes the blanket off her and goes outside the balcony. She frowns as she sees who's outside, looking at her direction, grinning. "Migo?" She rubs her eyes with her knuckles to make sure it's not just her imagination or she's not dreaming. And Migo is still there. She peeks into her room and looks at the clock on the table beside of her bed. Twelve in the midnight?! What is this monkey doing here at this hour? She heads downstairs and opens the gate for Migo. "What the hell are you doing here? Do you know what time it is?"

He grins at her then scratches his head. "Sorry.. Ano kasi..."

"Ano?"

"Yung..."

"Yung ano?!"

He sighs. Then gets something from his pocket. He takes Patricia's hand. "Sayo ata 'to. Nakita ko lang sa kotse the other day.." He puts the necklace on her palm then turns and starts to walk away.

She looks at the necklace. Fudge. Oh for goodness sake! How can you be so stupid, Patricia?! Ughhh! It's the necklace he gave her when they were in college. Yes, she kept it. Every where she goes, for the past thirteen years and until now, the necklace is always with her. She always brings it in her bag although she never wears it anymore. She takes a deep breath before stopping Migo. "Mi-- Migo?"

He stops then looks at her.

"Uhm... Do you want to--" She sighs. "Do you want to have coffee or something? Baka antukin ka sa pag ma-maneho..." Only to thank him for giving the necklace back to her at this hour.

•••••••

She places the coffee kettle and the cups before Migo. She pours some in both cups and pushes the other one closer to him gently. "Taste it. Baka masyadong mapait. I'll get you more sugar kung ganoon."

He takes sips of it then smiles at her. "It's perfect." He puts the cup back on the table. "Parang ikaw lang, perfect." -he whispers.

Her eyebrows meet. "Ha?"

"Ha? Ah, wala." He chuckles. "Sila bagets, tulog na?"

She nods. "Weekdays, remember? May pasok."

He nods. "Kayo lang talagang tatlo dito?" He looks around. "I think it's too big for just the three of you.."

She shrugs and sits too. She takes a sip of her coffee. "Wala eh, kaming tatlo lang talaga." She puts the cup back on the table. "Are you sure it's okay na mag kape dito? Baka hinahanap ka na ni BABE." She says that word a bit louder.

He smirks. "Okay lang. Wala sa bahay yun ngayon.."

She fakes a smile.

"By the way, can I ask where David is? Medyo matagal tagal ko na rin syang hindi nakikita.."

"Europe. He has to work there. Medyo emergency eh."

He nods. "I see.." He takes more sips of his coffee. So that's why there's no one bothering you these days... "Can I ask another thing?"

Oh no...