Everything Has Changed

XVII

Patricia is packing her things up when the doorbell rings. She doesn't take it until it rings again. She makes her way downstairs and sees no one. "Aling Cecil? Yaya Weng?" She clicks her tongue. She opens the door and sees Migo outside the house. She opens the gate for him. "Migo? What are you doing here?"

Migo grins. "Good morning! Sinusundo kita."

She frowns. "Excuse me? Bakit? Saan tayo pupunta?"

"Saan pa ba? Sa hospital."

"I have a car, mr. Javier."

"But you don't know how to drive, ms. Cortez."

"That's why I have a driver."

"But he's out treating himself a breakfast." He wiggles his eyebrows.

Patricia looks around to see if Bill isn't really there. She looks back at him then lets a deep sigh out. "What do you want ba?"

"Sabay na nga tayo kasi."

"Ay nako, ewan ko sayo. Mula noon hanggang ngayon makulit ka pa rin. Mas makulit ka pa nga ata ngayon." -she says quickly. Oops.

On the way to the hospital, neither of them has the guts to break the ice. Migo just glances at her from time to time through the right side view mirror and Patricia does the same through the same mirror. Their eyes would meet but he can only smirk and she just looks away.

When they arrive at the hospital, before getting in, Migo finally speaks to her. "Can I ask you something?"

Not again. She just looks at him.

"May naisip kasi kami ni Olive... It's a bit big pero kakayanin just for Trixie.."

She frowns. "What do you mean? Anong naisip?"

He clears his throat. "Uhm..." He grins. "I told her I wanted to surprise our daughter with something big. And she thought of a great idea, pero kailangan din ng tulong mo sana.."

She is about to tell him to just go straight to the point but a girl approaches them and interrupts their conversation. "Sir Javi? Migo Javier?" The girl gasps. "Oh my gosh, ikaw nga!"

Migo looks at her. At first he realizes that the girl's face is a bit familiar but he can't completely recognize who she is. He smiles. "Sorry, do I know you?"

She smiles widely. She extends her arm to shake hands with him. "Ano ka ba? I'm Stacey, your favorite waitress from your favorite restaurant! Remember?" She giggles. "How've you been? Medyo matagal ka nang hindi kumakain doon ha? Nabawasan tuloy ng mga pogi..." She pouts.

Patricia just looks at this stranger from head to toe. She knows that's rude, but she just can't help it. She's too loud. She thinks. I don't like her fashion sense... Wait, that's not even fashion. She stares at her face and observes every feature. Not bad, but... Her eyebrows are too thick. Her nose? Definitely not as pointed as mine.

He laughs. "Pasensya na, sobrang busy sa trabaho eh. I don't have much time na to eat outside. Don't worry, this week, baka bumisita ako."

She's got fair skin; she's not Migo's type. She smirks a bit. Who is she anyway? So impolite to interrupt people talking...

"That's good! Basta ha, pag mag order ka ask for me. Pag hindi naku talaga, tampo na 'ko sayo." She chuckles. She looks at Patricia from head to toe also. Then looks back at Migo. "Who is she?" Then back at Patricia again. She stares at her. "Mestiza, rounded eyes at matangos... Bago mong girlfriend? She looks like ms. Olive, though.."

Patricia squints her eyes again, this time looking deep into Stacey's eyes. She fakes a smile, literally showing that it's fake. "They either call me Patty or Tricia, but since we're not that close, call me Patricia na lang." She raises an eyebrow but maintains the smile on her face. "And excuse me, I DON'T look like Olive. Nice to meet you."