"Huy love, ano kaya mo ba talaga? Magsisimula na."
"Kaya ko siyempre, tatayo lang naman ako sa stage."
"Eh kasi, baka mangawit ka dun."
"Sus, maigsi lang 'to 'no. Tara na."
RJ signaled to the staff that they are ready to go and that they can already start Poetry Night. With his wife in tow, RJ walked slowly to the stage as Yang introduced the very pregnant Maine who still insists on opening the Thursday night event..
"Hello everyone. Before I read you my piece, I want to inform you that I will already be taking a maternity leave after tonight. Jusko, tama pala yung asawa ko, ang hirap tumayo sa stage kapag ang laki ng tiyan mo. So for two months eh magtiyaga muna kayo sa mga tula ni Yang."
The crowd laughed and cheered for Yang who did a dramatic bow at Maine's joke.
"Also, in two months time din, our new home in the Faulkerson Place will be ready. We'll have a larger space for Poetry Night there!"
A collective "wow" surfaced from the crowd that was followed by an applause.
"O siya, here's my new piece. I hope you like it."
You are here.
In the morning when I wake up, I see you smiling while looking at me.
You are here.
In the afternoon, I pause from work because of your text message asking me how I am and I know that,
You are here.
In the night when I turn to the other side of the bed and I feel you following. You then pull me close, kiss my nape and whisper "I love you."
You are here.
I had a hard time believing but, yes, you are here.
She paused and glanced at her bedimpled husband. The look in his eyes radiated warmth and love, traces of pain and anger are no longer existent.
He helped her down the stage as she waved and said thank you to the crowd before her. As she was ushered by RJ to sit in a chair, she pulled her close and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
"I am glad you are here now, love. So glad."
And with a smile that almost made his eyes disappear, RJ replied with all sincerity,
"Me too love. Me too."
