Send Me In Orbit

Coffee

Clark pulled out her seat for her. You have to order at the counter so he asks what she would like.

"Macchiato, no whip, one packet if sugar?" He asks before Leah can reply.

She gaped up at him, unable to believe that he still remembers.

"Sorry." He smiled sheepishly. "Is that still your order?"

Leah nodded. "Oo, 'yun pa rin."

"I'll be right back."

She watches him walk to the counter, admiring his body that hasn't changed. He still looked as good as ever. His shoulders arched up as he leaned a hand on the counter while he ordered. Leah couldn't help remembering the curve of those shoulders and the arch of his back when he wasn't wearing a shirt...

Leah slapped her cheeks to rid herself of those thoughts. "Ano ka ba, Leah..."

She took out her cellphone and texted Simon.

Not going to the office today. See you tom.

His reply was immediate.

What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?

No. Ran into an old friend. Catching up.

Okay then. Take care. Is it anyone I know?

Clark sat down across from her and Leah put away her phone.

"Everything alright?" He asked. "Sorry this is so sudden. Do you have plans? Anywhere you need to be?"

"Hindi! Hindi naman. Ikaw ba?"

"No, nothing important," he smiled.

Their coffees arrived, along with a cheesecake.

"I saw that they had Salted Caramel," Clark said. "Your favorite, right?"

Leah blushed and nodded, extremely pleased that he still remembered all these things about her.

They were silent as they sipped their coffee, their eyes moving rapidly around, looking anywhere but at each other. How do you talk to the person you almost married two years after breaking up? Where do you even start?

"So...Kamusta na ang pamilya mo?" Clark asked. "Sina Tatang?"

Leah's tense shoulders relaxed. "Okay naman sila. Nasa tenement pa rin pero may bahay na kami. Noong natapos ako sa medical bills ni Tatang, natubos ko sa wakas ang jeep niya. Kanyang kanya na kaya mas malaki ang kita ngayon ni Tatang sa pamamasada. At pinapayagan naman siya ng doktor at ni Nanang, basta 5 times a week lang at hindi buong araw. Sa umaga hanggang tanghali lang siya kadalasan namamasada tapos pahinga na. At si Gabby naman, ang laki laki na! Grade 4 na, malapit na mag-grade 5, biruin mo!"

"Wow, big boy na," Clark grinned.

"Hindi ako makapaniwala." Leah shook her head. "At may bagong boy kami on the way. Si Manang Tiffany buntis na."

"Yeah, I heard. Bilis ni Tolayts. Their wedding was only a year ago at nasa pa abroad siya."

"Umuuwi naman paminsan minsan ng ilang linggo. Kakauwi lang niya ngayon."

"The last time I saw them all was at their wedding," Clark said. "It's been too long."

"Sayang nga hindi tayo nakapangabot noon," Leah told him and he looked confused.

"Nag-video call ako noong reception."

Clark nodded. "Would-would you have talked to me then?" He asked hesitantly.