After 5 years:
"Hey, pasalubong ko", a head suddenly popped on Beatriz's door. Kararating mo lang trabaho kaagad", sita sa kanya ni Mae.
"Kailangan kong tapusin ang mga ito, before turn over Mae and that's a month from today".
"I'm not questioning that pero dumiretso ka na raw rito from Airport. Kumusta sina Tita and Tito?"
"They're fine, bigla silang nagka-interes sa Tennis, so they joined a club in Napa. And they never looked happier".
"So, you're leaving PI for good, then?", may halong lungkot sa boses ni Mae.
"You can always come and visit me. Magsasawa ka sa wine and grapes and we can go horseback riding sa vineyard.", pang-aalo ni Beatriz sa kanya. Naisip ko kasi tumatanda na rin sila and I want to spend some quality time with them" dagdag pa niya.
"Eh paano naman ang quality time with me aber?", nagpout pa si Mae..
"Okae, okae, dinner my treat" sagot niya alam niyang naglalambing lang naman ang kaibigan niya eh...
"So, wala ka talagang pasalubong sa kin. Kaya dinner na lang" pang-aasar ni Mae, habang palabas sila ng office niya.
"Wala", natatawang sagot ni Beatriz. Pero alam niyang alam ni Mae, na nasa bahay niya ang pasalubong nito..
Malaki ang pinagpapasalamat niya kay Mae, she was and always been her source of strength amidst storms.
"I remember, may bagong bukas na Italian Bistro across your office, doon na lang tayo mas malapit", yaya ni Mae.
At pumunta nga sila doon sa "Heart of Lliantriz"
"A unique name for a Bistro, don't you think", si Mae.
"Yeah, inventive", sagot ni Beatriz, with a cloudy expression.
Napansin naman agad ni Mae ang pag-iiba ng mood ni Beatriz.. The name of the Bistro Lliantriz.. Noong sila pa ni Jullian, lagi nitong sinasabi they will name their firstborn "Lliantriz"
"You want to go to another place", yaya ni Mae.
"No, here's fine. Let's order", ani Beatriz with a smile.
Mae ordered "ossobuco alla milanese" (cross-cut veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine and broth), tiramisu and capuccino
while Beatriz ordered "cotoletta alla milanese" (a fried cutlet similar to Wiener schnitzel, but cooked "bone-in"), tiramisu and ristretto.
"Magkuwento ka nga, 3 weeks ka ding nasa business conference and for sure Tim was there too", lambing sa kanya ni Mae.
Si Tim Port, ang tinutukoy ni Mae, Beatriz met him 3 months ago in another conference.
They clique, because they have the same interests, Italian Cuisine and Pastries..
"Yeah, he was with me alright. Dinala nga niya ko sa mga favorite pastry shops niya in California. He even met mom and dad."
"So, anong sabi nina tita?"
"Nothing, ano ba dapat sasabihin nila?"
"Solita Beatriz, insensitive ka talaga, may iritasyon sa boses ni Mae. Tim likes you. Kung ako ang niligawan ni Tim, yes agad."
"Mae, let's not go into that please. He's just a friend, PERIOD."
and both sat in silence, when the music changed..
Playing in the Background: CRAZY LOVE by Michael Buble.
At tumingin sa kanya si Mae, a sympathetic look on her face and then she held her hand.
Lagi kasing kinakanta ni Jullian sa kanya iyon nung sila pa.
"I guess this place reminds me of the things that I'm running away from", si Beatriz.
"Maybe, it's time for you to face it and move on", sagot naman ni Mae.
And Beatriz thought maybe she's right..
When her phone rang.. it's Tim...
"Hey gorgeous, I'm outside your office, but the guard said you went out already", si Tim.
"Papuntahin mo dito", Mae mouthed..
"Hi Tim, yeah, I'm with Mae, care to join us. We're across the street, Heart of LLiantriz Bistro".
"I'm on my way, sagot naman ni Tim"
Na kay Tim na lahat ng hinahanap ng isang babae, pero napaso si Beatriz and her heart never healed.
"Hello gorgeous, hi beautiful Mae", bati sa kanila ni Tim and he sat beside Beatriz.
Di ba kayo sabay umuwi? nagtatakang tanong ni Mae.
"Nauna ako ng 1 week, sumagot si Tim. She needs to spend time with her parents."
At ngumiti si Mae, Beatriz, knew what she was thinking, plus points na naman for Tim.
Kumain sila ng dinner at masayang nagkuwentuhan.
Di nila napansin ang dalawang pares ng mata na kanina pa nakatingin pagpasok pa lang ng Restaurant, it's Jullians'..
video.. thanks to LYRICSBYMIKE
photo by: midnightdawnrpg
BINABASA MO ANG
WHEN FOREVER ENDS (filipino-english)
RomanceA story about heartbreak, moving on and forgiveness... "Many waters themselves are not able to extinguish love, nor can rivers themselves wash it away.†(Song of Solomon 8:7)
