Lost in Tokyo

Ichi

I am not familiar with the streets of Tokyo nor can I read the Japanese characters that dominate my surroundings. If I had known better, I should've gotten that pocket wifi so I had a gps and a translator with me. The frugal Maine won and decided it would be an adventure to figure this city out on my own. I've been going in circles for about 30 minutes now and I still don't know where I'm supposed to meet my parents.

"Hi, I noticed you've been going back and forth. Are you lost?" A tall guy with dimples asked.

"Finally! Someone who speaks English! Uhm yes? I don't know where Ikinari is. Is it around here?"

"You're actually at the wrong metro stop. Ikinari is 5 stops away. Don't get me wrong, I'm not freaky and I have a lot of time in my hands so I can accompany you to Ikinari. I'm headed towards that direction anyway. I'm Richard, by the way. You are?"

"Maine."

"Ah, Maine. Like the lobster?"

"Haha, really funny and original Richard. I don't know how many times I've heard that joke."

"Just teasing. You seem tense. Wait let me buy us tickets." He seems like he's lived here long enough. He begins to speak in Japanese, which surprises me because he doesn't look Japanese. Might be mixed.

"Here's your ticket. Anyway, are you here for the holidays?"

"Yes. I'm with my family but I woke up late. I was out last night so I told them I'd follow to the restaurant. You? Do you live here?"

We board the train and we sit opposite each other enough to give us some boundaries.

"I moved around a lot. I'm an expat and I've been here for 3 years."

After the first stop the train was getting fuller and he offered his seat to a pregnant lady, so he had no choice but to sit beside me.

"So Maine? Where do you live?"

"I live in Manila. I mean outskirts. I don't know if you know Bulacan? It's a province just right--" and he cuts me off.

"I know Manila. I've lived there all my life. But I haven't been back since. I try to keep up with everything that goes own but there's just too much."

"Like what?"

"Well we have a new president, this certain starlet is now a so-called journalist, there's a new actress I can't remember the name everyone is crazy about. I heard she's beautiful, too. The name is in the back of my tongue. She's been beating records but... wait I have the name."

I didn't want to keep the guessing game long, and he seemed harmless. I mean he seemed well-mannered, a perfect gentleman, and really clueless.

"M-M-Ma..." and he's still trying to figure it out.

"Maine!" A scream from a middle aged lady came from across the platform with several friends and then she entered the cart. "Maine! Pa picture po!"

I smiled at him apologetically afraid to burst his bubble. "That's me."

"Huh.. its true what they say you know?" He says grinning.

Now I'm confused. "What do they say?"

"That you're beautiful, mesmerizing, and incredibly nice?" His ears are becoming red.

"Is that a question?" I said with a raised eyebrow. It's cute that he turns into a five year old with his reddening cheeks and ears.

"No, it's a declaration. And if you don't know it, now you know." It's my turn to blush. I couldn't look at him and I decided just to look straight instead of facing to my side to talk to him.

"Now you're blushing. I thought you'd be used to the compliments by now. Anyway, this is our stop." He pulls me out of the cart to wave off the crowd trying to get in the train.

We walk three blocks and during our walk I found out that he's actually Filipino, his mom died a couple years back, he's working for an oil company, and that he worked hard to send his siblings to school. He stops by a flower vendor and buys a dozen of roses. My heart starts to pound afraid to know whether he actually has a girlfriend. That part I wasn't able to ask.

"Arigato gozaimasu!" He tells the flower vendor and the flower vendor smirked.

"Wow! For whom?"

"You."

"Me? You didn't have to, you know?"

"It's not everyday I get to bring the most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes on to her destination. It's the least I could do."

"Stop teasing!"

"Maine, even the flower vendor thinks you're beautiful."

"He does not!" I pinch his arm.

"He does. I'm just stating a very obvious fact. Well here's Ikinari. It's so nice to meet you, Dubsmash Queen."

"Thank you Richard for taking me here and for this."

I gave him a half hug and just when I was about to say goodbye..

"Jusko Menggay! Ang tagal namin nag-antay sayo!"

"Nanay!" I looked at Richard and then at Nanay.

Now how do I explain all this?