"Elmo, you’ll have a meeting with Mr. Chen later." Blaise, the editor-in-chief of the magazine I’m having a photoshoot with, said.
"Alright. Thanks, Blaise." I said. She closed the door of my hotel room and I went back to watching tv.
I’ve been in Singapore for almost 3 months already. I was offered a big project here. An international movie and I couldn’t just reject the offer. It’s also a way of seeing my mom who lives in Singapore with her new family.
"Moe, why not stay at our house na lang? You’re Tito Robert wanted to see you and your little siblings." mom said when she visited me the night after I arrived here.
"Nah. I’d rather stay here ma. Nakakahiya kay tito." I said.
"If that’s what you want. Pero you can always visit us. Kahit one night lang after your work."
"I’ll try ma. Maybe if I have no work." I told her.
"Okay sige. I’d better go. Your little siblings are waiting for me already." she said and kissed my cheek.
"Okay ma. I’ll see you guys soon." I said.
I woke up from stupor when I heard my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Brader!!" I heard a familiar voice. My face lighten up as soon as I realized who it was.
"Gino boy!"
"Ano dude? San ka? Kita tayo."
"You’re in Singapore?" I asked.
"De pare nasa China ako." he said and we both laughed.
"Baliw ka pa din no?" I said.
"Haha. Loko lang. Ano nga? Nasan ka dude. Tara kita tayo. Dami mong kkwento tanga." he said.
"Okay fine. I have no appointments til 4pm today. Kita na lang tayo sa Kith Cafe. Saan ka ba nakacheck-in?" I asked him.
"Sa Mandarin ako brad. Ikaw ba?"
"Sentosa ako eh."
"Osige. Kitakits na lang." he said. I hang up the phone and I prepared myself and went out of the hotel after.
I arrived at the coffee shop and saw Gino sitting at the al fresco. I walked towards him and removed my shades as I sat down.
"Ano brad?" I said. He looked at me and a smile formed on his lips.
"Elmo boy!" he said and ruffled my hair like I was his little brother.
"Aray! Hahaha. Musta na?" I asked.
"Ikaw ang kamusta na? Bigla kang nawala hinayupak ka." he said as he sips from his coffee.
"Ts. Biglaang offer kasi dude. International movie eh. Papalagpasin ko pa ba?" I answered.
"Pero uso paalam brad. Mukha kaming shunga kaya na naghihintay sayo kapag Friday. Tas malalaman ko na lang na nakalipad ka na pala palabas ng Pinas. Langya ka din eno?"
"Tss. Paano mo naman nalaman?"
"Nagpunta ko sa condo mo and nakausap ko yung receptionist. Sabi niya wala ka na nga daw and that you flew here in Singapore. Oh."
"Alam na ba nilang lahat?" I asked. Suddenly feeling guilty for not saying goodbye to them.
"They know alright." he replied. I heaved a deep sigh as I imagined their faces. Nakakamiss din pala ang tropa. "Nasaktan siya dude." he added. I lift my head to look at him and he has this worried look in his eyes.
