Just Another Day at the Beach

Lunch

We walked together silently, none of us saying a word. I was thankful that RJ respected how i was feeling and not forcing me to talk. "Kung may kailangan ka, magsabi ka lang ha." He said. I just nodded.

RJ opened the door for me at "The Native's: Batangas' fine seafood" and the staff greeted him. "Oh RJ! Akala ko break mo na. Bat ka pa nandito?" A waitress, Tuesday i read on her name tag, said greeting him. "Oo Tues. Kasama ko lang yung kaibigan ko mag lunch. Maine, Tuesday. Tuesday, Maine." he said. "Hello." I said giving my best smile despite the sadness i was feeling inside. RJ led me to a two-person table on the corner of the shop with the most light. Ive always loved good lighted places. "Salamat ulit, RJ ha na sinamahan mo ako." I said meaning my gratitude. "Oo naman. Basta ikaw." He said. Then i felt my cheeks flush with redness, so i looked away. I covered my scene by looking around the restaurant. "Wow ang ganda dito. Kailan ka pa nag ta trabaho dito?" I asked. "Matagal na rin. 5 years. Parang bahay ko na rin toh." I saw him reminisce. "Taga saan ka ba, RJ?". "Sta. Rosa, Laguna. I have a beach house just across here but i go home on weekends." He says. "Anlayo! I mean, im from Sta. Maria, Bulacan pero i live in a condo sa Metro Manila." I say. "Oh! Dito sa Batangas, maganda. Sobrang love ko yung beach. That's why i chose a job that can really take me to the beach often." He said. "I really, really love the beach din. It just feels good to get away from the city every once in a while. And i live alone pa in my condo so it could have been nice if Jan didn't leave and we would spend time together." I said not knowing that i was complaining to a gentelman, but sweet stranger. "Maine. Ok lang yun. I'm willing to spend my whole day with you. I can take a leave.". "Ang biglaan naman ng leave mo! Baka magalit boss mo!" I said worried for him. "Kaya ko talaga mag isa. Promise." I said not wanting to bother him or actually get in trouble because of me. "Malakas ako sa boss ko." He said winking. Then he stood up saying, "Order ka na. Magpapaalam pa ako sa boss ko.", and he was off. So i ordered some Gambas and a mango shake. Just something light enough not to fill me. Then I brought out my phone and Janeeva left me some text messages.

Jan 💋

Sorry talaga Meng na i had to leave na
biglaan. Bawi ako ha!
Sent 11:45 a.m.

Hay nako. Ang daming gagawin dito sa work. Rather be spending time with you atm 🙄
Sent 12:00 p.m.

Hi Jan! Having lunch here with RJ. Wag kang
magpa stress masyado ha.
Sent 11:30 a.m.

Then i turned off my phone and saw RJ walking toward me. "Payag ba?" I asked. "Oo naman! Sabi ko sayo eh." He said. So we ate our lunch together just having small talk. I have to admit, RJ was fun to be with. We talked about our families, and i found out that RJ's mom had already passed away and i swore i saw his eyes tearing up, but i decided not to mind it. Our hobbies, our jobs, and personal stuff and our pasts. "I had one boyfriend before. Yun lang. Seryoso kami nun pero masakit kasi yung dahilan wrong timing lang. Pero matagal na din yun and i got over him eventually. Kaso lang sooobrang tagal." I explained. "Ako naman i had two girlfriends before. The first one was just puppy love. We were still young and i knew nothing din. Pero the second one was really something and it took me 3 years to get over her. She would tell me she loved me araw araw! Tas one day nakita ko lang she was making out with a stranger i never knew." He said. I found out that we were both single too. Pero di na ako nag isip pa. Baka mapaasa naman ako. Di ako assumera.

Then i heard my phone ring. It was Jan. I declined and typed a message instead.

Jan 💋

Mamaya na. Busy ako.
                                                         Sent 1:00 p.m.

Yang RJ nanaman yan noh. Pinagpalit mo na ako.
Sent 1:01 p.m.

Oa baliw tumahimik ka.
                                                         Sent 1:02 p.m.

After the delicious lunch and the great talk with RJ, we headed to the beach.