Clocks and Pens

Reconciling hours and ink

Maxine's POV

I swear something went wrong after our Valentine lunch date.

Have I told you that Andrew never failed to text me everyday? Kahit ano pa ang ginagawa niya, kahit nasaan pa siya, laging may Good morning/afternoon/evening, Are you busy/Don't tire yourself too much, How are you/I miss you/I love you messages na manggagaling sa kanya. Walang palya.

Nasabi ko rin ba na he also calls every time to check on me? Lalo na pag hindi kami nagkikita.

At, oo nga pala, he's a randomly-surprising-me kind of guy. I get flowers kahit walang okasyon. He can make something special out of our little dates. Pati mga biglaang banat during our phone calls, ang lakas ng dating. I even get love letters every now and then, email man o sulat-kamay.

Which is why the way he's been acting for the past two weeks bothers me a lot.

He's been so timid and quiet. Our phone calls are short and far in between. The text messages are almost non-existent. And, even though I don't expect him to always come up with little surprises, I can't help but be disappointed.

Just two days, yes, sinundo nya ako from work, but his lack of interest on how my day went is apparent kaya naman nauwi sa mahaba at tahimik ang byahe namin pauwi.

And what depresses me most? Hindi niya suot yung regalo kong relo. Shallow, I know. Pero wth, anong gusto nyang isipin ko sa behavior nya?

I was pulled out of my reverie nang tumunog ang phone ko. As if on cue, he sent one of those seemingly-obliged text messages.

Hey, you ready to go? I'm right outside your building already.

Wala man lang I love you? Kahit kiss na emoticon, wala. Ano bang problema nitong lalaking 'to?

Padabog kong inayos ang mga gamit ko sa cubicle ko. Jeez, it's been a long day, though it's only six in the evening, tapos ganyan pa aasta ang boyfriend ko. Stress level reached its peak.

I typed my reply, Palabas na, then hit send. Tapos lumabas na 'ko ng office at dumiretso sa elevator.

Another long, silent ride to endure.

Andrew's POV

I was taking deep breaths, rehearsing my lines in my head, nang lumabas ng building si Maxine. Preparing my sweetest smile, sinalubong ko siya.

Kaso nilagpasan ako. Dumiretso siya sa kotse.  And worse, sa backseat siya pumwesto.

Sinundan ko sya, opening the door to the backseat of my car. "Why are you sitting there?"

She didn't look at me. "I'm tired. Just drive me home." Her voice was cold.

Oh no, not a good sign. Masisira ang plano ko!

"Bakit kailangang dyan ka maupo? You know I like holding your hand while I'm driving." I kept my tone gentle. Damn, mukhang wrong timing  yung plano ko.

"I can't ride shotgun right now. I'm feeling dizzy." Ayaw pa rin niya akong tingnan. Oh, Max. Bakit ngayon ka pa sinumpong?

I decided to let the issue go. Pumunta na 'ko sa driver's seat.

She was unusually quiet while we're on the road. Ni ayaw akong tingnan kahit panay ang sulyap ko sa kanya through the mirror.

I should have seen this coming. Two weeks ko siyang binigyan ng cold shoulder, so I shouldn't expect her to just tolerate that, right?

Pero bakit naman sumaktong ngayon pa siya tinamaan ng galit? Of all nights naman.