"Meng! Nagkatampuhan na naman kayo ni Rj, no?"
"Huh? Bakit po?"
"Pansin ko kasing dalawang araw na tayo dito sa US, buntot ng buntot sa akin."
"....hindi po..."
".....asows......anong kasalanan nya sa yo?"
"....wala po...."
"Anong wala? Hindi bubuntot ng bubuntot sa akin yun kung walang problema.....baka mamaya nyan, kami pa magkatabi sa kama......ayusin mo yung problema nyo.....mag-usap kayo....."
"Eh naman kasi 'Nay.....ang tigas din naman ng ulo.....ayaw makinig....."
"Ganun talaga.....pakinggan mo rin ang side nya....."
"....tina-try ko naman intindihin e...."
"Ano ba kasi ang problema?"
"....gusto ko sanang sabay nalang kami umuwi.....mag-extend sya ng ilang araw....."
"Hmm....pero...."
"Pero sabi nya, may work pa sya.....chineck ko kay Sam, sabi naman okay pa naman.....workaholic talaga siya e...."
"Eh may mabuting dahilan naman pala e.....pero oo, medyo workaholic nga sya...."
"Kaya ako nagtampo kasi ayaw na naman makinig sa akin.....uuwi pa rin sya earlier....."
"Ay anak....nagiging brat ka na nyan.....hayaan mo na sya.....kailangan din naman nya yung space nya e.....kahit na kayo na, kailangan nyo ang sarili nyong 'me' time....."
"Pero 'Nay.....baka ma-ospital na naman yan sa sobrang daming work...."
"O sige....kakausapin ko....pero wag kang bratinella dyan at magmamaktol kung di nya maayos yung flight pauwi...."
"Opo...."
"Promise mo sa akin yan...."
"Opo....promise po....."
"Rj, anak...."
"Yes po?"
"Nagkatampuhan na naman ba kayo?"
".....nagtatampo sya kasi di ako tatagal sa New York....uuwi na rin ako after the show...."
"Bakit ambilis naman? Nakakapagod ha?"
"Opo.....medyo.....pero gusto ko rin po kasing mag-spend ng konting time sa family ko po.....miss ko na po sina Daddy...."
"Ahh...."
"....actually, nagpaayos po ako ng schedule kanina.....kaya ako umalis....."
"Hmmm...."
"Opo.....nagpa-extend ako ng two days more.....yun nga lang, di pa rin tayo magkasabay ng flight.....fully booked na po kasi yung flight nyo...."
"Ahhh...."
"Opo.....Nay, nasa room po ba si Meng?....sasabihin ko po sa kanya agad...."
"Iniwan ko dun kanina....di ko lang sigurado kung lumakad ulit....."
"Ahh sige po....text ko nalang po...."
"Okay...."
"Hello Love. Wag ka na magtampo sa akin please. I have a surprise for you :) Meet me at Serendipity Cafe at 6:30pm...See you!"
It was only around 4pm so Maine walked around Manhattan, recalling the sights and experiences she had when she interned in New York as a college student. She fell in love with the city and promised to return.
At 6:30pm, Rj was waiting outside Serendipity Cafe. He had his boyish, bedimpled smile waiting for Maine as he saw her approach. He buzzed her on the cheek though she was still cold toward him. They sat in a table for two away from their group, sitting across from each other.
"One frozen hot chocolate, please" Maine told the waitress after perusing the menu.
"....and for the gentleman...?"
"Can I keep the menu first? I haven't really decided..."
"Sure! Let me get the lady's drink first and then come back...."
"Thank you..." Rj smiled at the waitress who left immediately.
Without saying another word, Rj pulled out an envelope from his pocket and slid it towards Maine, who was looking at the poster on the wall.
"Ano 'to?"
"Open it...." Rj said, smiling.
She unfolded the paper and read it slowly. Her eyes widened.
"Surprise!" Rj said proudly. "Hindi nga lang tayo magkasabay ng flight....but I'm staying on for two more days...."
"Thank you! Thank you!" Maine reached for Rj's hand and held it tight.
Rj smiled. "Wala na tampo tampo ha? Please?"
Maine nodded, smiling. She pursed her lips and "blew" an air kiss for her Rj.
