He was walking back and forth then stopped midway. He stared at the close door before stepping forward. When he was facing the door he exhaled sharply before knocking three times.
"Sino yan?", and once again he heard her voice. He automatically smiled.
"Ahhh.. Ako 'to. Yung bagong lipat"
"May kailangan ka ba?", she asked.
"Ahm.. Wala.. Baka lang gusto mong magpabili ng kape. Bababa kasi ako"
She was silent for 15 seconds, yes, he counted.
"Hindi na. Salamat na lang", the voice answered.
He felt defeated.
Hindi pa rin ako pinagbuksan. Baka wala pa rin sa mood. Bukas ulit? Bukas ulit.
He decided to just go back to his unit then he bumped to the guy next door.
"Akala ko bibili ka ng kape?"
He just smiled in response.
The guy shook his head.
"Style mo kasi bulok"
"Paano ba?", he innocently asked.
"Daanin mo sa joke!"
"Joke?"
"Oo. Mas gusto na ng mga babae ngayon ang lakaking may sense of humor"
He nodded.
"Salamat po Mr.?"
"Jani. Call me Jani", he said smiling.
"Richard po", he smiled back.
/
That night he search for jokes then called his mom after.
Ma.
Oy? Baby boy
Ma naman eh.
Oh? Bakit? May girlfriend ka na ba at ayaw mo ng tawagin kitang baby boy?
Maaa.. 25 na ako
Hoy Ricardo kahit 72 years old ka na, baby boy pa din kita! Bakit ka ba napatawag?
Wala... Miss ko lang kayo ni Daddy..
Tigilan mo nga ako Richard. Bakit ka napatawag?
Ma, ano kasi... Nakarinig na po ba kayo ng mala-anghel na boses at sa sobrang ganda gusto niyong malaman kung sino ang nag-mamay-ari ng boses na 'yon?
Hindi. Sintunado kasi ang daddy mo. Bakit?
Ano kasi Ma eh.. Hindi ko po maintindihan...
Maiintimdihan mo din yan 'nak. Sige na, matulog ka na.
Ma.. I love you po.
Goodnight anak, I love you too.
