The Returning Ex

Chapter 1: The Bestfriend

Luis' point of view.

"Thanks for coming, again, bro."

"You know me. Wherever there's beer, I'm always present."

He laughed, "That makes the two of us friends."

"Pero seriously Stephen, I'm one call away."

"I know. Me too."

I watch him drink the beer in his mug.

Broken-hearted na naman 'tong tropa ko.

His third this month.

I'm actually not surprised anymore – na parang damit lang kung magpalit siya ng babae. As a matter of fact, I already memorized all his break-up litanies. Ikaw ba naman ang makinig sa kaniya twice, thrice, or more a month.

This has been the cycle of his love life for the past three months that we've been friends and I honestly do not know why he keeps on doing this to himself.

"Why don't you settle for a fine woman?", I ask out of the blue.

He looks at me. No, he stares at me – blankly.

"What do you mean fine woman?", he asks as he takes a sip of the beer from his mug.

I know that he knows what I'm talking about. He just chooses to ignore the question – like he always does.

"All the women I dated were fine – fine as hell.", he winks.

I smile at the thought. Loko talaga 'tong si Stephen.

"A good woman."

He's a bit taken aback from my answer.

But I know that no matter how good my questions are, he'll find a way to twist them. He's always been very secretive about his life – love life, in general. I always want to give him advice but, he just won't open up.

He smirks.

"They were all good, bro – good in cooking, good in singing, and most especially, good in bed."

I knew it. Walang matinong sagot na ibibigay sa akin 'tong lokong 'to.

"Well, I hope you find someone who's good in taking care of you too.", I answer sarcastically.

Stephen's point of view.

I know what Luis means with "good" woman. And hell knows how hard I've been trying to find one – the reason why I've had so many failed relationships the past months – years.

I just can't find "her" in them.

"Well, I hope you find someone who's good in taking care of you too."

I just smile hearing that familiar sarcastic tone – that one he gives me when he's already given up interrogating me.

Luis is a good friend – I know he can be trusted and I know he understands but, I'm just not ready to speak up yet.

"So, how's your M and M? Still sweet?", I ask to change the topic.

MM is Luis' long-time girlfriend. He calls her MM, I call her M and M just to tease him. Why MM? Hindi ko rin alam. I don't ask because I know I'll feel bitter about whatever that sweet reason is. Basta ang alam ko, MM ang tawag ni Luis sa kaniya at nasa ibang bansa siya. Isa pa, I have never really opened up to him about my relationships, so it will be unfair if I won't give him his own privacy.

Luis flashes that familiar smile whenever she hears her name. I can't help but feel envious. I wonder when I'll feel that wonderful feeling again.

"She's always been sweet. And she's doing really fine, just finished her thesis defense."