The Returning Ex

Chapter 2: MM

**That's Luis up there.

MM's point of view.

"Hello. Who's this?"

Napangiti ako listening to his voice – that manly, calming, and caring voice that I'll never get tired of hearing.

However, I can feel the uncertainty. Perhaps, he's hesitant to take my call as it took too long for him to answer.

"Hey, guhit."

"M – MM?"

He sounds so surprised and I can't help myself from giggling.

"Hey. Wait... You're using a local phone number...?"

I do not know if it's a statement or a question but, I answer anyway.

"Uh-huh."

"Wait. Don't tell me –"

"Yes.", I say quickly.

"You're home? You're in the Philippines na? You're – But, I thought – Where are you? I'll go to you."

I can't stop giggling at his reaction.

Well, this is my plan anyway – to surprise him.

During the last time that we talked, I planned on telling him that I would be home in the next week – reasoning that there were few academic stuff that I still needed to attend to.

"Slow down, hot stuff.", I giggle again. "Hindi naman ako mawawala. I'll wait for you.", I say just to calm him down.

"But, I thought next week pa? Why are you – "

"Ssshhh...", I interrupt him. "I'll text you where I am, okay?"

I hear him release a short breath as I put him on loud speaker to type in my message.

"Alright..."

After a short while, there's a sound from his phone. Perhaps, he got my message na.

I hear his low laugh from the other side of the line.

I can imagine him smiling.

"I'll see you."

Then, there was silence at his end.

"I love you."

Damn. I can't wait to see him.

"I love you too. Mag-ingat ka."

"I will."

He hangs up. I can tell – my man's in a real rush.

I throw my phone to the bed and walk towards the window of the hotel room that I am in.

I can't go home since my family is still in a cruise ship vacation and won't be back until next week. And since I want to surprise Luis, hindi na ako naghintay ng next week to come back.

I specifically requested for a room where I can look over the city.

I miss the Philippines – the jeepneys, tricycles, fish balls, halo-halo, city lights, and almost everything! Simula kasi noong mag-start ako studying in New York, hindi na ako nakauwi – until now.

Now that I thought about it, napakarami na ngang nagbago. Well, what should I expect, anyway? Five years is such a long time.

I walk back to the bed and just let myself fall onto it.

I stare at the ceiling. I realize that the lights are off – bakit maliwanag?

I look to where the light is coming from. And there's a well-lighted billboard just right next to the hotel – of a girl I know nothing about, endorsing some mineral water.