Half past eight, great.
The usual dinner buzz has died down. For the nth time, she had to wait. It's been almost two hours since she started to, yet here she is, two cups of espresso after, still waiting. She does not know why she still bothers to wait as if hoping that things will change for the very first time. But they never do, and she always ends up broken.
Realizing that it was not just her time but her money wasted as she continues to sit there, in the corner of the coffee shop, she called Cel. And on the first ring, she picked up.
Cel: What's up ----
Bea: Come pick me up, please.
Cel: What the hell, Beatriz? I had a tough day and I want to sleep already. Why don't you have your car with you?
She couldn't bear to tell her best friend why she had no car with her. What would she tell her anyway? That she didn't bother to bring a car because she was hoping he could bring her home after their supposed date? Cel would be furious. So she made up an excuse.
Bea: I, uh, I had it checked in for maintenance.
Cel: Bea, in case you forgot, you got about three more cars that you could use. Don't tell me -
Bea: Pretty please? I'm really tired already.
She heard Cel take a deep breath on the other line along with some rustling of things which told her her best friend was coming to her rescue... Again.
Cel: Alam mo I have a feeling why wala kang car today, pero sige, mamaya na sermon. I'll pick you up kahit ayoko.
Bea: You're such a pretty savior, Cel.
Cel ended the call, and she can't help but brace herself. That instant, she knew Cel knew what was up, like all the other times. She wasn't exactly fond of him.
She kept checking her watch and the alley beyond the glass walls of the coffee shop, hoping that by some miracle he would appear. For her. But there was no sign of him, and she grew tired of waiting. Fifteen minutes has passed.
Maybe that's enough waiting for today, Bea, she thought.
So she picked up her wallet and started for the door.
Thirdy: Isabel! Wait up! Isabel!
She closed her eyes at the sound of her name. He came. Two hours late, but he came. But is that enough? Of all the times they had to meet, there was never one instance wherein he was on time. She always had to wait, and she always had to read between the lines, as well. She sighed.
Too much emotions for today.
Thirdy: Isabel.
He now had her wrist in his left hand before she could swing the door open, forcing her to face him. She felt that inexplicable feeling, that spark, that connection, but somehow, it has died down a little. Like it was also tired of everything.
Thirdy: Sorry, I'm late. May pinabili lang si mama saglit, and I had to photocopy notes for my orals din.
Bea: Sanay na ako, Thirds.
Thirdy: Bea, I know I should have texted you about it. Sorry I made you wait... Again.
Bea: It's okay.
Thirdy: So where are we going for dinner?
Bea sighed. She waited for him that long and yet when he arrived, she did not want any of his bullshit. She wanted to, but she cannot just give it to him everytime. Besides, Cel was on her way.
