Husband and Wife: The Vow

HAW: Chapter 3

ABBY GALE ORTEGA-ABELLARDO

I already texted manang na hindi ako sa bahay maghahapunan. I also told her not to worry about me dahil okay lang ako. I will just go home kapag sigurado akong tulog na si Jazz and asked her to lock the front door dahil may susi naman ako ng bahay. Ayaw ko lang talaga makita nor makausap si Jazz dahil naiinis pa rin sa kanya at sa secretary niya. Magsama silang dalawa mga walang kwenta. Ugh! I focused my attention sa ginagawa kong trabaho para kahit papaano eh madistract ako. The image of Jazz will keep ruining my mood.

The place is playing a good playlist kaya mas naeenjoy ko at nagiging creative ako. Karamihan rin ng mga tao na nadito ay may mga kaharap na laptop at yung iba eh nay nga libro pa. This cafe was built mainly so that students will have their own space where they can study with friends or confer with them. It is a good idea lalo na kapag walang available na bahay or kapag gusto mo ng pagkain habang nagrereview. There are also working people around gaya ko and it looks like busy din sila sa presentation nila.

"I knew it was you." Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakita ang isang lalaking nakatayo sa harap ko. He's smiling from ear to ear at gaya ko ay naka business attire din siya.

"Ako?"

"Yeah you."

"Excuse me but have we met before?" I asked.

"We did. But not formally."

"Huh?"

"Ako yung nabuhusan mo ng tubig nung isang araw." I squinted my eyes nung una hanggang sa unti unti kong naalala kung sino siya. I could not clearly recall his face because I wasn't paying attention but I do recall spilling some coffee to a stranger so yeah, it must be him.

"Oh hi! Oh my goodness! Uhm, I'm really sorry about that."

"Nah it's okay. But, it would be better kung may kapeng kasama, na iinumin ko ha? Hindi ko ipanliligo." Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. "I'm Harvey." He extended his hand na tinanggap ko.

"Abby."

"Just Abby?"

"Huh?"

"Is that what everyone calls you?"

"Yeah. It's my name."

"So, your name is just Abby?"

"Abby Gale."

"Then I'll call you Gale."

"Huh?"

"Gale, I am calling you Gale."

"I'm sorry. I am just jot comfortable being called by my second name plus, I've only met you."

"Well, everyone calls you Abby and I am just trying to be special."

"Why would you want to be special?"

"I don't know." I've only met him and he's already very comfortable talking to me kahit na nakatayo lang siya sa tabi ko. I did not invite him to sit but it felt like he was able to tell the story of his life. "I'm sorry, am I making you uncomfortable?"

"Huh? Uh, it's just that, I am not used to this kind of companionship. I am used to having one person."

"Your boyfriend?"

"No. Bestfriend. We've been friends since high school."

"I see. Uhm, can I take this sit?" He asked. I contemplated before awhile before answering.

"Yeah of course." I removed my bag and put it on my side since malaki naman yung inuupuan ko so kasya kami ng bag ko. I also closed my laptop and put it in my bag.