Connection

Chapter 13

/THIRD PERSON/

So it began to feel normal. The sudden visits,  the random text messages, the candid conversation. The newly-built friendship has made Aga and Lea feel comfortable around each other, so much that it became easy to throw corny jokes. She could tolerate him again now, not rolling her eyes whenever he says something stupid for instance. Or not calling him names and meaning it. It was mostly the little things that juxtaposed with the old good times. But that’s where Aga was trying to draw the line. His feeling of wanting more of that— more from Lea than what she can offer— should not intensify. Not when she’s learned to give him an easy smile and unsuppressed laughter. Not when he could reach for her hand again. He knows it’s going to be messy if he even tries.

Standing in front of her house with a cake in his right hand is still a safe part of that line. Because today is Lea’s birthday and he wants to give her something— celebrate with her even.

“Good morning, Nay!” he greeted Nanay Cristy who opened the gate.

“Ang aga naman ng bisita. Pasok ka.” the older lady said glibly. “Napapadalas ka yata rito, ah.” the sudden changes between the two shocked Nanay Cristy, especially given how she practically witnessed them setting foot on each other’s neck. She’s happy, nonetheless, to welcome Aga inside the house without pissing Lea off.

“Gusto ko lang po itong ibigay kay Lea, birthday girl eh.”

“Kahit hindi naman niya birthday, dumadalaw ka pa rin. Parang nanliligaw tuloy ang pormahan mo.” she teases. She knew, of course. Nobody knows the two ex-lovers more than she does. The look on Aga’s eyes whenever Lea is around was an old film she’s very familiar with.

“Nay naman! Ang bait na nga sa akin nun, huwag mo na bigyan ng ibang meaning. We’re really great friends now.”

“Ang sinasabi ko lang naman may ibang mga kaibigan din naman si Lea pero hindi naman madalas bumibisita rito.” it was a whisper to Aga’s ears that he only shook his head to. Comments like that made him realize how hard it was to draw the line.

“Hey!”

Lea’s heels made their way through the stairs, “Hey! Happy Birthday, Ma’am!”

“You didn’t have to come here to greet me. It’s literally six in the morning!” she said and gave him a casual beso. Aga smelled her hypnotizing scent that just dug him deeper into his rabbit hole. “But thank you. You are so sweet, Mr. Muhlach.”

“You are going to work?”

“Yeah, my birthday is not a special holiday or something. Gotta work. You wanna join us for breakfast?” Nanay Cristy had already laid three sets of utensils, followed by their actual breakfast.

“You should make it one.”

“And what will I do staying alone in the house for a whole day? It’s going to bore me, I’d rather teach and terrorize my students.”

“You’re cruel, I should report you to DepED.”

Nanay Cristy quietly watched them during that conversation, still feeling surreal that they’re no longer attacking each other. She watched with a small smile, seeing just how good they look together again. They might not realize it— Lea may not— but they’re slowly rekindling what was left dead for seventeen years.

After their hearty breakfast, they took a small piece of the cake Aga bought and ate it.

“Thank you again for bothering with this, Aga.” she said. This was the part where he should be giving her his gift, but it was missing from his pocket when he tried to reach for it. Panic quickly set in, thinking he had lost it forever somewhere irretrievable. “You had a... Aga, you had a little icing on the left of your lips.” but his mind could only think of that gift she’s supposed to be receiving right now.