The following day, 5am nang sunduin nina Mang Joaquin si Rob. Hindi nya nagawang magpaalam kay Alex dahil hindi sila nagpang-abot. Nabanggit ni Ate Sally na inutusan ni Nanay ang bunso na pumunta ng palengke.
Natapos ang pagtatanim ng around 10am, pagtapos ay dumating na ang limang jeep na maghahatid sa mga magkakabaryo sa Wahig river para sa taunang river race. Kasabay ni Rob si Ate Sally, dahil nauna na raw sina Nanay at Alex doon para mag-asikaso ng pananghalian. Nagkakasiyahan sila sa loob ng jeep at nagkakantahan ang mga binatang nakasama nya sa pagbubuhat at pagtatanim.
Nang makarating sila sa ilog, kumain na muna sila ng pananghalian, nagpahinga saglit saka iginrupo ang mga tao para sa palaro. Magkasama sina Rob at Alex sa isang grupo, kasama sina Ate Sally, Benji, Rico, Mang Roger, Fidel, at Peter. *moment na inalalayan ni Rob si Alex papunta sa bangka, at mga asaran at basaan ng tubig moment* Nanalo ang grupo ni Mang Joaquin, habang sila naman ay nagawang maging 2nd place. Hapon na nang nakabalik sila ng baryo at saktong nakareceive ng tawag si Rob mula kay Mang Nestor.
Mang Nestor: Sir Rob, may problema tayo. Nagawa po temporary yung sasakyan pero may problema po.
Rob: Ano yun?
Mang Nestor: Pag sinundo ko po kayo ni Ma'am Alex at lumuwas ng Manila, may chance po na masiraan ulet tayo sa daan. Yung isa ko pong naiisip, mauuna na po ako umuwi tapos idederecho ko na dun sa talyer yung kotse. Kung okay lang po senyo na mag-commute nalang tapos susunduin ko nalang po kayo sa Cubao bus terminal. Pasensya na po Sir~~
Rob: Okay lang yun. Kesa po pare-pareho tayong maabala sa daan. Mas okay po ako sa suggestion nyo. Sige, itetext ko nalang po kayo pag malapit na kami sa terminal
Mang Nestor: Sige po Sir. Pasensya po ulet.
Rob: Ok, bye.
...
Rob: Hey...
Alex: Yep?
Rob: I just talked to Mang Nestor. He can't pick us up later this evening. If he does, we'll all end up stranded in the middle of the expressway. Kaya mauuna na siya in Manila to have it fixed. Then we can just commute and he'll pick us from Cubao.
Alex: Wait, what about the presentation tomorrow morning? Remember at 9am, we have to present Josh's project to his sister and her business partner.
Rob: Yeah, I know. I even have a client lunch meeting kasama si Marcus. I think we'll be able to make it if we leave here like, what, hmmm max 8pm?
Alex: I think so, we'll be in Manila before midnight so long as inde tau matraffic.
...
...
...
Around 7 nagpaalam na ang dalawa kina Nanay Sylvia at Ate Sally. Pero bumalik din ng 8:30. Wala na silang naabutan na ticket pauwi. Wala ring byahe papuntang San Fernando. Ang pinakamaagang ticket na nakuha nila ay kinabukasan pa ng 1pm.
Rob: I can't believe this is happening! *may pagka-frustated na ang tono*
Alex: Sorry--
...
MONDAY~~
Nanay: Oy kayong dalawa, wala naman pa kayong gagawin, pumunta nalang kayo sa basketball court at tumulong kayo dun sa palibreng bakuna ng DOH. Mamaya pa naman kayo aalis.
Samantala, sa Battle Zone around 8am~~
Josh: Anton, have you talked to Alex?
Anton: Hindi pa, bakit? Nakausap ko siya last Friday though--
Josh: I was texting her all weekend, no response. Then trying to call her, out of coverage area. I'm starting to worry--
Anton: Ok, I'll try later. Tapusin ko lang 'tong isang email.
Josh: Is the boss already in?
Anton: Haven't seen him yet.
Josh: We have a presentation today at 9 right?
Anton: Yeah, I know. I'll try to get hold of Alex then I'll let you know. So in the meantime, why don't you chill or buy coffee or breakfast downstairs? What do you think?
Josh: Yeah, maybe it's a good idea. You want anything?
Anton: Large flat white, one sugar. Thanks!
Josh: No worries. Will be back soon.
Meanwhile, inside Marcus' office (over the phone) ~~
Marcus: Hey Bro, where are you?
Rob: Bro, I can't make it to work today. I'm out of town. My car broke down and the bus leaves not until after lunch--
Marcus: Hold a sec.. Bus?! You're commuting? Asan ka ba? Did you forget about the presentation of Josh's project and we have a client meeting to a big hotel chain company
Rob: I know. I'm as frustrated as you are. Kaya kaw na munang bahala.
Marcus: Ok, I'll attend both engagements. By the way, Alex is nowhere too. Out of coverage area ang phone nya. Maybe she told you where she would've gone to or--
Rob: I'm with her.
Marcus: What? Is something going on between you and--
Rob: I'll explain it to you tomorrow when I get back. And no, it's not what you think it is. Madumi lang utak mo! Alex's phone has drained out. I'll just call Anton.
Marcus: Ok bro. See yah. *still confused sa nangyayari*
Rob: Thanks bro. See yah!
...
...
...
Anton: *still focused on his monitor and typing, answers his phone* Yes, hello?
Rob: Hey Anton, this is Rob..
Anton: Oh, yep? What is it?
Rob: Here's Alex-- *sabay abot ng phone*
...
...
Alex: Friend!!!
Anton: Wait lungs... I'm lost! Was that Rob? *looks at his phone screen* And yes, this is Rob's number-- Magkasama ba kayo?
Alex: Yep. Andito rin sya sa Nueva Ecija. Mahabang story, ikukuwento ko nalang sa'yo bukas. Pramis. Pero in short, inde kami makakapasok today. Yung next bus paluwas ng Manila is 1pm pa. So yun-- Kaw na munang bahala dun sa project ni Josh ha.
Anton: ...
Alex: Hello? Anton? Andyan ka ba?
Anton: I'm speechless friend. I don't know what to say. Are you and Rob, by any chance??
Alex: Nope! Walang malisya okay. I'll tell you everything tomorrow. But favor, can you please NOT tell Josh that Rob and I are together?
Anton: Roger that! And PLEASE, can you text or call me once you get home later?
Alex: Yep. I will. Thanks friendship! Luv you!
Anton: Luv you too. Ingat kayo sa byahe.
...
...
...
Josh came back with coffee and breakfast, then Marcus went out of his office to tell everyone that Rob will not be in because of an important engagement, and Alex is still stuck in Nueva Ecija, so it's down to Josh, Anton and him to present the cafe project to Josh's sister and her business partner. Josh was surprised that Alex didn't tell him she was going to the province, and wasn't able to hide the sadness in his face. Anton just looked at him pitifully kasi alam nya iba ang tunay na nangyayari compared sa sinabi ni Marcus sa lahat.
BINABASA MO ANG
You Are The One
RomanceLuck was not on Alex's side. After recently losing her Dad and her job, on Valentine's day when she tried to surprise her boyfriend, AJ, she was the one surprised finding him sleeping with another woman. Meanwhile, Rob has it all -- a good family...
