John
Hello again Manila!!!!
Less than one week vacation lang but I'm glad may chance umuwi. A friend of mine is getting married and I didn't pass up the chance to go.
And sasama si Sofia.
Haaayyyy.
We've been constantly emailing, chatting and video calling each other for over two months. Mahirap and sobrang kailangan ng effort but ganun talaga di ba?
At first, it was a big adjustment and I worried that I'd fail at it. We'd keep missing each other's calls or one would call too early, the other too late.
We both didn't like noisy mornings but we had to adjust because morning her time was night in mine and vice-versa.
Then, the more we talked, the more we realized there was so much difference. At one point, Sofia commented, "John, I'm not sure this would work."
"Huh? Why?"
"I worry that all these differences would cause us conflict?"
I had to keep my emotional response in check, and thought about it rationally. I wanted to say Mali ka! Bagay tayo! Pero baka matakot so I said, "I think it would be okay."
"Why?"
"So far, nothing in our values conflict. Those 'differences' seem to be in areas we can adjust in. Besides, during the time we were together here, maayos naman tayo."
She made a face. "Oo. And see how it ended?"
"Sorry na nga kasi."
She laughed at that.
That was one thing I noticed, we could talk about what happened before without it affecting her mood. I dared to ask her why, and she finally admitted, "I guess... I'm more secure now."
And that was a good thing.
I was also slowly getting to love the video calls (but getting over Manila's slow internet connection has tested my patience a number of times) that one time at lunch, she was still awake, I asked if I could video call her.
"Ayaw ko."
"Why?! Come on! I want to see that face!"
"Nakamaskara ako."
Yan na naman yung walang kwenta niyang joke. And I said so.
"Aba. Nilait pa ako. Fine."
Finally , she called and when her face popped up, I SCREAMED.
Super close up on my tablet was a white face with holes for the eyes, nose, lips.
Naka-face mask amp.
"Told yah." She said, laughing.
"You didn't have to put it so close!"
"Where's the fun in that?!" She teased.
But today... today I get to see her in person. I can't wait!
The wedding was tonight at a venue near the airport so I arranged for our family driver to pick up Sofia and then head to the airport and we'd arrive at the wedding together.
I was fidgety while waiting for my car. Sofia was not reply so I was worried that she backed out.
My driver called. "Sir, nasa waiting area po si Ma'am. Kailangan kong magpark kasi nakaharang po ako. Babalikan ko po kayo kapag nagkita na kayo."
"Ha? Bakit hindi siya sumasagot ng phone?"
"Lowbatt po."
"Saan ko hahanapin dun?"
"Siya lang po yung naka-gown doon."
I rushed to the other waiting area and sure enough, there stood Sofia. It was the first time I saw here fully made up and in formal gown, and she was just breath taking.
More importantly, her eyes lit up when she found me.
I ran to her and almost went in for the hug. But then, I realized... hindi pa pala ako sinasagot nito.
"Hug me na! I don't bite! Besides, that's the least you could do... kanina pa ako pinagtitinginan dito," she joked.
I didn't need to be asked twice.
I couldn't stop staring at her at the car. No, not because sobrang ganda niya ngayon, but because she's here with me now.
"Stop, nakaka-conscious na."
"Sorry. I missed you."
She didn't respond but she blushed. "I'm happy you're home."
At the ceremony, I found that a lot of friend I haven't seen in a long time attended. We previously agreed that I'd introduce Sofia as my date, so that's what I did.
Sobrang enjoy nung party! Tawanan with friends, dancing, kulitan... sa sobrang saya, minsan naiiwan ko si Sofia.
I know, I know. I suck.
Ayan kanina pa nga ako hindi kinikibo. Kung makinig sa kwento nung lola nung friend ko, akala mo siya yung magmamana nung beloved vase ni lola.
When lola left, napilitan na siyang tumingin sa akin. "On a scale of 1 to 10, how much does tonight hurt my chances?"
She looked at me and smiled. "It doesn't. I mean, yes, naiinis ako that you forgot about me most times... but I can't blame you for wanting to catch up with your friends. Minsan ka lang nandito eh. I just wish I weren't an afterthought."
"Uy, no. Sorry. Sorry talaga. Hindi naman sa ganun..."
"Pwede na next time mas careful ka na lang? It's one of my issues kasi. I don't like feeling that way and I get hurt."
She was giving me a chance. "Thank you. Please know na hindi ko naman intention yun."
"I'm sorry for ruining your night," she said. "I didn't mean to bring up drama, I just thought you should know."
"I understand. And no, hindi nasira yung gabi ko."
She even agreed to have a few drinks with my friends after the reception and struck up a quick friendship with one of my female former classmates.
When I brought her home, she smiled widely. "Thank you for bringing me."
"Thank you for being my date! Pwedeng date ulit bukas?"
She giggled. "Okay."
"Eh sa isa pang bukas?"
"Haha! I have lunch with my family."
I shrugged. Pushing my luck, "Kahit merienda lang? Or gawin mo akong driver? Please?"
She stared at me for a moment and then tentatively asked, "How about joining us?"
