Sofia
I awakened to the buzzing of my phone.
I missed the call, but when I picked my phone up, I noticed dozens of messages from John. Sitting up immediately, I sleepily checked them.
WAKE UP! HINDI PWEDENG GANITO!
I'M SORRY IF I'M BOTHERING YOU PERO HINDI AKO MAKASIGAW DITO SA EROPLANO.
SOFIA MORALES GUMISING KA!!!! HINID MAKATARUNGAN ITONG GINAWA MO SA AKIN!
BABALIK AKO THIS WEEKEND MISMO... TEKA WALA NA PALA AKONG BUDGET. PAUTANG!!! SOFIAAAAAAA!
I was laughing hard when the phone rang again. Composing myself, I calmly picked up on the fifth ring. "Hello?"
"Sofia Morales!!!" John whispered. "Ang unfair mo!!!"
"Have you landed?"
"Three more hours. BAKIT!!! BAKIT KA GANUN???"
I chuckled. "I thought we had two more days. Blame your meeting."
He groaned. "Pero... seryoso ba yun?"
"Yes," I said, smiling into the phone. "Seryoso."
"I'm... I'm speechless," he said. "I can't tell you how happy I am."
"Are you? Happy, I mean."
"I'm euphoric."
"Naks. Nag-google ka ba para diyan?" I teased to cover up how thrilled I was at the word he used.
"Oo. Ang tagal mong sumagot eh, hindi na ako mapakali dito."
I giggled. "Hey, I have another surprise for you."
"Talaga? What?"
"I have a vacation in a month. Two week break din yun and I was wondering... Is it okay if I spend it with you in New York?"
"Sofia, are you serious?"
"Hindi, joke lang."
He cussed and I laughed.
"Of course, I'm serious! But I'd understand if you have other schedules na. I just thought... that it would be nice to spend some time together again?"
"Sabi ko naman sa'yo hindi ako makasigaw dito eh!" He complained. "Gaaaaaahd.... ang saya saya saya ko alam mo ba?"
"Good. So... I'll come visit you?"
"Yes! Yes please."
That month in between felt soooooo slow. I kept myself focused on work so that I could get as much done and be able to enjoy my vacation with John. Luckily, he was also able to take a few days off and most my second week there, we would be able to spend a lot of time together.
As soon as I could, I searched for John at the airport and didn't have to look very long. He ran, picked me up and twirled me then gave me the tightest hug. "Hi! You're here!"
When our eyes met, we both looked at each other's lips... but immediately felt shy. Even if we had been official for a month now, we hadn't share a kiss yet. He leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose. Grinning up at him, I said a silent thank you. "Thank you for picking me up."
He took me to his apartment and put my suitcases in his guest bedroom. "I'm sorry its small but I cleaned everything and complete naman ako ng gamit. I also scrubbed and disinfected my toilet!"
After showing me some food provisions, he said, "I'd have to head back to the office this afternoon. Will you be okay here for a little while?"
"Yup. I think I'll just rest muna. Napagod ako sa trip."
He waited for me to get washed and changed then escorted me to my room and tucked me in. "Rest. I'll bring dinner for us later?"
"Yes, please," I replied, yawning. "Wake me up when you get in?"
"I will."
"John?"
"Yes, Sofia?"
"Can I get a kiss?"
Our first. And it was sweet and lovely and great.
*
For the first part of my trip, I went to a lot of museums I didn't have time to go to in my previous visits. John was at work so I didn't have to rush. But there were days when I'd pass by his office and we'd have a quick lunch before he headed back to his stuff. Dinners were always spent with me, which I appreciated.
His serious work face would immediately drop as soon as he sees me. "Hi!" Then, he'd lean in for a kiss.
There was a time I was distracted by a mime, he made a face, pretended to mime as well. His actions? Pursed lips and his finger pointing to it. Of course, I indulged.
I'm happy to report, he finally took me to see Lady Liberty. I told him I didn't need to because I had been there before but he insisted that he make up for all those times before. I insisted it was unnecessary, but allowed him that one instance.
There was nothing grand in those two weeks. Some moments were spent with his friends there, but most of it was just us — having dinner at his home, lunch meet ups, seeing the city and our favorite places... what was important was that we did it together. It was something very important for a long distance couple like us.
"Hey, I forgot to tell you. My boss wants me to apply for this role in London — higher position, higher pay, better benefits," he told me one night.
"Uy! That's nice. Go for it!"
"Yung worry ko lang is that mas alanganin ang time difference natin. I mean, okay it's closer but the time to talk? Mababawasan. Halos lunch break lang yung magiging usap natin. Mahirap yung ganun. Important sa atin yung laging may communication."
I consoled him. "Ano ka ba. There are emails naman and weekends on top of that. Kaya 'yan. Don't let it stop you. Gagawan natin ng paraan."
"Thank you. Ang swerte ko talaga sa'yo."
"Buti alam mo."
We laughed. Little did we know his fears were founded. For now, we cherished those two weeks in New York that gave us some of the best days and memories embedded in our hearts forever.
—-
Note: One chapter left. =)
