New York
January 2017
She lied because she didn't go back to duty after that call. She's going home because she booked a flight to the PH tonight. Her parents knew, but Loel didn't.
Bea asked for a one-week break from the hospital. At least she'll be able to witness the growth of the restaurant and help Thirdy. She got her luggage and asked their driver to drop her off at the airport since her parents were still working.
She texted Zel,
"I'm going to the Philippines. What pasalubong do you want?"
After hitting send, she smiled, imagining the reaction of everyone in the Philippines when they see her. She's even going to arrive before her parents.
Well, I guess we can all do anything for love.
Philippines
The day in Manila is bright and warm.
Bea was picked up by a driver that Elmer hired. She was quiet the whole ride, maybe because she's really nervous.
"Ma'am Bea, tama po ba itong text message mo? Sa The Grid Restaurant po tayo didiretso, hindi sa bahay ni Sir Loel?"
"Uhm, yes po." She sighed. Buti na lang Zel and her mom taught her Tagalog, kung hindi she'll have to ask everyone to talk slowly pa.
The driver drove papuntang The Grid and played music. It's really traffic and 10am na. Bea's sure that Thirdy is mad because 9am here yung FaceTime nila dapat, so she left an iMessage saying,
"Hey, good morning! Are you in the restaurant already? I'll call you at night. There's a patient who needs surgery."
She laughed at her excuse, but at least she texted.
It's already 11:12am when they arrived. She asked the driver to drop her luggage sa bahay ng Kuya niya. She went straight to the restaurant and there's a girl who greeted her.
"Hello. Reservations under what name po?" the girl asked.
Bea looked at her uniform and saw on her name tag that her name is Kristine.
"Uhm, no reservations. Just here to visit Thirdy. He's here, right?"
Bea smiled and dirediretso sa kitchen, kaso hinabol at hinarang siya ni Kristine.
"Uhm, excuse me po, Ma'am. You should book an appointment po before seeing Chef Thirdy personally. If you want po to taste the food, you can sit in the waiting area for the walk-ins," Kristine politely said.
Bea is annoyed now.
"Can you just tell your boss that Angel is here? At least try to bring it up."
Napakamot ng ulo si Kristine.
"Okay po, please wait there na lang po." She pointed to the long line of people waiting to be able to eat.
She rolled her eyes kay Kristine na pumasok naman sa kitchen.
"Chef Thirdy, may babae sa labas hinahanap ka. Nagsusungit na," Kristine ranted.
"Ano daw pangalan? Alam mo naman hindi ako nakikipagusap pag nagluluto."
"Sinabi ko na, Chef. Angel ata pangalan."
"Wala naman akong kilalang Ange..."
That's when he realized.
No, not his Angel.
Pero kinabahan siya. He removed his apron at nagmadali palabas ng kitchen.
"Akala ko ba wala kang kilala?" Kristine asked habang naglalakad sila.
"Saan ba?"
"Ewan ko. Sabi ko hintayin ka sa waiting area. Inirapan ako. That bitch."
And then Thirdy saw his Angel. She's holding her phone, mukhang galit na galit sa katext niya at nakasimangot.
"Fuck. She's here."
Thirdy went to her and pulled his girlfriend into a hug, but Bea slapped his back kaya napaaray si Thirdy.
"What? Why?" he asked.
"Fuck you. I'll leave a bad review for the service. I just wanted to see my boyfriend eh."
She looked at Kristine, who's now curiously looking at her.
Thirdy laughed and held her hand.
"Kristine, I'll give you a list of names of people who you can allow to see me ah. And this is Bea, my girlfriend."
Kristine smiled nervously and said, "Sorry po about earlier, Ma'am!"
"I'm famished," Bea said, which made Thirdy laugh. Hinila niya ito and made her sit at the table near the kitchen.
"Wait here. I'll cook," Thirdy said.
"Uhm, can I borrow your phone? I'll call Kuya and Dani," she said.
Thirdy got his phone from his back pocket and left Bea alone.
Kristine served an appetizer to Bea, but she's already dialing numbers and just said, "Thanks."
When Loel picked up his phone, he immediately said, "Yes, I know! The ghost is here."
"Fuck you, Kuya! Go here!" Bea said.
"Oops, okay. On the way, Sis."
She texted Dani and said,
"Hello, Dans! Ate Bea here. I'm at The Grid. Mind if you join me? :)"
And sent the text.
When she locked his phone, she saw that Thirdy had a lot of unread messages.
"Oh, he's not reading pala," she whispered.
Sakto naman, Thirdy and another staff member went outside the kitchen to serve her food.
"Thirds, this is too much food."
"I thought Loel and Dani will come? Kulang pa yan sa kanila, actually."
"Ohhh, oo nga pala."
Bea got her utensils and started eating na. Thirdy laughed at his hungry girlfriend and kissed her forehead.
Taste of love is cheesy this time.
