We went to a Filipino restaurant here in Millbrae. Dito na kami nasanay kumain pagkagaling sa hospital.
Upon going in we noticed that there is an occasion in the events room. DLSU Green Archers Fan Meet.
I led Jema to a table in a corner facing the street, yung di kami abot tanaw nung nasa event.
"Deanna Wong?" we saw a woman waved at us. I mouthed hi. Ganun din si Jema. Since the nearby city where we stay is inhabited by Filipino immigrants, meron pa ring nakakakilala sa amin.
She went to us and asked for a photo. We obliged. May araw talaga na ganito. Someone who still knows us will ask for a picture for the remembrance. Ganun pa din naman kami. Pinagbibigay pa rin namin ang mga fans. Just like the old days.
Our food was served already when I noticed na nadadaanan pala yung puwesto namin papuntang restroom.
A man came out of the events room and is now heading towards us.
Vince Santos.
Former DLSU Green Archer, played for a short time in PBA. I don't know why his PBA career was short. Maybe because of his bad attitude.
Di kaya ako galit sa gagong to.
Nakasabayan ko kasi tong ulol na to manligaw kay Jema. When my wife answered me at binasted siya, he did not took the defeat lightly. Ang bait kasi nitong asawa ko eh. Kahit never niya nagustuhan, pag umaakyat ng ligaw sa kanya pinapakitunguhan niya ng maayos. Tao naman daw umaakyat ng bahay nila.
Kaya ayun. Namisunderstood ng tarantado. He did some things like tweeting double meaning messages. Nung una parang blind item lang. Tapos the next may hint na that obviously pertains to me. Pinapalabas niya na umeksena lang ako. Na siya dapat ang sinagot. He tried to ruin our relationship.
We almost took our school's rivalry on a different level. If not for Jema, and the possibility that I might be kicked out in school and the team, matagal na tong nakabaon sa lupa.
"Hi Jema! Fancy seeing you here!" he greeted my wife as if not seeing me. I just eyed him. If looks could kill, malamang fossil na to, noon pa actually.
Hindi naman siya pinansin ni Jema. Parang walang nagsalita, ganun. Natawa ako ng konti. Monta ka noh? Kala mo diyan ah.
When Jema found out kasi na he is the man behind those confessions, at naging obvious na yung mga tweets niya, it's my turn na to stop her. Napaka-ungentleman naman daw pala ng pesteng yun. Buti daw di nya nagustuhan. Pinagsisihan pa yung pagtanggap niya kay herodes ng maayos.
"See you around guys ah! Faith, Kevin and I stays in Tito Efren's. Hope we can hang out soon. Balik na ko sa loob." paalam niya.
Bf nga pala ni Faith yung team mate niya. Feeling close lang? Tss..
We continued eating lang as if he didn't happen.
Wait lang...
If he is staying with Tito Efren's, so that means he is near us lang.
And I am leaving for a while pa.
Shit...
Wala talaga akong tiwala sa demonyong yun!
Bakit ba kasi nagpatuloy ng impakto yung tito ni Bea sa house nila!
Nakakainis naman!
"Napapraning ka na naman..." Jema broke the silence. Nagets niya rin yung naglalaro sa isip ko.
"Finish your food na. Then let's go home." kumunot ang noo niya at tinawanan lang ako.
I was about to say something when I took a glance at her plate. Tapos na pala siyang kumain.
Lumamig na tuloy yung bulalo. Ayoko pa naman ng sabaw na malamig.
Asar...
Bwisit talaga yung tukmol na yun. Kahit indirect nagdadala ng kabwisitan sa buhay ko.
I just ate the meat and ask for the bill. I lost my appetite na.
We went to a nearby grocery after. I just bought beef jerky na iuuwi ko sa Manila. Favorite ko kasi yun. Bumili na rin ako ng konting pasalubong for my officemates. Nagdagdag na rin ng stock sa apartment. Ayoko na lumabas si Jema for the whole week na wala ako.
...
After two days,
"Love always keep the door locked. You've got everything you need here.
You don't have to go out na. I'll call you every time I'm not busy. Take care of yourself. Always be vigilant. You sleep like a log pa naman. Okay lang yun as long as you secure the house first." bilin ko sa kanya.
"Ilang ulit na Love. Kabisado ko na po. Don't worry na kaya. Lagi akong mag-iingat. Wag na paranoid okay?" said Jema.
I tried to ask my boss if I can stay pa. Na iba na lang ang iassign for the seminar. Unfortunately di ako pinayagan eh.
Haay...
Mahirap rin naman pag di ka na in demand sa work mo. You will wake up one day, someone has replaced you na. Ayoko din naman nun.
We're just sitting in a bench. I already returned the car that I rented so here we are waiting for the grab I booked yesterday.
"Promise me, any untoward incident, call Tito Efren or Tita Miles. Binilin na kita sa kanila. Message me every time. I may not answer it agad but I will read it quick. It will set my mind at peace if you update me from time to time." pakiusap ko sa kanya. Pag nasa work kasi ako, I give my full concentration. I usually turn my phone off especially pag may meeting.
At isa pa, Jema is the one who charges my phone every night. Kung di niya yun gagawin, wala talaga makakacontact sa akin even during breaks.
I mentally remind myself about that.
The grab came na. I hugged her tight. Kissed her forehead while silently praying for her safety, and kissed her lips for God knows how long.
"See you in a week Love. Take care of yourself please."
I just placed my luggage beside me in the backseat. Yun lang naman ang dala ko at maliit lang naman.
Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang umaandar na ang sasakyan. Nang di ko na siya abot tanaw, umayos na ako ng upo.
Ayan na siya, umaatake na si SepAnx.
Haay..
This too shall pass...
