Turn The Page

Chapter 63

Meanwile, back in California, Page's coworkers, Macey and Joana, were getting ready to leave work after a tiring shift. "Ate Jo, bilis na, gutom nako," Macey complained. "Eto na nga eh. Mauna ka na dun sa kotse, eto kunin mo na yung susi," Joana instructed. "Eh hindi na, hindi na. Hintayin na lang kita sa labas ha, pero wag mo tagalan ate ha," Macey replied. "O sige sige na. I'll be out in a minute. Taposin ko lang toh," Joana said. Macey nodded as she stood up. She grabbed her stuff and decided to head outside. "Ahhh fresh air," she said the moment a cold breeze brushed her face after leaving the building. Then she was startled when she saw a good looking guy staring at her as she opened her eyes. "Ay," she said feeling embarrassed. "Ang pogi," she mumbled to herself. She was surprised when the guy started approaching her. "Hala," she said to herself, feeling self-conscious. "Hi," he greeted her. "Umm, hello," Macey greeted back. "Do you happen to work here?" He asked again. "Umm, yes..no," Macey said hesitantly, unsure whether she should share that information to a stranger. "Don't worry, I'm not going to stalk you. I was just going to ask whether you know anyone named 'Page Torres'. I'm a friend of hers. My name is Keeper," Keeper introduced himself. "Oh," Macey said, feeling relieved. "Yes, I do work with Ms. Page Torres," she said. "Macey," Joana called out to her. "Ay, ate Jo," Macey said while she watched as Joana made her way towards her. "How may I help you?" Joana asked Keeper. She put her arm around Macey's waist as if she was protecting her from him. Macey smiled at the two awkwardly. "You're not supposed to talk to strangers," Joana said subtly like an older sister scolding her younger sibling. "Stranger pa din ba sya kung alam ko na ang pangalan nya?" Macey asked half-jokingly. Joana's eyes widened which made Macey slump her shoulders. "Hinahanap nya si ate Page," Macey informed her. "Page?" Joana asked to confirm. "Yes, I'm glad you guys know her. I'm Keeper, I'm a friend of hers," Keeper answered. "Oh, you know what, we're not really entitled to give information about our co-workers--," Joana explained when Keeper tried to politely interrupt her. "Oh, I completely understand, and I'm glad you guys are not very trusting when it comes to giving out other people's information. But I can prove to you that Page and I are friends," Keeper said. "Ate naman, ang stricta eh," Macey said to Joana. "Mace, pag yan pala e stalker nya patay tayo kay Page pag nagbigay tayo ng information sa kanya," Joana scolded Macey again. "Oh hindi, itatanong ko lang sana kung nakabalik na sya. I've been trying to get a hold of her and her mom and tita pero wala kasing sumasagot eh. Alam ko umuwi sila ng Pilipinas, tapos I spoke to them once. Here, eto yung proof na nag-Facetime kami oh," Keeper said while he showed them his phone. Joana and Macey took a peek at the same time. They saw a photo of Page sleeping on the couch with another woman while on Facetime with him that he took a screenshot of. "Mukhang legit naman, ate Jo. Ayan o, halos three hours magkausap. May screenshot pa," Macey pointed out. "Let me see the number," Joana instructed just to make sure. Keeper did as he was told. "Okay," Joana said, still not convinced. "She's not here yet," she said to him. "Oh. Alam mo ba kung kelan sya dapat babalik?" Keeper asked. "To be honest, hindi ko alam yung exact date, pero I think she has two more weeks to go sa bakasyon nya," Joana replied. Keeper nodded. Macey and Joana could see his genuine concern. "Bakit? Hindi mo ma-contact ulit?" Joana asked. "Hindi nga eh. I tried to call both Facetime and sa messenger na video call, but nobody answered. Her mom didn't answer either pati yung tita nya. I thought maybe bumalik na sila dito sa Cali tapos busy na ulit sa trabaho. Workaholic kasi yun si Page," Keeper said. Now Joana was convinced that he was a close friend of Page. "Mag-jowa ba kayo, kuya?" Macey asked straight out. "Oist, eto talaga oh," Joana scolded her again. "Nagtatanong lang eh," Macey reasoned out. "I want to be her jowa," Keeper confessed. Macey couldn't help but smile. "Boy, wrong timing ka manligaw, nasa Pilipinas yung gusto mo jowain," Joana commented. Keeper sighed. "Ayun na nga eh," he said disappointingly. "Well, thanks anyway," he said. "Naku, kuya, bilis-bilisan mo. Baka pagbalik nun dito, 'who you' ka na sa kanya kasi may nanligaw ng iba galing Pilipinas," Macey warned. Keeper shook his head. "Nah, her mama's her jowa. If I can't get pass the jowa test, nobody can," he said confidently before he thanked them again and left.