Arra
Three weeks later...
Yes, three weeks. Inabot ng three weeks yung "I'll call you" niya.
"Hello, Arra Clara!"
I rolled my eyes like I always do when he calls me this. It's from an old teleserye and after years of not having a nickname for me, he latched on this. "Hello, Pong Pagong."
He laughs heartily. "I'm in the area. I have a meeting near your office. Do you have lunch plans?"
"Hmmm," I flipped through the pages of my calendar even though I already knew. "Free naman. Libre mo?"
"Always!"
I had to smile at that. Even on his most annoying times, Pong always paid for our meals. He only let me pay when I already ordered and paid ahead or when I say that I'll pay for my share.
We agreed to meet at the restaurant because it was pointless for him to walk all the way to my office just to pick me up. He was already there when I arrived.
"Hi!" We greeted each other before taking a seat.
After ordering a pasta and him a steak, he stared at me and said, "You look good. Work's not so stressful?"
"It is," I sighed. "But I like the job. You? How's it been being home?"
He chuckled. "Ang kulit ni Mommy. She checks up on me when I wake up, if I've had breakfast, when I get to the office, if I've had lunch —"
Just then, his phone rang. "See?" He showed me his phone and the caller ID says it was his mom calling. "Hi, Mommy."
I chuckled. He nodded eventhough Tita Zeny couldn't see.
"Yes, yes. I'm having lunch. Si Arra nga ang kasama ko eh." He frowned. "Ma, wag na kasi."
After a few more moments, he handed me the phone. "She wants to talk to you daw."
Surprised, I took it. "Hi Tita!"
"Hija! Ikaw pala ang lunchdate ng anak to today. What's he eating?"
"A steak po."
Pong's eyes widened then he sighed, exasperated with his mother.
"Does he have rice?"
"No po. He only ordered mashed potatoes with it."
Tita Zeny clucked. "Turuan mo nga siya mag-kanin ulit!"
I chuckled and said yes, not telling her that I wasn't having rice today as well. When she was finally satisfied that Pong would be ordering some rice, Tita Zeny dropped the call.
We chuckled. Pong said, "Ang cute ni Mommy. Pero buti na lang malapit na matapos yung bahay ko."
"Huh? You're not staying with your mom while you're here?"
He shook his head. "Hindi na ako sanay eh and I need my space. But I'm close lang! I can visit her all the time."
"Sabagay. I can't imagine moving back home either. San ka pala lilipat?"
He mentioned the place he got near BGC.
"Wait! Oh my god! My condo is in that area!" I exclaimed.
"Oh cool! We're practically neighbors... again."
I laughed. "Yeah okay, kahit hindi naman talaga. But I can't believe you'd be that close! How long are you staying anyway? Or is this move for good?"
He shook his head. "Three years. Then, onto my next assignment."
I smiled, happy that he was here but also sad that at some point, we would need to say another goodbye. "Travelling all the time."
"Yup."
"You love it still?"
He nodded, then pinched my nose. "Huwag ka nga mag drama diyan. I'm here to annoy you for three years."
I grinned. "Yes! But wag ka ngang feelingero. Hindi ako sad na aalis ka na naman. Sad ako na three years kong titiisin yang mabaho mong kili-kili up close!"
Our orders soon arrived and we spent the rest of our lunch teasing each other and reminiscing how this friendship of ours started.
