Arra
"Arra!"
I woke up late today so I was startled at how perky Pong's voice was when he caller just before lunch. "What?"
"Sorry! Were you taking a nap?"
"No, I just woke up."
"Ha?! Tanghali na!"
"Yes, mom."
He chuckled. "Punta ka dito later."
"Ha? Bakit?" That was an unusual request. He'd often pick me up when we go somewhere so I'm surprised he's asking me to go to him today
"I have a surprise. Hindi ko madala diyan eh. What time are you free?"
"Lunch lang ako then ligo."
"Ah so 7pm."
"Heh."
I arrived at his townhouse at around 3pm. "Where's my surprise?"
He rolled his eyes then let me in. There seated meekly by a corner was a dog who looked like Rocket's baby twin. "I got him at a rescue center earlier."
"Oh my god! Can I come near him? What's his name?"
Pong grinned sheepishly. "Rock... y"
I chuckled but it seemed apt. Pong made introductions. He told me that Rocky was abused then abandoned but remained very loving and when Pong saw him, he knew he needed to take Rocky home.
"Rocky, this is my friend Arra."
Rocky hesitated at first but then warmed up to me quickly. "I had another good friend before. His name was Rocket. He was my number one best friend! Number two lang si Pong."
"Hey!"
Rocky seemed to tense but sensing that Pong wasn't mad, he eased up and sat between our legs.
We spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know Rocky and, just like when we had Rocket, things felt right in this world.
My condo compound allowed pets but my place was too small so I had to go to Pong's place to keep seeing Rocky. Good thing he was cool with it. "Daan ka lang anytime. Walang problema."
"Really? I'll call ahead para hindi hassle if you have friends over."
"Okay lang nga. Even then, you're welcome here."
The next few days were spent getting most of the stuff Rocky needs. "Here o! Nice yung bed. Tapos these toys!"
"Sobrang baby naman ni Rocky!" Pong teased, then headed to get dog food. Once every thing Rocky needed was done, he turned to me and said, "Coffee tayo?"
I agreed, wondering why he seemed nervous about asking. As usual, we stuck with the same order so he let me find a seat while he got our coffee and pastries.
While waiting, I got a tap on my shoulder. "Luke!"
Yep, Luke from the Gospel years. He gave me a hug and then asked how I was doing. "I haven't seen you in awhile. You're looking good."
"Thanks. What are you doing here?"
"Buying some stuff lang then decided to read a bit here. May kasama ka?"
Pong arrived and put down our orders. He extended his hand out. "Paolo."
"Yes. This is a very good friend of mine, Pong - uh, Paolo. Paolo, Luke."
The two men shook hands and then Luke started to leave. "I should go then. I'll call you sometime, Arra."
I heard Pong mutter something like "Kahit wag na."
I gave him a look. "What?"
"Wala. Di ba iniwan ka nun?"
"Aray ha," I complained. "Well, oo. Hindi niya tinuloy whatever it was we had pero okay na yun. He was good to me when we were seeing each other."
Pong rolled his eyes. "Sige na. O here's your food. Eat. Pumayat ka since you got sick."
And we spent the rest of our time catching up on work and other things we could think of.
I lay in bed that night thanking the heavens above for such a good day. I really enjoyed time with Pong and now Rocky was here. Wow, wow, wow!
Pong also said he'd take me out the following Friday because he found a hole-in-a-wall Italian restaurant I might like.
"Wow! This is so nice!"
The lights were dim and the place wasn't crowded. People also seemed to be talking in hushed tones adding to the intimate atmosphere of the venue.
"I hope the food is good," Pong commented.
We both ordered pasta and some wine. While waiting, he asked, "I have a question but it's personal so tell me if you don't want to answer."
"O? Ano?"
"Di ba you said you're open to dating again? Ano yung mga kailangan gawin nung person kung gusto ka niya i-date?"
I frowned because I didn't really think about that and it was strange for Pong to ask, but we talk about anything naman so I pondered on it before I replied. "Hmmm... depends I guess. Kung hindi ko pa siya talaga kilala, maybe frequent coffee dates? Nothing formal para walang pressure na 'date' yun. I don't do so well in those settings eh."
"Panong formal setting?"
"Parang ganito! Like if this were with someone else, I'd be so awkward now."
I noticed he looked a little dejected but since he was quiet, I continued. "I don't know... I just want to talk and talk and talk. Yung parang the conversation never ends pero hindi siya effort? It just flows. But at the same time, I appreciate someone who's not afraid of the silence."
He smiled at that. "That IS nice."
When we were done for the night, he asked, "Can I walk you up to your door?"
Puzzled, I agreed. He didn't go in though. "Ah ito pala unit mo."
"Yes. It's not much, but it's mine."
"Alright. I should go, it's late. Church on Sunday?"
I nodded.
As he retreated, I called him back. "Pong! Why are you being all weird?"
"Manhid."
"What?"
"Wala. Isipin mo. Talino ka naman eh. Text mo ko pag gets mo na."
"Anong prize?"
"50 gold coins!"
"WOW! Teka dito ka muna!"
"Babye!!! See you Sunday!"
Anong sikreto ni Pong ang worth 50 gold coins?!
