Paolo
I whistled on my way to work.
Whistled.
Possible pala to be this happy.
I spent another fantastic weekend with Arra. We took a quick trip to an art gallery, then had a romantic dinner at a restaurant with a beautiful view of the city, then on Sunday again heard mass together and spent some time at the weekend market where we bought ingredients for the dinner we cooked together. We just talked and talked and laughed.
Then, this morning, we had a quiet breakfast close to her office before parting ways for work.
Thank you. Thank you. I prayed to the heavens above.
I had to get ready for a meeting but a knock on my door distracted me. "Yes?"
There, standing by the entrance to my office, was the person I thought I would spend the rest of my life with.
"Jen?"
"Hi Paolo," she gave me a buss on the cheek.
"What are you doing here?"
"I've been assigned to this office as well. Sales Head. I guess we'll be seeing each other often again," she said.
Suddenly, I felt worried. My relationship with Jen was no secret especially to Arra. But how would she take it now that we were seeing each other? I don't want to jeopardize anything I have now - my work with this company and my situation with Arra.
Hay! Bakit ba kailangan magkaron ng ganito now?!
I first met Jennifer when I was transferred to the US after my assignment in Singapore and a brief stint in Dubai. She had also come from our Dubai office so we were put together as "buddies" for her to help me in the transition.
Because we work in different departments, I didn't see her as often when I got settled but we would bump into each other once in awhile in the neighbourhood supermarket or park. Eventually, we started meeting up on purpose.
It was a good relationship. Steady and uncomplicated and some people have told me that's what you look for. The roller coaster of emotions in a relationship were for the young.
Because things were good naman, and at that time we had been dating for over 2 years, I decided maybe it was time to get married. My mom has been bugging me enough.
So, that year, I told my parents I would propose. Then, I told Arra, after a lot of introduction... ewan ko hindi ko masabi agad sa kanya eh, but I wanted her to be a part of my decision.
"Really?! Wow! Congratulations, Pong!"
"Hindi pa ako nagpopropose! At hindi pa siya nag-ye-yes, so save it muna."
Arra chuckled then. "Fine! So how does it feel? Paano mo nasabi na siya na yung The One?"
I didn't know. "Two years na kami. Siguro naman enough na yun. Okay naman kasi kami together."
"Pong?"
"O?"
"Can you promise me you'll still make time for my birthday even if you're married na?"
Of course! I said as much. "Sorry if I missed some already ha?"
"Oo naman. Besides, you called! Hindi ka na nga lang nakakauwi here because ang layo ng America eh."
Before we said goodbye that time, Arra asked, "Diyan kayo magsesettle 'no?"
"Most likely. Citizen siya dito."
"Hay. Okay."
"What's wrong?"
"Wala naman. I just miss what we used to do when we were young."
I chuckled. "Digging a hole to get to another country?"
"Yes! Hahaha! Anyway, I need to sleep. Congrats again, Pong."
"Thanks, R."
"I miss having you here."
Well, advance mag-isip si Arra because I never got to announce the engagement. Jennifer broke up with me a few weeks later just as I was about to get the ring.
"I don't think this works for me, Paolo. I just... I'm looking for something else."
That something was apparent a "someone". She replaced me with another guy days after we parted.
Wow.
How do I tell Arra now? An invite for drinks arrived at my email — a welcome for Jen's joining the Manila office.
I rang Arra's phone. "R."
"Hey!" She said, cheerily and I felt great again.
"R, I have a work thing tonight so I won't be able to pick you up. Okay lang ba? Kung mahihirapan ka magbook ng Grab, I can leave early naman. Drinks lang naman yun eh."
"Oh, I see. No, it's okay. Kaya yan. But safe ba for you to drink and then drive?"
"I won't drink na lang. Magpapakita lang ako."
"Okay, good. Sige, enjoy ka later."
"R, wait. I have to tell you something."
She paused, waiting for me to continue.
"The welcome drinks is for Jen."
The line was quiet.
"R? Arra?"
"Jen? Jennifer? Your ex-future fiancée?"
"Stop calling her that nga. Ex lang."
Arra seemed smiling. "Okay."
"Anong okay?"
"Okay I will stop call her your ex-future fiancée and okay on the welcome drinks. Thanks for telling me."
I had to be sure. "You're not mad?"
"Ngek. Bakit naman ako magagalit? Walang reason!" She explained. "But I DID pause to think kung nagseselos ako."
I smiled. "And?"
"Hmmm maybe slight. She was important to you so I feel a bit uncertain but like I said, irrational yun. I trust you. And I trust your fear in Pauline."
We laughed at that.
"Nothing to worry about, okay?" I reassured.
She took a deep breath. "Okay. Thank you, Pong."
"Tell you what. Magpapakita na lang ako saglit then pick you up," I offered.
She asked where the venue was. Hearing that it was closer to my office, she countered. "What if I just go there when I'm done and the sabay to you going home?"
"Good with me, too. Whatever your preference is naman."
"Alright. I'll go there. See you later!"
"See you!"
After the call, I sent a message again reassuring her.
Nothing to worry about. It's you and me now, okay?
Her reply: Don't forget Rocky! You, me and Rocky. Seriously, thank you. I appreciate the reassurance — but I need 3 gold coins.
Three lang! She's okay. Thank god.
How lucky am I?
