Paolo
"What?"
Kanina pa nakatingin sa akin si Arra but she hasn't said anything. When I ask, she'd shake her head then hide in her book. A few minutes later, I'd catch her staring again.
"Kinakabahan na ako sa'yo eh," I complained.
"Why? Malay mo may kulangot ka lang but I can't tell you?"
My hands went up to my nose then I headed to a mirror. We were lounging around my house today because she wanted to be with Rocky. After we walked him, he rested in his bed and Arra and I were now having a snack and reading our books at the sofa.
"Wala naman!"
She was laughing in earnest now. "Wala nga!"
"So why are you staring?"
"Wala lang! Ang cute mo kasi today. Bagay yung hair mo," she commented.
I had a haircut the other day because I was waiting for her to finish her hair treatment. Yes, as much as possible, I pick her up from work. Sometimes naman, she picks me up when my car is not allowed on the road. I cannot tell you how giddy I get when I tell my colleagues, "I have to go. Arra's waiting downstairs na."
Because she didn't want to tell me, I proceeded to just check my phone and before I knew it I was already working full time.
"You want pasta for dinner?" She asked.
"Hmmm... sure. Whatever," I answered.
A little later, she called out, "Dinner's ready."
"Sige," but I continued working.
"Pong, hey, dinner na."
"Pong —"
I continued to work for a few minutes. Well, at least I thought it was a few minutes. When I checked the clock it was past 9 and Arra was finished washing the dishes and was about to leave.
"Hey, sorry, I didn't notice the time."
"It's okay. Uwi na ako. Good night." She didn't even look at me when I she said it.
"Wait. Arra, wait lang." Thank goodness nagpapigil. "Sorry, sorry! Hindi ko napansin yung oras when I started working."
She pouted. "I ate alone and you didn't touch the food I made."
"I know. Sorry. Sorry na please?"
"I have to go na. Late na eh. We didn't get to spend time na," she lamented.
"It's my fault. Sorry. Sorry. Please forgive me," I asked.
She sighed. "Don't do it again ha? I understand naman you need to work pero don't ignore me naman."
"I know. Balance. I'll learn, I promise."
She nodded but I knew nagtatampo pa siya. "I really have to go. I have an early day tomorrow. Eat dinner ha?"
"Text me when you get in. Tawag ako agad."
I spent the rest of the night on video chat with her. Kahit pagtoothbrush, hindi ko pinababa yung phone.
"Sorry talaga, R."
"Kung hindi ka lang cute, hmph!" She teased, but I still felt bad. "We'll do better next time, okay? I'll tell Rocky to drag you so you'll pay attention."
I chuckled carefully. "Hay. I'm so sorry. I get so absorbed with work kasi."
"Don't be sorry about that. Timing lang. Sunday eh," she said.
I appreciated that. "Swerte ko sa'yo."
"Buti alam mo." She agreed. "I'll sleep na."
"Good night, Arra. Sorry ulit. Let me make it up to you?"
"Sige. Gandahan mo yung surprise ha?"
I promised.
The following days were busy and we could only schedule dinner on Thursday. I already made arrangements and was excited about that but I was annoyed that I couldn't see her for three days because our schedules didn't match.
Finally, Thursday arrive and I was waiting at her condo lobby when she got home. "Hi! I brought dinner! Can I come up?"
She agreed and it was the first time I saw her place. It was bright but cozy. What I liked most was her table where her "treasures" were. It contained her grandmother's old purse, which she put in a glass container to preserve, her mom's college fountain pen, her first camera and... the phone I gave her for college graduation.
"Hey! Look at that," I commented.
"Yup! You made it to the special table," she said, smiling at me.
I lived for these moments. No words just staring at each other and smiling.
But, of course, I need to feed my love.
Wait.
What?
Arra detected the change in my expression. "What's wrong?"
"Ah... ano... wala. Kain na tayo. You'll like this," I pulled her to her dining table and opened the package I brought. "Seafood dinner!"
Her eyes widened. "Oh yey! Let me cook rice."
"No, no I have that also. Plus!" I opened the package of her favorite cheesecake.
"Pong! Thank you!!!! Let's eat!"
When she was done, we shared the chore of washing dishes and taking out the trash, then I headed home. But as we said goodbye, my mind went, ang saya siguro when we no longer have to part for the night.
I laughed at myself heading home. I never had trouble with goodbyes but now ang hirap ng good night.
Constant travelling teaches you to move quickly, even with my emotions. Ako pa nga yung parating magreremind kay Arra, who would always be sad when I had to leave, that it was okay.
"Hindi ka pa ba sanay?" I asked her one year, after the holidays and I was due back to the States.
"No. I hate goodbyes. How do you do it?" She complained.
"Babalik naman ako."
"Matagal pa!"
"Arra, I'll come back."
"Promise?"
"Yes."
"I wish you'd stay. It's really difficult to keep saying bye," she said then.
I was still chuckling when I arrived home. I received a message from Arra and I told her I was home and we should rest.
"Good night, Popong. Thanks for dinner! You're forgiven!"
"Good night, R. Uwi tayo sa parents natin this weekend?"
"Sure! See you tomorrow!"
"See you."
Sleep tight, my love.
I smiled. I'm in love.
I wasn't afraid but I didn't know how to tell her.
But man, I'M IN LOVE!
