That first chat led to almost nightly conversations mostly about how to execute the crafts that Niko chose to do. He sent Riki the outline he made and she would ask for the summary of the story he mentioned in the outline.
The lockdown was extended for another three weeks. Riki was already feeling anxious about the sudden shift in her lifestyle. It was a blessing that she met Niko. They were able to talk about other things aside from work. Riki discovered that talking about kids' stuff was therapeutic for her.
"Akala ko ba ayaw mo sa bata?" Ina asked when Riki mentioned about her 'resurrected' Pinterest boards. Riki didn't tell Ina or any of her friends about 'meeting' her neighbor "Niko".
"Ewan ko ba. Naaliw talaga ako sa creativity ng iba para makaisip ng ganun. Na na-e-explain yung mga bagay-bagay sa mga bata ng ganun ka-simple" Niki reasoned.
"Baka naman nagbabago ka na. Epekto ng kapapanood mo dyan sa neighbor mong kiti-kiti...si Mr. Bin mo." Ina said. "Hala! Nakita mo na ba ichura nya? Baka kamukha nga yan ni Mr. Bean, yung British na actor. Malaki ilong at mata"
"Maka-Mr. Bean naman to"
"Ah, so mahilig ka pala sa mukhang matanda na na malaki ilong at tenga? Eh sa pagkakaalam ko, mala-Jason Momoa ang type mo. Yung hindi lang pa-pandesal ang koyah mo, buong bakery ata na-develop sa buong katawan nun..."
"Inggit ka lang! Mas pogi naman di hamak si Jason Momoa kesa kay Jake mo..."
"Walang pakialamanan, Neng..."
"Sabagay, may ichura naman si Jake. Sinagot mo na?"
"Ang hirap kaya nung LDR na hindi..." Ina groaned.
"Pero type mo?"
Ina coyly smiled and blushed. She tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Hala sya! Pabebe!"
"Napag-usapan na namin yun...pagnatapos tong lockdown, sasagutin ko sya"
"Oooh...eh teka, gaano ka na nga katagal nililigawan ni Jake?"
"Uhmm...mag 4 months?"
"Ah oo, naalala ko na. Nung Christmas party na bigla kayong dalawa nawala...sabi mo nagpahangin ka lang..."
"Nagpahangin nga ako. Sinundan nya ako dun sa roofdeck. Matagal na daw nya akong gustong ligawan"
"Ah"
"Eh ikaw? Kamusta naman ang puso mo?"
"Gaya ng dati..."
"Di ka ba na-f-fall kay Mr. Bin?"
