A one fleeting encounter

III

The owner of the eatery is now preparing for its closing, while us, on the other hand, remain unbothered. Masyadong napahaba yung kwentuhan at hindi na namin namamalayan na malapit nang tumungtong ng alas-tres.

"Nakakaaliw sila no, si tatay Tony at nanay Elsa. Dapat pala kumuha manlang tayo ng impormasyon tungkol sa kanila para naman naibigay ko yung developed pictures. Ang ganda pa naman ng kuha."

I reached for his arms to signal him that it's getting too late, and while I'm in no rush to end our little catching up, the woman is trying to make us fully aware that she's bound to go home sooner. At least that's how I read her gestures of washing the remaining dishes and emptying any hint of trash in the displayed counter.

"Yes... sayang nga naman. Pero malay mo, one fateful day, makasalubong mo ulit sila. Just like this. We both never anticipated that we'll ended up seeing each other after such a long time. While it's unlikely... it's not entirely impossible naman pala." Habang sinasabi ko 'to ay ngumuso ako bilang pagturo sa kinaroroonan ng orasan na nakapako sa dingding. It's almost 3:10 at natapos na rin ang ginagawa ng ale sa kusina pati na rin ang pagliligpit sa natitirang kalat. Nakaupo nalang ito habang nagmamasid sa mga dumaraan pa.

Nahihiya lang din sigurong ipagtabuyan kami.

He moved his left brow promptly, as if finally recognizing what I'm trying to say while giving out those subtle hints, "Ah, oo nga no. But.."

I gave him a puzzled look, "but?"

"Saan tayo? Ayoko pa... ayoko pa matapos 'to, to be honest." He smiled shyly, almost apologetically for demanding for more. I wanted to say, me too. Ako rin, ayoko pa matapos 'to. Because I don't know if there will be a next time like this—If life will permit us again for another encounter.

"Then let's not end it here. Change location. Saan mo gusto? I haven't been able to tour around here in order to familiarize the place, pero baka may alam ka?" Luminga-linga ako sa kahabaan ng lugar. Taimtim pa rin at walang nagtatangkang pumasok sa lugar. Masyado na nga talaga kaming napatagal.

"Actually, I know where. Yun nga yung pinunta ko dito dapat. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba na ako yung magbalita o sila, pero siguro naman kaya rin tayo nagkita," he stopped for a moment as if weighing the consequences of something he is about to reveal,"Para malaman mo na... Mr. Severino passed away already. They're holding the last memorial service later as early as 5:00 am. Tentative arrival kasi yun ng mga relatives niya abroad, and they want to be included and see Sir for the last time. So, that explains the unusual time. Everyone is invited, mostly our batch. I don't think everyone will come.... pero siguro the place will be mostly filled by familiar faces."

I was stunned and mortified. I don't know how to respond. Up until now, my life has never been touched the same way by that man. His kind words has been my anchor when I feel like an utter lost cause. I owed my faith to him. He made me believe once that I still got something within me, so even if I tried to get away from this, my conscience and longing wouldn't allow me to. I need to be there. I need to see him.

I must see him... for the last time.

I gather all my thoughts and shun my apprehension to convince myself that it's going to be the last, and I owed him something. But the thing is, I have failed to give it why he's still alive, "Let's go there."

"Are you sure? Alam mo na... you might get drowned by the series of questions coming from those who have known you by the time you were still around. Pwede namang hahatid nalang siguro kita, then I'll directly go there as planned."

"No. Nasabi mo na, ano ka ba. And there's no way of unlearning it. My conscience will hunt me. I've tons of regrets already and adding this one will be the death of me," he inspected me as if he's trying to comprehend what's between the line, "emotionally, of course."