What if? (2020 version)

What If? (2020 version)

"What if we were wrong about each other?
What if you were really made for me?
What if we was 'sposed to be together?
Would that not mean anything?" - What If, Babyface

Characters

Chairmaine is a writer who is passionate about women empowerment from her work as a development worker covering mostly women's issues. She put up her own online magazine called empoderamiento (empowerment in Spanish). She's on hiatus from being a humanitarian worker with overseas assignments because of the lockdown. She's the serious, intense type and while she's had many crushes and a few relationships, Lawrence always stood out because of the calm manner he always reassured her back when they were in high school.

Lawrence is a migrant from the Philippines. He is a Captain for the US Navy. His family moved to the US in the early 2000s. Chairmaine and him used to be quite close because they were both transferees to the high school they went to. Chairmaine is one of the coolest girls he's met, they liked the same music and she was different and that made him feel at home.

Other characters

Marisse - Chairmaine's friend

Noah and Jameson - Lawrence's high school friends

Phil - Lawrence's brother

Chapter I - 2020 pandemic – October 2020

Chairmaine: Out of the blue, Lawrence was in my dreams again. Just from out of nowhere. I've been having strange pandemic dreams. The last time I heard from him was in 2004 after I reconnected with him briefly on Friendster. He remained nice and reassuring then. Funny this was after I wrote a short story about him in the newspaper I worked for. It was for our Valentine special. And he never knew. I never told him. I decide to reach out to him via Facebook Messenger this time and say a quick brief hi. No response yet. The last time on Friendster it took him four days. This time...

One week after

Lawrence: This year has been rough. Moving homes and in the brink of a divorce I get into a work-home boring routine. Posted my old deployment photo on Facebook to ward off unwanted attention. I feel tired and just want to keep quiet which is hard to do in the world today. Maybe it's time for me to check Facebook? Not keen on it but...

(Surprised while checking Message requests) Hmm...Chairmaine? Could it be? The Chairmaine? My high school classmate who I had a huge crush on but never got the courage to make a move on? I have a feeling this is her but she sounds cooler this time. How long has it been? 16 years! The last time I heard from her was in 2004 and I wrote on her Friendster page and said that she's a great friend and she's so easy to describe because everything nice, she is. Hmm...what should I say? (Falls asleep, wakes up the next morning)

(Quietly has breakfast: Toast and OJ)

Lawrence: What should I tell her? I wonder how she is? #

Chairmaine: (Checks Facebook Messenger). Still no reply from him. Anyway, back to the grind. (Goes back to work editing her online magazine's last quarter issue for the year.) This needs a lot of work. Articles are lacking. Need to brainstorm more ideas with the team.

(Writes an email to the team) Gals, our last quarter issue of empoderamiento still needs a lot of work. We need more fresh ideas. I have a couple of them: How about a reaction to the Pope's call for civil unions? or maybe a feature on sexual reproductive NGO campaigns in the country – are the women at the forefront of this? How about interviewing women frontliners? not just doctors and nurses but other frontliners as well? Service crews, Street sweepers, Tricycle drivers – think out of the box. What do you think? Shoot me a line for more ideas. Thanks – C.

Exciting times, really for the magazine. I never thought I'd do this. Being a classically trained journalist I never thought I'd do something online. Group is still small but the women I work with are all movers and shakers. We're lucky to have this sisterhood.

Now, what's for lunch?#

Lawrence: Home. Tiring day. No overseas deployment yet but I feel like paperwork is somehow more painful. I hate writing. I want action. (Checks his watch 6 pm, US time). Would it be too early to write her back? It's now or never.

(types a message on Messenger) Hi! Long time no hear. How are you? (sweating before pressing send, then presses send).

Finally sent her something. I've got to admit, it's nice of her to reach out. She's always been the caring kind. #

Chairmaine: (checks her Messenger account, 9 am PH time)

(Maybe I should erase the message I sent him? If he still doesn't reply? It's been a week)

(Breathes and checks Messenger)

(Eyes go wide)

He replied! Wow. I'm so relieved! Hmm...What do I say now?

This will have to wait. My Libra charm is not yet showing it's full prowess and this is Lawrence I'm feeling a bit shy.#

Lawrence: (falls asleep and wakes up at 10 pm US time)

(She's online active)

(I wonder if she's replied?)

(Oh. not yet....) #

Chairmaine: Ok here goes nothing.

(Types a Message on Messenger while having lunch, 12 noon PH time)

Hi Lawrence! Happy to hear from you! I'm ok I guess. How about you? Do you still speak Tagalog? #

Lawrence: (Checks Messenger, 6 am US time)

(Oh! She's replied. Heart skips a beat.)

Hi Chairmaine! Nice of you to reach out! Oo naman! (Yes of course!) I still speak Tagalog. Kumusta na dyan sa atin? (How is it there in PH?) Ingat ha. (take care!) #

Chairmaine: I'm sleepy (she says in her head after finishing an editorial meeting and brainstorming session, yawning.) (7 pm, PH time)

(Opens Messenger.)

(Heart pounds.)

(Oh my! He's replied)

Law, nakakatuwa naman marunong ka pa magTagalog (Law – his pet name, it's nice to know you still know how to speak Tagalog). Ibang iba na dito ngayon (It's very different here now). Which state are you in now? Wala kang balak magbakasyon dito? (Do you have no plans to go home for a vacation here?) Ingat din (Take care too!) #