"Our little conversation
Are turning into little sweet sensation
And they're only getting sweeter everytime..." – Fallin, Janno Gibbs
(Online at the same time)
Lawrence: (Answers on Messenger, 9 am, US time)
Cha! (her pet name) Of course! I'm in Seattle, waiting for deployment pa. Last time we touch based I was in Iraq. Gusto ko nga magbakasyon dyan eh pero with COVID-19 and all medyo mahigpit ang regulations (I want to go on vacation there but with COVID-19 the regulations are strict). Where are you now? I heard you were travelling before?
Chairmaine: (Answers on Messenger past 9 pm, PH time)
Law! I'm super glad to hear from you! I'm in Manila. Inabot ako ng lockdown dito eh. (I'm stuck in Manila because of the lock down). Yes, I travelled for humanitarian work. I did my Masters in Costa Rica for a scholarship and then my internship in Nepal. My first foreign deployment was in Haiti for post earthquake reconstruction. I also did some work locally for typhoon Haiyan response and a peacekeeping job in Mindanao. So yeah, I've been around. Saan deployment mo? (Where is your deployment?)
Lawrence: Wow, you've been around! Peacekeeping really? What's that like and what kind of job did you do? I don't know where my next deployment is yet. After Iraq, I went home, got married, had kids and life become busy. My kids are with my first wife. Eventually I divorced my first wife. And then I was deployed again to Afghanistan in Kabul, I was there for one tour. Hirap doon (it was difficult there) very high risk. When I got home, I married my long time girlfriend then, but to make a long story short, after a few years, inaayos na namin divorce proceedings namin ngayon (we are fixing our divorce proceedings because it didn't work out).
Chairmaine: Sorry to hear Law! How are you taking it? Yes, peacekeeping. The group I was with is an unarmed civilian peacekeeping group with headquarters in Europe. I was the communications officer, so I mainly wrote articles for the organization, reports, did interviews, handled media inquiries, things like that. Wow Kabul? That's my dream deployment! Babalik ka pa doon? (Will you go back there?) Let me know if you will go back there – I'm eyeing a post there, short term only but I really want to go there.
Lawrence: Cha, you haven't changed. Lakas pa rin ng loob mo at very independent ka pa rin! (You are brave and very independent). Single pa rin? (Are you still single?) Any guy would be lucky to have you!
Chairmaine: Thanks Law! Ikaw lang yata nagsasabi niyan (You're the only one who says that). (smiles)
Lawrence: Cha, I'm still doing some paperwork here at the VA. Will you be online later? are you an early riser? Miss ko na kwentuhan natin (I miss our talks).
Chairmaine: Yes, Law, I understand! Oo eh tumatanda na (Yes, growing old). I'll go online later around 7 am after I do yoga. Sige, kwentuhan tayo (Yes, let's talk). Take care ha!
Lawrence: Thanks Cha! :-) #
After conversation reactions
Chairmaine: Nakakanerbyos! Natense ako! Kumakabog dibdib ko. (I was very nervous. I was tense! My heart was beating so fast).
Lawrence: I wonder if she's already married. Cha has always been headstrong and independent. I admire that about her, as her friend. We used to, well she used to tell me about the guys she liked or dated but even in high school she was the elusive one. A lot of guys liked her but she seemed very guarded. #
The next day (7 am PH time, 7pm US time)
Chairmaine: (after yoga, going online)
Law, are you there?
Lawrence: Cha, ang aga mo ah. Tapos na yoga? (Cha, you're early. are you done with yoga?)
Chairmaine: Yes, done. Catching my breathe. Haven't practiced in awhile.
Lawrence: Breakfast?
Chairmaine: Mamaya na (Later). :-) Kailan magpapayat (Have to lose weight) gained weight during this lock down.
Lawrence: You look good!
Chairmaine: Friend talaga kita kaya mo sinasabi yan! (You're my friend that's why you're saying that)
Lawrence: Kwento na? (Let's talk?) Video call?
Chairmaine: Ok :-)
(Lawrence and Chairmaine video call for the first time after not seeing each other since high school graduation. They had a nice time. Even with older faces, two old friends recognize each other not only physically but in terms of their rapport as well. For Chairmaine it was nice to talk to Lawrence who was always reassuring towards her and it gave her the courage to pursue her dreams. For Lawrence, it was a comfort to talk to an old friend, one who was always nice and kind).
Chairmaine: Law! Ben Affleck lookalike ka! (You look like Ben Affleck).
Lawrence: Thanks! I've been working out! Pero hindi naman Ben Affleck. Baka namamalikmata ka lang Cha! (Not really Ben Affleck, maybe your vision is just blurry Cha!)
Chairmaine: No, really, you look good! I feel OLD. Turning forty next year!
Lawrence: Hey I just turned 40 last March! Still as strong as a horse. And you don't age! You still look young!
Chairmaine: Thanks Law. Already have grey hair though! Law can I ask you something?
Lawrence: Sure, shoot!
Chairmaine: Am I too headstrong that's why guys don't like me?
Lawrence: No, don't ever think that! Maybe you just haven't found your match. Single ka pa now? (You're still single now?)
Chairmaine: Yes Law. My last relationship with a reporter didn't work out. It was very traumatic.
Lawrence: Sorry to hear Cha. You deserve better.
Chairmaine: Pagod na ako Law, ayoko na yata maghanap kasi parang walang dadating (I'm tired Law, I don't want to look anymore because it seems like no one will come).
Lawrence: Don't say that. Someone will come. You're smart, beautiful and have a lot of good things to offer. Ako nga eto nadali na yata (Look at me, I think I'm done).
Chairmaine: Thanks Law! You always encourage me even before! No, maybe you also haven't met your match yet!
Lawrence and Chairmaine: Both smile at the same time. :-) <3
Chairmaine: Law, I have meetings na today for the online magazine I put up, gtg. Next time na kwentuhan natin, kwento ka ang daldal ko kasi eh (Next time we talk, it's your turn, I'm too talkative).
Lawrence: No worries, Cha. I had a nice time, like old times. Keep in touch!
Chairmaine: Thanks Law, you're the best!
Lawrence: Catch you later Cha!
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What if? (2020 version)
ChickLitWho can forget one's high school love? I haven't. Almost two decades after maybe because of the pandemic he has been in my dreams. This is the continuation of the short story I wrote while I was working for a newspaper a decade ago (can't print the...
