"Why are the things that I want to say
Just aren't coming out right?
I'm tripping on words
You got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here" – You and Me, Lifehouse
After breakfast
Chairmaine: Back to reality, Law.
Lawrence: Did you sleep well?
Chairmaine: Not so much. How about you?
Lawrence: Well...Let's talk in the car.
(Chairmaine's heart was pounding. Lawrence was not sure what to say and if it was the right time to tell her how much she meant to him. He didn't want to lose her or scare her away).
Lawrence: About last night Cha...
Chairmaine: Law...are you sure you want to talk about it?
Lawrence: Yes. I care for you and want to make sure you're ok. But for me, no regrets.
Chairmaine: No regrets for me too Law but right now I think that's all I can say about it.
Lawrence: It's ok Cha. I understand. Let's take it a moment at a time so we won't be overwhelmed.
Chairmaine: (phone ringing) Alisher? You're in town? Tomorrow, yes I'm giving my introductory class for humanitarian communications. See you in school!
Lawrence: You have a mobile here? Who's Alisher?
Chairmaine: I borrowed it from my foster sister, it's her spare phone. I don't know how Alisher got my number. He's a batchmate. A journalist from Uzbekistan. Medyo malakas ang dating nun Law dahil sa accent niya magsalita (He sounds headstrong because of his heavy accent when speaking).
Lawrence: Ah ok. Buti he was able to get your number?
Chairmaine: I must've posted in the group of our batch perhaps that's where he got it.
Lawrence: Cha, can I borrow your phone later? I have a colleague who's also here in Costa Rica with his family and I wanted to get in touch with him too.
Chairmaine: Sure Law. are you sure you're up for the long drive? I'm really sleepy because of the jetlag – is it alright if you drive all the way?
Lawrence: Sure, Cha. Sleep na. Do you have a jacket? You can take mine if you want.
Chairmaine: Thanks Law you never forgot how I always get cold.
(Lawrence drives and lets Chairmaine sleep. Chairmaine sleeps soundly and snores softly. Lawrence steals glances on her from time to time. Chairmaine is a juxtaposition—in her career she's very headstrong and is an adrenaline junkie, likes challenging assignments but in her personal life, she's quite fragile that's why even in high school Lawrence was protective of her. While in traffic Lawrence holds her hand. Chairmaine pretends not to notice. She feels Lawrence holding her hand in his but jetlag has rendered her almost too sleepy to react.)
YOU ARE READING
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...
