Chapter 11 - Family’s Day Out

Sunday morning, the whole family including Angela and Katie were preparing for a morning mass. Angela is Andie’s elder sister and Katie’s mom. Her husband was in Malaysia that time to import RTWs for their shop, so they spent the weekend with her family.

Josh received a text from Andie first thing in the morning.

“gud am,
r u up?...” her text goes.

“hi, yup
wat r u doin?” he texted back.

“im prepring 4
2day’s mass
wud u lyk 2 come?”

“ok, which church?”.

“Good Shepherd’s
Cathedral in fvw.”

“wat tym is
the mass?”

“the mass is at 9 am.”

“2 early!
i thot its gonna be l8r
in the afternun?

“ok, u can tke
the nxt mass
if u came l8.”

“w8 4 me, ill come,
txt me hw I can loc8
that church.”

“pass thru dahlia st.
landmark is fvw mall,
drive str8 then ull c
the church on
the ryt syd.”

“ok, got it,
ill leave in 15 mins,
c u,” he texted.

“k, we’ll sit at
the ryt syd
so u can c us
ryt away,” her text goes.

The whole family was already in the church 5 minutes before the mass starts. They seated at the right side benches so Josh could easily locate them when he arrives. The mass started but Josh was still on the road. It’s already in the homily part when he texted.

“andie, I myt not go,
im 2 l8, jst inclde me
in ur pryrs, aight?” Josh texted.

To her frustration, she didn’t reply on his text (it’s already the offertory part of the mass).

The ending mass song was played and the people inside started to scatter. Andie’s phone suddenly rang.

“Hello, where are you? I can’t see you around,” he said.

“Where are you, I thought you’re not coming?” she asked.

“I’m here at the entrance alley, come here.”

“Okay, we’ll meet you there, bye.”

Her sister called him when she saw Josh at the entrance. He looks so handsome and fresh on his outfit that day.

“You’re late!” Andie tapped his arm. “And why did you text me you might not go?”

“Remember your invitation is so late and I’m coming from Valle Verde, so how’s that?”

“I’m thinking of going back home if I didn’t see this church but I did, so I’m here,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Then you wait for the next mass, we’re heading to SM Fairview,” she teased.

“Okay, be like that!” he exclaimed.

“Hey lower your voice, this is a church remember?” she said.

“Ooooppps, okay, let me pray first,” he smiled.

Josh kneeled and prayed. She was just glad that he kept his promise. Josh gets used to her lifestyle already and Andie thinks she’s bringing out the best in him.

“So where are we going next?” Josh asked them after he prayed.

“We promised Katie to bring her to the mall today, would you like to come with us?” she said.

“Okay choose, Glorietta or Rockwell?” he suggested.

She raised her brow. “SM Fairview is right that corner, why do we have to go that far?” she said while pointing to the direction of the mall.

“I’m kidding, you know. I parked that side,” then he points to the area.

After talking to the mass sponsors, Andie’s parents left. Her dad drove their owner-type jeep toward home.

Katie and her mom sat behind them in the truck. “Hi Katie, remember your Tito Josh?” he asked her while peering on his rearview mirror.

Katie just nods. Angela was smiling over his playful acts.

He parked at the back parking area of the mall the minute they arrived.

“Hey look at the car’s compartment, it’s open,” she told Josh.

“Don’t mind that, it’s not your car,” he replied.

“Josh, be a good Samaritan for once. Look it’s really open,” she insisted.

“Okay, page the car’s owner from the customer service then,” he laughs.

They carefully checked the car and it turned out the compartment could not be fully closed and it was only locked through a long wire coiled underneath.

“See you’re so nosy!” he told her. Andie was embarrassed. She just covered her face for that.

“So, where do you wanna eat, Pizza Hut, Max’s or Barrio Fiesta?”

“No, Katie likes to eat at Jollibee, so let’s go!” she told him.

“Jollibee? Jollibee it is!” he said when he felt Andie’s elbow hollowed on his side.

Josh took the vacant seats at the back and watch over Katie while the two were placing their orders.

It’s the first time he’s going to watch for a kid actually so he had no idea how. Is he going to baby talk to her? Should he be playing with her or telling her old stories or fairy tales? He really had no idea.

Katie looks at him and he looks back.

“What’s taking them so long? I feel Katie’s more difficult to handle than Andie,” he thought to himself.

When Katie felt so bored, she started to roam around and left Josh worried. He doesn’t know if he should watch their seats first or watch Katie. He called her a few times before she returned. Finally, he was able to think of what he can do to entertain Katie, tell her a story or sing her a song perhaps.

“Hey Katie, I have a song for you,” he told her when the song just popped into his mind after seeing Barney printed on the kid’s shirt sitting near their table.

“I love you, you love me, let’s all play and kill Barney with a shotgun, bang bang, Barney on the floor, no more stupid dinosaur,” he sings enthusiastically (lol).

When he’s about to repeat his song, Katie cried out and shouted so loud that it turned all the diners’ attention on them. Katie, as a 3-year-old kid, is capable of throwing tantrums anytime. Josh immediately covered her mouth and pacified her so Andie will not suspect it’s Katie who’s whining.

Unfortunately, Andie and Angela finished ordering.

“Patay!” He thought to himself as he sees them coming.

“What happened to Katie, what did you do to her?” she curiously looked at him.

“I didn’t do anything, I just sang this Barney’s song then she started to cry,” he continued while covering his face.

“It’s okay Katie, don’t cry, Tito Josh is nice, don’t cry, he’s nice,” she told Katie while her mom is wiping her tears, then she’s calmed down.

Josh felt so embarrassed and stayed quiet while they’re eating.

“Smile, smile,” Andie told Josh while nudging him. He immediately smiled at Katie.

“What’s wrong with that Barney’s song?” he moved closer and whispered to her.

“Did you sing that real Barney’s song?” she asked.

“Real Barney’s song?”

“Oh shoot, that’s a spoofed song.”

“Josh, it’s her favorite TV program. Katie cries every time her little cousins tease her with that spoofed song and that agitates her.” She told him.

“Now I know.” “I didn’t even realize how stupid I was after singing that song, but man the song is cute,” he just laughs while Andie stares at him. He then turned serious.

“Hey Josh, do you play Bingo?” Angela suddenly asked him.

“Bingo?” his forehead wrinkled.

“Ate, he doesn’t play small-time gambling,” she interrupted her sister as it embarrassed her.

“Is that true? I bet you only play in the casino,” Angela started.

Andie and Josh looked at each other as he was signaling her not to tell her sister about it. Andie was able to read his gestures precisely so she diverted the topic.

“Ate, Katie is already tired we need to go home.”

“It’s okay, we’ll just sit there while waiting for the announcer’s call. Come on Andie, I heard the jackpot price already rose to 100,000,” she insisted.

“You know Josh, Andie is the best Bingo player, she always goes home with the price, I can feel this time we’ll take home the jackpot!” she was excited.

“Ate!” all she could say.

“Really?” Josh was surprised.

“No! Don’t believe her!” she was really embarrassed.

“I think I’d like to see that, let’s play Bingo then,” Josh had a silly grin.

Angela bought six cards for them while the three were already seated at the vacant area near the entrance. They waited till their game was called.

“How do you play this?” Josh asked while placing his two cards on the table.

“When the announcer called the letter, he will subsequently call the number corresponding the letter, so you should check if you match with the number called, and if it does, mark the card with a chalk. You should have diagonal, horizontal, or vertical matches to win.” She explained.

“Sounds interesting!” he was really excited. “You’re really expert on this, huh?” he teased.

The announcer already called the next round of game and started calling the letters and numbers.

“Hey look, I already had two matches,” he was thrilled.

“You’re doing good!” Andie told him.

“See, he’s enjoying it!” Angela commented. Then there were laughters.

“Gosh, I don’t have that number!” he remarked when the next number was called.

“Take it easy, Josh,” Andie told him when she felt he’s seriously taking the game.

“I only have two numbers left for the win!” he was stomping his feet to the floor. “What about you?”

“Three numbers left on each position,” Andie calmly answered.

“Oh my God, I only have one left!” Angela was screaming.

They both looked at her cards and started to pay closer attention to the announcer’s call.

“Yeeessss!” Josh suddenly screamed aloud and raised his both hands when he got another match. The players in front gazed on their site laughing at his weirdest reaction.

“Sssshhhh….” Andie calmed him down, as she was very mortified because of their behavior.

“One more number then I’ll win!” he crossed his fingers.

All the players were also thrilled while waiting for the next number to be called. Some bluffly shouts BINGO (meaning-matching all the numbers on the card in a certain position), which makes Josh more agitated.

“Bingo!” a man finally shouted winning the first game with only three Bingo chips left.

“Sh#t!” he was very frustrated when somebody finished the game before him.

Angela was upset as well. Andie could picture how he looks while playing in the casino. He was very eager to win so he ambled to the counter and bought five cards for each of them.

“We’ll win the next round,” he confidently remarked.

“Josh, don’t take it seriously,” she reminded him once again.

“Andie, let him play,” Angela insisted as she was indulging the pleasure of a free game.

“Ate, Katie is sleepy already.”

“If you like you can watch Katie first then we’ll play your cards,” Angela suggested.

“What?!” her eyebrows crossed.

“Just kidding! Don’t spoil our luck,” she was grinning.

“Relax Andie,” Josh said.

She didn’t argue anymore even if it irritates her. The game begins and the announcer started calling the numbers. He screams whenever his numbers matched. Katie already fallen asleep so Andie took her and leaned Katie’s head on her lap. Angela paid no attention to her sleeping child that upsets Andie more.

“Win or lose, we’ll go home,” Andie commanded the two. They just ignored her.

“He was really serious about this game, how much more when he bets thousands of money in the casino,” she thought to herself. She was really disappointed in him.

Already 30 minutes passed when the last number was called. They only have one number left when another player shouted Bingo. After carefully checking the winning card, the announcer declared the jackpot price winner. Angela knocked the table in disgust while Josh couldn’t believe he didn’t win again.

“So, let’s go?” Andie plainly asked them.

They’re still unsettled. They even argued with the announcer about the numbers called, but the decision is official.

“Don’t you really care about Katie?” Andie finally broke her silence and complained at them.

The two kept quiet. Angela immediately carried Katie when she saw Andie erupted in anger.

“Ah-I didn’t realize I got hooked on this game,” he was embarrassed.

“It’s disappointing Josh.” She told him when they left the place.

“I really can’t take off this habit, but like what you said, this is only a small-time gambling.”

“But it’s still a gamble. You only have a lesser chance of winning than a 10-fold chance of losing. Look at ate, she almost forgot that Katie is with her,” she remarked.

Actually Andie felt he almost forgot that she’s with him.

“Do you still play in the casino, Josh?”

“Not anymore, but honestly while playing this game, I almost want to gamble again.”

“I can feel that. I’m not here to stop you nor change your habits, just think about what I’ve said; remember your uncle Josh?”

“Hey stop linking everything to my uncle!” he turned furious.

“Sorry,” all she could say. She lowered her head down while they’re walking at the basement toward the exit.

“Wait Andie, I didn’t mean to say that…..” Josh walked fast to catch her up then grabbed her hand. She resisted but he held it tightly. Andie pulled Josh to stop, as she didn’t want her sister to see that they’re clung onto each other. The people behind bumped into them when they abruptly stopped, they just laughed at each other while excusing themselves from the mallers.

“Am I forgiven?” Josh asked her, already holding both her hands facing each other.

“Only if you let go of my hands,” she smiled at him.

“Later in the parking lot,” he smiled back.

The two then walk hand in hand. It was such a long time since she last held his soft hand. Josh squeezed her hand and held it gently as if he was holding it for the first time. Andie suddenly felt a rebirth of her feelings for Josh. She actually missed that same feeling she felt a long time ago. Josh was content that he was holding her even for a little time.

Will that be the start of the start? lol…Let’s follow them!

Chapter 10 - Deep and Shallow

Andie already enrolled for an NPTE review in some review center at Morayta. She had another set of classmates in the interim. On the first day of classes, she sat at the back beside a lady of her age who will be taking the stateboard as well. She introduced herself to the lady then became her buddy. They would hang out after class just strolling along the street of Morayta where they saw bulks of pirated CDs being sold everywhere.

“This is a good record,” she said after checking the back cover for the titles.

She was hesitant to buy the CD coz she only has enough money for her fare back home.

“Have you found one, Charie?” she asked her new classmate.

“No, I’m just checking a new music. I have hundreds of mp3’s in my computer already,” she stated.

“Really?” “Did you buy all those?”

“No, I downloaded them from the internet.”

“Wow!” all she could say.

“If you want I can give you a copy, I’ll just have to write it in a disc.”

“Write? How’re you going to do that?” she was curious.

She was not inclined to the emerging technology that time. She only knows how to turn on and off the computer, open the word doc, save and delete files and that was it.

“I have this CD writer in my computer, I just have to save the selected mp3’s in one folder then I use real player to play and save the music to the disc, in less than 10 minutes I already have your CD,” she excitedly told her.

“Wow really? “So are you gonna give me some sample?” she was smiling.

“Sure, I’ll bring it tomorrow…so see you!”

(we don’t encourage piracy!)

They both went home. Josh and Andie already set another schedule. She told Josh not to pick her up from the new review center as there’s no parking lot available for the guests. They don’t meet as often as they used to but when they see each other, it was really evident that Josh was thrilled to see her. It was never a bother to Andie if she doesn’t see him. She would only text him if she feels like doing, which really upsets Josh. She thinks that’s how friends are supposed to be.

One afternoon after their class, Andie texted Josh to meet her in Robinson’s Galleria. He was very excited about it.

“Hey I have something for you,” she told him while inside Sbarro.

“What?”

“I’ll give it to you later.”

They were on their way to EDSA when Josh remembered her gift to him.

“What do you have for me?” he grinned.

“Yeah I forgot,” she was searching from her bag.

“Here,” she excitedly passed him the CD.

“Hey thanks!”

“I remember I haven’t given you any gift since. It’s not that expensive though.”

“It’s fine,” he said.

“Okay, play the CD!” she was excited.

Josh slid the disc on the deck then pushed the play button. He waited till the first track starts.

Oh Baby, I by Eternal was first played and Josh was surprised. He was laughing actually. He wasn’t expecting the songs would be so mushy.

“What?!” she eyed him.

“Nothing!”

It was already on the sixth track when Josh laughed harder. He can’t believe he was playing a Tagalog love song.

“Hey, what’s funny?” “I think that Torete song was cute, so stop laughing!” she was embarrassed.

“Okay I’ll stop,” he said but still grinning. He couldn’t help himself but felt it was irritating her more, so he stopped.

“I didn’t know you were that sentimental!” he was teasing her further.

“Forget about that CD, just keep it if you don’t like it,” she was serious.

“Come on I was just kidding! I think the songs were nice,” he was smiling.
At red light, Josh read all the titles and discovered the songs were very pop.



“Hmmpt…be sure to keep that!” she told him.

“Of course, that’s a gift from you!” he was still smirking.

****

“tnx 4 the pizza
& the ride,
tc on ur way home!” Andie texted after dropping her home that night.

“tnx 4 the CD
hehehe,” he texted back.

****

“Hey what happened, did he like the CD?” Charie asked as she sat down beside her for their first class.

“I’m not sure!” she replied in a worried tone.

“What do you mean you’re not sure?” she was curious.

“He said the songs were too mushy.”

“Really? “Those were the best songs I have,” Charie replied.

“Don’t mind it, they’re just songs, and the guy was too shallow!” Andie told her then they both laugh.

“By the way, when do you plan to take the stateboard exam?” Andie asked her.

“In a month, I need to check the Prometric for my schedule first.” “What about you?”

(Prometric* is a body who schedules the stateboard exam with the date of your choice within the eligibility period).

“Still undecided,” Andie replied.

“Why?”

“I haven’t received my Eligibility Letter yet.”

(Eligibility Letter is sent by the state jurisdiction to the applicant stating that the examiners are qualified to take the stateboard exam after the Credentialing Commission verified their college credentials.)

“I called the FCCPT last month and they said I have a deficient 1 unit in my Statistics, you know how bad it goes?” she told Charie.

(FCCPT** is the Credentialing Commission)

“What did you do?” Charie was surprised.

“I told them I’ll fix it before they junk my credentials, good thing my co-intern from other school offered to help me, and said they’ll take care of that subject.”

“I wonder what happened to it,” she was hesitant.

“You only have 60 days for your stateboard completion so you better hurry,” Andie reminded her.

“Yeah, but if you can catch up I’ll wait for you,” Charie told her.

“Charie, you better move, don’t keep your future waiting.”

“It’s okay, I don’t like to work abroad anyway,” she was definite.

“Really? If you ask me, if only I can swim through the oceans of US, I’ll do it just to work there as soon as possible,” she was smiling when she realized she doesn’t know how to swim. Josh’s picture while teaching her to swim suddenly appeared on her mind.

“You know I envy you for that. I can see how eager you are in working overseas that’s why I’m motivated,” Charie told her.

“We need to work on this really hard so we can see each other in the US soon,” Andie chuckles.

“Yeah, and I really missed smoking in the busy streets of Houston,” she grinned.

“You’ve been there?”

“Many times and that’s where I’m going again.”

“You’re too far from my place!” they both laugh.

“But I hope to see you there, Charie.”

“Yeah me too, you’re the only good influence kind of friend I’ve got,” she laughed harder.

*****

“how r u?
u home alrdy?” Josh’s text goes.

“home and tired
werya at?”

“home 2
im burning a CD
4 u, hehehe.”

‘wow reli?
thats the best
txt i got fr u.
hahaha,” she teased him.

“ill give it 2 u
tom, r u free?”

“yup aftr class
ill b goin 2 taft.”

“ok, I’ll pick u up
aftr ur class.”

“no just meet me
in megamall
tom, ill txt u.”

“ok c u then.”

“wait! i bet the CD
was trance or house
music.”

“of course not,
it’s better than
the one u gave me
hahaha.”

“what??!
ok let me c
tom.”

“wat? u want
2 c me tom?
i knew it, u reli
miss me!”

“hahaha ur
charm doesn’t
attract me, josh.”

“ok be lyk that! :(”

“kidding!
nyt josh.”

“nyt ms. dancel
dnt stress urself
2 much, IMU.”

(I wonder how many text messages they waste everyday, peace out Andie!)

“I’m going to meet Josh after this, wanna come with us?” she told Charie while they’re eating in KFC Metropoint Mall in Pasay.

“No, I’m going home after this, I wanna give you both a privacy,” she teased Andie.

“Privacy? Don’t say that!” she laughed.

“wer r u?
meet me at
megamall
in 30 min,” she texted him.

“I dont lyk
megmall, lets meet
in fvw mall.”

“no, i nid 2 check
sumthing
in megamall,” she insisted.

“dnt go 2 far
fvw mall is ryt
beside ur house.”

“megamall
pls!”

“wer r u?” Andie texted again when she didn’t receive a reply from him.

“im alrdy in
sandigan, goin 2
fvw mall.”

“wat? I told u
2 meet me in mega!”

Andie then rode the MRT infuriated, “This guy is really stubborn!”

“Where are you?” Josh said on the other line.

“MRT Annapolis station, you?”

“I’m here at my landscaper’s house in Visayas Ave., where are you heading, so I can pick you there?” he was laughing.

“What? I thought you’re already in…..” she was tricked.

“Okay, I’m getting off at Quezon Ave. station, try to park at McDonald’s, I’ll wait for you there.”

“Is that the only McDonald’s in the area?” he asked.

“Yes.”

After a few minutes….

“im hir in mcdo,
wer r u?” Andie texted.

“ok 10 minutes.”

“Hello, I’m here in McDo already, where are you?” it was Josh on the phone.

“Okay got it, bye.”

She walked toward McCafe searching around the parking area but he wasn’t there.

“Hello, where did you park?”

“I’m here beside McDonald’s.”

“Do you see the train?” she asked.

“What train?”

“Oh-oh, what do you see?”

“I see the footbridge.”

“Footbridge?” “Do you see Henlin or 7-11?”

“No, I only see Mercury Drug, National Bookstore in front…..”

“Gosh you parked at the wrong McDonald’s, where’s that place?”

“McDonald’s Quezon Ave. going to Espana.”

“Espana??!! Too far! Okay, meet me in SM North instead, I’ll just ride a cab, bye.”

Andie crossed the bridge of Q. Ave Station going to the next street.

“hey, ive seen mcdo
in EDSA alrdy
wer r u?”

“i alrdy crossed
the bridge.”

“ok get back
meet me hir,
sorry!”

Andie couldn’t believe how hard it was to meet him in such a short distance.

He was already waiting outside his truck. “I’m sorry,” he whispered while scratching his head in embarrassment.

“Tsk tsk, I already melt!” she told him.

“That’s your fault you didn’t tell me I’ll meet you in McDo EDSA.”

“What? Now it’s my fault?” she was shocked.

“I’m sorry I really don’t know the stations,” he was doubly embarrassed.

“Okay, we’ll ride the MRT, roundtrip!” Andie said.

“You sure?”

She was serious.

“Slide the card on that outlet.” Andie instructed him after she bought two cards for them.

“Hey I know that!” he was confident. But the card won’t slide though he was pushing it hard. It turned out he slipped the wrong side of the card, so the people behind him were stuck waiting for him to pass.

She was waiting on the other side laughing at him when he fainted. They stepped inside and it was half-full so they stood beside the sliding door.

“Wow, I didn’t realize it is fun! I think this one’s better than the bullet train I’ve rode in Japan.”

Andie’s eyes rolled again, this time she’s certain that he’s overreacting.

“Look at Galleria, it was better looking from the top!” he was amazed while pointing to the spots.

“Ssshhh put your hand down, you look like a first-timer.” She laughed.

“I don’t mind, I’m enjoying the view,” he commented.

“That’s what you miss from not commuting!”

They get off the train after their roundtrip then headed to SM North.

“Now you know all the stations, I supposed you won’t get lost anymore.”

He just smiled at her.

“But it’s really tiring to commute, don’t you think so?”

“It is, but what can I do?” she replied.

“Well if I commute with you I think it would be sweet,” he smiled.

“You wanna try sometime?” she dared him.

“Hahaha, I’ll think about it,” he laughs.

“I heard Ford pickup trucks are of high maintenance, so if you like to save some currencies, you better start commuting now….it isn’t that bad after all,” she suggested.

“Andie, I’m a businessman, can’t afford to be late….” he complained.

“Then you should know better,” she was laughing.

He mulled over.


*****


“So where’s my gift?” she’s excited and opened her palm to get his gift.

“I didn’t forget…..here.”

She raised a brow after reading the titles.

“You like it?” he asked.

The first track was then played.

“What can you say?”

“Play the 3rd track first.”

“No, I like the first track,” he insisted.

“Some songs were unfamiliar to me.”

“But they are good songs, better than your songs.”

“You really think so, huh!”

“Yeah coz your songs are too shallow,” he laughs.

“Hey that’s an insult, you think I’m shallow too?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you sound like it. You know the songs came from me and my friend, you better learn to appreciate that.”

“Of course I do.”

“Okay enough, just bury the disc,” she raised her tone.

“I think I need to play that CD everyday hahaha,” he teased further.

She turned quiet the whole time they’re traveling.

“You’re not mad right? Come on, they’re just songs.” He said after dropping her home.

“We’re cool.” “It would make us too shallow if we argue more. Thanks for the ride and the CD anyway.”

On her room, Andie was checking her list of classic songs that night so she can ask Charie to burn it in a disc.

“Too shallow huh, now dig this!” she thought to herself after collating all the songs.

She gave the list to Charie the following morning. Charie wasn’t familiar to some of the songs either and felt it would take her so much time before she completes all the songs.

Already on his bed when Josh felt restless. He thinks Andie is offended by his behavior the other day he gave the CD to her. It was a few weeks since their Subic trip and he is wondering what the real score between them is. He moved up and saw the notebook on his lamp table. He took it and started reading the remaining pages he had left. He was suddenly weakened by the name written.

Luke.

It was the page that he has constantly been skipping but that night he dared to read. He wanted to understand how and why love between people really exists. He was hit. The perfect example is Andie’s love for Luke.

As he read line by line, the envy (or should I say jealousy) almost embraced his body. Then Andie narrated their story.

“It was during the warm summer in Olongapo when I first saw this handsome young man standing in front of Hannah’s vacation house. His gaze on mine was undefeated. I was attracted by his tan skin the moment we were introduced. His hands were cold and trembling as I reached for it. His eyes were breezy but burning. His smile was weak but genuine that struck my heart to finish the bossa nova and returned to regular rhythm. He looked so cautious and full of mysteries that warrant me to discern his reality. I wasn’t sure whom his eyes were constantly tracking at. Must be my friends who were thinner and prettier than my so called “plain features.” I envy them because they can converse with him boldly. But as I was stilled in my position, he came to me. That same weak smile that fronted me almost kept my feet off the ground, “Am I just dreaming, he left my friends to keep me company?” Now I’m flying! That’s the start, that’s my first. Day in and day out, I found myself faithfully spending time with him until it was too late. I’m caught. I’m trapped. I couldn’t go back. I’m down with love. I’m uncertain if he feels the same way but I didn’t mind just as long as I see him smile. And on that viewdeck, I finally heard what I’m longing to hear. His whispers of I Love You suddenly stalled my revolving world. His gentle embrace weakened my bones. Everything seems right and sure but when I get home our distance is hard to endure. Weekends were my best times when I get to see him. It persisted for years but didn’t last a lifetime. Problems, arguments and jealousies surfaced. I shoved him away for the nth times but he didn’t concede until he felt tired. I thought I was too shallow but then again the circumstances were challenging. I began to skip classes and every skipping I made found myself standing in front of my great love’s place. He walked me off for the last time and then never come back. I just lost my first and would be the last person that I wanted to spend my graying days with. I’m unsure if I would ever feel that first great feeling again. I just hope it was him.”

Josh fainted and almost fell down on his knees after reading Andie’s story.

“She met him in Olongapo…..viewdeck?” he muttered.

When he recovered from a daze, he hugged the notebook and some tears fell from his eyes.

He suddenly laughs while wiping his tears when he realized it wasn’t him. He doesn’t cry over dramas. It wasn’t really him. But he was surprised it was the first time he cried since he was a kid. It was improbable what exactly made him feel dejected, but he is sure it has something to do with his feelings for Andie.

“Why won’t you let go of him, Andie? Why can’t I tell you I love you?” he thought to himself.


******


“I’m done with it already!” Charie told Andie while waving the CD to her, gesturing a successful relief.

“Thanks Charie!” she was so excited that she hugged Charie for it.

She immediately texted Josh to meet her that day at McCafe Q.Ave/EDSA. The safest place they could meet halfway.

“You look so refreshed today,” he grins.

“Yup, here I have another gift for you,” she laughs.

“Not my birthday yet!”

“Hahaha that’s to keep you company when you drive alone,” she replied.

He was silent while checking the titles.

“Better?” she asked.

“A lot better! I like the songs Andie, where’d you get this?” he was curious.

“Not from a swallow mind!” she teased him.

“Okay, I’m gonna buy that.”

“Honestly, the songs were great. I like the song Just Because, the lyrics are catchy,” he seriously remarked.

“I’m glad you liked it!”

“Yes, thanks and sorry about last time.”

“I bet you understand the type of songs you played reflect your personality but it doesn’t always mean you’re either shallow or deep. It just links to your mood. Got it?” she explained.

He agreed, but the surest thing on his mind was keeping his pace on the right track after discovering how Andie had become during her life with Luke.

“By saying something stupid, saying something stupid like I Love You…I Love You”

They both sang the song while the vehicle was moving. They were laughing as they repeat the song aloud, Josh emphasizing on the words I Love You while Andie is thumping on her thighs.

Life itself has its depth. Josh realized that learning experiences happened everyday, and everyday with Andie.

Belated happy birthday Andie!

Inserts

He turned her around to face him when he felt her tears fell into his forearm. He wiped her eyes with both his thumbs and leaned her head onto his chest.

“I’m sorry I’m such a crybaby.” She told him while her face was still resting on his chest.

His heart was beating a rapid rhythm at the moment so he pulled her toward the couch anxious that she might notice he was nervous.

“You’re really a good riddance of my unnecessary emotions,” she told him.

Josh sat in front of her and offered her the tissue container that he got from the corner table.

“How long did your relationship last?” he out of the blue asked.

She momentarily looked at him then started to speak.

“About 2 years,” she answered plainly while clearing her face.

“Two years?” “Wow that’s like forever!” he was surprised.

“Why not?” she looked back.

“Nothing, I’m just amazed.” “I never really had any relationship that would even last for five days.”

“Whaaatt?” “Why?” she’s curious.

“I don’t know, I think I’m not used to having a constant partner.”

“Why not?”

“Coz I don’t like any dramas,” he grinned.

“Dramas?!” “What about when I used to cry in front of you, isn’t that any drama?” she’s looking straight at him.

“That’s different.”

“How different?”

“I don’t know, it seems like I wanna see you cry then I wanna calm you down, I don’t know,” he just shrugs his shoulders.

“Really?” then she had a big smile.

“Why?” she asked again.

“There goes your endless why’s again!” he chuckles.

“Two years, wheeew!”

“Hey why not?” “You think it’s pathetic?” she said.

“You’re the one who said that, not me,” he shrugs his shoulders.

“I just remembered when I was your age, I courted this celebrity girl and I know I’m close to being her boyfriend when she found out that I’m courting another lady from our village at the same time, it turned out they’re my friends’ friends, then I got smacked,” he told her while touching his face.

“Ouch!” “Hahaha you deserved that!”

“What happened to them?” her cheerless face turned thrilled.

“I don’t know, I didn’t ask them.”

“You’re really bad!” “I wonder why there are guys like you?”

“Hey don’t say guys like me, it’s not fair, I’m one of a kind you know.” “This is my thing and this has nothing to do with any other guys,” he grinned.

“Okay if you say so.” “But why did you introduce me to your friends as your special friend before?” she candidly asked.

He was baffled. He doesn’t know how he can arrange his words suitably that it won’t mislead her to something else and would not suspect that he doesn’t care either.

“Because you are far beyond the ladies I’ve known,” he answered.

“Does that make me special?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Too many why’s!” he grinned.

“If you just answer them then you won’t get any more why’s from me.” “So, why?” she persisted.

“Because you’re different from all the ladies I’ve known. You’re always certain with your answers. You have those funny antics that I’m just crazy about. You seem to know life even at a young age. You’re a struggler but you are independent. And I just felt needed when you ask for my shoulders to cry on to. That’s what you are to me,” he seriously answered.

“Hey really?” “I didn’t know you feel that way,” she was touched.

“Gotcha!” “I’m kidding!” “I’m taking it back!” he played.

“What?!” “You’re so annoying! “Don’t take it back!”

“I take it back!” he laughs.

“Josh, it’s not funny!” she turned serious.

“Don’t take it back please!” then she displayed her pa-cute look on her face.

“Only if you’ll give me a kiss!”

“No way!”

“So I’m taking it back, beh!”

“Fine!” She stood up and crossed her elbows.

“Hey wait!” Andie interrupted.

“What?” he was curious.

I think I got a text from Carlo,” she said while scrolling the text from her cellphone.

“What’s in his text?” he suddenly frowned; he stood up and acted like he was snatching the cellphone from her grip.

“Gotcha!” “Hahaha! I knew it you’re jealous of him!” she told him while sticking out her tongue on him.

“Shoot!” he was caught. “What makes you think that I’m jealous?” he defensively answered.

“Come on Josh it’s really obvious!”

He just shook his head and covered his face. That’s what he was telling her about, her funny antics.

“But you know I think Carlo likes you,” he told her when they’re both settled.

“How’d you know?”

“Andie, I should know I’m a guy.”

“And what makes your instincts so accurate?”

“I don’t know, don’t you feel it?”

“No.” “I just don’t assume anymore and I stopped overanalyzing things if they’d show affection to me, only if they tell me straightforwardly so.” She replied.

“Why not?”

“Because there are better things to think of than that,” she said.

“So does that mean if somebody likes you, you wouldn’t care?”

“How would you know if somebody likes you?” she was testing him.

“It’s easy.” “If I smile at them then they smiled back at me then they’ll follow, that’s the start of it!”

“Really?” “That’s lame!” Andie said.

“Do you always give the first hint?” she continued.

“No!”

“Why not, you’re the guy?”

“Waste of time!” “I’d rather be alone than give the first hint to some girls I’m not even sure I’m gonna endure talking the whole night with.”

“Of course, I’d only dig on girls who make a move on me first,” he explained.

She raised her brow.

“But what about Mitch?” “I remember she made the first move on you,” she teased him. Josh was caught up again.

“Hey hey hey I’m not finished yet,” he continued.

“That was before, but now I changed my mind, I think I’d like to practice making the first move this time,” he grinned.

“Yeah right!”

“So how would you know if a guy likes you?” he asked her.

“I used to do that same “smiling trick” before,” she started.

“I was overconfident back in high school.” “I would hang out with my friends in our “tambayan” where cute high school boys pass along. After signaling us that the boys were coming, we’d spray cologne all over, the same scent, then we’d smile in line while facing them. That’s our trick. Then I end up having a prom date,” she laughs.

“Hahaha that’s lame either!” he told her. She frowned.

“Well that’s just my fun high school memories.” “But you know after my life with him, I became insecure. If I try that trick again like when I’m in the mall or somewhere else, that won’t sell anymore,” she displayed a bitter smile.

“Are you sure?” he teased. She just nods.

“But I’m still gonna buy it,” he thought to himself.

“Josh, why didn’t I see you smoke?” she curiously asked.

“You want me to smoke?”

“Just answer it!”

“Because I chose to drink than to smoke,” he remarked.

“You’re really one of a kind, I didn’t expect I’ll get that answer from you.”

“I know rich guys drink, smoke, drive and got busted,” she mocked. (Andie’s teasing opinion)

“Hey that’s below the belt!” “I’m not like that,” he exclaimed. She was laughing but then Josh turned serious.

“My uncle taught me all of these vices. He said if I want to live longer but with one, if not all, of the pleasures around me I should pick one between smoking and drinking.

“He chose to smoke then I chose to drink, now he’s already 6 feet under,” he said.

“Is that true? “I thought your uncle is still in the hospital?”

“No, that’s the other one.” He actually forgot he brought her to the hospital to see his alleged uncle. Good thing she didn’t notice.

“My brother used to hate him for taking me everywhere he goes.” “I learned to drink when I was 15 and then started gambling at casino at age 20.”

She was shocked.

“And your parents tolerate him?” she asked.

“There’s nothing they can do about it, but that’s another story, I’ll tell you some other time.”

“Okay,” she plainly answered.

“What about your uncle’s family?” she continued.

“He has no family.” “He thought it would be an interference to his lifestyle.” “That’s why my uncle used to argue with my brother about taking a commitment.”

“He said girls are just sex and money. You buy your own pleasure.” (according to Josh’s uncle’s principle)

“What?” Did he really mean that?” she was very curious.

“Yes coz that’s what he has been feeding me and it made sense when my brother’s girlfriend left him for another rich man,” he wretchedly remarked.

“How did your uncle die?”

“A year ago he was diagnosed with end-stage lung carcinoma then died that instant.” He perished with millions of debts from people and banks.”

“I delivered my necrological speech on his funeral but I didn’t cry. I was surprised not a single tear rolled from my eyes,” he remembered.

“Why?”

“I don’t know, I thought it was the end of my laid-back years, and I thought I should repair my life, but I’m unmotivated.”

“What would make you change your lifestyle Josh?” Andie asked him.

“We’ll know in time Andie, in time,” he calmly replied.

She just agreed. It was really a relief that they’ve finally vented out one of the heaviest predicaments that burden them.

“Tomorrow when we get back to Manila, our real world is waiting,” she told him.

“At least for a moment I stopped thinking only about myself,” Josh was delighted.

“What do you mean?” she was curious.

“Go figure!”

“No…I’m too lazy to think, come on tell me.”

“Analyze that…..,” he laughs.

“Hmmm anyway, thanks Josh, you showed me the different side of life.”

“And you gave me the best vacation ever!” she was delighted.

“Hey I should tell you that first,” he grinned

“How many months have we known each other already?” she asked.

“Uhmm 1,2,3……” he was counting through his fingers.

“Five months,” he answered.

“Wow that long?”

“Uh huh, I’m surprised I endured you!” he gave a silly grin.

“And I’m surprised you have a constant friend for five months!” she laughs harder.

“So we’re only friends right?” Andie said while it’s like giving him a hint.

“Yes.” “Friends.” he said while reaching for her hand.

“Best friends!” Andie shook his hand then.

“Nyee corny!” his eyes rolled. She just laughed.

The two decided to rest for the following day’s travel back to Manila. Andie’s mind is all cleared. She had signed out from her unfinished business to Olongapo. Her struggle with Josh’s feelings for her was also cleared. She’s now certain that Josh’s love and care for her mean nothing but friendship. It was all right that Josh exposed his true self that he has never shown to anyone else but her.

Are they gonna end up as friends only? Let’s find out!