"The Object of His Affection"
“I’m wearing below knee skirt and a white blouse, got a short hair. Don’t worry you won’t get lost, I’ll be waiting along the road,” Grace told Josh on the phone.
“Okay, I think I see you already….I’m getting off, Manong” he told the driver while the phone was still on his ear. “Sorry about that….” He was very nervous for an unknown reason.
“Hi. I’m Josh, you’re Andie’s cousin, right?” He hesitantly reached his hand to the lady.
“Grace.” She shyly replied then shook his hand.
“We’ll walk on that slope,” she pointed the place they’re about to walk through.
Josh was shocked. He didn’t realize he’s already walking on a rural soil.
“Why didn’t you ask Andie to pick you up?”
He was choked. He doesn’t know what to tell her that moment.
“Uhmm she didn’t know you were coming, right?”
Got it! How strange he knows two people at the same place and time who possess the same mentality, but he didn’t answer.
“How far is your place?”
“About 20 minutes walk.”
“20 minutes!” he was surprised.
She was kidding him then she laughs. “The first house that you will see is our lola’s house, that’s where her wake is resting.”
He just smiled at her and looks in wonder.
As they were approaching the place, the kids around started to assemble following the two. There were more like 10 kids of different ages surrounding them when another kid shouted toward the elders’ place.
“Tagala, Tagala!”
The commotion was unbearable for Josh. He was really embarrassed while the people were looking straight at him, as he felt totally different from them.
“Hay ayaw pag-saba, padaplin, mu agi mi!” Grace told the crowd when she realized that Josh was really uncomfortable of the starings and screamings.
“Kinsa man na, day?” asked the older woman.
“Uyab ni Andie man,” Grace tricked them.
“Uyab! Wooohhhhooohhhh!” they were rejoicing as if Andie just won the lottery.
Somebody rectified them, as they’re disrespecting the occasion. It’s apparent on Josh’s face the nervousness being with Andie’s family for the first time on that odd situation. Andie’s parents quickly went out of the house when they heard the loud noise.
“Josh!” Andie’s mom couldn’t believe what she saw. “What are you doing here? How were you able to locate our place?” Andie’s dad added.
He slowly turned to face them. “Hi mom, dad.” He greeted the two while rubbing his nape. That’s the sign that Josh was caught up in a dire situation.
“Oh well kids these days know where to find the missing piece of their hearts,” dad teased.
“Dad, what’s that supposed to mean? You’re embarrassing him.” Andie’s mom continued.
Still irritated by the noise, Andie quickly went out of the room to check what’s going on.
“Josh?!” it’s as if Andie saw a ghost.
“Hi Andie…” he then realized the commotion that happened that afternoon was nothing compared to the situation he’s having with Andie that moment.
“What are you….how did…who…..?” she couldn’t continue.
He just loosened up his shoulders.
“Come in Josh, make yourself comfortable,” Andie’s mom guided him toward the living room.
Andie was left outside still in shock. She couldn’t believe that Josh was finally there with her whole clan. Happy thoughts suddenly flashed on her mind. She’s actually looking at the face she was missing the most. She could’ve hugged him if only her parents weren’t around. Andie roused from confusion when a kid grabbed her hand and pulled her inside.
“Manang Andie, ka-guapo ng uyab nimo gyud!” said the little kid. She was stunned.
“What?” Josh asked Andie while sitting comfortably on a monoblock chair a little far from the area where the coffin is located. The look on her face made him feel a lot more awkward.
“Nothing. I was just wondering why you’re here. I bet you miss me! She was smiling an excited smile for the first time since the day she arrived Cebu.
“It’s only 4 days since you left, not long enough to miss you though!”
“Come on Josh, it’s obvious! Let me hear it!” she was teasing him further but Josh couldn’t blurt it out to her.
“Migs wants me to join the strip club tonight so I escaped.” He plainly answered. (Opppppss….how bad it could get that you’re actually lying about your feelings! Josh felt that way perhaps.)
“Oh!” the only word Andie could pronounce. “What an expensive escape,” she thought to herself.
She felt as if somebody slapped her face and it reddened quickly so she turned away.
“Hey Josh, have you met my cousin already? This is Grace.” Glad that Grace came so she introduced them.
“We’ve already met,” Josh delightfully answered.
“Really? How?”
“He called my number; I don’t know how he got it….then that’s it!” Grace and Josh looked at each other and smiled, seems like they’ve already met long before that day.
“So, was he the one you’ve been telling me about?” Grace teased the two.
“GRACE! I don’t remember telling you about any guys, especially him!” her eyes widened. That’s Grace’s way of embarrassing Andie in front of boys even during their high school days.
“You were talking about me?” Josh giggled.
“Don’t sweat it, Josh,” she replied.
“I told you, that guy will never stop until he’ll hear you say it.”
“Ooopps, I didn’t know, next time I’d be extra careful.” Grace and Andie laughed harder.
“Hey you two, don’t you think it’s rude talking secretly in front of someone else?” he interrupted.
“We’re sorry!” Then they continued to laugh.
“Andie, let Josh rest first.” Her mom called her.
“Where’s he staying? Don’t tell me you’ll share room?” Grace muttered.
“No way!” she whispered to Grace.
“So, where do you think he’s going to stay then?”
“I don’t know, some place maybe…”
“Come on you ask him…”
“What? No!”
“It’s okay, I’ll back you up!” Andie has no choice. Grace pushed her toward him. “Come on, you can do it!” she told her while nudging her.
The house has four bedrooms all filled up. The first room was their lola’s room but it has been restricted since her death, nobody wants to stay on that room either. The bigger room was occupied by the family. The third one occupied by Andie’s parents and the smaller one by Andie.
“Uhmm Josh all the rooms are occupied but you can stay at my room, I’ll just transfer at my parents’ room,” she told him (stressing the bolded words, lol).
“I hope he knows what I mean, putting me out of my room was terrible,” she thought to herself.
“Oh no, no, you stay at your room, I’ll just stay in a hotel nearby, do you know a place?”
“Wait I’ll ask my auntie,” she quickly ran toward her auntie. (I’m so rude! Did I ever mean that? I can’t take it back now,” she thought to herself once again after realizing that it’s not courteous having your visitor stay outside.)
“Grace, do you know a hotel near this place? Can you come with me or give me the direction?”
“Not too near though, there are hotels 2 hours away from here, in Colon or Guadalupe Ave.,” Grace told him.
“That far? Anyway, just give me the direction, please?”
Andie’s mom butted in when she heard that Grace is giving her the direction to the hotel.
“Josh, you’re not staying anywhere but here. You are our visitor so we are in-charge of you.”
“It’s okay mom, I’m fine, I can stay in a nearby hotel.”
“So it’s true that you don’t like our place?” mom told her while she turned sad.
“No it’s not, I just don’t want to be a bother to all of you, I’m fine really.”
“You almost got me there. I thought you don’t like to stay here,” she said while rubbing her chest for comfort.
“Anyway, Andie is going to fix her room for you, she’ll be staying at our room from now on. We’ll call you when the dinner is ready, okay?”
“Mom?” said Andie. “Andie!” her mom replied.
“Mom, don’t you think it’s inappropriate that Josh is staying here? What about our relatives, what if they find out?” she argued with her parents at the kitchen so Josh won’t suspect that Andie is objecting his stay at the house.
“It’s okay Andie, we know Josh is a good man and he wouldn’t take advantage of the situation, same way he does when you went to Subic, right?” her dad explained.
“Okay, you both win!” she told them when she turned away.
“I wonder where our daughter came from. I’m glad she’s reserved like that,” dad was grinning.
“I don’t know, but we’re lucky to have Andie as our daughter and we can completely trust her,” mom replied.
Andie went straight to her room to fix it after transferring her things to her parents’ room. However, her mom asked Josh to put his things on the room so he can freshen up and change.
“Andie….”
“Stop! Not finish yet…Okay, you can come in…..just keep the door open, I don’t want our relatives to assume a wrong notion about us.”
“Us?” he displayed a confused look on his face. I thought we’re just friends, so what worries you?”
Andie paused for a while, he said that line once again and she’s wondering what’s with holding her hands at any instance, at the mall and at the parking lot, was it just a friendly gesture again? The guy is really unpredictable, she thought.
“That worries me, we’re just friends and they might think there’s something going on between us,” she answered back.
“Let’s make something between us then?” he laughs as he teased her.
She just raised her brows.
“Why do I get the feeling that I’m not welcome here? Won’t you give your visitor a hug or ask me if I’m doing fine perhaps?” he told her while stretching his arms toward her.
“Josh stop being silly, there’re people around us, don’t you know that?”
“Hahaha, you’re really cute! That’s why I want to pull your legs often!”
“I’m just worried,” she said.
“About what?”
“A lot of things.”
“Does that include me?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Just try to loosen up, everything’s gonna be fine.”
“Okay, so how’s your trip?”
Andie followed his advice, she loosened up, she sat a little far facing Josh to listen to his stories with the door open. Josh goes on with his stories from the time he boarded the plane, meeting those ladies, until the time he got off locating their place. He was laughing when he’s telling his story but Andie was staring at his face and what made her laugh was the thought that she just won over her anxieties. She knows his time and effort is enough to tell that he likes her, but knowing herself, she couldn’t be so sure until she hears his reason, why Josh is there with her even if he keeps on saying they’re just friends. While looking at him, she suddenly smiles then covered her lips so he wouldn’t think that there’s something working on her mind.
“Andie, are you listening to me? Hey!” he called out.
“Wh-at we-re yo-u say-ing?” she syllabically replied.
“That you’re not listening to me. It’s really hard to get your attention, do you know that? It seems like you have a world of your own. Like an autistic.” He laughs harder.
“Stop that!”
“Ahermm, dinner is ready.” Grace interrupted.
“This early?” he looked at his watch and it was only 6 p.m.
“Get used to it. Everything’s early up here. We even go to bed at 8 p.m., but this occasion is different, we need to stay up all night,” Grace explained.
“Oh-kay?”
The kitchen was a connection of the living room where there’s no barrier so the people serving that night who were walking back and forth the kitchen could see the family dining. This is very uncomfortable for Josh as he was sitting on the open end of the table and Andie could feel it. Grace was even more observant so she asked Josh to sit beside her at the rear end where he’s covered. She looked at Andie then she signaled him to go.
He was introduced to the rest of her relatives. He was silent at first so Grace tends to keep him company by entertaining him. Andie peeks at their direction whenever the two laugh. It’s very uncomfortable for her seeing them flirting with each other (or was it?), so she stood up when she felt warm around her face.
“Mom, I’ll do the dishes later, I’ll go check my notes first,” that’s her way of avoiding.
Josh acts to follow her but her mom resisted them to stand up while there are still people in the table. She couldn’t think of anything to preoccupy her while Grace is having a sweet talk with Josh. Looks like she’s found someone to get jealous of. She hates entertaining her thoughts but it’s obvious that Josh was enjoying his time talking to Grace.
“God please, let me out!”
Good timing, one server needs assistance to serve the beverages to the visitors.
“I’ll do it mom!”
“I’ll come with you,” Josh volunteered.
“No, I’ll do it, just sit down,” her Auntie Mina did it.
Another auntie came; it was Auntie Sarie, Grace’s mom. Finally, the conversation went lively when Auntie Sarie found Josh an object of the tease.
“Kama-o ka magbisaya dong?” Auntie Sarie started. He just looked at her.
“Ma, di man sya kabalo og bisaya,” Grace interrupted.
“Agoy, naunsa man nang imong uyab Andie oi?”
“Auntie Sarie!” “Mama!”
Josh couldn’t understand all of it but he was suspecting he was the center of the mock judging from the flow of her talk. He just smiled though Andie could feel that one more incident like that could make Josh explode. It was one of her worries.
“You don’t understand bisaya?” she asked him again.
“No Auntie, but I can learn,” he politely replied.
“Oi buot-an man! So, are you Andie’s boyfriend? You know we’d like her to go to the states first before she gets married, so we hope you know that.”
Andie was choked. She was pushing her mom to stop her auntie from making Josh feel uncomfortable. She just covered her face and so did Grace.
“Sarie, Josh is just Andie’s friend. He is a very nice guy so we welcome him in our family,” mom explained.
“Okay no problem with me,” she said then walked out of the dining area.
First disaster for Andie. Too embarrassing to handle but they manage to keep the conversation open so Josh could participate. Her dad made a rule of not speaking the dialect in front of any non-Visayan visitor, or at least they could try.
Her Auntie Mina on the other hand was too curious to know how they first met. This excites Josh so he started sharing their story. Even if Andie doesn’t like them to know about it, there’s nothing she can do, she could see that Josh was excited so she contributed to their conversation.
It was time to clean up the dishes so the ladies including her mom and auntie stood up. Her dad, uncle and Josh were the only people left. They were talking about businesses, sabong, hogs, farms, etc., things that guys do. Josh seemed to enjoy the conversation so she left him with the big guys.
“I didn’t know that’s how you met!” Grace told her.
“It’s even complicated than that,” she told Grace.
“I wonder what my future man would be like.” Grace giggled.
“You mean you haven’t met your man yet?” Andie naively asked her.
“As if you’ve already met your man!” she laughs harder. “I’m just kidding!”
Her eyes rolled. “Yeah you’re right, I haven’t met my man yet,” Andie answered in certainty.
“But I’m certain, I like a guy who is more like…..” Grace didn’t finish.
“More like……. Josh?” Andie replied.
“No…someone….I don’t know…..,” Grace defensively answered but she was smiling.
Andie left her; she knows what her cousin means.
******
“You want to sleep now?” she asked him. First night for Josh with Andie’s family.
“Later, I haven’t looked at your lola yet.”
Josh stood by the coffin and offered a prayer for her. He stared at the pictures on the coffin as she saw Andie’s photos as a kid with her lola and the rest of their relatives. They have a huge clan, he thought. Though they weren’t a well-off family as he could see, he was envious of them. He could ascertain the value of having an intact and happy family being with them; a trait that his family doesn’t have. Andie was looking at him from the back and hopes that her worries about Josh being there would set off one step at a time.
She smiled at him when he turned around, walking at her direction.
“Josh, let’s go, I’ll introduce you to the rest of our cousins, is it okay Andie?” she hurdled while pulling Josh’s hand. He looks at Andie for her permission. She sighed.
“Girls, this is Josh, Andie’s friend,” she introduced him. The teenage girls giggled when he shook their hands. He wondered where those kids came from, as they look more like from Manila than the province. They dressed very well with full of little accessories on their body, some wearing heavy makeup.
“They’re all your cousins?” he asked.
“Yes, and there’re lots of them. Later, I’ll introduce you to the guys and some of our cousins of your age.” He just nods.
“Here they are!” Grace told him when her other cousins arrived.
Josh was amused when a couple of disheveled-looking, large built guys approached them.
“Nangaon na mu manoy?” she asked the guys.
“Wa pa man day…Kinsa man ni?” asked the other guy. Josh stared at Grace reminding her about Andie’s dad’s rule. Same thing, Grace introduced him to them.
“Kabalo ka mag-pusoy dos? Unya ra?” said the other guy to him. He only understands the word pusoy dos.
He sat beneath the tent with Grace and her cousins. They were interrogating him about Andie, but he didn’t give them any clue about his feelings. They were having a hard time conversing to him either so they started talking in English. He was amazed.
“They only speak English other than Visaya, Josh” Grace told Josh when he saw him looked funny from his reaction.
“I know…..” he defensively answered. Somebody looked at him then started talking. He went crazy when the teenagers were teasing him to go to the party that night.
“A lot of girls would be jealous if they see you with us,” the other one chuckled.
“Hey it’s not a party time tonight, it’s only lola’s 5th day, and you’ll be cursed for that,” Grace warned them.
The girls got scared so they stopped. They just continued talking to Josh as they became so interested in him even more when he spoke fluent English. He did the same test about the sibling thing and he was amazed none of them missed. He later realized that these girls were products of an average type of family, but they manage to go to school and learn. That’s how he first noticed Andie.
“Why do you keep on staring at the entrance of the house?”
“Yeah, I noticed that. You were hoping that Manang Andie will join us here, right?” said the girls.
“Of course not, I was just checking if everything’s well over there,”
“Okay, we’re gonna buy that!” they all laughed.
“You know what, I think you’re an assuming defensive guy, but that’s unique, we like that!” the other girl straightforwardly told him.
The smile on his face suddenly fades and he felt the blood rushed through his face. He started to contemplate on that thought. He realized at some point he was, but that’s his thing. He had to, with all his might, hide his feelings over a certain period of time.
“What’s taking you so long to tell her about your feelings? You know it’s really obvious!” said the other.
“Oh shoot I think I’m going crazy with this family, how were they able to read me like that? Or was I really obvious?” he muttered.
“Hey kids, who taught you to mind other people’s business?” he told them.
“It’s called helping you out Manoy Josh,” the other one cleverly answered him. Like a gun fired on his chest, he was shot dead by their answers.
“See you around Manoy, the prayer offering is about to start.” He just shook his head.
The prayer offering started so all the people gathered inside the house. Josh doesn’t know where to stay, he was looking for Andie and she was looking for him.
“Here Josh,” Grace called out. He was disappointed as he thought it was Andie calling him.
Somebody led the rosary in a Visayan dialect. The only two non-Visayan speakers were just observing the crowd. The people responded in prayers in a well-accustomed manner. It’s another first for Josh. People in the provinces are religious, he knows, but praying three times a day is not an option for him. After the prayer time, Jeffrey, their cousin, nudged Josh signaling him outside for the game he proposed.
He asked Andie for permission as he thought it would be prudent, so she might not think he would start to gamble again. “Go on, you don’t bet big amount for that,” she smiled.
The three masculine guys shook his hand. He felt a thick, callused hand from them giving a sign of hard work. The four sat in square at the vacant table. No one is speaking. The one who deals the card only signals everything to him. He just nods confirming that he understands him. He was hesitant to speak neither Tagalog nor English words thinking that these guys may feel insulted.
Jeffrey, the eldest of the three leaned closer to the other guy and whispered something. Josh felt nervous, so he stopped staring at them. He thinks any moment they’d end up beating him. He’s about to stand when Jeffrey speaks.
“I’m asking my cousin here if it’s okay that we speak in English,” he quickly told Josh.
“Uh yeah, if you only like but it’s fine with me,” he was relieved as he sat back. He thought it was something else.
He won the first game. He was really a gambler. He was amazed also that these guys who were 2 or 3 years younger than him looked more mature than their stated age. He later learned that they didn’t finish high school but they can speak English well as it was taught to them so they can converse with people of any sort.
Another set of card was dealt. Laughters came whenever they trick Josh, but he was really good about cards. Even they’re the best gamblers in town, they couldn’t win over Josh, so Jeffrey reverted, he connived with Josh to trick his other cousins. They just had a good time then. Andie came to serve them the coffee to check on Josh and her cousins.
“Andie, we didn’t know that your boyfriend here is really good in this game,” Jeffrey teased her.
“He’s not my boyfriend Jeff,” she quickly turned away after answering them.
“She’s our dear cousin, so we hope you’ll take care of her,” they told him. He just smiled.
“Basketball tomorrow, okay?” Jeffrey reminded him. He just agreed though he thinks it’s inappropriate.
“So you had a good time teasing me huh?” Andie remarked as she saw him still laughing.
“Hey….It’s already past 11, can I use your room already?” he told her while entering the room. She just nods.
“Oooopppss, Andie we have a problem,” he quickly pulled her.
“What?”
“Somebody’s using the room.”
“Oh my God, Uncle Ron is drunk,” she was embarrassed when they saw the man messing around the bed.
“I’m sorry Josh, I didn’t know he was there,” she was really worried.
“It’s okay, I can sleep anywhere, if you don’t sleep, I won’t sleep either,” he comforted her.
“You have to rest, you’re very tired I know.”
“No worries, Ms. Dancel.”
Grace saw the whole scene so she immediately came toward them.
“What’s the problem?” she asked.
She just pushed the door open to let Grace see their uncle.
“Goodness, he’s drunk again!”
“He’s been drinking since lola died coz she’s the only one helping him financially and now he thinks he couldn’t scrape by without her.” They just nod.
The next midnight mourners started. A lot of people came for the “lamay” so it became a busy night for Andie and Grace. Josh was left tired so he lined up four monoblock chairs together on the corner of the house facing the wall then he lays down. He didn’t mind the people walking in and out of the house just as long as he could rest.
When Andie came back, she saw Josh already asleep. “Poor guy!” she thought to herself
She took a yellow blanket from the cabinet then wrapped it around Josh. As she was covering him from behind, Josh suddenly grabbed her hand. She’s pulling it but he won’t let go.
“Josh, my hand,” she whispered. But Josh, still eyes closed, won’t let go of her.
“Andie…” She jerked when she heard somebody is calling her. She’s still pulling but his grip tightened.
“Hey Grace what’s up?”
“Who’s that?” Grace turned curious.
“It’s Josh, he’s sleeping already, so we have to keep quiet,” she whispered.
“Why are you looking so strange? What were you hiding there?”
“Oh nothing, I think somebody’s calling you outside,”
“No…..what’s that?”
When Grace came closer, Josh let go of her hand. He really knows how to tease Andie. She just pinched him hard that made Josh joggle from his position. He chuckled.
“See I told you, it’s nothing.”
“Okay, let’s sit over there.”
Their conversation went for hours talking about Josh. Grace keeps on putting the topic back about Josh whenever Andie diverts it. Even how many times Grace is trapping her, she didn’t let herself reveal something about her feelings for Josh. Grace is like a sister to her but when it comes to boys, it’s a different thing. They once had an argument involving Luke before when Andie thought that Grace is deliberately seducing him, but she has no evidence. That incident just resolved over time. Now it’s repeating itself.
The following morning, Josh woke up stretching his body that is aching all over. The sound of a big hog moaning was unbearable so he immediately went out to check. It was Auntie Mina cleaning the sty. From lack of sleep for a couple of days, it made her dizzy and almost pass out, so Josh helped her get up from the pen then guided her inside the house. Her husband and Andie’s dad went out early morning for some errands. Josh was the only man left in the house so he volunteered to clean up the sty. They own a poultry, piggery and a farm, but he doesn’t really do hands-on job except in their farm, so he really had no idea what to do.
He folded both ends of his jeans up and hopped inside the pen. The smell of the pen is dead stinky as well as the pigs, so he turned up the hose and started sprinkling the place with water. The people around the area gathered as if they’re watching some celebrity reality show. When Andie woke up, she immediately checked Josh then somebody told her that he was there outside.
“Oh my God, what are you doing?”
“Hi Andie! This isn’t bad as I thought,” he was smiling.
“Oh no don’t do that, you’re wasting the pigs’ foods.”
It turned out he flushed all the “kaning baboy” on the drain and the grains were drenched in water.
“What have you done there?”
“I was just trying to help.”
“It’s okay Andie, those are wastes and the grains were already expired, so don’t worry. I think he’s done a good job back there,” her auntie remarkably answered.
To her embarrassment, she went straight to her room, “what’s wrong with this family?” she mumbled.
Josh went to the bathroom to clean up. He was shocked to see that it’s left unfinished. The faucets are loose and the shower is broken, so he has no choice but to fetch water from the big drum. It was a standard bathroom in the province, it was elevated and you have to sit down while taking a bath because the head clearance is only for the size of the kids, yet Josh managed to make it fun for him.
Already afternoon when Andie’s dad arrived with a bad news. The funeral service bills were paid from the collected money from each family but they’re still short of P13,000.00 and that amount must be settled before the burial. It was a huge amount for them and they don’t have instant money for the payment. The whole family was seriously talking about the situation, as they don’t want the old woman to be buried with debts. Somebody suggested of having another rounds of collections and they all agreed.
Jeffrey and the rest of the guys arrived. They were assigned to cook different dishes for the family and the mourners that day.
“Too early for the basketball!” Josh told Jeff.
“No, I’m too late for my duty,” he answered.
“Duty?”
“Yeah, I need to cook for us.”
********
“Are you ready for the game?” Jeff asked him after doing his errands.
“Is it okay?”
“Yeah, we’ve already served for today so that must be alright,” Jeff was smiling.
“Wait, I’ll ask….”
“Don’t worry, she wouldn’t know….wait a minute, are you afraid of her?”
“Me? No……Let’s go!” he bravely answered.
Josh then changed to his basketball shorts and shirt though the shoes he’s wearing is not appropriate for the game, though he thinks he looks funny but it really looks good on him.
“Aren’t you going to change?” he asked them.
“No…this is just a backyard game Josh.”
He was surprised to see the boys only wearing jeans, ripped off shirts and a pair of slippers.
“Look’s like you’re going to a PBA game, huh,” they teased him.
“Wait and see!”
After walking 20 meters from the house, they finally arrived at the court. Compared to the court he was playing at Valle Verde, this was a lot more classic. Instead of Taraflex floor, it was only soil, instead of steel bleachers, there were dilapidated benches, instead of high-marked rings there were manually made wooden loops, and instead of a uniformed referee, there was an edentulous delinquent teenager blowing his out of tune whistle.
The two teams meet. Josh wasn’t aware that there was money involved. He saw the other one took out money from his pocket so he got curious, that’s when he learned that that was a bet. Jeffrey was hesitant to place his money on the bet as he was not confident of his team, but Josh put his amount, something that he’s confident of winning and confident of his playing abilities.
All of them started to play like bulls after seeing Josh’s bet. “Come on let me see your styles if you can win over me,” he thought to himself.
The referee signaled and the ball was passed to the opponent. At first impression, Jeffrey’s team is the underdog, but that’s before Josh hasn’t shown his skills yet.
“Mom, have you seen Jeff or Josh?”
“Andie, you’re too hard on Josh lately, I think Jeff took him out for a walk.”
“With Jeff?”
“They asked me if they could play basketball.” She didn’t ask any further, but she was very displeased.
“Where’s the basketball court here?” she asked Grace.
“Two streets from here, why?”
“Come with me,” she pulled Grace.
At the court, the scores are intermittently changing between teams. During the first half, they are winning but at the second, the opponents were able to catch up, so the real game started. The violence in the game was concealed by the art of pushing, jerking, and walloping the opponents just to score. It wouldn’t be called as basketball, if nobody tripped, got whacked, or elbowed. The news quickly spread all over that there’s one Tagala playing with the Visayans, so majority of people accumulated at the courtside especially teenage gays and girls and some adults. They were cheering up with the guys that made the game so lively.
When Andie and Grace arrived, they immediately stationed at the benches where they could be seen easily. She was surprised to see Josh sweating all over from the heat. When Josh stood up near the courtside, he noticed somebody walked on his side.
“Andie,” he whispered. She has no reactions.
When he turned around, somebody shouted as the ball was quickly passed onto him but it bounced on his chest and wasn’t able to catch it so the opponent had the advantage of shooting it on their ring.
The people booed him, it was embarrassing but he wouldn’t take any other chance of giving them the lead. He was fully motivated to play, now that somebody is keeping a sharp eye on him.
Grace, on her place, was very excited. She was cheering like it was the first game she had ever seen.
“Let me put this towel on your back,” Grace told Josh while doing it. The two were just looking awkwardly at each other.
“You smelled us all the way from the house?” he was teasing Andie. She just grinned.
Josh returned back to the court then started to play boisterously. The sudden change from his mood made his team wonder but it gives good result; they were motivated to play a rowdy game as well. He didn’t miss any of his shots to that effect, impressing his special lady back there. Whenever he stood by the courtside, Grace didn’t miss drying his sweat either. It was so irritating for Andie, but then she’s guarded. Josh just smiles at her whenever Grace does it. It became a plot for Josh to make her jealous then.
Another time out was called, then Andie took the towel from Grace.
“Hey Josh, I think you’re sweating a lot…..” she toughly patted his face with a towel punishing him from his plot.
“Aray! That’s so sweet of you,” he just gave her a weird reaction.
“Now we’re even,” she thought to herself.
During the last 5 minutes of the game, the scores were too close giving Josh’s team the lead, but the opponents were tough enough to score back. The other cousin got the ball but wasn’t able to shoot it, Josh on followup but he didn’t score either. The opponent got it but Jeff was able to block it then passed the ball to Josh then passed it to another cousin. People were screaming, as they didn’t want to lose their bets for the team. Finally, Jeff was able to shoot the ball until the referee announced the game was over and they won.
Wooohooo! It’s like one of the best games in the history of Carcar, Cebu. Jeff went to the opponent’s leader to pick up their winning bets. They earned almost 2000 pesos from that game.
Meanwhile, their teenage cousins made a plot of getting the attention of the people especially the other teenagers. After shaking the hands of their opponents, Josh returned back to where Andie and Grace is standing when a group of teenagers went unruly approaching Josh’s direction.
They took out pens for Josh to sign into their shirts or anything he could sign in to. They were crowding him requesting for his signature. Andie was thrust back a bit by a couple of gays clearing their way going to Josh. He thought that’s just how Cebuanas react after a challenging game. He doesn’t know it was a practical joke.
“Na-a na koy pirma nya oi! Woohoo,” the other one shouted to one of the teenage cousins of Andie. They were just laughing.
“Haayy ka-guapo nya gyud, di nako maka-tug ani”
“Look at him, he looks so funny,” said the girls.
“Is it true that he has been one of the casts of Gimik in ABS-CBN before? Oh my God, he’s really cute. You’re so lucky he’s staying at your house now!” said the other gay to their cousins. They’re just laughing when Andie heard them talking about it.
“Karen, what did you tell them about Josh?” Andie seriously asked them.
“We just told them that Josh was a cast of Gimik, don’t get mad at us please…”
“Is that the reason why they’re asking for his autograph?”
They just nod.
Andie laughed so hard. “You kids are really tricky, how’re you able to come up with that idea?” They’re still laughing while Josh was indulging from his one-time fame.
“So how’s your career so far?” she asked Josh when he finally finished signing autographs.
“Wow, I didn’t realize how famous I become after this!”
The rest of them started laughing and left Josh wondering.
“What?” he asked them. They just continue to laugh even until reaching home but they didn’t tell him.
At the house, the family was computing the money they had collected but Auntie Mina announced it’s still short of 6000 pesos. It concerns the whole family so Andie and Grace were informed of the problem. Andie doled out her last 1000 pesos for the collection.
Jeff gave Josh his part of the bet but he refused to take it and told them to keep it, so that amount was handed over to Auntie Mina. It was a big help but they still needed some. Apparently, Josh felt strange and thought that something different is happening to the family. His suspicion was supported by the fact when he overheard the family talking about the money they needed for the funeral service. It was then that he got the guts of asking Andie about what he heard.
“Why didn’t you tell me so?” he was arguing with her again when he learned about their problem that she didn’t care to tell him.
“Josh, we are not your responsibility, you being here is enough for us, so we don’t need to tell you everything that is happening in our family,” she argued back.
“Andie, you’re getting too unreasonable again. You know what’s your problem?”
“Me? What?” she raised her voice.
“You’re too afraid to ask for any help, especially for my help. You think you can solve all your problems by yourself. You’re too defensive about your feelings.” He can’t help but tell her.
“What are you talking about?”
“Andie come on.” Then she started to cry.
“Josh, we don’t have anything and dignity is the only one left for me,” she’s sobbing.
“No one’s taking that away from you, I’m here to help I’m your friend remember? You can always help me back when I needed it,” Josh’s good nature is now surfacing from Andie’s fragility. That’s better way of saying they’re complementing each other’s strength and weaknesses, “a perfect fit.”
“So here, just tell them it’s from you,” he handed her the money. Then she continued to sob.
She felt too small herself but every help she got from Josh is causing her feelings to be so intense that it’s too late for her to break away from it.
“Mom, don’t worry about the rest of the money, it has been taken care of,” she told her mom.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s Josh, I know you won’t agree, but he insisted.”
Her mom and auntie started to cry. “Where is he?” They thanked him for his help.
At dinnertime, everything went smooth now that a big family problem was already solved. Their topic once again was Josh. They brought up the incident that happened in the court that afternoon. Andie and the rest of their cousins were laughing that made Josh really curious about their reaction, but Grace is not.
That night, when Grace felt certain that Josh has feelings for Andie, she started to get cold. She became aloof and wondering why she’s feeling that way. She only knew Josh for 3 days but she started to fall for him. Deep into her she was fighting for her feelings but whenever she comes near with Josh she could almost forget about anything or anyone around her. She just doesn’t want Andie to think that she’s doing it again for the second time.
Andie was talking to Josh that night and they were giggling and teasing. He’d pinch her cheeks and make funny faces in front of her. Grace was just looking at them from the kitchen and was very jealous of Andie that moment.
“Hey Grace join us here,” Andie called her out, but she wouldn’t move.
“What’s wrong with her?” she slowly asked Josh.
“Come here Grace…” said Josh while pulling her toward Andie but she twisted her forearm to let go of his grip.
“No!” Grace surprisingly raised her tone then Josh let go of her hand. She ran out from the backdoor exit toward their house being so embarrassed of her manner.
“Is she mad or something?” he was confused but then went back to where Andie is sitting.
“Not again Grace,” she thought to herself.
That was the same attitude she noticed with Grace back when she’s still with Luke. She’s afraid to give another cold treatment to Grace because of that issue. She couldn’t be selfish to her, now that she thinks Grace likes Josh already. But who is she to decide? Andie is not even sure whom Josh really likes. He may even have a girlfriend back in Manila that she didn’t know or maybe Josh just likes her company that’s why she’s keeping her. All she knows now is that she likes him, nothing more, nothing less.
*********
“Auntie Mina, why I haven’t seen Grace the whole afternoon?”
“She said she’s going to the restaurant today to get her salary.”
When Grace arrived, she was very quiet; she’s not in her normal self anymore. A lot of them noticed the changes that happened to her in an instant. After doing her chores, she went out for a walk when she came across Josh but she didn’t greet him or even look at him. He was left confounded by her varying attitude so he was worried, but he doesn’t know it has something to do with him.
“Where are you going?” he asked Grace.
“There,” she plainly answered.
“Do you want to talk, you looked so sad?” he was following her when they reached the place where she used to stay whenever she’s feeling blue.
They walked through a small path traced by footsteps, which was concealed by long grasses and stems.
“Wow!” Josh was amazed when they trailed the place.
When he cleared the grasses from the pathway, he saw a long silent river running through the other end. There was a wide riverside with smaller and bigger stone buildups all over. The water is so tidy that they can see the water inhabitants clearly. On the other end, there was a huge tree, underneath it is a wooden bench made by her Uncle Ron. Overlooking from that bench was a mountain nearly touching the clouds above and the sun’s rays reflecting the mountain making it more earthly in appearance.
“This is where Andie and I used to play when we were little kids, this is like our childhood sanctuary,” she told him while pleading Josh to sit.
“We used to dream the same dreams; finish school, work and then marry the same type of man,” she was smiling. Josh was just listening to her.
“She’s so nice, but I haven’t been a good and honest cousin to her,” she continued.
“Honest, why?”
“I don’t know….coz……I think I’m in love with…..” she couldn’t get through her words by telling what she feels for him.
Josh became more confused by her revelations. When he’s certain that Grace is going to cry, he quickly diverted the topic. Knowing him, he really, really doesn’t endure any drama.
“Hey, it really feels good when you’re famous you know,” he started.
She suddenly laughed. “Josh it’s a trick, some practical joke.”
“What??!!”
“Oooppss, I think I need to tell you….remember my cousins, they told those teenagers that you were a celebrity, so…..”
“Shooot! Now I know. Does Andie know about it also?” She just nods.
“They really got me there!” he just laughs about his misfortune. “All along I thought I was famous because I play so good…..”
“So why didn’t you tell Andie that you’re in love with her?” she has the wit to quickly diver the topic.
“Huh?”
“I’m….not….” he continued.
“Look at me then tell me you’re not in love with her.”
He just bowed down and shook his head.
“You can trust me Josh, I’m the closest way you can get through with her,” she could almost feel her throat constricts having said that.
“But I have nothing to say.” A moment of silence passed when Josh felt ready to talk.
“Okay, I’ve been wanting to tell her what I really feel a long time ago but I don’t know where to start. I’ve been posing as his best friend material now then I get used to it, so I don’t even know what comes next. I just want everything to fall into right places. Now is not the right time yet, I just want things to come naturally between us, but nothing seems to fit. We always argue, we’re both defensive, we mellow down slowly but we anger fast, I don’t know….I don’t even know if she likes me even this bit, but I’ll wait for her Grace no matter what.”
“Now you’re sure that you love her.”
“I don’t just love her Grace, I really, really love her,” his revelations continued.
“Why do you love her?”
“It’s hard to explain, I love her just because period,” Josh already felt his breathing cleared up. A heavy burden on his chest suddenly unloads by releasing his emotions.
“The first time I saw you, I can tell that Andie is the object of your affection.”
He just smiled.
“So what was that you want to tell me about, you’re in love with whom?…….” he teased her.
“No, forget about what I said, it’s nothing….”
“Daya!” I’ve told you my secret, now it’s your turn.”
“No….” they both laugh.
“Do you promise not to tell her what I told you?”
“Promise!”
******
“Jeff, have you seen Josh?”
“Some kids who saw them said he’s with Grace going to the river.”
“The river is still there? Do you still know the place?”
“Yes, but we better bring some beverages and snacks.”
“Are you sure?” she was hesitant by his idea of an unplanned picnic due to the solemnity of the occasion.
“Let’s go, we’ll serve later….” he said.
After almost 16 years of not returning to that place, she was very excited to track down her childhood memories. Jeff guides her throughout the trail, clearing the grasses and stems away from their path.
Josh stood up to check where the sun is about to set. Grace followed but because she’s smaller, she had to step on the bench, as the rays were covered by bushes up on the mountain. Grace smiled at him as Josh was leading her down. He was struck by her pretty smile for the first time. He noticed that her face is really beautiful. She has perfect combination of her profile. She’s even prettier than Andie but that’s just about it. His feelings for Andie had gone too far that he couldn’t even handle.
Jeff cleared the long end of the path then Andie came out. She first saw Josh. When she’s about to call him, Grace came out from his cover. She was surprised to see the two so close to each other. Jeff turned confused. He just looked at Andie in concern.
To be continued….Let’s see what Andie did in the next entry……..
“Okay, I think I see you already….I’m getting off, Manong” he told the driver while the phone was still on his ear. “Sorry about that….” He was very nervous for an unknown reason.
“Hi. I’m Josh, you’re Andie’s cousin, right?” He hesitantly reached his hand to the lady.
“Grace.” She shyly replied then shook his hand.
“We’ll walk on that slope,” she pointed the place they’re about to walk through.
Josh was shocked. He didn’t realize he’s already walking on a rural soil.
“Why didn’t you ask Andie to pick you up?”
He was choked. He doesn’t know what to tell her that moment.
“Uhmm she didn’t know you were coming, right?”
Got it! How strange he knows two people at the same place and time who possess the same mentality, but he didn’t answer.
“How far is your place?”
“About 20 minutes walk.”
“20 minutes!” he was surprised.
She was kidding him then she laughs. “The first house that you will see is our lola’s house, that’s where her wake is resting.”
He just smiled at her and looks in wonder.
As they were approaching the place, the kids around started to assemble following the two. There were more like 10 kids of different ages surrounding them when another kid shouted toward the elders’ place.
“Tagala, Tagala!”
The commotion was unbearable for Josh. He was really embarrassed while the people were looking straight at him, as he felt totally different from them.
“Hay ayaw pag-saba, padaplin, mu agi mi!” Grace told the crowd when she realized that Josh was really uncomfortable of the starings and screamings.
“Kinsa man na, day?” asked the older woman.
“Uyab ni Andie man,” Grace tricked them.
“Uyab! Wooohhhhooohhhh!” they were rejoicing as if Andie just won the lottery.
Somebody rectified them, as they’re disrespecting the occasion. It’s apparent on Josh’s face the nervousness being with Andie’s family for the first time on that odd situation. Andie’s parents quickly went out of the house when they heard the loud noise.
“Josh!” Andie’s mom couldn’t believe what she saw. “What are you doing here? How were you able to locate our place?” Andie’s dad added.
He slowly turned to face them. “Hi mom, dad.” He greeted the two while rubbing his nape. That’s the sign that Josh was caught up in a dire situation.
“Oh well kids these days know where to find the missing piece of their hearts,” dad teased.
“Dad, what’s that supposed to mean? You’re embarrassing him.” Andie’s mom continued.
Still irritated by the noise, Andie quickly went out of the room to check what’s going on.
“Josh?!” it’s as if Andie saw a ghost.
“Hi Andie…” he then realized the commotion that happened that afternoon was nothing compared to the situation he’s having with Andie that moment.
“What are you….how did…who…..?” she couldn’t continue.
He just loosened up his shoulders.
“Come in Josh, make yourself comfortable,” Andie’s mom guided him toward the living room.
Andie was left outside still in shock. She couldn’t believe that Josh was finally there with her whole clan. Happy thoughts suddenly flashed on her mind. She’s actually looking at the face she was missing the most. She could’ve hugged him if only her parents weren’t around. Andie roused from confusion when a kid grabbed her hand and pulled her inside.
“Manang Andie, ka-guapo ng uyab nimo gyud!” said the little kid. She was stunned.
“What?” Josh asked Andie while sitting comfortably on a monoblock chair a little far from the area where the coffin is located. The look on her face made him feel a lot more awkward.
“Nothing. I was just wondering why you’re here. I bet you miss me! She was smiling an excited smile for the first time since the day she arrived Cebu.
“It’s only 4 days since you left, not long enough to miss you though!”
“Come on Josh, it’s obvious! Let me hear it!” she was teasing him further but Josh couldn’t blurt it out to her.
“Migs wants me to join the strip club tonight so I escaped.” He plainly answered. (Opppppss….how bad it could get that you’re actually lying about your feelings! Josh felt that way perhaps.)
“Oh!” the only word Andie could pronounce. “What an expensive escape,” she thought to herself.
She felt as if somebody slapped her face and it reddened quickly so she turned away.
“Hey Josh, have you met my cousin already? This is Grace.” Glad that Grace came so she introduced them.
“We’ve already met,” Josh delightfully answered.
“Really? How?”
“He called my number; I don’t know how he got it….then that’s it!” Grace and Josh looked at each other and smiled, seems like they’ve already met long before that day.
“So, was he the one you’ve been telling me about?” Grace teased the two.
“GRACE! I don’t remember telling you about any guys, especially him!” her eyes widened. That’s Grace’s way of embarrassing Andie in front of boys even during their high school days.
“You were talking about me?” Josh giggled.
“Don’t sweat it, Josh,” she replied.
“I told you, that guy will never stop until he’ll hear you say it.”
“Ooopps, I didn’t know, next time I’d be extra careful.” Grace and Andie laughed harder.
“Hey you two, don’t you think it’s rude talking secretly in front of someone else?” he interrupted.
“We’re sorry!” Then they continued to laugh.
“Andie, let Josh rest first.” Her mom called her.
“Where’s he staying? Don’t tell me you’ll share room?” Grace muttered.
“No way!” she whispered to Grace.
“So, where do you think he’s going to stay then?”
“I don’t know, some place maybe…”
“Come on you ask him…”
“What? No!”
“It’s okay, I’ll back you up!” Andie has no choice. Grace pushed her toward him. “Come on, you can do it!” she told her while nudging her.
The house has four bedrooms all filled up. The first room was their lola’s room but it has been restricted since her death, nobody wants to stay on that room either. The bigger room was occupied by the family. The third one occupied by Andie’s parents and the smaller one by Andie.
“Uhmm Josh all the rooms are occupied but you can stay at my room, I’ll just transfer at my parents’ room,” she told him (stressing the bolded words, lol).
“I hope he knows what I mean, putting me out of my room was terrible,” she thought to herself.
“Oh no, no, you stay at your room, I’ll just stay in a hotel nearby, do you know a place?”
“Wait I’ll ask my auntie,” she quickly ran toward her auntie. (I’m so rude! Did I ever mean that? I can’t take it back now,” she thought to herself once again after realizing that it’s not courteous having your visitor stay outside.)
“Grace, do you know a hotel near this place? Can you come with me or give me the direction?”
“Not too near though, there are hotels 2 hours away from here, in Colon or Guadalupe Ave.,” Grace told him.
“That far? Anyway, just give me the direction, please?”
Andie’s mom butted in when she heard that Grace is giving her the direction to the hotel.
“Josh, you’re not staying anywhere but here. You are our visitor so we are in-charge of you.”
“It’s okay mom, I’m fine, I can stay in a nearby hotel.”
“So it’s true that you don’t like our place?” mom told her while she turned sad.
“No it’s not, I just don’t want to be a bother to all of you, I’m fine really.”
“You almost got me there. I thought you don’t like to stay here,” she said while rubbing her chest for comfort.
“Anyway, Andie is going to fix her room for you, she’ll be staying at our room from now on. We’ll call you when the dinner is ready, okay?”
“Mom?” said Andie. “Andie!” her mom replied.
“Mom, don’t you think it’s inappropriate that Josh is staying here? What about our relatives, what if they find out?” she argued with her parents at the kitchen so Josh won’t suspect that Andie is objecting his stay at the house.
“It’s okay Andie, we know Josh is a good man and he wouldn’t take advantage of the situation, same way he does when you went to Subic, right?” her dad explained.
“Okay, you both win!” she told them when she turned away.
“I wonder where our daughter came from. I’m glad she’s reserved like that,” dad was grinning.
“I don’t know, but we’re lucky to have Andie as our daughter and we can completely trust her,” mom replied.
Andie went straight to her room to fix it after transferring her things to her parents’ room. However, her mom asked Josh to put his things on the room so he can freshen up and change.
“Andie….”
“Stop! Not finish yet…Okay, you can come in…..just keep the door open, I don’t want our relatives to assume a wrong notion about us.”
“Us?” he displayed a confused look on his face. I thought we’re just friends, so what worries you?”
Andie paused for a while, he said that line once again and she’s wondering what’s with holding her hands at any instance, at the mall and at the parking lot, was it just a friendly gesture again? The guy is really unpredictable, she thought.
“That worries me, we’re just friends and they might think there’s something going on between us,” she answered back.
“Let’s make something between us then?” he laughs as he teased her.
She just raised her brows.
“Why do I get the feeling that I’m not welcome here? Won’t you give your visitor a hug or ask me if I’m doing fine perhaps?” he told her while stretching his arms toward her.
“Josh stop being silly, there’re people around us, don’t you know that?”
“Hahaha, you’re really cute! That’s why I want to pull your legs often!”
“I’m just worried,” she said.
“About what?”
“A lot of things.”
“Does that include me?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Just try to loosen up, everything’s gonna be fine.”
“Okay, so how’s your trip?”
Andie followed his advice, she loosened up, she sat a little far facing Josh to listen to his stories with the door open. Josh goes on with his stories from the time he boarded the plane, meeting those ladies, until the time he got off locating their place. He was laughing when he’s telling his story but Andie was staring at his face and what made her laugh was the thought that she just won over her anxieties. She knows his time and effort is enough to tell that he likes her, but knowing herself, she couldn’t be so sure until she hears his reason, why Josh is there with her even if he keeps on saying they’re just friends. While looking at him, she suddenly smiles then covered her lips so he wouldn’t think that there’s something working on her mind.
“Andie, are you listening to me? Hey!” he called out.
“Wh-at we-re yo-u say-ing?” she syllabically replied.
“That you’re not listening to me. It’s really hard to get your attention, do you know that? It seems like you have a world of your own. Like an autistic.” He laughs harder.
“Stop that!”
“Ahermm, dinner is ready.” Grace interrupted.
“This early?” he looked at his watch and it was only 6 p.m.
“Get used to it. Everything’s early up here. We even go to bed at 8 p.m., but this occasion is different, we need to stay up all night,” Grace explained.
“Oh-kay?”
The kitchen was a connection of the living room where there’s no barrier so the people serving that night who were walking back and forth the kitchen could see the family dining. This is very uncomfortable for Josh as he was sitting on the open end of the table and Andie could feel it. Grace was even more observant so she asked Josh to sit beside her at the rear end where he’s covered. She looked at Andie then she signaled him to go.
He was introduced to the rest of her relatives. He was silent at first so Grace tends to keep him company by entertaining him. Andie peeks at their direction whenever the two laugh. It’s very uncomfortable for her seeing them flirting with each other (or was it?), so she stood up when she felt warm around her face.
“Mom, I’ll do the dishes later, I’ll go check my notes first,” that’s her way of avoiding.
Josh acts to follow her but her mom resisted them to stand up while there are still people in the table. She couldn’t think of anything to preoccupy her while Grace is having a sweet talk with Josh. Looks like she’s found someone to get jealous of. She hates entertaining her thoughts but it’s obvious that Josh was enjoying his time talking to Grace.
“God please, let me out!”
Good timing, one server needs assistance to serve the beverages to the visitors.
“I’ll do it mom!”
“I’ll come with you,” Josh volunteered.
“No, I’ll do it, just sit down,” her Auntie Mina did it.
Another auntie came; it was Auntie Sarie, Grace’s mom. Finally, the conversation went lively when Auntie Sarie found Josh an object of the tease.
“Kama-o ka magbisaya dong?” Auntie Sarie started. He just looked at her.
“Ma, di man sya kabalo og bisaya,” Grace interrupted.
“Agoy, naunsa man nang imong uyab Andie oi?”
“Auntie Sarie!” “Mama!”
Josh couldn’t understand all of it but he was suspecting he was the center of the mock judging from the flow of her talk. He just smiled though Andie could feel that one more incident like that could make Josh explode. It was one of her worries.
“You don’t understand bisaya?” she asked him again.
“No Auntie, but I can learn,” he politely replied.
“Oi buot-an man! So, are you Andie’s boyfriend? You know we’d like her to go to the states first before she gets married, so we hope you know that.”
Andie was choked. She was pushing her mom to stop her auntie from making Josh feel uncomfortable. She just covered her face and so did Grace.
“Sarie, Josh is just Andie’s friend. He is a very nice guy so we welcome him in our family,” mom explained.
“Okay no problem with me,” she said then walked out of the dining area.
First disaster for Andie. Too embarrassing to handle but they manage to keep the conversation open so Josh could participate. Her dad made a rule of not speaking the dialect in front of any non-Visayan visitor, or at least they could try.
Her Auntie Mina on the other hand was too curious to know how they first met. This excites Josh so he started sharing their story. Even if Andie doesn’t like them to know about it, there’s nothing she can do, she could see that Josh was excited so she contributed to their conversation.
It was time to clean up the dishes so the ladies including her mom and auntie stood up. Her dad, uncle and Josh were the only people left. They were talking about businesses, sabong, hogs, farms, etc., things that guys do. Josh seemed to enjoy the conversation so she left him with the big guys.
“I didn’t know that’s how you met!” Grace told her.
“It’s even complicated than that,” she told Grace.
“I wonder what my future man would be like.” Grace giggled.
“You mean you haven’t met your man yet?” Andie naively asked her.
“As if you’ve already met your man!” she laughs harder. “I’m just kidding!”
Her eyes rolled. “Yeah you’re right, I haven’t met my man yet,” Andie answered in certainty.
“But I’m certain, I like a guy who is more like…..” Grace didn’t finish.
“More like……. Josh?” Andie replied.
“No…someone….I don’t know…..,” Grace defensively answered but she was smiling.
Andie left her; she knows what her cousin means.
******
“You want to sleep now?” she asked him. First night for Josh with Andie’s family.
“Later, I haven’t looked at your lola yet.”
Josh stood by the coffin and offered a prayer for her. He stared at the pictures on the coffin as she saw Andie’s photos as a kid with her lola and the rest of their relatives. They have a huge clan, he thought. Though they weren’t a well-off family as he could see, he was envious of them. He could ascertain the value of having an intact and happy family being with them; a trait that his family doesn’t have. Andie was looking at him from the back and hopes that her worries about Josh being there would set off one step at a time.
She smiled at him when he turned around, walking at her direction.
“Josh, let’s go, I’ll introduce you to the rest of our cousins, is it okay Andie?” she hurdled while pulling Josh’s hand. He looks at Andie for her permission. She sighed.
“Girls, this is Josh, Andie’s friend,” she introduced him. The teenage girls giggled when he shook their hands. He wondered where those kids came from, as they look more like from Manila than the province. They dressed very well with full of little accessories on their body, some wearing heavy makeup.
“They’re all your cousins?” he asked.
“Yes, and there’re lots of them. Later, I’ll introduce you to the guys and some of our cousins of your age.” He just nods.
“Here they are!” Grace told him when her other cousins arrived.
Josh was amused when a couple of disheveled-looking, large built guys approached them.
“Nangaon na mu manoy?” she asked the guys.
“Wa pa man day…Kinsa man ni?” asked the other guy. Josh stared at Grace reminding her about Andie’s dad’s rule. Same thing, Grace introduced him to them.
“Kabalo ka mag-pusoy dos? Unya ra?” said the other guy to him. He only understands the word pusoy dos.
He sat beneath the tent with Grace and her cousins. They were interrogating him about Andie, but he didn’t give them any clue about his feelings. They were having a hard time conversing to him either so they started talking in English. He was amazed.
“They only speak English other than Visaya, Josh” Grace told Josh when he saw him looked funny from his reaction.
“I know…..” he defensively answered. Somebody looked at him then started talking. He went crazy when the teenagers were teasing him to go to the party that night.
“A lot of girls would be jealous if they see you with us,” the other one chuckled.
“Hey it’s not a party time tonight, it’s only lola’s 5th day, and you’ll be cursed for that,” Grace warned them.
The girls got scared so they stopped. They just continued talking to Josh as they became so interested in him even more when he spoke fluent English. He did the same test about the sibling thing and he was amazed none of them missed. He later realized that these girls were products of an average type of family, but they manage to go to school and learn. That’s how he first noticed Andie.
“Why do you keep on staring at the entrance of the house?”
“Yeah, I noticed that. You were hoping that Manang Andie will join us here, right?” said the girls.
“Of course not, I was just checking if everything’s well over there,”
“Okay, we’re gonna buy that!” they all laughed.
“You know what, I think you’re an assuming defensive guy, but that’s unique, we like that!” the other girl straightforwardly told him.
The smile on his face suddenly fades and he felt the blood rushed through his face. He started to contemplate on that thought. He realized at some point he was, but that’s his thing. He had to, with all his might, hide his feelings over a certain period of time.
“What’s taking you so long to tell her about your feelings? You know it’s really obvious!” said the other.
“Oh shoot I think I’m going crazy with this family, how were they able to read me like that? Or was I really obvious?” he muttered.
“Hey kids, who taught you to mind other people’s business?” he told them.
“It’s called helping you out Manoy Josh,” the other one cleverly answered him. Like a gun fired on his chest, he was shot dead by their answers.
“See you around Manoy, the prayer offering is about to start.” He just shook his head.
The prayer offering started so all the people gathered inside the house. Josh doesn’t know where to stay, he was looking for Andie and she was looking for him.
“Here Josh,” Grace called out. He was disappointed as he thought it was Andie calling him.
Somebody led the rosary in a Visayan dialect. The only two non-Visayan speakers were just observing the crowd. The people responded in prayers in a well-accustomed manner. It’s another first for Josh. People in the provinces are religious, he knows, but praying three times a day is not an option for him. After the prayer time, Jeffrey, their cousin, nudged Josh signaling him outside for the game he proposed.
He asked Andie for permission as he thought it would be prudent, so she might not think he would start to gamble again. “Go on, you don’t bet big amount for that,” she smiled.
The three masculine guys shook his hand. He felt a thick, callused hand from them giving a sign of hard work. The four sat in square at the vacant table. No one is speaking. The one who deals the card only signals everything to him. He just nods confirming that he understands him. He was hesitant to speak neither Tagalog nor English words thinking that these guys may feel insulted.
Jeffrey, the eldest of the three leaned closer to the other guy and whispered something. Josh felt nervous, so he stopped staring at them. He thinks any moment they’d end up beating him. He’s about to stand when Jeffrey speaks.
“I’m asking my cousin here if it’s okay that we speak in English,” he quickly told Josh.
“Uh yeah, if you only like but it’s fine with me,” he was relieved as he sat back. He thought it was something else.
He won the first game. He was really a gambler. He was amazed also that these guys who were 2 or 3 years younger than him looked more mature than their stated age. He later learned that they didn’t finish high school but they can speak English well as it was taught to them so they can converse with people of any sort.
Another set of card was dealt. Laughters came whenever they trick Josh, but he was really good about cards. Even they’re the best gamblers in town, they couldn’t win over Josh, so Jeffrey reverted, he connived with Josh to trick his other cousins. They just had a good time then. Andie came to serve them the coffee to check on Josh and her cousins.
“Andie, we didn’t know that your boyfriend here is really good in this game,” Jeffrey teased her.
“He’s not my boyfriend Jeff,” she quickly turned away after answering them.
“She’s our dear cousin, so we hope you’ll take care of her,” they told him. He just smiled.
“Basketball tomorrow, okay?” Jeffrey reminded him. He just agreed though he thinks it’s inappropriate.
“So you had a good time teasing me huh?” Andie remarked as she saw him still laughing.
“Hey….It’s already past 11, can I use your room already?” he told her while entering the room. She just nods.
“Oooopppss, Andie we have a problem,” he quickly pulled her.
“What?”
“Somebody’s using the room.”
“Oh my God, Uncle Ron is drunk,” she was embarrassed when they saw the man messing around the bed.
“I’m sorry Josh, I didn’t know he was there,” she was really worried.
“It’s okay, I can sleep anywhere, if you don’t sleep, I won’t sleep either,” he comforted her.
“You have to rest, you’re very tired I know.”
“No worries, Ms. Dancel.”
Grace saw the whole scene so she immediately came toward them.
“What’s the problem?” she asked.
She just pushed the door open to let Grace see their uncle.
“Goodness, he’s drunk again!”
“He’s been drinking since lola died coz she’s the only one helping him financially and now he thinks he couldn’t scrape by without her.” They just nod.
The next midnight mourners started. A lot of people came for the “lamay” so it became a busy night for Andie and Grace. Josh was left tired so he lined up four monoblock chairs together on the corner of the house facing the wall then he lays down. He didn’t mind the people walking in and out of the house just as long as he could rest.
When Andie came back, she saw Josh already asleep. “Poor guy!” she thought to herself
She took a yellow blanket from the cabinet then wrapped it around Josh. As she was covering him from behind, Josh suddenly grabbed her hand. She’s pulling it but he won’t let go.
“Josh, my hand,” she whispered. But Josh, still eyes closed, won’t let go of her.
“Andie…” She jerked when she heard somebody is calling her. She’s still pulling but his grip tightened.
“Hey Grace what’s up?”
“Who’s that?” Grace turned curious.
“It’s Josh, he’s sleeping already, so we have to keep quiet,” she whispered.
“Why are you looking so strange? What were you hiding there?”
“Oh nothing, I think somebody’s calling you outside,”
“No…..what’s that?”
When Grace came closer, Josh let go of her hand. He really knows how to tease Andie. She just pinched him hard that made Josh joggle from his position. He chuckled.
“See I told you, it’s nothing.”
“Okay, let’s sit over there.”
Their conversation went for hours talking about Josh. Grace keeps on putting the topic back about Josh whenever Andie diverts it. Even how many times Grace is trapping her, she didn’t let herself reveal something about her feelings for Josh. Grace is like a sister to her but when it comes to boys, it’s a different thing. They once had an argument involving Luke before when Andie thought that Grace is deliberately seducing him, but she has no evidence. That incident just resolved over time. Now it’s repeating itself.
The following morning, Josh woke up stretching his body that is aching all over. The sound of a big hog moaning was unbearable so he immediately went out to check. It was Auntie Mina cleaning the sty. From lack of sleep for a couple of days, it made her dizzy and almost pass out, so Josh helped her get up from the pen then guided her inside the house. Her husband and Andie’s dad went out early morning for some errands. Josh was the only man left in the house so he volunteered to clean up the sty. They own a poultry, piggery and a farm, but he doesn’t really do hands-on job except in their farm, so he really had no idea what to do.
He folded both ends of his jeans up and hopped inside the pen. The smell of the pen is dead stinky as well as the pigs, so he turned up the hose and started sprinkling the place with water. The people around the area gathered as if they’re watching some celebrity reality show. When Andie woke up, she immediately checked Josh then somebody told her that he was there outside.
“Oh my God, what are you doing?”
“Hi Andie! This isn’t bad as I thought,” he was smiling.
“Oh no don’t do that, you’re wasting the pigs’ foods.”
It turned out he flushed all the “kaning baboy” on the drain and the grains were drenched in water.
“What have you done there?”
“I was just trying to help.”
“It’s okay Andie, those are wastes and the grains were already expired, so don’t worry. I think he’s done a good job back there,” her auntie remarkably answered.
To her embarrassment, she went straight to her room, “what’s wrong with this family?” she mumbled.
Josh went to the bathroom to clean up. He was shocked to see that it’s left unfinished. The faucets are loose and the shower is broken, so he has no choice but to fetch water from the big drum. It was a standard bathroom in the province, it was elevated and you have to sit down while taking a bath because the head clearance is only for the size of the kids, yet Josh managed to make it fun for him.
Already afternoon when Andie’s dad arrived with a bad news. The funeral service bills were paid from the collected money from each family but they’re still short of P13,000.00 and that amount must be settled before the burial. It was a huge amount for them and they don’t have instant money for the payment. The whole family was seriously talking about the situation, as they don’t want the old woman to be buried with debts. Somebody suggested of having another rounds of collections and they all agreed.
Jeffrey and the rest of the guys arrived. They were assigned to cook different dishes for the family and the mourners that day.
“Too early for the basketball!” Josh told Jeff.
“No, I’m too late for my duty,” he answered.
“Duty?”
“Yeah, I need to cook for us.”
********
“Are you ready for the game?” Jeff asked him after doing his errands.
“Is it okay?”
“Yeah, we’ve already served for today so that must be alright,” Jeff was smiling.
“Wait, I’ll ask….”
“Don’t worry, she wouldn’t know….wait a minute, are you afraid of her?”
“Me? No……Let’s go!” he bravely answered.
Josh then changed to his basketball shorts and shirt though the shoes he’s wearing is not appropriate for the game, though he thinks he looks funny but it really looks good on him.
“Aren’t you going to change?” he asked them.
“No…this is just a backyard game Josh.”
He was surprised to see the boys only wearing jeans, ripped off shirts and a pair of slippers.
“Look’s like you’re going to a PBA game, huh,” they teased him.
“Wait and see!”
After walking 20 meters from the house, they finally arrived at the court. Compared to the court he was playing at Valle Verde, this was a lot more classic. Instead of Taraflex floor, it was only soil, instead of steel bleachers, there were dilapidated benches, instead of high-marked rings there were manually made wooden loops, and instead of a uniformed referee, there was an edentulous delinquent teenager blowing his out of tune whistle.
The two teams meet. Josh wasn’t aware that there was money involved. He saw the other one took out money from his pocket so he got curious, that’s when he learned that that was a bet. Jeffrey was hesitant to place his money on the bet as he was not confident of his team, but Josh put his amount, something that he’s confident of winning and confident of his playing abilities.
All of them started to play like bulls after seeing Josh’s bet. “Come on let me see your styles if you can win over me,” he thought to himself.
The referee signaled and the ball was passed to the opponent. At first impression, Jeffrey’s team is the underdog, but that’s before Josh hasn’t shown his skills yet.
“Mom, have you seen Jeff or Josh?”
“Andie, you’re too hard on Josh lately, I think Jeff took him out for a walk.”
“With Jeff?”
“They asked me if they could play basketball.” She didn’t ask any further, but she was very displeased.
“Where’s the basketball court here?” she asked Grace.
“Two streets from here, why?”
“Come with me,” she pulled Grace.
At the court, the scores are intermittently changing between teams. During the first half, they are winning but at the second, the opponents were able to catch up, so the real game started. The violence in the game was concealed by the art of pushing, jerking, and walloping the opponents just to score. It wouldn’t be called as basketball, if nobody tripped, got whacked, or elbowed. The news quickly spread all over that there’s one Tagala playing with the Visayans, so majority of people accumulated at the courtside especially teenage gays and girls and some adults. They were cheering up with the guys that made the game so lively.
When Andie and Grace arrived, they immediately stationed at the benches where they could be seen easily. She was surprised to see Josh sweating all over from the heat. When Josh stood up near the courtside, he noticed somebody walked on his side.
“Andie,” he whispered. She has no reactions.
When he turned around, somebody shouted as the ball was quickly passed onto him but it bounced on his chest and wasn’t able to catch it so the opponent had the advantage of shooting it on their ring.
The people booed him, it was embarrassing but he wouldn’t take any other chance of giving them the lead. He was fully motivated to play, now that somebody is keeping a sharp eye on him.
Grace, on her place, was very excited. She was cheering like it was the first game she had ever seen.
“Let me put this towel on your back,” Grace told Josh while doing it. The two were just looking awkwardly at each other.
“You smelled us all the way from the house?” he was teasing Andie. She just grinned.
Josh returned back to the court then started to play boisterously. The sudden change from his mood made his team wonder but it gives good result; they were motivated to play a rowdy game as well. He didn’t miss any of his shots to that effect, impressing his special lady back there. Whenever he stood by the courtside, Grace didn’t miss drying his sweat either. It was so irritating for Andie, but then she’s guarded. Josh just smiles at her whenever Grace does it. It became a plot for Josh to make her jealous then.
Another time out was called, then Andie took the towel from Grace.
“Hey Josh, I think you’re sweating a lot…..” she toughly patted his face with a towel punishing him from his plot.
“Aray! That’s so sweet of you,” he just gave her a weird reaction.
“Now we’re even,” she thought to herself.
During the last 5 minutes of the game, the scores were too close giving Josh’s team the lead, but the opponents were tough enough to score back. The other cousin got the ball but wasn’t able to shoot it, Josh on followup but he didn’t score either. The opponent got it but Jeff was able to block it then passed the ball to Josh then passed it to another cousin. People were screaming, as they didn’t want to lose their bets for the team. Finally, Jeff was able to shoot the ball until the referee announced the game was over and they won.
Wooohooo! It’s like one of the best games in the history of Carcar, Cebu. Jeff went to the opponent’s leader to pick up their winning bets. They earned almost 2000 pesos from that game.
Meanwhile, their teenage cousins made a plot of getting the attention of the people especially the other teenagers. After shaking the hands of their opponents, Josh returned back to where Andie and Grace is standing when a group of teenagers went unruly approaching Josh’s direction.
They took out pens for Josh to sign into their shirts or anything he could sign in to. They were crowding him requesting for his signature. Andie was thrust back a bit by a couple of gays clearing their way going to Josh. He thought that’s just how Cebuanas react after a challenging game. He doesn’t know it was a practical joke.
“Na-a na koy pirma nya oi! Woohoo,” the other one shouted to one of the teenage cousins of Andie. They were just laughing.
“Haayy ka-guapo nya gyud, di nako maka-tug ani”
“Look at him, he looks so funny,” said the girls.
“Is it true that he has been one of the casts of Gimik in ABS-CBN before? Oh my God, he’s really cute. You’re so lucky he’s staying at your house now!” said the other gay to their cousins. They’re just laughing when Andie heard them talking about it.
“Karen, what did you tell them about Josh?” Andie seriously asked them.
“We just told them that Josh was a cast of Gimik, don’t get mad at us please…”
“Is that the reason why they’re asking for his autograph?”
They just nod.
Andie laughed so hard. “You kids are really tricky, how’re you able to come up with that idea?” They’re still laughing while Josh was indulging from his one-time fame.
“So how’s your career so far?” she asked Josh when he finally finished signing autographs.
“Wow, I didn’t realize how famous I become after this!”
The rest of them started laughing and left Josh wondering.
“What?” he asked them. They just continue to laugh even until reaching home but they didn’t tell him.
At the house, the family was computing the money they had collected but Auntie Mina announced it’s still short of 6000 pesos. It concerns the whole family so Andie and Grace were informed of the problem. Andie doled out her last 1000 pesos for the collection.
Jeff gave Josh his part of the bet but he refused to take it and told them to keep it, so that amount was handed over to Auntie Mina. It was a big help but they still needed some. Apparently, Josh felt strange and thought that something different is happening to the family. His suspicion was supported by the fact when he overheard the family talking about the money they needed for the funeral service. It was then that he got the guts of asking Andie about what he heard.
“Why didn’t you tell me so?” he was arguing with her again when he learned about their problem that she didn’t care to tell him.
“Josh, we are not your responsibility, you being here is enough for us, so we don’t need to tell you everything that is happening in our family,” she argued back.
“Andie, you’re getting too unreasonable again. You know what’s your problem?”
“Me? What?” she raised her voice.
“You’re too afraid to ask for any help, especially for my help. You think you can solve all your problems by yourself. You’re too defensive about your feelings.” He can’t help but tell her.
“What are you talking about?”
“Andie come on.” Then she started to cry.
“Josh, we don’t have anything and dignity is the only one left for me,” she’s sobbing.
“No one’s taking that away from you, I’m here to help I’m your friend remember? You can always help me back when I needed it,” Josh’s good nature is now surfacing from Andie’s fragility. That’s better way of saying they’re complementing each other’s strength and weaknesses, “a perfect fit.”
“So here, just tell them it’s from you,” he handed her the money. Then she continued to sob.
She felt too small herself but every help she got from Josh is causing her feelings to be so intense that it’s too late for her to break away from it.
“Mom, don’t worry about the rest of the money, it has been taken care of,” she told her mom.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s Josh, I know you won’t agree, but he insisted.”
Her mom and auntie started to cry. “Where is he?” They thanked him for his help.
At dinnertime, everything went smooth now that a big family problem was already solved. Their topic once again was Josh. They brought up the incident that happened in the court that afternoon. Andie and the rest of their cousins were laughing that made Josh really curious about their reaction, but Grace is not.
That night, when Grace felt certain that Josh has feelings for Andie, she started to get cold. She became aloof and wondering why she’s feeling that way. She only knew Josh for 3 days but she started to fall for him. Deep into her she was fighting for her feelings but whenever she comes near with Josh she could almost forget about anything or anyone around her. She just doesn’t want Andie to think that she’s doing it again for the second time.
Andie was talking to Josh that night and they were giggling and teasing. He’d pinch her cheeks and make funny faces in front of her. Grace was just looking at them from the kitchen and was very jealous of Andie that moment.
“Hey Grace join us here,” Andie called her out, but she wouldn’t move.
“What’s wrong with her?” she slowly asked Josh.
“Come here Grace…” said Josh while pulling her toward Andie but she twisted her forearm to let go of his grip.
“No!” Grace surprisingly raised her tone then Josh let go of her hand. She ran out from the backdoor exit toward their house being so embarrassed of her manner.
“Is she mad or something?” he was confused but then went back to where Andie is sitting.
“Not again Grace,” she thought to herself.
That was the same attitude she noticed with Grace back when she’s still with Luke. She’s afraid to give another cold treatment to Grace because of that issue. She couldn’t be selfish to her, now that she thinks Grace likes Josh already. But who is she to decide? Andie is not even sure whom Josh really likes. He may even have a girlfriend back in Manila that she didn’t know or maybe Josh just likes her company that’s why she’s keeping her. All she knows now is that she likes him, nothing more, nothing less.
*********
“Auntie Mina, why I haven’t seen Grace the whole afternoon?”
“She said she’s going to the restaurant today to get her salary.”
When Grace arrived, she was very quiet; she’s not in her normal self anymore. A lot of them noticed the changes that happened to her in an instant. After doing her chores, she went out for a walk when she came across Josh but she didn’t greet him or even look at him. He was left confounded by her varying attitude so he was worried, but he doesn’t know it has something to do with him.
“Where are you going?” he asked Grace.
“There,” she plainly answered.
“Do you want to talk, you looked so sad?” he was following her when they reached the place where she used to stay whenever she’s feeling blue.
They walked through a small path traced by footsteps, which was concealed by long grasses and stems.
“Wow!” Josh was amazed when they trailed the place.
When he cleared the grasses from the pathway, he saw a long silent river running through the other end. There was a wide riverside with smaller and bigger stone buildups all over. The water is so tidy that they can see the water inhabitants clearly. On the other end, there was a huge tree, underneath it is a wooden bench made by her Uncle Ron. Overlooking from that bench was a mountain nearly touching the clouds above and the sun’s rays reflecting the mountain making it more earthly in appearance.
“This is where Andie and I used to play when we were little kids, this is like our childhood sanctuary,” she told him while pleading Josh to sit.
“We used to dream the same dreams; finish school, work and then marry the same type of man,” she was smiling. Josh was just listening to her.
“She’s so nice, but I haven’t been a good and honest cousin to her,” she continued.
“Honest, why?”
“I don’t know….coz……I think I’m in love with…..” she couldn’t get through her words by telling what she feels for him.
Josh became more confused by her revelations. When he’s certain that Grace is going to cry, he quickly diverted the topic. Knowing him, he really, really doesn’t endure any drama.
“Hey, it really feels good when you’re famous you know,” he started.
She suddenly laughed. “Josh it’s a trick, some practical joke.”
“What??!!”
“Oooppss, I think I need to tell you….remember my cousins, they told those teenagers that you were a celebrity, so…..”
“Shooot! Now I know. Does Andie know about it also?” She just nods.
“They really got me there!” he just laughs about his misfortune. “All along I thought I was famous because I play so good…..”
“So why didn’t you tell Andie that you’re in love with her?” she has the wit to quickly diver the topic.
“Huh?”
“I’m….not….” he continued.
“Look at me then tell me you’re not in love with her.”
He just bowed down and shook his head.
“You can trust me Josh, I’m the closest way you can get through with her,” she could almost feel her throat constricts having said that.
“But I have nothing to say.” A moment of silence passed when Josh felt ready to talk.
“Okay, I’ve been wanting to tell her what I really feel a long time ago but I don’t know where to start. I’ve been posing as his best friend material now then I get used to it, so I don’t even know what comes next. I just want everything to fall into right places. Now is not the right time yet, I just want things to come naturally between us, but nothing seems to fit. We always argue, we’re both defensive, we mellow down slowly but we anger fast, I don’t know….I don’t even know if she likes me even this bit, but I’ll wait for her Grace no matter what.”
“Now you’re sure that you love her.”
“I don’t just love her Grace, I really, really love her,” his revelations continued.
“Why do you love her?”
“It’s hard to explain, I love her just because period,” Josh already felt his breathing cleared up. A heavy burden on his chest suddenly unloads by releasing his emotions.
“The first time I saw you, I can tell that Andie is the object of your affection.”
He just smiled.
“So what was that you want to tell me about, you’re in love with whom?…….” he teased her.
“No, forget about what I said, it’s nothing….”
“Daya!” I’ve told you my secret, now it’s your turn.”
“No….” they both laugh.
“Do you promise not to tell her what I told you?”
“Promise!”
******
“Jeff, have you seen Josh?”
“Some kids who saw them said he’s with Grace going to the river.”
“The river is still there? Do you still know the place?”
“Yes, but we better bring some beverages and snacks.”
“Are you sure?” she was hesitant by his idea of an unplanned picnic due to the solemnity of the occasion.
“Let’s go, we’ll serve later….” he said.
After almost 16 years of not returning to that place, she was very excited to track down her childhood memories. Jeff guides her throughout the trail, clearing the grasses and stems away from their path.
Josh stood up to check where the sun is about to set. Grace followed but because she’s smaller, she had to step on the bench, as the rays were covered by bushes up on the mountain. Grace smiled at him as Josh was leading her down. He was struck by her pretty smile for the first time. He noticed that her face is really beautiful. She has perfect combination of her profile. She’s even prettier than Andie but that’s just about it. His feelings for Andie had gone too far that he couldn’t even handle.
Jeff cleared the long end of the path then Andie came out. She first saw Josh. When she’s about to call him, Grace came out from his cover. She was surprised to see the two so close to each other. Jeff turned confused. He just looked at Andie in concern.
To be continued….Let’s see what Andie did in the next entry……..
posted by Pie @ 9:59 PM
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