Waiting and meeting

•••

I was really busy in Bulacan. handling all the work and preparation needed for the VZ Bulacan branch opening here in Bocaue next week. It should be done perfectly and without any mistakes...my dad hates mistakes.

My stay in Bulacan had been longer than I thought...the opening was delayed because of bad weather. We have to prepare the venue again. The anxiety I've gone through those days was tough...good thing bryce was there to help me.

I was in the office when bryce came.

"Still busy?" he asked.

"Yeah...everything should be perfect when dad gets here...you know him."

"Ahh! Mister valdez the perfectionist? Yes, I know him very well."

He sitted at the chair, near my desk.

"Have you got time for touring the place? You've been here for almost how many days now...maybe we should roam around? Sayang iyong punta natin dito." he said.

"I don't know, bryce. I will have much more time roaming the place when my dad gives me this one...when I own this one branch."

"Come on, elizabeth! Huwag kang KJ! When you become the CEO, you'll be much more busier! You'll never got the chance to leave the office!"

He does have a point. I would be busier when that time comes.

"Alright...I'll see you outside. I just need to finish this last paper."

"Okay...I'll be waiting."

I took out my phone inside my desk drawer, looking for a message. It's been a while since sebastian messaged me...until he stopped.

"Why isn't he chatting me?" I asked myself, staring at the phone screen with his name visible.

I pouted to the thought that maybe, he was flirting with other girls that's why he isn't missing me.

Ciudad De Victoria was a beautiful place. I couldn't stop taking pictures on my phone.

"I told you it'll be worth it, rather than staying in your office reading and signing papers all day!" said bryce while driving.

"Yeah...thanks. Actually, I haven't thought of taking a break."

"Don't overwork yourself, elizabeth. And besides, I'm always here, ready to help you and you know that."

Bryce has been nothing but a good childhood friend and a best friend. He already confessed his feelings towards me a lot of times and he really wanted to win my heart...but his nothing more but just a friend.

"Bryce...thank you. But I think you need to stop yourself from pursuing me."

"Why not? I'm willing to wait for you to love me back..."

"Bryce, I only see you as a friend...ever since you walked inside our house back when we were kids, until you walk your way inside the office...my heart beats for you...but as a friend."

I looked at him, smiling. The type of smile that shows sadness.

"I'm sorry, bryce."

"Is it that guy?"

"Guy? Who?"

"That guy you always wait at the fountain ledge by the park. I saw you several times with him, is he the one you like?"

"Yes."

"I thought so..."

"He's a nice guy, bryce. You don't need to worry."

"Well, I am worried, elizabeth."

"Why?"

"I stalked him once, saw where he lives...his different. Your dad will not accept him and that's for sure."

"Why not?"

"His poor, he lives in a shanty town, elizabeth! Nakatira siya sa isang squatters area! And people who lives there are either sindikato, magnanakaw, o kriminal! I am worried for you!"

"I won't believe you unless I see it with my own two eyes."

"Then ask him to take you to his place and believe me, when your dad finds out...he would be very disappointed in you."

I kept bryce words in mind.

All night, I kept staring at my phone...waiting for him to message me. I waited all night, I couldn't even sleep and still I haven't received any messages from him.

"What if I message him first?...wait, no, elizabeth don't! It'll make you look desperate for his attention. You shouldn't make the first move, you're a girl!" I scolded myself.

I just sighed and tried to sleep.

The opening of the store in Bulacan went well. My dad was happy and praised me for my hardwork. After the opening party, I hurriedly drove back to Pasay. Slept for a bit in my condo, then went to work in the morning...which was another busy day.

After work, I headed to the park, holding a paper bag full of sweets that I bought in a sweet shop in Bocaue. And then, I saw him...sitting on the fountain ledge strumming his guitar. I remembered the first day I saw him on the same spot with the same plain black T-shirt and jeans, a scarf on his arm.

I approached him and he was about to hand me money, when he slowly turned around and met my gaze. He was surprised to see me again.

It was awkward at first but I took the first move to explain my side of the story.

I think I might sorta, maybe, possibly falling in love with him.

•••

Bryce's words still hunt me, so when I got the chance to finally convince him to take me to his place, I couldn't be more excited.

I was actually scared on my first ride in an MRT. It was crowded and it gave me anxiety but when I looked at sebastian, barefooted in front of me, holding my stiletto...I honestly thought no matter what happened, he will be there to save me.

I even experienced riding in a jeep. Everything is always first with him...this crazy experiences that I might not forget for the rest of my life.

When we arrived at his place, it really was a shanty town. The houses are made poorly, like one strong typhoon then the roofs of some houses would fly. It's my first time being in a place like this. He was talking with his friends, and I was left here standing. My eyes roam the place, observing everything...even those shirtless guys and girls smoking cigarettes. I turned my back and saw a wall totally vandalized. I just stood here patiently but to be honest...the smell of the wall stinks! And then I saw a red writing,

BAWAL UMIHI DITO NAKAMAMATAY!!!

"Now I know where that smell is coming from." I said to myself while trying not to inhale the toxic smell.

Sebastian introduced me to his friends, they were drinking beers. They were nice but deep inside I really felt scared. They look like gangsters and trouble combined.

What if...bryce was right?

As we were walking, people started talking. Sebastian is really well known in this place, he must have grown up here since an early age, no doubt. We stopped at a store of ihaw-ihaw. The vendor really looked familiar as if I saw her somewhere else.

"Ito lang po ate carol---ayyy! Akala ko si ate carol magkamukha kasi pota!"

"Ayan lang? Wala ka na bang idadagdag?"

"Wala na...ikaw wala ka na bang idadagdag? Libre mo?"

"Gagu hindi na uso libre ngayon, lalo na sa'yo!"

I was just standing here, glancing at the two. They seem to be very close. And then I remembered the girl from the SM Appliance Center—it was her.

They seem to enjoy each others company and it makes me out of place. I think I might sorta, maybe, possibly jealous of her. She's very simple, tanned skin...she's morena. Shoulder length jet black hair with side bangs, and I could tell she's bare faced but still look pretty. And also, her voice is a bit low and aggressive. The only similarity we had was our height.

If I were a man and I saw her for the first time...no doubt, it's going to be love at first sight.

She was incandescently beautiful and beauty was the least of her...and a girl like me can get insecure from her.

"May I ask..." I spoke which made sebastian to notice me.

"Ano 'yon, daniel?" he asked then introduced me to her.

"Hi." she greeted.

"Hello, ligaya?" I greeted and she nodded.

"Ano itatanong mo, daniel?" asked sebastian.

"Hmmm? Ahmmm, nothing...nevermind...I just...find her pretty to be a vendor, that's all."

For a moment, I got jealous of a girl who sells ihaw-ihaw.

We were about to enter his house when I couldn't help myself but to ask,

"You two...are you guys an...you know...a couple before?"

He suddenly coughed.

"I just feel it...that there's something between you two." I added.

"Pffft! May crush kasi 'yon sa akin dati, gano'n...tapos friends lang kami! Ayon talaga ang totoo, friends lang kami! No more than friends, just friends."

Just like me and Bryce, we're just friends. I was wrong for thinking something like they were once in a relationship... but he sounded so defensive like they once became more than friends.

"I see..."

Sebastian's house was okay. It was clean, but it wasn't that big—the size of their house is just as big as my bedroom in my parents' house. Her parents were nice...Nanay even let me stay for the night. His family is cool and funny, and I like his dad... I like Tatay more. His words are deep and logical.

I enjoyed eating dinner with his family more than I enjoyed eating dinner with my family. My parents are always not home...they're always busy earning money. Instead of staying in a huge house with maids, I decided to live on my own and got myself a condo.

I wonder what it would be like to have a family like them.

•••

Sebastian's room is what I imagined. The walls are filled with posters of anime, bands, and sexy calendar girls—a typical boy's room. I went out of the room to go see him in their small living room to see if he was asleep, but he was still awake and watching something on his phone.

I went to him, and we watched Slam Dunk together. I don't quite understand the show, but he managed to tell the story from the beginning and kept talking about the characters. He was too focused, and I liked it. If I ever have a lot of free time, maybe I'll watch this show from the very beginning.

And then, hearing his voice and talking about the show made me sleepy...I totally forgot that I was super tired today, thanks to him. He was really the definition of a good day.

•••

TBC.