❝Not hearing his answer would probably be for the best.❞

— ❁ —

        THE CHEESE tortellini Laurie ordered just arrived. Thankfully, she and Malie went to the café earlier than usual. Isang box lang ang binuksan nila. Iisang pack lang din ang ginamit nila dahil pang-anim na serving na iyon.

        Laurie was stirring the casserole pan when her phone vibrated. Nag-message ang kapatid niya. Stefan was just probably bored. Although, that was a bit weird. May publishing company kasi ito. It specializes in printing textbooks but he has been thinking of dabbling in fictional books.

        She received another notification. This time, she sighed. Tinatanong kasi ni Stefan kung bakit hindi niya sinagot ang dad nila noong nakaraan.

        Laurie was about to reply when Malie approached her. Dumungaw ito at saka, bumuntonghininga.

        "What?" kunot-noong tanong niya. "Did I do it wrong?"

        Malie smiled sheepishly. Kinuha nito ang hawak niyang sandok. "Medyo. I think it's overcooked." Gamit ang sandok, tinusok-tusok nito ang lumulutang na tortellini. "Ilang minutes na ba?"

        Sumilip siyang muli sa kaserola. "Magna-nine na yata."

        "Yep, it's definitely overcooked," natatawa nitong sabi. "Five to six minutes lang dapat."

        Napangiwi siya. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Nag-text kasi si Stefan."

        Pinatay ni Malie ang kalan. "Okay lang. Tayo lang naman kakain, e."

        Malie drained the pasta while Laurie watched closely. After that, she took the sauce she cooked that was sitting in a separate pan. Kumuha si Laurie ng dalawang pinggan. Tinulungan na rin niya si Malie sa pagsandok ng pasta at sauce. When they finished cleaning the countertop, they settled on the stools.

        Malie gave Laurie a fork. They were about to eat when the door chimes chimed. Napalingon sila roon. Pinaikot ni Laurie ang mga mata nang pumasok ang kapatid niya.

        Stefan's eyes scanned the café. Parang tahimik nitong binilang ang customers. Upon making eye contact with Laurie, he smiled. He, then, made his way to the coffee bar. "So, what are we eating?" tanong nito, sabay upo sa tabi ni Laurie.

        Mabilis niyang pinalo ang kamay nitong magnanakaw sana ng isang piraso ng tortellini. "Have some manners. Ni hindi ka naghugas ng kamay."

        Tumatawa itong binigyan ni Malie ng tinidor. "Medyo mainit pa kasi kakahango lang namin."

        Tumusok ng isang piraso si Stefan. "Why is this gummy? Did you cook this, Lau?" he asked, still chewing.

        Malie laughed at his comment. Sinamaan ito ng tingin ni Laurie. She snatched her plate from him. "Why are you here again? When a person doesn't reply, that usually means they don't like you."

        "What can I say? I'm persistent," Stefan replied, shrugging. "By the way, unhealthy 'yong overcooked na pasta. I read somewhere that it's harder to digest."

        "A, 'di pa naman namin binebenta 'to," paliwanag ni Malie. "Testing pa lang but sure, noted 'yan."

        Tumuro ang lalaki sa patong-patong na kahon sa gilid. "Testing pa lang? Bakit ang dami niyong in-order kay Tito Harold?"

        "There was a required minimum number of orders," Laurie mumbled. "Hang on. Pa'no mo nalaman na sa kanya kami kumuha? Is that why you're here?"

        Stefan chuckled. "I dated his son a while back, saka sinabi sa 'kin ni Theo."

        Muling iniwas ni Laurie ang pasta nang akmang kukuha muli ang kapatid niya. "Ugh. You and your libido."

        "It was a serious relationship," depensa nito. "Ilang linggo din kaya akong nagkulong sa condo."

        "What's his name, then?"

        Stefan grinned cheekily. "I want to say Justine but I don't know. Basta letter J." Muli nitong inagaw ang plato ni Laurie. "Garlic butter, right? Hulaan ko, si Malie nagtimpla nito. It's just right. 'Yong pasta lang talaga," litanya nito, sabay palatak.

        "Thanks," simpleng sabi ni Malie habang ngumunguya. "Madali lang naman ayusin 'yong sa pasta. Cut Lau some slack."

        That made Laurie's frown run deeper. Tanging pagbabantay na nga lang sa pasta ang kailangan niyang gawin, hindi pa niya nagawa nang tama. Bumaling siya sa kapatid. "Hindi mo pa rin ako sinasagot. Did he send you again?"

        "There's no point in lying to you so—" Inabot ni Stefan iyong box ng tissue. "—yes. Hindi ka raw nag-reply, e."

        "He told me he was disappointed. Tell me, anong p'wedeng i-reply do'n?" nakangiti niyang sabi. Nalukot ang noo ni Stefan. Ganoon din si Malie. Laurie wanted to take back what she said the second she noticed their faces. Parang naawa kasi ang dalawa sa kanya.

        "Did he now?" Stefan asked in disbelief.

        Laurie stabbed a piece of tortellini. "I can show you if you want."

        "There's no need for that. What happened again? Ang alam ko kasing version ay 'yong kay Greta. She said something about you being irresponsible."

        "Medyo kasalanan ko 'yon, actually," nakangiwing sabi ni Malie. "Nagpa-resched kasi si Greta. Sa page siya nag-message kaso 'di ko nabasa."

        "You were sick. 'Di mo kasalanan 'yon." Napailing si Laurie. "It was her fault for not knowing how Messenger works."

        Chuckling, Stefan ate some of the pasta again. "Did you snap?"

        "I had to remind myself that she's pregnant," she answered before sipping her thermos.

        "It's probably the hormones but still. . . hindi ka niya dapat sinigawan. She was wrong. She even had the guts to post a review on your page, pero siya mismo nagsabi do'n na siya unang nagalit. Honestly, I can't believe she's Tito Leon's daug—what? Ba't gan'yan kayo makatingin?"

        Hindi napigilan ni Laurie ang pagngiti. Even Malie chuckled in amusement. "Aw, Steffie," Laurie said, mocking him. "Were you worried?"

        He looked at her with disgust. "No. Ang akin lang, mali siya. I can't believe I dated her."

        "'Yong totoo?" nakatawang sabi ng best friend niya. "Parang lahat ng kakilala ni Lauwie, naka-date mo na."

        "Not you, though," Stefan told Malie with a wink.

        "Sorry pero pass." Nakatawa nitong ikinumpas ang mga kamay. "Wala na sa isip ko 'yan. Ang dami ko pa kayang pinapakain."

        Her brother dramatically clutched his chest, faking a pained expression. "Never have I ever been rejected five times." Malie just made a face. Nagpatuloy si Stefan sa pagkain ng pasta. "By the way, can I bring some home? Mukhang naparami luto niyo."

        Mataman itong tinitigan ni Laurie. "You were complaining minutes ago, tapos ngayon, gusto mong mag-uwi?"

        "Why not? 'Di niyo naman ibebenta, 'di ba? The pasta's overcooked. You might receive a bad review if you sell this."

        "I'm not giving you four servings for free. Namuhunan kami." Inilahad ni Laurie ang palad. "Pay up, big brother."

        Stefan exasperatedly sighed. "Fine." Saglit nitong ibinaba ang tinidor sa pinggan ni Laurie para kunin ang wallet sa bulsa. Scrunching his nose, he placed the wallet on the counter. "There. Magsi-CR lang ako."

        Bago tumayo, nagawa pa nitong guluhin ang buhok ni Laurie. She couldn't help but feel weird. They weren't an affectionate family. Hindi naman siya siguro pinagbigyan ni Stefan dahil naaawa ito sa kanya. Inayos niya ang buhok at saka niya binuksan ang wallet nito.

        She was taking some bills when she noticed a card. Calling card iyon ng isang psychiatrist. Nalukot ang noo ni Laurie. Stefan used to see a therapist but that was years ago.

        "So, anong verdict natin?" Nagmamadali niyang sinuksok ang card at tumunghay kay Malie. "Masarap naman, 'di ba? Madali ring lutuin kaso hindi natin p'wedeng i-reheat nang i-reheat 'yong pasta."

        "Yep, kailangang bagong-luto lagi. For the sauce, can you teach me how to cook it?"

        "Sure, pero mag-eexperiment muna ako sa bahay. 'Pag sure na ako sa takal per serving, turuan kita." Nag-unat si Malie ng mga braso. "By the way, nakapag-decide ka na ba about do'n sa music video?"

        "Not really," pag-amin niya. "Sinabi niyang kino-consider na talaga nila 'tong café bago pa niya malaman na ako 'yong isa pang may-ari. I don't believe him, though."

        "Hmm." Inabot ni Malie ang kamay niya. "Nakapag-usap na kami bago pa kayo magkita, Lauwie. Ang dami niyang tanong about sa café, lalo na no'ng sinabi kong dati 'tong gallery. Mukhang interesado talaga siya."

        "So you believe him?"

        Nagkibitbalikat ito. "Wala naman siyang dahilan para magsinungaling. Personally, I think it's cool. Alam kong wala 'yon sa original nating plano tulad ng pagki-cater ng events pero. . ."

        "You think we should do it," pagtatapos niya sa gustong iparating ni Malie. "P'wede mo namang sabihin 'yon."

        "I'm just worried about you, okay? Hindi mo lang naman basta ex si Lee. Kahit tatlong araw lang 'yong shoot ng music video, there's no telling wha—"

        "What music video?" Stefan asked. Lumawak ang ngisi nito nang makitang nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Laurie. Napangiwi rin si Malie. "Ipapagamit mo 'tong café sa ex mo?"

        Narinig niyang tumunog ang door chimes pero hindi niya pinansin iyon. Napabuga siya ng hangin. "It's just a shoot for a music video. Why are you laughing?"

        Still chuckling, Stefan took his wallet. Muli nitong ibinulsa iyon. "Sorry, I just think it's impossible."

        Laurie felt her temper rising. "What do you mean 'impossible'?"

        "Sorry, I meant impossible for you." Nagawa pang ngumisi ng kapatid niya. "Emotional kang tao, baby sis, even if you don't admit it. Kung gusto mo, p'wede kong tanungin si Dad para 'di mo na kailangang pumayag sa ex mo."

        "No, I don't think so. Last na 'yong kay Greta."

        "And what will you do with your ex? Tutuloy ka?"

        "Why not? It's just three days."

        Mahina itong tumawa. "Kaya mo?"

        "Watch me," Laurie muttered under her breath.

        Someone cleared their throat. "Sorry." Sabay silang napalingon sa pinaggalingan ng boses na iyon. Si Lee. "'Di ko sinasadyang marinig pero uh, iko-confirm ko lang kasi kausap ko ngayon 'yong manager ko." Itinaas ni Lee ang hawak na phone. "Is it a 'yes' for the music video?"

        Laurie turned to her brother. Stefan just gave her a knowing smile. Napakuyom ang mga palad niya. Malamang ay kanina pa nito napansin si Lee.

        "Hi nga pala," pagbati ni Stefan kay Lee. "I believe we haven't met but I'm Laurie's twin brother, obviously."

        Lee's eyes darted back and forth. Tahimik nitong inobserbahan ang pagkakapareho at pagkakaiba ng mga mukha nila ni Stefan. "Nice to meet you. I'm Simeon Lee Aguirre of R/C Records," he said with a polite smile.

        "Yeah, I know." Stefan grinned as he pat Lee's back. Nangunot ang noo ni Laurie sa sinabi nitong iyon. Bago humakbang papunta sa pintuan, kumaway ito sa kanila ni Malie. "See you, sis. 'Yong pasta ko nga pala, pa-deliver na lang sa unit ko."

        "We don't do deliveries," iritableng sagot ni Laurie.

        "In that case, I'll just send my secretary." Stefan pulled the doors open. The door chimes twinkled again. "See you around, Mal. You, too, Mr. Aguirre."

        Malie cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence. "So, uh, siguro p'wede na nating pag-usapan 'yong magiging arrangement ng shoot?" Nag-aalangan itong tumingin sa kanya.

        "Sure," buntonghiningang sabi ni Laurie. She turned to Lee. "Sorry for that. I didn't notice you come in."

        Lee removed his cap. Tumuro ito sa pinakadulong mesa. "A, do'n ako pumuwesto, e. Kausap ko kasi kanina 'yong manager ko. Ay, shit." Nakangiwi nitong idinikit ang phone sa tainga. "Sorry, nakalimutan kong nand'yan ka pa, ha-ha. Sorry na nga. By the way, pumayag na 'yong sa café. Uh-huh. Nag-commute lang ako, e. Papasundo na lang ako kay Junnie sa bahay mamaya. Yep, okay, bye."

        "Goodmorning, sir, and welcome to Cafuné," Malie greeted him, smiling. "What can we get you today?"

        He bit his lower lip as he read the overhead menu. Laurie watched him closely. Dahil doon, nagkasalubong ang mga mata nila. Ngumiti nang maliit si Lee. "Wala yata 'to sa menu," tukoy nito roon sa tortellini'ng hindi naubos ni Laurie.

        "We're just experimenting," mabilis niyang paliwanag.

        Tumuro ang lalaki sa plato. "P'wede akong tester," biro nito.

        Malie and Laurie exchanged glances. "I don't see why not."

        Ibinaba ni Lee ang suot na face mask. Malie was about to hand him a new fork when he took Laurie's. Tinusok nito iyong natitirang piraso ng tortellini. "Hmm," ngumunguya nitong sabi.

        Huminga nang malalim si Laurie. "What do you think?"

        Lee chewed the pasta for seconds. "Okay lang."

        That made her chuckle softly. Kaagad niyang nilunok ang tawang iyon nang maramdamang nakatitig sina Malie at Lee. Malakas siyang tumikhim. "That was your manager earlier, right? Kailan kaya kami p'wedeng mag-usap?"

        Umupo si Lee sa isa sa mga stool. "Depende siguro kung kailan day-off niyo?"

        "Gusto mo bang pumunta ng Sunday?" tanong sa kanya ni Malie. "I think ikaw lang naman kailangan do'n, e."

        Napalabi si Laurie. "Laundry day mo nga pala," naiiling niyang sabi. "Bibili ka rin ng groceries mo, 'di ba?"

        "Ha-ha, yep. Anyway, what can I get you?" pag-uulit ni Malie sa kaninang tanong kay Lee.

        "Hmm, hot coffee ulit. 'Yong signature blend niyo sana, and then, carbonara," Lee answered.

        Laurie couldn't help but stare. Para kasing ibang Lee ang kaharap nila. Nakatawa ito. Nakipagkuwentuhan din ito kay Malie habang hinihintay ang mga in-order. He seemed to be unaffected by their "business" dinner.

        Minutes later, Malie placed a cup on the counter. "Here's your hot coffee and carbonara. Enjoy."

        Agad na binawasan ni Lee ang kape. Ngumiti ito sa kanya pagkatapos. "Ito 'yon, 'di ba? Grabe, gano'n pa rin." He looked happy. Nakalahati nito agad iyong baso.

        Laurie bit her lip. Malie looked at her questioningly. Umiwas siya ng tingin. Years passed and he remembered. Gusto niya sanang itanong kung paano nito nakilala ang timpla niya pero minabuti niyang 'wag na lang.

        Not hearing his answer would probably be for the best.

        Come Sunday morning, Laurie sat on the concrete pavement in front of Cafuné, waiting for Lee. Huminga siya nang malalim. Magdamag atang umulan. Even the leaves of the trees and plants looked well-fed.

        Pinatong niya ang bag sa ibabaw ng mga hita. Pagkatapos, sinubsob ang mukha sa mga tuhod. Saka lang siya nagmulat nang mapagtantong puti ang high-waisted slacks niya. Laurie decided to watch a video her best friend sent the night before. It was a spoken poetry performance. Isa raw iyon sa mga paborito ni Malie. Sinuot niya ang isa sa wireless earphones niya.

        Laurie knew of the poem Malie sent: Phil Kaye's "When Love Arrives".

        Pinabasa kasi iyon sa kanila noong college. She even cried the first time she watched Sara Kay and Phil Kaye's performance. In the poem, love was personified. May dalawang point-of-view roon kaya magkaibang tao rin ang depinisyon ng "love".

        Laurie sighed exasperatedly. Hindi na yata darating si Lee. It's either he forgot about their plan to meet his manager or he intentionally stood her up.

        It's probably the latter. Hindi naman kasi ito makakalimutin. She thought of calling him but decided against it. Si Malie na lang ang tinawagan niya.

        "Are you taking care of my baby?" bungad niya sa best friend.

        "What baby?" Humalakhak ito, mahinhin pa rin ang boses.

        "I'm talking about my car, Mal."

        "Uh-oh."

        "What? What did you do to my car?" Pinahiram niya kasi kay Malie ang kotse niya. She didn't want to but she couldn't object.

        Narinig niya ang sunod-sunod nitong pagbusina. "I'm not talking about your car. You just sound off, Lau. Are you oki? Hindi mo pa ba kasama si Lee?"

        Lumunok siya. "I don't think he's coming, Mal."

        "Ha?"

        "Dito na lang siguro muna ako sa café." Nilingon niya ang saradong pinto ng Cafuné. Dried raindrops adorned the café's windows. Umulan nga noong gabi. "I'll probably eat lunch while waiti—"

        Laurie was interrupted by a dinging sound.

        When she turned around to face whoever or whatever made that loud ringing, she found herself inhaling sharply. Galing pala iyong tunog mula sa bell ng asul na bisikleta ni Lee. Helmet lang ang suot ng lalaki, wala nang baseball cap. The wind freely gusted against his wavy hair sticking out in the front.

        Laurie watched as he pedaled towards her. She thought everything was in slow motion but that wasn't the case.

        Tanging si Lee lang naman ang bumagal sa mga mata niya. Sigurado siya roon. Tuloy pa rin kasi ang paminsan-minsang pagbagsak ng mga dahon at bulaklak na diniligan ng ulan. Umabante rin ang mga sasakyang kasunod ni Lee sa intersection.

        From a few yards away, she could already tell that he was smiling. Gusot kasi ang sulok ng mga mata nito. Halos hindi na nga kita ang maliit nitong nunal dahil tumaas ang suot nitong face mask.

        "Lauwie, nand'yan ka pa ba?"

        She bit her lip, realizing that she was still on call. "I'm still here."

        "Si Lee ba, nand'yan na?" Malie asked.

        "Yep." She nodded, pursing her lips. "I should go."

        Oo nga pala.

        In the poem, Phil Kaye noted how "Love" leaves when it feels like it was supposed to. Gayunpaman, dumarating at bumabalik naman daw ito kung iyon ang hinihingi ng pagkakataon; kung may basbas ito ng mundo.

        Mariing napalunok si Laurie. Afterward, she watched Lee as he mounted off of his bicycle. He, then, removed his face mask. Inayos din nito ang kuwelyo ng gusot na dress shirt.

        Finally, he approached her. Malambot itong ngumiti pagkatapos. "Sorry ulit, medyo late."

        Laurie bit the inside of her cheek. Inalis din niya ang earphone. "Okay lang."

        Lee smiled softer than before. He's definitely arrived.#