The Meeting

Yesterday morning I declared it a day off. A day which I’d do what I wanted and perhaps would end up a day by myself. I did some errands and favors (for my VBF, of course) passed by our university, I felt good walking under the shades of huge trees, rode the Ikot jeep, sit (and talked to God) at the chapel. Been years since I last did that. Years after college. Only half the day passed, I am in a cab, off to a mall to checkout their book selection. I am on a research for this shelf display I am to figure out for one of your boss-friend’s prime product. I decided to text your female friends and you of course if anyone is up for coffee or something. I made the decision where to eat and what time. Two said yes… you and another female friend declined.

Oh. (Sigh.)

You said you’d pass meeting up for you have a basketball game.

Beers and plates of baked scallops will make me happy then. I have been craving for scallops for weeks and now is MY chance.

My bookstore visit was half disappointing. No “book” on modular thingy but I got Shel Silverstein’s The Missing Piece and The Missing Piece Meets The Big O. I bought the books. Expensive. But it’s self-satisfaction. I love the stories. Simple. And I can relate to it. I was planning to give you one but come to think of it…

1.) You might not get it… not that I find you stupid (I won’t like you if you ARE, hello?) there might be a big question mark on your forehead once you tore up the wrapper.

2.) I might be too sneaky on your personal life… I definitely don’t want you to think I am a pakialamera.

3.) And you might just see it weird, you being a male creature… me giving me you a children’s book.

So it’d just keep it to myself. My collection.

Your female friends love it though. They could relate to the books. Females eh. Unlike you.

Jose (my VBF) once said… am I sure that you go for women and not men. I replied immediately and in a bit of an angry tone… OF COURSE! What made him think you’re gay? You haven’t met. Is he jealous?

Nah.

Imagine: 2 of your female friends plus me… in a resto mid-afternoon eating and chatting. We kept on asking what time is it, not because we are bored but we are hoping that the sun is down so we can drink beer!

Hahaha.

But honestly, I was happy when you texted and asking where we are Ü Really. I don’t know if Anne* feels that I am so concern about you. And now I am confused whether it was true that Tina* really liked you are it’s all just gossips.

I thought I’d be going home early yesterday. I am a bit worried thinking that my folks might be worried I’m out late again and my phone is almost drained. But who cares? As long as you’re coming Ü Tina left and Anne stayed. We really don’t know where to go while we are waiting for you to get out of your boss-friend’s company. Like our previous meetings, we can’t let both our boss-friends to know. With your advice, I did tell my boss-friend who happened to be your friend too of our meetings. But see what it resulted?

Though I am not really sure if they really forbid it. I want it to come from him. I don’t know if he knew that you are some kind of special to me. He’s male too. Guys are most of the time insensitive or should I say if it didn’t matter or concerns you, ignorance covers you up?

There was some sort of street party in the area we are hanging out. Too bad that kind of street party wasn’t let’s just say “attractive”? I think the local government sponsored it so as expected the crowd was quite masa.

Anne wanted to help me out with the gondola. I wasn’t really into working on it but she insisted. She likes doing it too, she said. I like doing such stuff too, you know that. It’s just that I need time to think it over. We were walking in circles while chatting personal opinions and a bit of our lives. We really have no plans on where to go or how to get there. But it was fun… to just be there and say “bahala na”. With all the walking and chatting we found a near coffee place and I found a folder (board) and some notebook sheets in my bag which we used in figuring out the initial structure of the gondola while we kill time.

Kill time… we really have no plans ahead. We have no idea if you are still coming or not. I turned off my phone to save its last juice before I go home and to remove a bit stress in me that I’m sure my folks will keep on texting me inquiring where in hell their daughter is. I still feel awkward being around or with you and your females friends and yet I long to be with you.

Eiw. Mushy…

Anyway, the wait (and the walking in circles) paid of when Anne and I figured out the structure and the die cut of the stackable gondola Ü Just a few adjustments and implementation of measurements, we are good to go. I was shy to ask Anne to check if you replied whether you’re still coming or already gone home. Half of me wished I’m heading for home and the other half, wishing you’re with us.

Then you came.

You looked different with you’re outfit: the cargo shorts, big, loose shirts and is that you’re soccer shoes? Anne blurted it out, obviously noticed it too. Me, I just appreciated you’re presence and smiled. I am happy… somehow.

It was late. Surely, I’ll be receiving a word or two from my dad or my mom.

I stayed. You came. But still we talked about work. Anne was looking and commented why I am suddenly “sad”. Huh? Perhaps she thought I am sad because I suddenly became quiet. I have nothing to say. I feel there’s an awkward air around the 3 of us. I like it when you talk and I just listen.

I only had 1 beer and that was hours ago. But I am satisfied. I don’t need to be drunk to talk or so just to see you.