Part I.
It was one of the few afternoons that Richard always wished he could
have more - no meetings, no tapings, no scheduled activities outside. Owning
the rest of that day alone (Juliana was at school while Lucy was in Ormoc for
her congressional duties), he was in his office (his favorite spot in the house
by the way) checking his bookshelves for papers and folders that were in no use
for disposal. As he pulled out a green portfolio, a softbound book fell on the
floor along with a Polaroid picture that has been obviously tucked inside for
years. He picked it up and examined the book cautiously. It was a copy of Robert Ludlum’s thriller novel, The Bourne Ultimatum. Not giving much
attention to the book, he looked at the picture of a girl in a white sweater
sleeping peacefully on a passenger’s seat. Needless to say it was, Dawn. As he
flipped the picture, neatly scribbled words into the upper left part read, “SFO, 1992”. He searched for the in
between pages of the book and smiled as he saw a tissue (with a café signage, Spike’s Coffee and Teas) that has been
tarnished by age with an autograph sign in it. Richard instantly knew that the
book, the picture (most especially with the young woman in it) and the tissue,
made up one of the best moments that he still knew by heart up to now.
It was as if he was transported back sometime in 1992, on a particular
vacation that he and Dawn shared. After Dawn’s parents separated, her father
and her brother settled in San Francisco and since then she had always wanted
to visit them. So, he and Dawn took a two week break from showbiz commitments
and booked a flight bound for San Francisco. It was obviously a long discussion
between Dawn and her mother who at that time wasn’t in good terms with her
father. Yet at the end, Dawn got her mother’s approval with only one condition,
“Bring Richard with you.” And so, the
two week Frisco vacation pushed through. Apparently, he was excited and nervous
as well because he knew he would be spending those two weeks with Dawn’s
father, someone that Dawn has always something good to say and someone that he
has yet to meet.
It was a breezy morning in San Francisco as he; Dawn, Dawn’s father
Fazil and Dawn’s brother George were having an early breakfast at Spike’s Coffee and Teas, a local
neighborhood café that has been a favorite place for Dawn’s father since they
settled there. Fazil has been constantly repeating to his daughter since they
arrived, how he loved their waffles and pancakes and how they make freshly
roasted coffee and espresso and one of these days, he would surely take them
there. George and Richard ordered a medium roast Houseblend Coffee with two
serves of Cream and Cheese pancakes, while Fazil opted for Dark blend coffee
and his favorite Belgian waffle. Among the three men, it was Dawn who was
giddily excited and ordered everything she could think of from the menu list.
She got Strawberry and Honey glazed pancake, Lemon Butter cookie, Spike’s signature
Milk cookie and a cup of decaf Lauren’s blend coffee.
“Kaya among ubusin
yan, Dawny?” Fazil asked as he smiled mischievously
to his daughter calling her endearingly as Dawny.
“Yes Pa, kung di
naman tutulungan ako ni Richard na ubusin ‘to.” Dawn replied extending her elbow to his side, as if drawing some sort
of “back-up” in him.
“Diba babe?” Dawn added, looking at him smiling full.
Richard looked at her direction obliged to agree, “Ah- Yes, Yes po.” looking at Fazil’s direction awkwardly.
Fazil in return, just looked at him then drank his coffee.
Well, their first meeting was pretty civil. Richard shook his hand
while Fazil answered his gesture with a tap on his Richard’s shoulder. “Good Evening, Sir.” was the first
statement Richard said to him, in which he replied with just a nod. The course
of their stay at Fazil’s home puzzled Richard. Prior to meeting him, Dawn
described his father as makwento and
malambing (“Madaldal at makwento ng
sobra si Pappy mana ako dun, I’m sure he will like you, babe”). Indeed he was malambing evidently, he likes to hug his daughter and pamper her
all day, he calls her as Dawny and Dawn in return would call her Pappy or Paps.
It was the makwento part that Richard
couldn’t understand. For him Fazil was a man of few words, literally. He would
only look, nod or pat his back but he never did say any single word to Richard.
After their breakfast, Fazil dropped George at school who was then a
college freshman lad. He instructed the love birds stay at Spike’s until he
returns. Richard and Dawn were left still unfinished eating what Dawn had
hoarded on the table.
“Ang dami mo kasing
inorder oh- Aaaaaah.” Richard said
stuffing a slice of pancake into Dawn’s mouth.
“Akala ko ba
tutulungan mo ako.” Dawn asked
munching the pancake up to its last piece.
“Sinusubuan nga
kita, oh tulong din yan diba?” He said
smiling as Dawn’s eyes grew bigger towards the man sitting adjacent to their
table.
“Baaabe!” Dawn said pointing the man, sipping his coffee. The man appeared to be
in his early 40’s, sturdy and serious looking man. Starring at the man, Richard
could say that he has no recollection or whatsoever of this man that has caught
his girlfriend’s attention.
“What?! Sino yan?” He asked.
“Seriously babe?
That’s Robert Ludlum… shhhhh” Dawn
answered in a low tone, enough for him to hear.
“Robert who?!” Richard repeated since he was not able to grasp the last name of this
certain Robert.
“Lud-lum.” Dawn repeated giving emphasis to every syllable. “He’s a bestselling author, you know, of the Bourne series.”
“I haven’t read his books nor heard his name.
Baka naman kamukha lang, Love. Alam mo naman Americans parang magkakamukha.”
“No that’s really him and I can’t believe you
don’t know him and his books, thriller pa naman ang series niya, babe.” Dawn said pouting at him crossing her arms on her chest.
“You read thriller? Kelan ka pa nahilig dun? I
thought you’re into Mills and Boons type of books.”
“Well, I don’t really read his works, its Mama. She
likes his works. Gosh babe, get me his autograph please.” She hurriedly look for a pen and paper in her bag, glad enough that
she brought her fountain pen but unfortunately no paper.
“Love, ayoko baka may nakakakilala sa atin dito.
Nakakahiya kaya.” Richard retorted in
defense.
Dawn looked
around examined the people inside the café. “Babe,
look tayo lang ang Caucasians dito, chances are walang may nakakakilala sa
atin. Besides, he’s a writer so mag pa autograph man tayo walang nakakahiya
dun.” Dawn said persuasively.
“Okay, okay so pen and paper?” Richard smiled sheepishly as if saying he was going to win this for
he knew she got no paper.
In a panic
state, Dawn looked for a paper but to no avail of course. But the ever maparaan as she is, she got the resto’s
unused tissue and gave it to her boyfriend.
“Here, pwede na to babe!”
Richard
finally conceded and was about to go to the writer’s direction when Dawn
grabbed his hand and used another tissue to wipe the bread crumbs on his lips, “Teka babe, you got crumbs pa.”
“Sus love, naglambing ka pa ng last minute gagawin
ko na nga ang request mo.” Richard said
pinching Dawn’s nose something that he can’t always seem to resist especially
when Dawn asks for something.
Eventually,
Richard was able to obtain the autograph. He had to excuse himself from
disturbing the novelist’s private time saying that he was a big fan of his
works and how excited he was to see it in the silver screen while Dawn on the
nearby table can’t almost contain her joy and excitement upon seeing that Robert
Ludlum actually signed the tissue. Robert wasn’t much of chatter but was
generous enough that a fan recognized him. Richard thanked the renowned writer
for his time and to justify how much of a (pseudo) fan he is, Richard praised
his works by saying, “Your works are
simply the best” saying it in a most convincing facial expression,
something that Richard was obviously a master of being an actor himself.
Dawn was
indeed blissful when Richard handed her the autograph.
“Thank youuuu babe, Mama will be very happy and
envious! Don’t worry babe, pagdating ng Manila or here, we’ll look for a copy
of his book, para naman at least you will remember him, masabi mo rin in the
future that you met Robert Ludlum.” Dawn said
proudly leaning her head on Richard’s shoulder.
Richard on
the other hand was half mindedly listening to Dawn as he looked at her in her
most euphoric state. He regretted he left his camera on the car thus, his
girlfriend would have been happier if she was able to have a photo op with him.
He smiled as he realized how childish and mature she could be all at once. One
second she is a sweet child-like girl yelping and giggling but next thing she
can be in her prime, independent lady like stance that no man will never think
twice but fall in love with her. He realized that her simple pleasures and
vibrant uniqueness make her more lovable and how his heart melts every time he
sees her in such pure happiness. With her, Richard thinks he could shut the
rest of the world because he knew they are each other’s world. However, he
can’t help but also be frightened as to what the future may hold for the both
of them. It is something that they are incapable of controlling no matter how
mutual their feelings are. Richard refused to entertain those handful of “what
ifs” that has been racing in his mind. He hugged her so tightly that made Dawn
question.
“Hey hey
babe, easy lang… Para naman akong ma cho-choke sa hug mo. Is there something
wrong?” Dawn said as she chunked the last Lemon
Butter cookie in her hand.
“Wala nangigigil lang. Happy lang kaya ako na
happy ka. And you owe me a great deal with that autograph, ha love.” He said as he loosened his hug on her.
Just as in
time that they were almost done, Fazil came up and picked them up. On the way
to the car, Dawn was eager to tell her father how they scored a signature from
Ludlum inside the café.
“Favorite author mo? I should read his novels, by
that.” Fazil asked.
“No, Mama’s. This autograph was actually for
her.” Dawn answered as he hugged her father’s
side. Fazil smiled and kissed her hair as he removed his baseball cap and
transferred it to Dawn’s head. Richard who was walking behind the two, could
not help but be swept away by that father and daughter moment he had just witnessed.
As they
approached the car, Fazil was quick to instruct that Dawn must sit at the back
and Richard must take the front seat next to him. Richard obliged to do so and
was thankful enough that Dawn was really madaldal
which made the trip a lot easier for him. Richard would give one word opinions
such as “Yeah”, “Oo”, “Minsan” or
other words that sounded agreeable to the topic. He was exchanging glances
between the window and the rear view mirror looking at his girlfriend’s father
anticipating his actions. Fazil was in his usual manner mostly listening to his
daughter’s stories. For a moment there was an obvious silence and the two
gentlemen thought Dawn was just having a pause from her chatting, a long snore
reverberated inside the car. Fazil smiled from the rear view mirror looking at
his daughter.
“Mana sa Mama niya, madaling makatulog.” Fazil said his eyes still fixed on the road.
It startled
Richard knowing that it was actually the first time he and Fazil engaged in a
verbal conversation. He was looking for a suitable answer something that would
be impressive yet only an, “Oo nga po
sir.” escaped his mouth. He wanted to tick off himself. Yeah Richard, so much for an answer. Fazil
stopped on a nearby Walmart for a quick grocery and instructed Richard to stay
with Dawn since she was probably in her deep sleep already. He was checking on
Dawn almost every minute smiling how beautiful she was even when sleeping. He
adjusted the car’s air condition into medium level knowing that she easily gets
cold. He was at loss for words by just merely looking at his girlfriend and
indeed he was one hell of a lucky guy. He picked his Polaroid camera, adjusted
its lens and took a candid shot of Dawn. He was waiting for the photo paper
when a loud “Ehem” coming from Fazil surprised
him.
“No sir,
It’s not what you’re thinking.” Richard quickly defended.
As Fazil
settled himself inside the car, he looked Richard straight into his eyes, held
him by his shoulders and smiled, “Relax.
I know.”
“So you act for a living?” Fazil asked Richard as he continued driving.
“Yes sir I do, same as your daughter.” Richard tried to answer in his most casual way.
“You always have your camera with you, are you a photographer
as well?”
“Just an amateur sir”
Questions
like those seemed to make Richard more uncomfortable but at the same time he
was glad that they were both trying to break the ice that was in between them
for days now. Moreover, Richard knew that with those questions Fazil was trying
to know more of him. He was thinking for a good topic when Fazil suddenly
spoke.
“Show business is a though world isn’t it? How do
you guys handle it?”
“It is, sir. Well actually we just enjoy it and
everything that comes with it. I guess that would be much easy to take, rather
than think it as a work or burden.” Richard
said as-a-matter-of-factly. It was for the first time during their conversation
that he didn’t grapple for words to answer and he felt a sense of relief after.
“So you and Dawny, how long have you been… in a
relationship?”
“For a year and a half, sir.”
“Only… and yet she moved in with you.” It was something that Richard did not expect. Just as he thought he
could be relaxed in this conversation.
“Don’t get me wrong sir. I have pure intentions
with your daughter. It was a mutual decision sir. I did not persuade her.” Richard may sound defensive but he knew it was the real thing.
"I never questioned your intentions, Richard. I am her
father, I hope you understand that. She is the eldest yet she is still my
little girl. I am speaking here as a father." Fazil said firmly.
"Hindi ako galit that she moved in with you, she is 24
already. She has her own decisions and I trust her with that. She has the
whole world and every opportunity in her plate. I cannot dictate her happiness.
I cannot be with her all time time. She can be vulnerable. And that's what I
fear the most. You get me right?" Fazil added.
"Yes sir, I do. Of course." Of course Richard understood him. He was even eager to hear what this man has to say.
"I can see it the way she looked at you and the way you look at her. You are both each other's happiness and I don't have the right to get in between of you. I know you are a good man. I've been hearing a lot of you from Dawny everytime she calls me. And yes, I can say that you exceeded my expectation. I mean going with her all the way here in Sanfo is enough for me to say that you are indeed serious with my daughter. I know it takes a lot of courage to meet your girlfriend's father and even stay at my house, right?" Fazil said smiling as he added, "She has gone through a lot. I knew the separation didn't make it any lighter. I had to take it by experience with George. He was so young when it happened. I told him it was the best thing for me and his mama. I wasn't able to do it with Dawn. I guess she was mature enough to understand things. But I knew she took it by heart. That's what I regret the most, I wasn't around to comfort her. To assure her that I am still here and I am still her father no matter what." Fazil added.
"She is a smart girl sir. She holds no grudges to her mama or to you. She clearly understood both perspectives." Richard said as he took a peep from Dawn at the back, thankful that she was still asleep.
Fazil shared more stories to Richard. About the younger Dawn and how much of a performer she was when she was still a kid. Richard in return shared the awards Dawn has won and how good she is with her craft, how they first met and how he fell in love with her. It was a light conversation in which Richard understood why Dawn described her father as “makwento”. Fazil felt Richard filled that gap that has been missing when he turned his back and left his family. He turned serious once again and spoke to him.
"Can you do me a favor?"
"About what sir?"
Fazil held his breath as if drawing strength and spoke, "Be somebody who will be there for her always. Well I don't know what's in store for the both of you in the future but, I hope you could be that somebody that she can always turn to. Somebody she can always trust.“ He knew what he was asking was too much from guy he barely knew.
Richard knew it was a hard feat but he also knew she is more than worth it.
"Yes sir, I will." He knew he has to stand by his promise and he was even more than willing to do it no matter what the future may bring. Young man as he was at that time yet he knew Dawn was already worth his whole life.
They were almost home long before they knew it. As Fazil unbuckled his seat belt he tapped Richard's back and added, "One more thing, I think calling me "sir" is a 'lil bit formal and too advanced for my age, I won't mind you calling me "Tito" though. Paki gising na din si Sleeping Beauty, I’ll bring these groceries inside."
"Yes po, tito." Richard smiled and opened the back seat door. He lifted Dawn's head closer to his shoulder as he put her arms around her and whispered, "Love gising na, were home."
Richard
smiled as he recalled those moments made in San Francisco. For him those were
not mere look backs but special memories with a special woman. As he looked the
Polaroid picture he remembered how he tirelessly searched for that Robert
Ludlum novels in the bookstores here in Manila. He remembered how delighted
Dawn was upon learning that he actually purchased the books as she in return
gave Richard the autographed tissue. (“Keep it babe, remember I was with you
when you had that sign.”) His sight landed on the infamous Orlina glass
sculpture “Dawn” that was carefully placed in the middle of his bookshelves.
Indeed it was a sight to behold as he realized that their romance may be ill
fated yet Dawn has never really left his life… never did. Just like the book,
the photographs, the memories- everything that has something to do with their past, it
never really went away… even the feelings. Richard took his phone and tried to
reach her. He was not expecting her to answer his call for he knew she might
still be on taping. His intention was only to let her know that well, he remembered
her today… though he knew “missed her” would precisely describe what he
actually felt. And just when he least expected it, she picked his call.
“Hello…”
Part
II.
It
was obviously a pleasant surprise for Richard as he started to look for words
to answer her but then a short, “Hey!”
with a bit of excitement escaped his mouth.
“Anong atin?” Dawn asked on the other line on which Richard
would’ve asked himself as well. Ano nga
ba?
“Wala. Para lang to let you know I’m
still breathing.” Clearly he is not
good with alibis when it comes to Dawn.
“Wala kang magawa no? Corny ka na naman
eh.” She giggled.
He
was amused on how she knew him even by simple phone calls like this. Noticeably,
he heard a sort of electric mixer sound on the other line, he knew by then that
Dawn’s in the kitchen.
“Cooking something, D?” He asked.
Dawn
smiled. It has been a while since the last time he called her “D” and admittedly, she does miss it.
It was a moniker christened by Richard
himself while taping for the latter parts of Walang Hanggan. It was a crisp
October afternoon as they were both chilling inside her tent waiting for their
scene to be taken. Richard had always suited himself in her tent saying “madami
ditong pagkain” which was true by the way, hence she also knew that alone
couldn’t only be his sole reason. Richard was quietly reading his script when
out of the blue he said, “Tawagin kaya kitang “D” tapos tatawagin mo akong
“G”.” Dawn raised an eyebrow as she was sitting in front of the mirror doing a
re-touch of her mascara, taken aback with what she heard. She could see him
through the mirror as she thought he was only in his usual bored self, she said
nothing in reply and continued her re-touch. They had the tent all by
themselves so he was really talking to her, unless he is reading his script
which is obviously would be too odd. He caught her in the eye as he repeated,
“Diba? D and G.”
“Which stands for Dawn and Gomez? Baka
naman you meant R?” She asked still pre occupied with what she was doing.
“Eh you don’t call me Richard naman
diba? You call me Gomz so G na lang. Para D and G, Dawn and Gomz. Yung Richard
and Dawn kasi parang too 90’s pa.” He said smiling proudly at her.
“So parang sinabi mo na din na ang tanda
na natin.” She said now smiling.
Richard stood behind her, bent a little
trying to make an eye contact through the mirror itself.
“Parang hindi ka naman tumatanda eh,
look at you ang ganda kaya ng asawa ko.” He said grinning.
Dawn’s eyebrow met as she turned and
looked up to him smiling, “Loko loko ka talaga no, G?” giving emphasis on the
moniker he just created.
“Oo nga D, loko loko talaga ‘tong si Marco.”
He smirked referring to the character he portrays. The kilig was noticeably
hard to amiss that very moment. It was a natural charm that only a Richard
Gomez can deliver and she couldn’t also believe how she can still be swept away
with nuances like that after all these years.
“Carrot muffins, G” she then replied riding along and taking her senses
back into the present. “Ayisha’s special
request I don’t know, she must have seen it on TV basta bigla na lang akong
kinulit Carrot muffins daw.” She added.
“No work for you today?”
“Not yet. Hindi naman ako Dyesebel so I
think working hours would be shorter this time.”
Promptly,
Richard remembered he was not able to congratulate her. The management casted
Dawn on Dyesebel in lieu of their supposed comeback teleserye, as for him a
movie is currently on works.
“Congratulations nga pala for Dyesebel,
heard it in the news. Sorry I was so busy that time.” Was he? Or was he only disappointed for
their supposed to be reunion project?
“Naku G, para kang Alpha and Omega. It’s
either una ka lagi or huli. But, thank you. The cast are good so I think we’ll
be working smoothly.” Dawn said.
As
if on cue, Richard’s lip turned tight with her choice of words, “Alpha and Omega… Una or huli.” He can’t
help but remember her line during the Walang Hanggan Pasasalamat Concert , “You are my one and only… My first and my
last” not minding whether she was in Emily’s shoes while saying that. He does not affirm if it has something
to do with it or purely coincidence yet either way, Richard knew she definitely
got him there.
“Oh I see… Don’t forget your gigantic
pamaypay and your scarf. Looks like your location will require you to be under
the sun than the usual.” Richard
reminded though he knew those are the two staple things Dawn could not start a
day without.
“Thank you kunin na kitang PA sa susunod
ha?” Dawn said jokingly.
“Sure ma’am, pwede ako PA, driver at
security makakatipid ka talaga sakin. Marami nga lang mangungulit sayo kasi
pogi ‘tong magiging alalay mo. Syempre dapat lang maganda rin kasi ang amo.”
On
the other line, Dawn couldn’t help but laugh so hard that she almost spilled
the mixture on the pan. It was one of the many things that she missed about
him. He could immensely make her laugh without doing so much effort, a natural
charmer by his own. Dawn could hardly believe how Richard’s presence even just
his voice can make her well, pretty clumsy. That kind of clumsiness she had
back then when Richard did something that would make her stomach flutter with
butterflies, yes that’s how she dealt with “kilig”.
"Gwapong gwapo ka talaga sa sarili
mo no. Teka goms pa tulong naman, oh."
"Na kainin yang Carrot muffins?
Would you like to bring it here personally o ako na kukuha diyan? Either way game
ako." Richard quickly answered
of which he was clearly joking, but half meant of course.
"Walang hiya ka rin talaga." Dawn can't help but grin with his antics, truly irresistible
and hard to ignore she added, "Shall
I add Lemon or Vanilla? Yung seryoso ha!"
"Seryoso naman ako kanina pa ah.
Puntahan na nga kita diyan para tulungan." Richard teased even more.
"Gooooooms!" Dawn whined getting impatient.
"Oh sisimangot na yan... I'd go for
Lemon. Ayisha will surely love the citrusy aftertaste." He said as he imagined how cute she looked whining up
against his pangungulit.
It
has always been a sense of security for Richard that his opinions always
mattered to Dawn. For him it signaled that Dawn had always trusted his choice
no matter how small or huge it is. In more ways than one for two years that
they lived under one roof, it was safe enough that they have been dependent
with each other so much. They had become each other’s best critic when it comes
to fashion, acting skills and all sorts, something that they still practice
even up to now. Indeed old habits die hard, as what they say.
For an instance, he remembered that gown
she used during the Star Magic Ball 2012. Yes, it was his choice of gown for
her. It was almost a last minute decision so the ever ready Dawn was apparently
cramming knowing that she barely had time to prepare. She asked for his help to
choose among the two gowns that her stylist, Eric Pe Benito had prepared for
her. Both gowns were in the shade of Black, as the event’s motif thus, both
were also impeccably done that she really had a hard time choosing. The first
gown was an off shoulder bustier cut which exposes Dawn’s chest, something that
he immediately disapproved no matter how stunning she looked on it.
“Pangit?” Dawn asked as crossed her hands
on her chest.
“It’s not pangit, it’s… it’s too
revealing.” Richard said as if looking for the right words to say.
“Ay nakakakilig naman ang pagka
protective ni Sir Goms kay Ms. Dawn.” That was Patricia, Richard’s stylist to
which sent everybody inside the tent smile slyly and roar with “uyyyy”.
“Ganyan yan, akala siguro nito teenager
pa ako.” Dawn eyeing him on the corner to where he was seated.
“Try mo muna kasi ang isa, then we’ll
see.” Richard said suggestively.
Minutes later, Dawn stepped out of the
dressing room with the second gown on. It was Richard’s turn to struggle with
words as he felt a lump in his throat. She was effortlessly elegant in that
Givenchy gown. Considerably a plain black gown, with no embellishment, long
sleeved, floor length, body hugging which accentuated her natural curves yet
she was breathtakingly sophisticated on it, his kind of weakness, undoubtedly.
“So how’s this one?” Dawn asked him eyes
twinkling searching for his approval.
“Wow! You look… Wow Dawn… ” Well he was
at loss for words, literally speechless.
The ever funny man that he is he
immediately added, “Magbihis ka na nga baka maiuwi kita ng di oras.” It made
everyone laugh and squeal in kilig as well. Dawn rolled her eyes in return,
smiled and whispered, “Huwag mo akong ma Indian-indian bukas, humanda ka
sakin.”
And as the history can be recalled, he
wasn’t able to make it to the ball.
It
was a sort of catching up for the both of them as they talked everything from
Richard’s recent guesting on the other network with the Megastar to which Dawn
teased, “Uy nag reminisce”, which gave Richard a sense of suspicion. Was that a hint of jealousy?
“Oo nga, andami rin naming napag-usapan
matagal din kaming di nakapag-usap ng ganun.” He said trying to aggregate things so as to confirm his thoughts.
“Mukhang enjoy na enjoy ka ah.” Dawn said, giving emphasis on the word, enjoy na enjoy.
Richard
smiled as he held his phone lightly, “Eto
naman ang bilis magselos wala yung isang araw na taping sa higit 11 months na
taping natin. Sus.”
“Uy hindi ako nagseselos no.” Dawn was quick enough to deny, though it was pretty
obvious already.
Indeed
she is.
“O sige na nga, hindi na.” Richard conceded just to keep her over.
God
only knows how long their conversation lasted for they both lost in track of
time, a usual turn out to every phone call they had. Richard doesn’t want to
end it yet but he also knew he have to.
“O,
don’t forget to sprinkle it with cheese on top. Kids love that.” Richard said.
“I’m
sure she will. Ayisha loves cheese din kasi. So, thank you for the tips and the
call? I don’t even know if have to thank you for that, ang kulit mo!”
Richard
smile as he said, “Uy, oo nga pala advance happy birthday!”
“Hala
ang aga naman ng greetings February pa lang, what was that for?” She asked.
“Alpha
and Omega, remember? So I can only either be the first or last.”
Dawn
was clearly swept away (again) as to how he made it a conscious effort to greet
her first hand but then she said, “I can see the effort that you wanted to
greet me first, thank you for that, but you know I’d be very disappointed pag
hindi ka tumawag sa birthday ko.”
“Oo
na, tatawag na ako sa birthday mo, pati na din sa later part ng March, so that I
can say na I greeted you first, on time and last.”
Dawn
let out a giggle as she said, “Magpakita ka at manglibre! Sige na, bye na nga.”
“Ikaw
ang magpakita at ikaw ang manglibre kasi mauuna ka mag birthday! Sige,
seriously I hope to see you soon D, bye.”
It
was a playful banter that would rather not reciprocate each other’s “palipad hangin” tactics but obviously
boils down to one thing: they do miss each other.
As
their conversation ended, it made Richard realize that he can content himself
with things like this, simple and uncomplicated. That's the funny thing about
their relationship. When people (most especially the media) would ask what kind
of relationship they have, terms like genuine friends or best friends became a cliché.
Because the truth is, even Richard himself cannot determine what kind of
relationship they have until now. An unknown relationship that lies quietly in
their hearts but consumes his mind all the time most especially at night. He
cannot even equate it to a certain level of friendship because he knew theirs is even
more special than that. He would not rather complicate and would not put a
label on it hence by his own. Richard would rather call it as a little infinity, a connection for a lifetime. In one way or another, they
will always be in each other’s life. Because Dawn wasn’t just a part of his
past by chance, she has been a part of him in every chapter of his life and no one
could ever take that. She is a constant reminder of how beautiful his past life
was, a past that had always been worth looking back to and a past that he would
have wanted to go back to if given a chance. She had always secured this
special spot in his heart and in it are the feelings (whatever feelings are those)
that he choose not to entertain because again, he is afraid that things might
go beyond his control. Thus, Richard remembered what her father told him in San
Fo, "Be somebody who will be there for her always… I
hope you could be that somebody that she can always turn to. Somebody she can
always trust.“ He knew for a fact that he was able to keep his promise and
still keeping it as long as he can.
Richard moved closer to the Orlina
glass sculpture. The sun’s reflection through the window’s glass made it even more
beautiful as the prism refracted the main colors of the glass sculpture, Black
and Blue. He traced its outline as he whispered the words he long to say even
from the start of their conversation,
“I’ve been missing you a lot, really.”
"For them, however, the new reality nonetheless left them feeling the same way about each other as they once had. And yet, they fell in love once more. Or maybe, phrasing it differently, they never fell out of love in the first place."
- Nicholas Sparks on Dawson and Amanda (characters from his novel, The Best of Me)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
author's note:
this is purely a product of fiction, no factual basis whatsoever and does not intend to alter past events. i do not proof read my works. my apologies for inconsistencies in grammar, punctuation and spelling. reviews, critics or comments are appreciated and will be taken constructively. thank you.
enjoy! :)
signed with a feather,
xoxopenguin ❤
