What I thought was a stressful weekend has become a retreat from my hesitant and tired mind (it's only in the mind, eh?).
I wasn't sure what was in store for me on Friday. There was no plan, although, I was hoping I'd join JS and B on their usual Friday date. I wasn't really sure of their plans, like they might have to go some place that they couldn't tag me along or something, or they want to spend their Friday night like the usual-- just the two of them. Something like that.
So without thinking so much on how I'd spend my Friday night, I decided to bring my gym gear. I was used to doing my own thing on Friday nights until we started going out on group dates on Fridays. That is something that I am used to now.
"Can you tag me along on your date tonight?"
I did not get to that point. It's either I was lazy to ask JS or I was not really in the mood to go out. I was even thinking of begging off from going to the gym but part of me was saying I'd feel guilty if I missed it. So a few minutes before six, I grabbed my bag and walked out of the office.
"Oist! Where are you going?", JS asked. BS is leaving Makati around 6pm and he's going to wait for her in the office. I assumed she'd arrive a little past seven already.
"Gym," I replied, "I'll text later if I feel like going out," I added. And off I went to the gym, still not sure if I really wanted to go out after my workout.
At 8pm, I was done with the items on my Day 3 program and I was about to hit the shower and prepare myself for sauna when I checked my mobile phone. There were messages from JS and B. They said they're at Contis (Greenhills) and told me to follow and I should make it fast as the restaurant closes early.
I skipped sauna and before 9pm, I found myself enjoying my first time (to dine-in) at Contis (it's one resto where it's hard to secure a seat, it's always jam-packed). JS and B were already done with the main course and have decided to wait for me to finish mine before we ask for our dessert-- B got a slice of Bananalicious, JS got something with peaches, and I got their Mango Bravo (the largest slice of cake they have). I took a bite from their slices, too. *hehe*
Then we transfered to Starbucks at Theatermall where I had my usual Tazo green tea. I shouldn't really take my doze of caffeine as I have to wake up around 4am. My mom wants me to be home (in Pangasinan) by 10:30am, where we will be having lunch with my relatives from my father's side.
At two in the morning, I was already groggy and sleepy so I hit the sack. I have set my alarm for 4:30am. I thought that'll give me at least some rest before I hit the shower and leave for the bus station in Cubao (I am just taking a cab going there).
Then my mobile phone rang, I thought it was my alarm.
It was a missed call from ARj followed by a SMS message. He does that whenever he's working over time in the office. We'd update each other on what's happening, through SMS and sometimes he'd just give me a call then tease me once he learns that I am still unattached. It's his way of checking too if I am still alive.
Anyway, of course, I should not tell you who, exactly, is ARj here to protect him from those mischievous and judgmental minds especially that I am (still) single while he's married and with kids already. Anyhow, he's one guy that I am glad I was never romantically involved with.
But to give you an idea on the depth of our relationship, which, by the way, we call "friendship", I am happy to say, that we have known each other, practically, our whole lives. Our families know each other, he once went out with my cousin (his cousin went out with the same cousin-- my cousin-- that he went out with *hehe* I'm teasing!) and their eldest is my godchild.
We'd go out with our friends once in a while and like in this case, we'd update each other on what's going on in our lives (especially now that I told him that I am leaving soon). He was one of the few who, I believe, has waited and prayed for a good result on July 9.
He asked me where I was. I thought he was just kidding when he told me that he wanted to go out to have some coffee with me. I told him that I was home and I was about to take a nap because I have to be up in two hours. I didn't really want to go out. I wanted to sleep even just for two hours.
Then he started ringing my mobile phone, which I totally ignored as I was really already half asleep then.
Then came another ring-- the pursuit for a cup of coffee, eh?
"What is his problem?" I was asking myself then. He's never done such thing before, like ask me on wee hours.
Later then, even if I haven't said yes yet, he's asked me how he'd get to my apartment from his office so he could pick me up. I never knew he's already got a car (found out later that he got it late last year). He's that mysterious-- I guess the reason he's often misunderstood by some and was tagged as "suplado". He'll never be the first one to strike a conversation with you. It's different with me and some of our friends I guess. I am just used to his being different. Or maybe because we're the same.
I am grateful that we became close after we graduated from college (prior to that, we never talk to each other). I don't remember how we've started but we've done well in keeping up and in touch. I'd tease him with all the girls he got involved with, he'd open up and tell me some more. Then he's told me the journey that he and his girlfriend (now, his wife) has gone through.
Somehow I have witnessed his love life (and some past affairs-- guys! *grrr*) and he has heard of mine, too. And somehow we have witnessed how each of us have grown to be the person that we are now. And with these thoughts, I knew I had to see him.
"If you want, I'll meet you somewhere. Give me an hour to pack and prepare my things. I'll just go straight to the bus station after we had our coffee. What d'ya think?" I asked him. I have made up my mind. There's no use sleeping then. I might miss my bus ride home and that'll make my mom sore again.
My phone rang, this time I took his call. We settled on him fetching me from my apartment (he's coming from Ortigas) then we'll find some coffee shop that's still open (most of the shops are already closed by 2am), then he'll drop me off to the bus station in Cubao.
A few minutes before four in the morning, we're talking about work, his family and kids, his brother who just left the country, his sisters, and a lot more while cruising along EDSA hoping we'd find a coffee shop near the bus station in Cubao. We have settled at Starbucks - T.Morato in Quezon City. They're open for 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
There was an akyat-bahay scene or some salisi-gang in their compound a week ago that's why he decided not to go home yet as it was still dark (yup, people can just spray something on you while your defenses are low i.e. tired or sleepy while getting out of your car or opening your gate), and as always, I am the only one who could be available at any time of the day..err.. night (hah! the things I do that'll freak out some oldies). I know, I know. I was never the kind of person who thinks of the risks. But I, sure, am always happy to spend time with my friends any time of the day (or night). But of course I am not always available.
"How's your dad?" I asked over coffee. The thought of his mom succumbing to a 4th stage cancer a year ago still makes me sad.
I adore their family. How closely intact they are and how close they are to each of their siblings. "Cool" is the word that'll fit them.
Then he said something that shocked me. Never knew how I'd react.
"He's got cancer, too. 4th stage. Doctor said he could live a year to five," he said casually.
"OMG. How are you all taking this? How did he learn about it? How did he tell you? Did he ask you all out for a get-together or did he tell you the news over dinner?", Shock was gone when my curiosity sets in. I wanted to know how people face such thing although I have faith they are all ready as their father is ready.
He's not that old. I mean, his father. He's just in his early sixties, but I have seen how their life is and I just know they (I meant ARj's mom and dad) have lived (and still living) a full life serving the church and feeding their faith with little acts of kindness to people.
"It's all right. It will be all right. At least they get the cancer when they're already old. I mean, they have lived their full life...", all I can say.
Sheessh! I can be as cold as ice sometimes but it was all right, I know he knew what I was talking about.
Then we talked some more. About his wife, her job, their kids and how much the tuition fee is, how they spend their weekend as a family (he does their laundry on Saturdays). We've talked about the difference of a Catholic mass to a (Born Again) Christian's Sunday service (as he's married to one). We've talked about his plans and we've talked about my fate, how I was blessed to get a working visa in the U.S., etc., etc..
We left the coffee shop a little past four and he dropped me off to the bus station. We said our goodbyes and promised to get in touch. We'll see each other again before I leave the country. We'll probably have dinner with our friends, which, I wish, won't be the last one (as everyone's planning to leave the country).
"I was staring at you and now I remember, you looked like someone..." he texted. It was still dark so he decided to go back to his office.
"If she's ugly, i'll beat you up the next time I see you!" I kidded around although I have a hint on who he could be referring to. I get a lot of "look-alike" comments lately.
"Don't worry. She's not ugly. I think I have told you about her before...", he said. I knew then that he was referring to some girl he went out with. It was a wake-up call for him. He almost lost a wife and a kid then and that has put him back to the ground.
"Ok. Drop it. Go get some rest and go HOME," what I really wanted to say was "stop reminiscing and go home to your wife" but I opted for another.
I was left wondering what happened to that part of his story. Has he opened the old book and is writing another chapter? Did he forget to put "The End" on that one? Or was he just reminded of her when he saw me? I hope it was just the latter.
I love my friends. I would cry, I would laugh, I would stand by them but I'll beat them up if I have to. I believe in moral obligations and I'll do mine so long as they allow me to.
As the cliche goes, "you don't know what you've got until it's gone." Well, he almost did go through that and he swore to me (when he got busted) that he'd never do anything that'll jeopardize his wonderful married life (again) and I trust him on that. I say, he's lucky that he's saved what he's got. We both knew that.
You see, there could be a lot of things to talk about over a cup of coffee or tea. Sometimes you sit with your friends and wander your eyes around then laugh at someone who's "baduy" or "chaka", sometimes you'd laugh at yourself for being "engot" at something (read: human!), sometimes you talk about something that will irritate one of you then proceed to talk about something else. Sometimes you'd talk about other people (tsika minute!) and most often than not, your topic revolves around you, who are present-- keeping each other updated on how each one is doing at work and at home.
Right, while some meet for a cup of coffee to talk about business, it has become our business to stay together for a little more time to talk about life or anything under the sun, over a cup of coffee.
I know, soon, I will be meeting new people over a cup of coffee. Some I will trash. Some I will keep.
Life is too short to wait to know what you've got. Know it, hold it while your cup of coffee keeps your hands warm.
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I am Mae German. 34 years old. Born in Mangatarem, province of Pangasinan. I was taught and trained by 
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