Between You and Him

Chapter 6

THEO

My trip that was supposed to be short ended up longer than I expected and it's all because of my dad this time. After spending two days with my mom in Singapore, my father called me and I had to fly from Singapore to New York. Dad wasn't able to pick me up from the airport but he sent his driver.

He dropped me off at my penthouse which I rarely use. From there, I was told that dad would meet me for dinner later. Wala pa naman alas diyes ng umaga kaya makakapagpahinga pa ako. While resting, I have to make several phone calls.

I called home and found everything was okay. And even though it's past office hours, I had to call my friend and personal assistant to make sure I haven't missed anything while I'm away.

"Sorry to call so late. Did I wake you?"

Narinig ko siyang humikab. "Hindi naman po, Boss. Nagbabasa lang ako pero patulog na rin. Kumusta po ang parents n'yo?"

"Okay naman si Mama. I haven't seen dad yet, but I'm going to have dinner with him tonight. How's everything in the office?"

"Everything is fine. Just a couple of meetings were re-scheduled according to Lee. The clients wanted to meet with you instead of Carlo. By the way, they are done with the extension of the shop. It should be ready for the opening when you get back." And before I could ask her for another matter, she said, "And by the way, our new employee is quite nice. Your son seemed to like her."

"And Gerlee?"

"She can't return yet. She asked for three months hoping her mother will be okay by then."

Gerlee was efficient at maaasahan siya sa pag-aalaga ng bata. It would be a great loss if she decides not to return to work.

"Make sure she receives her pay on time. We can't afford to lose her."

"But what if she decides to stay there?"

"What do you mean?"

"Kung mag-asawa siya, boss. Umuwi s'ya ng probins'ya. And let's face it, nasa edad na siya para magsettle down."

"Like you?"

"More like you." Humalakhak siya.

"Shut up, Candida."

She hates it when I call her with her first name. Candida Lontoc was the first woman who never looked at me romantically. Para sa kaniya, I was just one of the normal guys. Candy didn't care if I was rich or good looking. I am starting to think she's a lesbian if not for her two failed relationships and the fact that she's crushing on Grey Anatomy's McDreamy for the longest time.

"Hey! That's not fair. I'm older than you, you know?" By three years, yes. Tinawanan ko lang siya. "Honestly, there's no more reason to worry that Gerlee won't come back if you just get married. Find an honest woman and marry her. Someone who will love you and Ken."

"Easy for you to say. And by the way, you sound like Mama. Kulang na lang, magmatchmaking ka rin."

"You can't really blame her. Malapit ka na mawala sa kalendaryo."

"Ikaw nga lumampas na kahihintay mo kay McDreamy mo."

"Gago." She was the only one who can get away with that language with me. We work in the office and act professional, pero kapag ganitong walang nakaririnig ay para kaming magkapatid kung mag-usap o mag-asaran. "Masama ba kung maghintay ako na dumating 'yong lalaking magmamahal sa akin ng totoo? 'Yong hindi tangahin at may kaunting backbone?"

She's right. Turn off sa kaniya ang lalaking hindi makasabay sa wavelength niya kaya ligwak si Nathaniel. And her last relationship with Mike failed because he was a certified Mama's boy. It didn't matter that he was as intelligent as her.

"Baka sa kahihintay mo at kapipili, mamuti na 'yang mga mata mo sa kahihintay."

"E wala akong magagawa kung ganoon. At least, hindi ako nagsettle down just for the sake of being married and having someone."

"You know that it's the very same thing you're asking me and Mama to do, right?"

"Iba naman kasi 'yong sitwasyon mo. May anak ka na nangangailangan ng kalinga ng isang ina. Wala ka palagi sa bahay."

"Hindi naman siya naiiwan mag-isa and besides, you're there."

"That's not the point and you know it. Ken needs a mother figure. Mahirap bang humanap ng isang babaeng magkakagusto sa 'yo na okay lang kahit may anak ka na? May hitsura ka naman kahit papaano. Makalaglag panty ka nga raw sabi noong mga babae sa office, although hindi ko alam kung may garter 'yong panty na sinasabi nila o wala kaya nalaglag." Humagalpak pa siya ng tawa pagkatapos akong asarin.

"Sira ka talaga." Tumikhim ako. "Mama actually met someone and I had dinner with her a couple of times."

"And?"

"She's... okay."

"Ha? Pangit ba? Hindi ka naman siguro makikipagdinner twice kung hindi mo siya type."

"Akala ko ba inaantok ka na?" pang-aasar ko sa kaniya. Kanina lang may pahikab-hikab pa siya.

"Nawala na ang antok ko. Magkwento ka na. Type mo?"

"Well, she's not very tall but has a nice figure. She's never been married but Mama told her about Ken. Mabait naman siya at independent din."

"What does she do for a living?"

"She's a hotel manager at one of the hotels in Singapore. She's twenty-eight. Mama said she's a wife material."

"Does she have a name?"

"Angelica Rose Ramirez. Mama calls her Rose."

"Why does that name sound so familiar?"

That was the same thing that came to mind when I first met Angelica. She looked familiar and yet at the same time, she's a stranger.

"Do you have a photo?"

"I asked her to put a dedication at the back too. What am I ten?" Candy laughed. "I don't have a picture of her obviously."

"Whatever. I'll just google her."

"Good luck with that. Angelica Ramirez is a common name. There are probably more than a thousand hits before you find the one you're looking for."

"You're right. But the question is, are you seeing her again?"

Hindi ako kaagad nakasagot sa tanong niya. The two dinners went well, but I didn't really feel anything special about it. It wasn't like a love at first sight or anything. It was just... okay.