His Replacement Wife

Confirmed

                                                                                     [KEN’S POV]

[hey where are you? I’m already here] a text message from Tyler.

[on my way just wait] I replied.

Surely his already starving because he would not bother texting me if he’s full. I’m on my way to the University because we only have an afternoon class in consecutive hours today so we decided to have our lunch in the university since I woke up late and I don’t have enough time to cook. I headed to the cafeteria and found Tyler raising his hand while calling me.

“you’re not that hungry, do you?” I asked him.

“don’t ask the obvious, I’ve been waiting long here come on” he replied.

I walked at him first to find a table when I hold the chair someone just hold it too. I’m speechless, I don’t know what to say or what to react.

“oh s-sorry, you can take this table” – Roverie

“No! no! no! there’s not much vacant tables here, you can actually sit with us if you don’t mind that’s more convenient. Don’t worry we’re harmless.” Tyler said. This guy is really impossible, I can sense his doing this on purpose.

“uhm… actually I have a friend with me.” Roverie replied.

“the table is big, can surely cater four people” Tyler replied while smiling. This is not a good idea.

“come on, don’t be shy” Tyler said and lead Roverie to the table and asked her to sit. He told me to that he’ll just order a food and whisper me “you talk to her” while grinning.

So, I was left here with Roverie. What should I say? I want to approach her but I was intimidated and she looks like she’s good without talking to anybody.

“hey, here’s our foo……. oh…” her friend came in and I think she was surprised to see me.

“uhmmm… hi, uhmm… I hope we’re not bothering you” she said.

“no, no you we’re not” I replied.

“by the way I am Frankie, and you a….” so her name is Frankie. I was about to reach for her hand when…

“I’m Tyler” pffttt this guy is really impossible. He reached for Frankie’s hand. 

“I’m with him, he’s my friend” he added.

“and this is Rov…” Frankie said while referring to Roverie.

“Roverie, I know” Tyler said. DID HE JUST CUT HER OFF?? I can’t take this guy.

“How did you know?” I curiously asked?

“Ken told me.…. ouch!” WHAT THE FU--- I stamp on his foot to stop him, he’s talking too much.

“I mean, we are the one who found your notebook, you have your name there and oh, this is Ken” Tyler said trying to cover up his failed answers. 

“Ken Samuel San Jose” I extended my hand to Frankie and next to Roverie, she looks hesitant in accepting my hand but still she did. Woah! her hand is so soft and cold?

Something’s really fishy with Tyler, I can hardly sense he’s interested with Frankie. Describing her, she’s actually beautiful and attractive, tanned skin and fitted body. 

“you know what, Roverie is actually a Filipino, right?” Frankie said. WHAT?? 

“yes, I am” Roverie answered while smiling. FOR REAL?? My eyes widen when I heard her answer.

“PINOY KA!?” I asked her while still on shock. I remembered the signs.

“oo… pure pino……wait...” she stopped when she realizes something.

“PINOY KA!?” she asked me back. I am about to answer her with ‘yes, I am’ when Tyler takes over.

“woah! There’s something we must know here” Tyler said. 

“yeah right!” – Frankie. They surely understand each other.

I didn’t get a chance to speak anymore because Frankie and Tyler we’re enjoying laughing and teasing us. These two are disasters! Tyler bid Goodbye because we still have classes.

“You really can’t hold your tongue” I told him.

“You like that?” he asked me.

“you like it either” I answered him.

“Frankie’s pretty and very accommodating and her vibe is so cool” he said with twinkling eyes. 

I told you, he likes it better. We attend our classes this afternoon and it actually went well. The professors are not terror and very approachable, I just hope I’m not mistaken. 

“are you going home straight?” Tyle asked.

“Nah, I still have to buy some dog food for cookie” I replied.

“well then, I’ll go ahead” he said.

“yeah sure” I told him.

I choose to walk to the central area. This can also be my exercise because I’ve been stuck inside the house and haven’t got some exercise. It’s quite far but still manageable to walk, I also enjoy alone time, you know having time for yourself to reflect, internalize and clearing your mind is good for the soul. I just put my earphones on and enjoy the walk.

I entered the store and took a pack of dog food from the stall and since I don’t have other things to buy, I will pay for the bill. 

“I’m so sorry miss, do you have a cash?” 

“uhm, I don’t think my cash is enough” 

While I am approaching to the counter, I could hear a conversation. By just seeing her back, I just can’t keep myself from smiling, fate is really making a way. 

“what should I do with this?” she said.

“please include this” I told the teller while referring to include Roverie’s groceries.

“okay sir” the teller replied. 

She looked at me and I gave her a smile but she turned her back. Do I look creepy when smiling? She faced me and said

“I-I’ll pay you later, I just have to withdraw”

“No problem” I answered and smiled to her but she turned back. I guess I should not smile again. After the billing, she finds a machine to withdraw a cash. 

“can you wait here?” she said and I just nodded.

“here” she gave me the money. 

“Thank you so much for helping me, I’m now paid” – Roverie 

I Just thought of an idea so that I could talk to her because I didn’t have a chance to do that in the University. I told her that my efforts to help her was not paid yet that’s why I asked her to accompany me for dinner which is the first thing comes into my mind. She was surprised when I said that words and very hesitant to go but still, I convinced her, she really thought of compensating.

Actually, I wouldn’t force her to come if she really doesn’t want when I convinced her but since she did, that’s better. I bring her to a restaurant and started to asked her while waiting for the food.

“so, you’re a Filipino?” I asked.

“yes, I am, and you spoke tagalog earlier, so you’re Filipino too?” she asked me back.

“FilAm, half Filipino and half American” I answered.

“oh, that means that you’re my fellow-citizen” she mockingly said.

“yeah” I just chuckle. 

Now it’s confirmed, we are both Filipino. We talked a lot about the kind of living here as a migrant, and the differences of our countries using our mother togue. She’s talking a lot already and I can feel that the awkward feeling between the two of us slowly eased.

After eating, we took a ride since we are going home on the same direction. When we reached her home she immediately walked outside and ask me to hand her over her stuff but I didn’t give it to her instead I said.

“I’m coming with you” 

“WHAT!?” she was shocked and her eyes really widen. She looks so cute!

“No, I mean, I’ll help you with your stuff until you reach your house, this is quite heavy you know” I explained.

I really insisted to let me help her carry her stuff towards her house until she just let me. I thank her for accompanying me and she also did thank me for helping her out. I left her house with smiles and headed home. Finally, I got a chance not just to talk to her but be with her instead. I’m kind of interested and want to know her better, maybe this could be the start of something good. I guess this day is a wrap!