STRINGS (UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 1

Happy second anniversy on your divorce!

He immediately closed the notebook and threw it on the side. He thought he shouldn't have read it. He decided to bring it back to it's owner because it seemed so important so he called the number written on the notebook. His first call didn't reached her but he tried again and after three more atempts, she answered.

"Hello?"

Lukas had no idea why but he's quite nervous.

"Hello?"

He cleared his throat first before he spoke. "This is Lukas."

"Lukas? Who are you?"

"I'm Lukas. Ako yong kanina? The guitar?"

"Ow. I'm sorry. Yes, Lukas?"

"You left your notebook in my car."

"I thought I lost it. Pasensya ka na. I keep bothering you."

Lukas noticed her raspy voice. As if she's gone crying. "Are you okay?" The line went silent after his question.

"Oo. Oo naman. I'm sorry. Can you just text me where you live or work. Daanan ko na lang yong notebook."

"No need. I'm actually on the road right now. Where are you? I'll just give it to you now."

**

Billy went silent after the call. Lukas insisted on bringing her notebook to her so she had no choice but to tell him where she was. She wiped off the tears on her face but it was no used because her tears seemed endless. Thank goodness her sister called while she waited for Lukas.

"Ano? They thought we're having a date?" she asked. Mina told her that Red and Rex thought that her and David would be getting back together.

"God, how am I going to say it to them?"

Billy didn't even noticed that Lukas arrived and was already standing behind her. He only stopped when he heard her talking on the phone.

"Did you know what he told me? That he's going to let our children meet his new lover!" She sniffed and continued to rant on her sister, not knowing that Lukas was just behind her listening to all her cries. "Well fuck him! Bahala siya sa buhay niyang magexplain sa mga anak namin how he cheated on their mother! Sige na. Usap na lang tayo pagbalik ko sa bahay."

She dropped the call and yelled, "God damn it!" with her tears still pouring down her cheeks. She was startled when someone handed her a handkerchief. And that someone was Lukas.

"Hi."

Billy accepted his handkerchief and wiped off her tears. It was so embarrassing.

"Your notebook." he gave it to her with a small smile on his face.

Billy wanted to be eaten alive by the ground because of the embarrassment that she was feeling. "Thank you so much, Lukas. Pasensya ka na talaga at naabala pa kita."

"It's nothing. Forget it. Can I sit?" he glanced at the space beside her.

"Of course." Billy moved a little to give him some more space to sit. "I'm not really a crybaby." she mumbled just so he knows. She wouldn't want him to think that she is. "I don't usually cry like this and in this kind of place. I was raised not to. Sobrang pagod ko lang talaga ata ngayong araw." Billy didn't know why she's explaining herself to him again. "You know what happened kanina. I think I'm just really tired."

Lukas knew exactly why she's crying of course. He heard it all. But he only nodded.

"Gabi na." He mumbled while looking at the dark sky above. "Hatid na kita sa inyo."

Billy immediately turned to him.

"It will be hard for you to go home at this hour kung magta-taxi ka. Hatid na kita."

She had to decline his offer of course. "Sobrang dami ko ng abalang nagawa sayo ngayong araw. Thank you, but it's okay. I can manage."

"Madami ka ngang nagawang abala sa akin kaya lubusin mo na. I insist. Hatid na kita sa inyo."

Billy couldn't say no more.

"Fine. Maraming salamat."

Lukas only smiled and stood up. He even offered his hand to help her stand. "Let's go."

The whole ride was very awkward. None of them started a conversation because she couldn't bring herself and so was he. They only kept on stealing glances on each other.

"Andito na po tayo." It was Lukas's driver who broke the deafening silence that engulfed them.

Billy smiled. Still awkward but it's a warm smile. "Thank you. I owe you a lot, Lukas. Maraming salamat."

"I told you it's fine. I'm happy to help."

"Salamat." Billy smiled once again before going out of the car. Lukas even followed her outside.

"Ingat ka. Salamat ulit."

"You too." Lukas smiled and hopped in the car.

She watched his car zoomed out of her sight before she went in the house. Just in time, she received a call from her friend Anna. She told her that she has a job for her and she's scheduled for interview the next day.

"Really? Anna, wala ng bawian yan ha! Thank you! Thank you!"

Billy thought she just had the worst day of her life, but she's wrong. The big guy didn't just sent her an angel in disguise to help her get through the day but also a friend that she's hoping to meet again someday.**

-dawntme