All I Ask

The Truth

I sat up with my pillow covering my torso and sank into it. My body feels like it got beat by something, everything hurts but it isn't unbearable. I look towards my alarm clock 5:56 AM. I sighed loudly as my gaze dropped to the envelope on my side table. I reached for it and gently traced my fingers on the imbedded letters of my name in front of it. The envelope was black and my name was written in gold ink in what looked like Edwardian Script. I haven't had the courage to break the seal yet, besides, I already know what's in it. I reached for it again tempted to open it; to see maybe if my ideas are similar to what was inside. I sighed again, not knowing how I feel. Especially because it was delivered to me personally last night. I recall the moment I finished my last show on Broadway.

"Happy Birthday," he smiles at me with white flowers in his hands.

I smiled, "Thank you! You didn't forget!"

"How could I forget? Come on Shin, I'm not that bad. You are after all, a huge part of my life." He flashed me my favourite smile.

Truth be told, my feelings for this man has disappeared a long time ago. He truly was just a friend now. We've been talking on Facebook about his arrival and we were both ecstatic about it. He said that he might even just get the same flight as me when I go home. It might be a while before I see him again since I'm heading to London for Hamilton in September again.

"Di ka pa rin nagbabago, Bautista." I smiled shyly.

"Are you up for dinner?" He asked me, offering his hand so he can take my bags.

"Hmm. No, I want to rest. Maybe tomorrow?" I replied to him. I handed him my biggest bag but he pulled all my bags out of my hand and carried it like it's nothing.

"Okay, I'll just order Ubereats and we can eat at your apartment before I head back to my hotel." He grinned again.

"Okay."

We walk silently. Hearing each other's footsteps and breaths despite the loud New York City bustle. I looked up at him but he seemed all too concentrated on what's ahead of him. I look down again, "My apartment isn't far. It's just 4 blocks from the theatre."

He looked down at me, "Alam ko Shin. I went this morning diba?" He laughed.

"Oo nga pala." I laughed too. "Ang quiet kasi. I'm not used to it. Usually when people visit me here, they're not as quiet as you are."

He reached around my shoulder and tapped it. He immediately dropped his hand back down though. "Ineenjoy ko lang ang New York atmosphere. It's been a while since I've been here kasi. Remember nag You and Me tayo dito." He laughed, remembering the scenes we were told to do.

"Sobrang nene at totoy pa natin nun. Ibang iba na tayo ngayon." I laughed again. Less forced this time.

"Yeah, International Superstar ka na and I'm Asia's Balladeer. Can you believe how far we've gone Shin? So many things have changed. Grabe." He sighed.

I bit my lip trying not say what came out of my mouth next, "One more thing changed."

He looked down at me again, slinging all my bags onto his shoulder, "Oh? Ano?"

"In love ka pa sakin nun."

He stopped walking and looked at me, I've kind of fallen behind because I was looking at the ground and then I bumped into him.

"Ay! Oh? Why did you stop walking?" I laughed.

"Hugot Bhie?" I can see the glimmer in his eyes.