Into the Woods

Chapter 4

Luke ran towards Meg and hugged her from the back.

"Meg, at long last!" Meg turned around facing Luke and they both smiled at each other, loss for words.

"I just can't believe you're standing in front of me! How could you leave me and Drew like that? You didn't even bothered to contact us or send us emails." Meg said with teary eyes. Between the two of us, she took Luke's leaving hard.

"I apologize for that. That's why I'm here to make it up for you." Luke motioned for me to join them. The whole time I was looking at them and in that instant, I know they're perfect for each other. Kailangan ko gumawa ng paraan para makita nila na kahit hindi sila magsalita, kitang-kita na mahal na mahal nila ang isa't isa.

"Akala ko hindi niyo na ako tatawagin. Nakakahiya naman sa moment niyo. Do you really need me here? Iwan ko na kaya kayo?" Biro ko.

"Shut up, Drew!" Meg whispered. "I'm very glad Luke is back. Luke, if you ever leave me like that again, I swear, I'll hunt you down and kill you." Meg threatened.

"Whoa! That is too much!" Luke protested with his two hands up, as if surrendering.

"Uhm, guys? In case you forgot, nandito pa si Drew." I grinned, teasing them.

"Okay, okay!" Tawa ni Meg. "What are your plans for today?"

"Do you want to crash in my place? We can watch a movie then padeliver tayo ng pizza, for old times sake." I suggested.

"Well then, let's go!" Luke said and we walked to his car.

After a short trip, we arrived at my house. Clearly, Rob went here because he left something. A bouquet of Tulips and Carnation with a note.

It says "Sorry for this morning, Love. There are so many things running in my mind. I love you. -Rob".

"How sweet!" Meg squealed. "May nagawa na naman ang all high and mighty Rob, am I right?" She added teasingly.

" Just a petty quarrel." I murmured.

"Lover boy strikes again." Luke chuckled.

"Kayo talaga. Give Rob a break." I know eversince, they both have doubts about Rob. Kasi aside sa super busy, he seldom go out with my friends. And kapag may ginawa si Rob na ikinagagalit ko, babawi siya agad. Nakita nila Meg and Luke na I forgive him easily. But what can I do? I love him so much.

"So, what movie do you want to watch? " I set aside the bouquet of flowers and took out my hard drive. "I know!" A smile spread across my lips. "One Day na lang ung kay Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess." Kahit na tragic ang ending, bagay sa kanila ang theme ng movie.

"Play it!" They said in unison. Kinikilig ako sa kanila.

"Sige. Luke, please prepare the movie. Meg, please tawag ka naman ng pizza and if you guys want to add food pa.

"Sure!" Sabay na naman nilang sagot and I laughed silently to myself.

In a few minutes, nanood na kami ng movie. Then, someone rang the bell. Delivery boy na yun for sure. I stood up and nagulat ako nung binuksan ko ang pinto. Sobrang tawang tawa ako!

"Delivery ma'am. Ung tip ko ha, don't forget." Nate was standing in front of me, holding two boxes of pizza, two bottles of soda and another bag of food. I heard Meg laughed hard

"Meg! Talaga naman! Bes, bakit ka nandito?" I motioned for him to join us and he followed me inside.

"Galing ni Meg. Idea niya lahat ito. Di mo man lang ako tinawag sa movie marathon niyo! Hey, Luke! Kumusta na?" Bati ni Nate.

Luke shook Nate's right hand. "I'm doing good, Nate. Glad you could join us." Unlike Rob, my friends are fond of Nate. Super funny guy naman kasi siya and mas close pa siya sa friends ko kasi if Rob is unavailable, si Nate ang sumasama sa mga lakad ko.

"Let's continue! Buti kakaumpisa pa lang. Nate, dito ka na." We resumed watching and started eating. After two hours and a few minutes, the movie is over. I saw Meg with her head resting on Luke's left shoulder, with teary eyes.

"Sakit naman nito, Drew! Why is it that when their time came, Em died!" Meg said sadly.

"That's the lesson. Don't wait too long. Kasi hindi mo alam kung ano mangyayari in the future. Don't take things for granted." I answered.

"Tama. Ung tipong nandyan na sa harap mo, hindi mo pa nakikita." Nate added.

"This movie is something. I want a copy, Drew." Luke said.

"Sige, I'll give you one." I checked the clock. It's past eight in the evening! How time flies. "Guys, gusto niyo mag dinner? 8:00 p.m. na pala, di ko namalayan ang time!"

"Naku! Okay lang, Drew. I need to go home. I have work tomorrow." Meg fixed her things.

"I'll drop you home." Luke said. "This is a nice get together. Let's do this more often while I'm still here."

"Oo naman! Sure kayo na hindi na mag-dinner? How about you, Nate?" I asked.

"I need to go pero in a few minutes. Is it okay dito muna ako?" Nate asked.

"No problem. Hatid ko lang sila sa labas. Stay here. Thanks again, Meg and Luke!" I gave each of them a kiss. Naglinis muna kami sandali ni Nate and we sat down at the couch.

"This is a great weekend, Bes. I'm really happy nandito ka." I held his hand for a while. I'm a little bit sad kasi dapat si Rob ang nandito. But I can't have everything.

"Buti nga tinawagan ako ni Meg. Wala pa sa bahay si Kuya. Kasama sila Dad pumuntang office kanina. May emergency meeting." Nate moved in closer to me.

"Hirap din. I'm always his third priority. Sorry if ganito nararamdaman ko. First siyempre family niyo, then business, then me. Bakit ikaw, you find time pumunta sa akin?" Eto na naman ako, drama queen.

"Shhhhh. Huwag ka ng magtampo kay Kuya. You know how our business works. If the other group calls for a meeting, even in the middle of the night, we have to attend. Ang kaso lang kasi, si Kuya ang may hawak nun. Hindi ako masyado involved. If I only have a choice, I totally don't want to get involved." He closed his eyes. Ganun lang kami for a while tapos nagpaalam na din si Nate.

Before I retire for the night, I tried to call Rob. But after five attempts, I hung up. Now, I'm starting to wonder if he really does love me.

Author's Note: The bouquet of Tulips and Carnation image is from www.vivienflorist.com.