Chapter 38 – Hello Again
Rein’s P.O.V.
“Mom, I’m going to get cereals po ha?”
“Alright, sweety. I’m going to stay right here. Balik ka agad.”
Christian and I are now shopping groceries right after Georgina and him went home from somewhere. Lately, lagi sinasama ni Georgie si Christian sa mga lakad niya. I don’t really mind since I’m always busy now and I trust Georgie.
I was about to follow Christian sa cereals section when I accidentaly bumped the man who was standing in front of my grocery cart causing his phone to fall to the floor. “I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to…”
My words got caught up when I got a glimpse of his face. “It’s okay. I was blocking your way too.” I know him. He picked up his phone and when he looked up and saw my face, I swear it caught him off guard too. “Rein??”
I just stared at him while he smiled. That same heart melting smile, that same attractively smart… him.
“Hi.” I greeted him shyly with my voice almost a whisper. He hasn’t changed, he’s almost the same as I met him.
“Look at you! You look more beautiful than it was way back then. It’s been what? I think almost 10 years?” I was shocked when he took me into his arms. He even uses the same perfume until now.
I felt like all the words got caught up in my throat and I couldn’t say even just one clear word. We stood like that for seconds until Christian finally came back with 2 boxes of cereal and a confused expression in his face.
“Mom, who’s he? Why is he hugging you??” Christian asked in his instvestigating tone. His brows were ceased together and his annoying nosy little british accent was clearly understandable.
He didn’t need another word for me to release me from his hug but when he did, he looked at Christian carefully. He smiled at him and said hello. I almost forgot how he loves kids.
“Christian, he’s mommy’s friend way back. He’s your Tito Daniel.”
“Owww… Okay. Hi Tito Daniel! I’m Ian!” My son said fondly while he handed me the boxes of cereals he chose. “Can I ask you a question?”
Daniel just noded yes. Christian signaled him to come closer because he’ll whisper. “Are you my Dad?”
My eyes widened with Christian’s question while Daniel just laughed. “Christian! We’ve talked about this before!”
“I’m just curious. I want to meet my Dad.” He said while pouting. “What’s your full name Tito Daniel? Mine’s Christian Blake Bustamante.”
“What a nice name you have. My name’s just Daniel Mondragon.” He’s talking to my son but he’s looking at me. His stare and smile made my heart beat double time.
“Yours is better. Mine’s long but at least I have Ian as my nickname.” Christian complained.
“Ian, why don’t you get your favorite yoghurt first? I’m going just going to stay here.”
“Okay! Tito Daniel, I’ll be back.” He excused himself and happily went to get his youghurts.
Once again, Daniel and I were left in one of the aisles in the supermarket. His eyes were still on me and I already feel nervous about his stares.
“You have a really cute son.” He decided to break the silence.
“I’m so sorry for Ian’s question. I really wasn’t… expecting that.”
“Me too. But hey, look at the bright side. We found each other in New York. That must mean something.” He said happily pulling me into another hug. This time, I hugged him back. “Its really nice seeing you again.”
“Why do you keep on hugging each other??” Ian came into the picture again making us jump into shock. Daniel just helped Christian to put his yoghurts into the cart while I pretended to look at the cereals he chose. “Mom??”
“We’re just being… friendly.” What a lame excuse. I thought to myself. I saw the corner of Daniel’s lips go up and I knew he was preventing to laugh.
“Are you done buying groceries?” He asked. I nodded yes and he took my grocery cart from me. “Well then, we’re going to have lunch and ihahatid ko na kayo sa bahay niyo. I won’t take no for an answer, Rein. Besides, we really need to catch up.”
Being the gentleman Daniel is, he payed for all our groceries and took us to this fine dining restaurant for us to have lunch. Luckily, even though Christian and I weren’t prepared, we were both wearing something that would pass for a semi-formal event.
Lunch went well. Ian always know when to behave, he was making himself busy by watching the chefs cook while Daniel and I talk. He was so fond of Ian. He told me I really did a good job in making Ian the boy who he is today kahit single parent lang ako sakanya.
What’s even more suprising is that he happens to live across the building where we live. Well, at least that’s what he said nung hinatid niya kami. Ian had his afternoon nap and we were the only ones left inside our unit since Georgina is in her photoshoot.
We were drinking red wine while siting across each other in the balcony. The chilly New York wind around us while we talk. I was amazed to see that he hasn’t change even though years have passed. He’s still the Daniel Mondragon I knew years ago, that same sweet gentleman whom I was in love before.
“I hope you don’t mind me asking, where’s Blake? He’s your husband, right? He’s Ian’s dad?” I swallowed an imaginary lump in my throat.
I laughed to hide the nervousness I felt. “We just didn’t… click.” I waved my hand as if referring to the things around us. “I messed up.”
“Seriously? You messed up? Or HE messed up? Don’t lie to me, Rein. I know you.”
“Damn you for knowing me.”
We both laughed. “There’s nothing wrong for knowing the girl you’ve loved after all these years. You’re still that the same Rein that I’m still continuing to love.” He dragged his chair closer to mine and held my hand. “I’m so sorry for not coming back… I know I promised but…”
Huminga ako ng malalim. “You don’t need to say sorry. Kasalanan ko din naman eh, choice ko din naman yung paghintay sayo diba? Kung alam ko nga lang na ganito mangyayari, I should’ve just waited for you. Pero hindi eh, I was busy looking for someone to love me like Michael and you did and tingnan mo yung nangyari, my life fell into someone’s hand who doesn’t want a family.”
He gave me one of those hugs that always made me feel loved before. “I feel like I’m the one responsible for all of this. Kung sana hindi kita iniwan noon, you wouldn’t marry the wrong guy.”
My eyes went blurry. I didn’t hug back, I just let him hug me tight. “You don’t need to feel sorry for me.”
“I want you to know that I still feel the same way about you. I never went into another relationship all these years because I always loved you.” He touched his nose to mine which sent shivers down my spine. “Its not too late yet.”
Before I could even reply to what Daniel said, the main door to the unit opened and Georgina’s voice was loud enough for us to wake us up back to reality. “Ally! The dresses are here! Come and look!”
Daniel looked away from me and looked at the panoramic view of New York while he shifted his weight on the railings. I sipped all of my red wine to wash my nervousness away.
“Allyson! Where the hell are you?!” Her excited voice made me annoyed for ruining Daniel and I’s seriouse talk.
“Balcony!” I yelled back.
“What the hell are you doing he—“ She stopped at her tracks when he had a glance of Daniel. “Woah! You didn’t tell me some hottie is going to stop by.”
And at this time, I swear I want to pull away Georgina from Daniel. She’s seriously checking him out in front of me. “Georgina Cristobal Lerwick.” They shook hands.
“Daniel Mondragon. Her… ex, actually.” Daniel was obviously not comfortable. His left hand was in the back of his neck and he kept on looking at me while Georgina is talking to him.
“Wait. You’re not Ian’s Dad, right?” He just nodded no. “Thank, God! I still have a chance.” She laughed but none of Daniel and I did. “Hey, I was just joking. You need to learn to be a lot less serious. I’ll leave you two alone in your little-too-serious-conversation. I’ll just be inside.” She winked at Daniel.
A few minutes past and we just stood there like statues although we were close enough to make our skins touch. As much as I want to feel something for him again, I didn’t. I wasn’t mad at him for leaving me and never coming back, I never actually expected that we would see each other again after all the disastrous events of my life.
But seeing him again after all these years, I knew that he never changed and I knew that what he told me is true. Daniel always have this thing where he goes really, really honest after a few hours of meeting or seeing you and you always know that its true when he looks at you with those brown almond eyes. And somehow, telling me that things aren’t late yet gave me hope… enough hope to maybe think that I still deserved to be loved.
I heard him fake a cough. When I looked at him, he was obviously finding the right words to say. “Uhm, I better go. I told the office I was going to get back an hour after lunch. They’re probably expecting me to be there by now.”
I just nodded yes. None of us spoke during our walk to the door. Georgina said her goodbyes and Daniel just replied with his polite smiles. He was about to go down the staircase when I thought of my need to see him again.
“Daniel?” I called out. He went back up and face me. “There’s this event at The Weather Room tomorrow night. I would appreciate if you could come. It’s my career’s big break, I want you to be there.”
His hands were in his pockets. His dimples were showing, he was preventing to smile. “Sure, I’d love to be there. I’ll pick you up at 7?”
I nodded again. Pababa na sana ulit siya ng stairs when I called him again. “Daniel?” He stopped at his tracks. This time, far from me. “Yung sinabi mo kanina na its not too late yet, I just—“
He stopped me with what I was saying with his lips. I was shocked for a while but I closed my eyes anyway and savoured the moment. I wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him closer. His hands were in my waist keeping me closer as possible.
“Wow…” I said when our lips parted. I couldn’t help but to smile sheepishly and I saw him smile too.
“I’ll go now.” One more kiss and then he left.
Pagkabalik ko sa loob, Georgina was trying out her gown for tomorrow night. It was all lace and it just had covers in the right place. She smirked at me once she noticed me. “Alam mo, para kayong teenagers, kissing and talking in hallways kind of teenagers. But you look good together.”
We both laughed. She handed me one of the big boxes and when I opened it, I saw my dress for tomorrow night. I smiled. At least it wasn’t as daring as Georgie’s. It was a simple gray gown with thin straps and a cut that runs up my thigh.
“I invited Ian and I’s friend nga pala tomorrow so you could meet him.” She said. “Alam mo, I’m sure you’ll like him. Ang bait bait niya kasi tapos he’s rich and good looking pa. He’s perfect! And I can tell that he’s going to be mine!”
Natawa nalang ako, thinking that Georgie always gets what she wants. “Okay. At least I’ll know who’s Ian bestfriend. Just make sure he’s not some kidnapper or something. Ano ba ulit name nun?”
“Secret! Bukas na! Para may suspense. Basta he’s perfect!... and mine.” We both laughed.