This was about a childhood friend who I had a little crush later on when we were young. Our mothers both worked for the same company, and we were from the same town too. Whenever there was a town fiesta we would all gather at their house and enjoy the food and company. The adults would mingle and drink, while the kids would play upstairs in his room.
Sometimes, it was only me and him, and we would sometimes wrestle or just hit each other with pillows, but sometimes we would just sit and read something. I remember enjoying his books, but I cannot remember most of them anymore. But I do recall a worn out Disney magic tricks book. We tried to do everything that was written on it and we enjoyed that book very much. The moving coin on top of the bottle is still very clear in my mind.
There was also an endearing moment when my parents were calling me already because we were about to go home, and I couldn’t find the other pair of my shoes because he hid them. I pleaded to him to give it already. He did, but I still had to run after him just to be able to get them. I think somehow it was a way for him to delay my leave a bit longer.
He was my prom date too during Juniors Night, just a few months before he finally migrated to the United States with his family. I was not able to delay his leave after that.
Then, after 13 years, we met each other again.
“So, how are you after all these years?”
You blinked out of your short trance and glanced at your left. Slowly, your senses focused and realized he was talking to you.
“Oh, well, I’m okay. I survived college despite all the course-hopping I did. Now, I’m enjoying the perks of being an old dog lady who lives among dusty old shelves.”
He laughs. “You’re not old! I’m older!”
You let out a laugh as well.
“True.”
He shifted to a higher gear and zoomed ahead of a slow moving vehicle.
Silence crept in again between the two of you, and so was for the past 15 minutes ever since you left the house.
Is it awkward silence? No. Not really.
Okay. Maybe a bit.
You tried your best to release the air from your lungs gradually, but it came out with a slight hint of heaviness.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-yeah.”
Your obvious hesitation led him to ask you again.
“What’s wrong?”
This time around, you looked at him and smiled.
“I really enjoyed this short stay I had with you and your family. Finally, if I might say after like, 13 years of not seeing each other. Thanks for everything.”
“Ano ka ba? You’re family.”
Your heart skipped a beat.
“You will always be welcome here anytime you want. Just make sure you inform me beforehand so I can file a proper leave and we can plan more food trips.” His lips formed a smirk while his sunglasses reflected the road.
“Priorities, right?” You teased him nonchalantly and you felt more comfortable on your seat.
“Of course. Can’t live without it. Can you?”
“Of course not! Food is life!”
“Now that’s the girl I know from 13 years ago!”
He shifted gears again while you remained dumbstruck, but still managed to laugh a bit at the comment. Your eyes went back to the road ahead, his car passing by the other vehicles smoothly and effortlessly, just like how he just came back to your life right now.
“You want to grab Dunkin’ Donuts on our way home?” He asked you.
“Sure. I would love that.”
Even for just a while, let’s stay on this road with silence between us, against the racing of our hearts, as I claim the passenger seat.
07.12.2017
