Arjay traveled to the city. He went straight to the City Center where the shop his father told him was located. He found a spot to park his car. He went out and walk around the city center. There are a lot of establishments there and he's like a missing kid looking for his parents. He didn’t asked for the specific location or what could be the nearest landmark to it. He kept on walking until he saw the store's signage: Judo Enterprises.
‘There you are!’ he said to himself and went inside. He went to the woman behind the counter.
“Good morning, sir.” She greeted.
“Yeah, Hi. I am here to pick up the order of Ferdinand Altamira Sr. Here’s the receipt.” He said and handed it to the woman. She checked it.
“Wait just a minute, sir. I’ll just get the package.” The woman smiled at him. He smiled back and waited. He looked at his watch: it’s 30 past 11.
The woman returned with a box.
“Is that all?” he asked.
“There are still 3 boxes more, sir. These are the pen markers, sir. The other 3 boxes are bond papers.” She said and went back to get the other boxes. She went on 2 more times until she completed the 4 boxes.
“These are all the orders.” He said more of a statement. She nodded.
“Pretty much, sir.” She replied.
“I’ll just put these two boxes in my car. I’ll return to get the other boxes.” He said and piled the 2 boxes together and carried it out the shop. He put the boxes on the car trunk. He went back to the shop. “I’ll just get the other two.” He motioned to get the boxes.
The woman smiled and nodded. He piled the boxes and went out of the shop. He went back to his car and put the last couple of boxes inside the trunk. He closed the trunk. He stepped back and didn’t see a passerby coming towards his way. He accidentally bumped the passerby. He turned around.
“I am so sorry, miss.” He said apologetically.
“No, it’s fine.” She said and looked at him.
They were both startled to see each other. They smiled at each other.
“Hanney Ley… it’s great to see you! You’ve changed a lot.” He said, amazed.
She hugged him a bit. He hugged her back and they pulled away from each other. Yes, he knew her. He knew her very well, indeed. She is Hanney Ley Liu, her ex-girlfriend. He didn’t recognize her immediately. There are a lot of changes that happened to her, physically.
“Wow, you noticed! But, hey, here you are! You’re supposed to be at the seminary, right?” she asked happily. “I mean, when did you get back?” she asked again.
“I came back the other day. I actually quitted seminary. But you? How are you? It’s been a while!”
“I’m great, actually, but look at me. Business has taken its toll on me that’s why I ended up being sexy.” She laughed. “But you, you’ve changed a lot! I remembered the last time I saw you, you were so skinny, but now, look at you, a grown man. Anyway, why so sudden? I mean you quitted so suddenly. I thought you already made up your mind.” She said, frowning.
He smiled a bit and played with the car keys on his hand. He’s faced again with that question. He sighed and laughed. Hanney frowned even more. The smile has left her lips.
“It’s a long story actually. Maybe I could tell you some other time. I still need to attend to some matters. Perhaps I could invite you for lunch, if that’s okay? I hope no one would get mad at me for inviting you…” he asked, a simple act of gentlemanliness. After all, she’s her ex.
Her smile returned. He opened the passenger seat for her. She went inside the car.
“You really know how to make a woman smile, Mr. Altamira. I won’t say no to that offer, and unfortunately, no one will get mad at you.” she said. He went to the driver’s seat and revived the engine.
“I doubt that! Who would say no to a Hanney Ley Liu?” he asked, maneuvering the car out of the parking space.
“Well, the likes of you.” she said. He looked at her.
“I’m sorry…”
“Oh, don’t be. It’ll be just a practical joke between us. Besides, we shouldn’t waste our 4 years together because of some break up, WE both agreed upon.” She said, smiling.
He smiled a bit. They went to a fine restaurant. He felt funny.
‘Was it really like that? Don’t you really feel anything to a person you broke up with? I mean, you’ve been together through ups and downs, right? Besides, we never broke up because of a third party. We broke up because she wanted me to pursue my calling to become a priest. But why don’t I feel anything for her anymore?’ he asked himself while staring at Hanney. Yes, he doesn’t feel anything for her anymore. She looked at him.
“I asked what you would like to have.” She said, putting the menu down on the table.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention. What was that?” he asked again, coming back to his senses.
“What would you like to have? You were zoning out. What’s the matter?” she asked.
“Whatever you order is fine, don’t worry, I’ll pay the check because I was the one who invited you.” He said and smiled.
“Okay, we’ll have a serving of sinigang, a platter of chicken buffalo wings for two, rice for two, a pitcher of iced tea, and 2 halo-halo for dessert.” She told the waiter.
“Coming right up, ma’am.” The waiter said and left. She looked at him and crossed her arms on her chest.
“So, why are you zoning out?” she asked him.
“I was just thinking about my exams on Tuesday.” He lied.
“Exams? What exams?” she asked curiously.
“I will take the Civil Service Exams on Tuesday. I’m just thinking about it.”
“Right… so what are your plans, now that you are out of the seminary?” she asked again.
“Well, take the CS Exams, and then learn how to manage the school, and by doing that, probably going to teach for a while.” He said. She nodded. “Enough me, let’s talk about you. What’s your business now? You seemed happy about it.” He said.
“What makes you so sure I am happy?” she asked smiling.
“You’re glowing.” He said. She laughed a bit.
“Well, I am enjoying it actually. It’s the beauty salon and spa I told you about. I finally opened 5 branches around the province. And though it is successful, the books are killing me, and this is the result.” She said laughing.
“Well, I’d say you look very much gorgeous now. I mean, no offense, you look great then, but you look better now.”
“Wow, thank you for saying that.”
Their order came and they started eating.
“So, you said you opened 5 branches already. Where are they located?” he asked.
“In malls, obviously. So one in Santiago, one in Roxas, here at Cauayan, one in Ilagan, and the other is in Tumauini.”
“Wow, you’re indeed successful now. I’m so happy and proud of you.” he said sincerely.
“Thank you. You’re always so thoughtful Arjay. You actually raised my standard with men, do you know that?” she asked. He frowned.
“Why would you even base your standards on me, Hanney? I’m not even that good enough. I’m not successful. I don’t know what to do with my future. The very opposite of you.” he said sincerely. She smiled.
“You are intelligent. You make the right decisions. You focus on the things you wanted to pursue. When you put your mind into something, you make it happen. Plus, you’re handsome and came from a prominent family. Is that your definition of ‘not good enough’? About your future, you just said so yourself: you’re going to learn how to manage your school and teach. Being successful doesn’t need to be seen right away. Arjay, you are a woman’s dream.” She said. He felt guilty. “I’m sorry. I’m not scaring you, aren’t I?” she laughed a bit.
“I’m really sorry, Hanney. I thought it was my calling. I left you all alone.” he said apologetically. His guilt was eating him.
“I told you, it is fine. Besides, I am the one who pushed you through it. I told you if you’re going to pursue your priesthood, I will support you, hundred percent. So it’s really okay with me. Let’s just finished eating our lunch so we could eat the desserts.” She smiled.
They continued eating. When they are done, the waiter came with the halo-halo. They enjoyed the desserts with some jokes and funny stories. At least now, the atmosphere had become lighter. After eating, he asked for the bill and paid for their meal.
“So where should I take you?” he asked her.
“Just dropped me off at the mall entrance.” She smiled.
They both went to the car and get in. He dropped her at the entrance of the mall, anyway that’s the same route he would be taking in going back to his hometown.
Before Hanney get off…
“I just hope you didn’t quit because of a woman. That would really hurt me and my ego.” She said and got off. She waved and went inside the mall. He was left thinking. How would he say it to her then? She already warned him. He sighed and went on his trip.