All This Time

The sky couldn’t get any bluer than his feelings. That’s what entered his mind as he crossed his arms watching the view from his window, seven floors above the bustling street in one of the city’s fast-growing sections.

After two years, he’s back in the city, once again a willing prisoner of the concrete walls encasing his condo unit. Just when he thought they have no properties left, his mother, God bless her soul, surprised him by holding on to this piece of property smack dabbed in the middle of Metro Manila.

His deceased mother clung to the last piece of property their family possessed. Even if they needed the money for her medical bills, Kairo

had no idea about it. Only after his mother’s death did he found out about the condominium unit. His mother couldn’t bear to part with the property because it was supposedly Kairo’s graduation present from his father.

Now that both of his parents are gone, Kairo inherited the last of the Lee’s property in the city. That and the small piece of land where their bungalow-type abode stands are the last of the properties the Lee’s had.

If not for his mother’s insistence that he continue his education in the city, Kairo wouldn’t have had transferred. He’s contented living in the province, away from the maddening traffic, pollution and noise. But his mother made him promise to pursue what he loves the most: film.

Kairo sighed once again. It has been only five months since his last remaining parent passed away because of cancer. Two months before his high school graduation, his mother lost the fight for her life, leaving him an orphan. And he’s here because of the promise he made at his mother’s death bed.

His thoughts were cut off when he heard his phone ring. Lines appeared on his forehead when he saw an unknown number on the screen. Kairo paused, debating with himself. But then, it might be important. His thumb swiped at the screen.

“Kairo Lee! How dare you! You’re back in the city and yet you had the nerve to hide from me? I thought we’re friends!”

Kairo was taken aback by the voice belonging to a woman. She’s almost screaming his ears off.

“Who’s this?” he asked, puzzled.

“It’s me, Patricia! Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me, too?”

In his entire twenty years, he knew only one Patricia. That same Patricia who’s connected with a certain someone he’s been trying hard to forget for the past two years. Kairo swallowed, chest thundering a little with the thought.

“H-Hi! How come you know my number?”

“Hmp! I thought I saw you at St. Blaise’s University earlier. Then to confirm, I asked from the Student Affair’s Office if there’s a student named Kairo Lee. Got your number from them. I told them you left something important. Imagine my surprise when I found out you’re indeed registered in my uni!”

“Ah, okay.”

“So, when are we meeting? Coffee date, what say you? I missed you, Kairo. You disconnected all sorts of communication when you moved to your mother’s province. I know the breakup with Gavin was one of the reasons why you cut me off. But it has been two years, and I am still your friend.”

A sense of guilt assaulted Kairo. Patricia is Gavin’s best friend. When he broke up with Gavin, all he wanted was to forget everything that has something to do with the man. Unfortunately, Patricia was one of them. It was unfair for her because Patricia had shown him nothing but genuine friendship and care.

It’s just he was too hurt and confused to think things straight. And by the time he saw reason, the gap he purposely put between them had grown immensely, in ways both literal and figurative. It was then that he felt shame, enough to prevent him from reaching out to patch things up with Patricia.

“I know it’s kind of late but I’m sorry. Sorry for pushing you away.”

Silence followed. A few seconds passed until he heard Patricia draw in an audible breath.

“You’re not forgiven unless you agree on a coffee date.”

“B-But...”

He couldn’t voice out his primary concern. What if she’s with Gavin? What would he do? Gavin and Patricia share a deep bond which originated from way back their childhood. He’s not ready yet to face Gavin. Although he already half-expected it because of Patricia’s presence, Kairo knew deep within that he’s not ready.

“You’re worried about Gavin? Don’t worry, I won’t tell him. Promise, it will be just us. I will not subject you to an awkward situation involving your ex. Moving on has no specific time frame, and I am not sure if you’ve the past behind. I will not a stress-enabler for you. So please say yes?”

Since Patricia seemed to get every base covered, Kairo doesn’t have any choice left but to agree.

“Alright. Where are we meeting?”

Kairo’s eyes drifted to the face of the wall clock mounted on top of display table near the wide glass windows to his left. It read eight after three in the afternoon.

“Do you live far from SBU? There is a coffee shop two blocks from the campus called Tia Paz. You’ll like it there because the ambiance is cozy and the crowd there is not loud.”

“Okay. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

“Bye, love. See you!”

“Okay.”

It took him exactly thirty minutes to get to the place. He immediately saw Patricia seated by the glass windows at the farther end of the coffee shop. Her smile was wide as she welcomed him with open arms, and finally a warm hug.

“Look at you. God, you’ve grown taller than the last time. And of course, a lot more good looking. I see that living in the province has been good to you.”