Just For You

SEVEN

Two Years Ago

Victor and I have been close but I feel like we need more. I don’t know how or when I had become so possessive of him and our relationship, but I have. He is totes cool and I think I am being the nagging, annoying girlfriend that people usually jeer about. I am at my parents’ house and Victor is working. Mom has left me and Dodo to visit my Uncle Tyler. Well, his name is Dominic but I prefer Dodo. It's fun but I already miss Victor. I live in Vigan and he is back in Manila. It is not easy for us to meet that often. Others say day long distance is difficult but I feel it can be worked with proper communication.

After 7pm, I received a call from him.

"Hey Lee, I need some help."

"Ya sure, what's up?'

"Well it will be better if we talk through text, please!"

"Okay"

That was weird. He could have just texted me. But then, what does he want to talk about?

Hey, what happened?

Lee, my friend with a car accident.

Oh s**t! Is he okay? Where are you?

Well he is good. I was in the car but now we both are in the city hospital. Anyway, I have some other problems, hope you can help.

Sure. You can ask anything.

Well, I am a little short on cash and I had to pay my rent and some car damage. I will pay you back as soon as I am out of here. I have a minor fracture so it shouldn't take more than a month.

Oh my God, Vi. You don't need to be worried about that right now, you are injured for crying out loud. I am glad it's just a minor fracture. Wait, I will transfer into your bank account.

Thanks Lee. Can I talk to you later, I have to go for some tests.

Yeah sure. Take care Vi.

I immediately rushed to my laptop and opened my profile. f**k, I had less than what I expected. I texted my brother.

Could you lend me $500? I am late on my bills.

Geez, that's lot Lee.

I know, but I can pay before going back to Vigan.

Well, okay. I will send you some.

Bingo! The only best thing about Dodo is never asking too many questions, at least not from me. Mom is already sceptical about my 'freelancing' and the last thing I want is to prove her right. I sent around $650 to Vi. I know his house rent and so it was easy to guess. I opened my spreadsheet and recorded the amount against Dodo and Vi. I don't think Dodo knows, but I keep track of my expenses and also the amount that I have lent him up till this day. He is little over $1217.

Unlike me, Vi is not from a family that is well off. He often mentioned how he had to grow up with an abusive father who would use money to drink. I feel bad for him and somehow he is in deeper s**t than before. My mother is a dentist and Dodo is Programmer so I never faced anything like that. My father was Accountant but his heart gave up when I was seven, so I don't have much recollection of his memories. I help Vi because I know he cares for me and would have done the same if I was in his place. But right now, I worried for him. I know his dad won't show up to hospital as he contacted him since Vi left his home. One of the good things with Vi is he is intelligent, so he could easily get a scholarship when he was studying in college.

I met Vi when I shared a group assignment in SEO and I was thrilled with his ideas. He was focused and innovative, with a really structured plan. Usually I used to get group partners who would slack off and would put their names on paper. He also encouraged me to pursue content writing and media marketing as he said he saw a potential in me. And he was right, I worked hard in my internship and landed a job from home. This was new to my mum and she considered it as a 'part-time' job and asked me to work more to find a real one. So, I moved out and decided to continue my Masters from Open University and stay in Vigan, which has somehow convinced my mother that I do have a real job.

Vi, decided to work in MNC and landed a job in Manila. It has been six months since he left and I miss him. I think I should visit him in hospital. He is alone and despite what he says, he needs some support. I opened my email and realised that in five days I will receive payments from two clients. It will be enough to cover my travelling expenses and pay back to Dodo. That's good. I can stay at Vi's apartment and thus it will reduce my living expenses. I can then travel back to Vigan when he is okay.

Should I ask Vi? I don't think so. He will be upset that I didn't get to spend more time with my family and will ask me to stay back. I will surprise him. I know his apartment address as last month I sent him a birthday gift and he told me the hospital name. I can book a cab and reach there easily. Also, Yasmin lives in Makati. Last time I called she was complaining how I have completely forgotten her. Well, I am not sure about Vi, but Yasmin is going to be thrilled. I searched for a flight from Naga city to Manila. It is on Monday after my payment so that's good. It's around $120 so that's fine. Feeling excited to see Vi and Yasmine, I closed my laptop and began packing.