Somewhere Between Lovers

Love Stop 6

"Shall I pick you up later?" he asked Cameron over the phone as he prepared for work.

He opened the wardrobe and pulled out the white pair of trousers and the Hawaiian top that he had to wear later.

"Thank you, but no need for that. Renz will come with me," she answered.

He smiled when he heard the name. Lawrence Sy is Cameron's constant date and a good friend of his. Boto siya dito para kay Cameron, kaya naman tiwala siya na ito ang nakakasama ng dalaga.

"Getting serious, eh?" He heard her laugh on the other line.

"He's a nice guy, Mason, and I want to thank you for introducing us to each other." He can really tell that Cameron is happy right now. "But we are taking a step at a time. We are not in a hurry, anyway."

"Parehong pareho kayo nang sinabi ni Lawrence. Pinag-usapan nyo ba yang sasabihin sa akin?" natatawang tanong niya.

"Connection, perhaps?" He knows that she's grinning. "Alam mo ba minsan, hindi namin sinasadya na pareho ng shade ang suot namin. It happened a couple of times. So I may be right with the link between the two of us."

"Nothing to argue with that, I think," he said, looking at his wristwatch to check the time. "Cam, I have to leave. Just call me in case something comes up. See you later at the wedding." Then he ended the call.

He placed the wireless earphone on his ear and scooped the helmet from the rack. He decided to use his big bike, as it would be easier for him to come back to prepare for the event later.

Today is Ross and Anton's wedding. The couple came back from the States to tie the knot. Messie and May will be married by next week.

Napapangiti at natutuwa siya sa isiping nagkatuluyan ang dalawang pares ng kaibigan niya. After all these years, they stayed close to each other. Ang nawala lang sa grupo nila ay si Prox at hindi nila alam kung nasaan ito ngayon. And Louise is keeping mum about it. Halos ayaw nitong pag-usapan ang ex-boyfriend. Mukhang malalim talaga ang dahilan nang paghihiwalay ng dalawa.

"Speaking of the beauty," he smirked and pressed the answer button on the earphone. "I was just thinking about you..."

"I can sense that," Natatawang said. "Anyway, I need to speak to you about being my model again for the new sports gear that I am working on."

"Kuripot ka rin, ano? Why don't you get professionals to wear your creations?" biro niya sa kaibigan.

He placed his phone on the holder of his motorcycle and rode on it.

"You're a very effective endorser, don't you know that? And besides, my wonders look good on you. Kita mo naman, nabibili internationally ang mga damit na ginagawa ko, and that is thanks to you!" Hindi niya maiwasang mapangiti dahil doon. "Because of you, known guys are wearing it, and hearing their feedback about it made me choose you again. At wag ka ngang ano dyan! I've been paying you more than those models!" Bulalas nito.

He laughs, then puts on the helmet and starts the engine. "Magtataas na ako ng talent fee," biro niya sa kaibigan.

Sumaludo sa kaniya ang guwardya nang pagbuksan siya nito ng gate. Tumango siya bilang sagot dito.

"Okay. Triple the last time; would that be enough? And additional pay when you appear on the ramp, a few months from now," sabi pa nito na ikinagulat niya.

"Wait, I think I am not ready for that, Lou. I am not a model, for Pete's sake!" bulalas niya.

Nasa main road na siya nang mga sandaling iyon at nagsisimula na ang pagbigat ng trapiko. Tama lang talaga na nag-motor siya papasok sa trabaho.

"You can carry yourself well, Mason. Just stand there and walk. It will not even take a minute on stage." He knows that she's smiling, knowing how much he hates her idea.

"Less than a minute for every freakin' outfit," and there he heard her laugh. "Prints are fine, but about the runway..."

"Think about it first before saying no, will you?" He puffs at what she said. "Oh, I forgot to tell you that the twins will walk with you. I already informed Cameron yesterday, but she told me to ask you first, which,, of course, you will agree to."

"And how sure are you that I will not refuse?" His lips twisted while asking that.

"Because I am their mother, and you love me," he laughs at what she said. "Am I right, or am I right?"

"You really know when to use your sweet words against me, Doll." He really cannot help but smile. "Let's talk about it tomorrow if you're free. And about the twins' contract, I have some demands to be written on it."

"The twins will be protected because they are my kids; you know that. I will not expose my own," mataray na sabi nito sa kanya. "As for the talent fee, don't you worry about that. They will be well compensated, and they will receive a higher fee than you."

"SERIOUSLY, ERICA LOUISE?!" nanlalaki ang mga mata niya.

Tumawa ito nang malakas. "Of course, I am dead serious! Ciao, Love. Take care. See you later at the church!" At bago pa man siya makapag-salita ay pinutol na nito ang tawag.

Natatawang napapailing na lang siya. That lady has a lot on her head.

Nang makarating siya sa workshop ay busy na ang mga tauhan niya sa kani-kaniyang trabaho.

"Marlon, kumusta na ang anak mo?" Tanong niya sa isang mekaniko nang lapitan niya ito.

"Okay na po, Bossing. Nakalabas na po kahapon sa ospital. Maraming salamat po sa tulong," kitang kita ang saya sa mukha nito.

"That's good to know," tinapik niya ito sa balikat. "Ingatan nyong maigi para huwag nang magkasakit ulit." Tumango ito at muling nagpasalamat sa kanya. "Oy Nestor! Congrats, first time, Dad!" Niyakap naman niya ang pintor na magsisimula na sanang magpintura ng kotse.

"Salamat, Boss," ang aliwalas ng mukha nito. Ang laki ng ngiti, abot sa magkabilang tenga. "Nakalalaki agad!"

"Hindi naman nahirapan sa panganganak si Misis?" Tanong pa niya.

"Sa awa po ng Diyos, hindi naman. Lumabas agad si Junior isang ire pa lang ni Misis," tawanan ang mga nakarinig sa sinabi nito. "Tsaka Boss, maraming salamat sa maagang pakimkim," hinawakan nito ang kamay niya at nagmano.

"Loko! Nauna lang yun para sa binyag, hindi na ako magbibigay," lalong lumakas ang tawanan ng mga tauhan niya. Kakamot kamot naman sa ulo si Nestor.

Ipinalakpak niya ang dalawang kamay. "May kailangan ba akong tignan sa mga ginagawa natin?"

"Boss," tawag sa kanya ni Pitoy. "Ipa-check ko lang po sana sa inyo ung design ng sports car ni Sir Rufus. Para kasing may kulang," ini-abot nito sa kanya ang hawak nitong ipad. "Padadagdagan ko lang po ng design na babagay."

Doon nagsimula ang araw niya. Lahat ng pwede niyang tugunan ngayong umaga hanggang makapananghali ay ginawa na niya agad.

"Mom, dumating na po ba ang mga bata?" Tanong niya sa ina na nasa kabilang linya.

"Halos kararating lang. Na-traffic daw sila," said Nito. "Pinapakain ko na para makapag-pahinga."

"Thank you, Mom. Kapag po nakapagpahinga na sila, pwede na po kayong magpunta sa hotel. Nandun na ang mag-aayos sa kanila. Si Dad po ba, nakauwi na?" Tanong pa niya.

"Kakapasok lang ng sasakyan sa garahe. Hindi ka ba makakasabay sa amin?" Tanong naman nito sa kanya.

"Hindi na po. May kailangan lang akong tapusin ngayon. I'll make sure to be there before the ceremony," sagot niya habang binabasa ang mga papeles na hawak niya.

Listahan iyon ng mga spare parts na kailangan nilang bilhin para sa mga sasakyan.

"Sige, mag-ingat ka. May pagkain dito. Siguraduhin mong kakain ka bago umalis," napangiti siya sa bilin nito. Kahit na may edad na siya ay hindi pa rin nagbabago ang kanyang ina sa pagiging maalalahanin. "Ay, siya nga pala. May dumating na balikbayan box dito galing kay Violet. Malamang para na naman iyan sa mga bata. Pakisabi sa kanya, maraming salamat, ha."

"She didn't tell me about that!" Natutuwa siya sa pagka-generous ng nobya lalo na pagdating sa kambal. "I will tell her, Mom."

Nang matapos niyang kausapin ang ina ay agad niyang tinawagan si Violet. Tawa ito nang tawa ng sabihin niyang pati sya ay na-surprise sa package nito.

"I appreciate your love and generosity towards the kids, but I know that you have..."

"Mahal..." Pinutol nito ang anumang sasabihin niya. "Inipon ko ang mga iyan para sa inyo nang paunti-unti. Hindi ko iyan binili nang biglaan gaya ng iniisip mo kaya huwag ka nang mag-alala, okay?"

Napangiti siya habang naiiling. Alam naman niya na hindi ito mapipigilan kahit pang ano ang sabihin niya.

"You're going to the wedding today, right? Send my love to Anton and Ross."

"I really wish you're here," nakaramdam siya nang lungkot pero kailangan niyang paglabanan iyon dahil sa susunod na linggo ay naka-sched na silang mag-aama na lumipad patungong New Zealand para dalawin ang nobya.

"Ilang months na lang, I'll be there," kukuhanin na kasi nito ang mga lolo at lola upang makasama na nitong manirahan sa abroad. "Magkikita na ulit tayo."

"Ready yourself for me, okay?" He naughtily said this to her.

"Always ready for you, Mahal," nakikini-kinita niya ang pagngiti nito. "Paano, I have to go. I need to finish some work. Ingat pag-uwi, okay? I love you."

"I love you more. I'll send you some pictures of the wedding later. Take care," and he ended the call.