Chapter Four: Part Two

When she arrived at the cemetery, she got the clay-made cupcake inside her bag. Then, she placed a small candle on the top of it.

“Happy Birthday, Ate Agatha.Here's a cupcake for you.This is your favorite,remember. Sorry, I didn’t know how to make a real one.” She paused for a while, when her phone rang.

“Hi Leni, kumusta ka na?” Red asked her

“I’m good. Why did you call?” She said anxiously.

“I wanted to talk to you. When I went to your house a few weeks ago, your brother told me that you went to the province. Kailan ka ba babalik?”

“Hindi ko pa alam. Baka matagalan pa ako dito. Wait, if this is about the bag, I’m sorry.”

“No, I should be the one to apologize. I know that you just did it because you’re angry at me. Sana hindi mo na lang siya dinamay. Ako na lang sana ang binuhusan mo ng coke. Bakit hindi mo na lang ako kausapin nung time na yun.”

“Red, you have to know that I find it hard to talk to you after we broke up. Stop telling me what to do because I’m not your girlfriend anymore. By the way, this is not the right time to talk about it. I’m in the cemetery. I’m spending some time with Ate Agatha.”

“I’m really sorry. I hope that we could talk when you get back here. Alam ko na may mga bagay tayo na dapat pa rin natin pag-usapan.”

She put her cell phone inside her bag and sat on the grass. Leni really wanted to talk to him but she’s not ready to do so, because the more she hears his voice, the more she recalls the moment that he dumped her.

A few minutes later, Aldo came with a bouquet of flowers.

“Ate Agatha, I’m really sorry for all I’ve done. I really wish that I could turn back time.”

“Don’t worry, she already forgave you Leni. You don’t have to feel guilty anymore.Tapos na yun.” Aldo said as he patted her at the back.

“Ay, nandiyan ka pala…You miss her, don’t you?” Leni asked

“Yes. Even if I had a girlfriend already, naaalala ko pa rin ang pinsan mo” Aldo said as he looked away.

’“I know, hindi talaga siya basta-basta makakalimutan. Matagal kasi ang pinag-samahan niyo eh. You grew up together kasi. Minsan, naisip ko na sana, ganyan kami ng ex ko. By the way, what’s the name of your girlfriend?”

“Her name is Carol, she lives in Manila. I’m going to bring her to Louie’s wedding. Ipapakilala ko siya sa’yo”

“How long have you been dating?”

“Three years….Leni, I’ll be going to Manila next week. May aasikasuhin lang ako. Mong is the one who’ll select the casts. Kayo muna ang bahala dun sa play. Pagbalik ko, kasama ko na si Carol.”

“By the way, did you attend my cousin’s wake? Hindi ko kasi matandaan kung nakita kita .”

“Yes, I was there. Binati nga kita, hindi mo lang ako pinansin.”

Leni nodded and said. “Really? Shucks, I never realized how snobbish I was. Pasensya na.”

“Leni, I have another favor to ask you. Could you visit Lolo Celso while I’m in Manila?”

“Sure, yun lang pala. Aldo, I have to go. Nood muna ako ng mga DVD sa bahay.”

After walking a few steps away, Leni imitated Kiko Matsing’s voice saying, “Paalam,hanggang sa muli.”

Aldo laughed, “Leni, nakaka-ganyan ka ba sa boyfriend mo o sa ibang tao?

“Actually, sa boyfriend ko, hindi.Bakit mo naman natanong?”

“ Nakaka-wala kasi ng poise,ang panget.”

“Sorry po ‘Manong Aldo’. Hindi kasi ako Dalagang Pilipina katulad ng pinsan ko. Inaaliw lang kita, ang drama mo kasi eh…O sige na, mauna na ako, usap muna kayo ni Ate Agatha.”

“Ok, Ingat ka na lang.”