Love At First Sit

by Ysa Arcangel

  “Nah, I don’t have any.” The man shook his head. “I heard your heated conversation with your friend over there.” He tipped his glass towards Anthony.

  “He’s ridiculous. He doesn’t know her. And I should know better ‘cause I came from a blended family.”

  The hypnotic thump of the bass and the flash of the strobe lights attracted people to the dancefloor. Bodies pressed against each other, grinding to the sound of upbeat pop music blaring through the speaker.

  Wish wiped down the bar again after the women got up and headed to the dancefloor.

  “Just follow your heart. It will get you where you need to be,” the man told him.

  Wish looked up. He realized, startled, that the old man had the same gray eyes as him.

  Someone pulled out one of the bar stools and Wish went over to attend to his next customer.

  The cowboy was already gone when he went back, leaving him a generous $200 tip with a note on top of the bill: “For Aloysius.”

  Had Wish even told the man his name? Was he an angel?

  By the time he got to his condo unit, he was exhausted. He took a shower to erase the sweat, haze, and stench of alcohol from the bar. Settling into bed, he stared up at the ceiling, thinking of Roxanne.

  Wish recalled his mom once telling him that he’d changed her life for the better.

  If that’s baggage...he’d gladly carry it.

  Chapter Eight

  Panty-melting Voice

  The rest of the night at work was pretty much the same as always. Roxanne kept herself at her desk and tried to focus on her job. She was good at it, though her mind was elsewhere. It did, however, allow her to keep to herself.

  She was mad at Chris, but mostly, she was mad at herself for still feeling the way she had before.

  When she arrived home, she walked into her children’s room and saw them soundly asleep. The hurt came back to her, remembering the look in Chris’ eyes when he promised her that he’d take care of her no matter what.

  He never did.

  He broke her stupid, naive heart. Even now.

  She remembered it like yesterday, the feeling of complete rejection. He broke his promise without a second thought. She had gotten it all wrong. But she was older now and wiser than ever before. Her heart would never break again.

  Roxanne crawled to her bed and squeezed her eyes shut. She felt sick. Like bile was crawling up from her gut. It tightened all around her insides and churned her up, leaving a disgusting taste in her mouth.

  Her phone buzzed. She rolled onto her back and searched for her phone blindly with her hand. She squinted from the light coming off the screen. A text from Wish.

  Wish: That breakfast was a blast! Wanna do it again?

  Roxanne: Haha, yeah! You think we had a good time? Because the guy I was hanging out with was really boring.

  Wish: That’s weird cause I heard he was pretty awesome, hot and sexy. You should have met the girl I was with, her daddy must be a terrorist because she’s DA BOMB!

  Roxanne: Whoa, it’s a good thing she didn’t blow your mind.

  Wish: She did!

  Roxanne: lol

  Wish: Hey buddy, are you free?

  Roxanne: Buddy? You’re calling me names now.

  Wish: Why? Do you prefer babe?

  Roxanne: Buddy sounds better. Free? Tomorrow?

  Wish: For the rest of your life?

  Roxanne: lol! Get some sleep, Wish! I had a wonderful time, and in truth, you’re not boring at all.

  Wish: Wait! Call a doctor, please!

  Roxanne: What? Why?!

  Wish: I’m having a stroke! I think you just smiled after reading my last message!

  Roxanne: lol! You got me there, huh, but that’s not funny! No doctor joke!

  Wish: Sorry…Now you need to come over and spank me! I’ve been very, very bad!

  Roxanne: Come over here tomorrow, I’ll kiss your ass!

  Wish: What?!

  Roxanne: Fuckin’ autocorrect! That supposed to be I’ll kick your ass.

  Wish: lol, goodnight buddy.

  Roxanne: Goodnight Wish xoxo

  Wish: XOXO what’s that supposed to mean?

  Roxanne: Haha! Don’t you know that? Hugs and kisses.

  Wish: Ahh okay, well then XOXOZZZZ

  Roxanne: LOLROTF&ICGU

  Wish: Now, what the hell does that means?

  Roxanne: Laughing Out Loud Rolling On The Floor & I Can’t Get Up

  Wish: GAHOY!

  Roxanne: What was that?

  Wish: Get A Hold Of Yourself! lol Serious now. Can I pick you up tomorrow? Dinner before we both go to work?

  She thought for a moment before replying. It took her a few seconds, and when she was about to, her phone rang. Heart leaping, she picked up. “Hello?”

  “Hey,” whispered a voice, heavy with sleep, and automatically Roxanne smiled at the sound of his bedroom voice. “Why didn’t you respond to my text?”

  His voice was warm, and she could almost feel his lips against her as goosebumps rose all over her body.

  Roxanne sat up from her bed, nudging the phone into the crook between her cheek and shoulder.

  She was aware of how unsteady her breathing was, how her hair was probably sticking up in all directions, and how her voice would sound, and all the other little things she suddenly became insecure about.

  “Um...about the dinner. Sorry, but I can’t,” she muffled, biting her lip.

  “Buddy, it’s not a DATE, okay?” Wish said, putting emphasis on the word. “Chill.”

  “As much as I want to, I’m on leave tomorrow. My mom is coming from Belgium. We’re picking her up at the airport,” she explained.

  “Oh, I see. What time is she arriving?”

  “Tomorrow afternoon.”

  “You could use a ride. What time shall I pick you up?” he offered.

  “It’s okay, don’t bother, Wish.”

  “Don’t worry, we’re going to use my Dad’s SUV. It’s the latest model of Toyota Innova.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, okay? It’s not about the car.” Roxanne laughed.

  “Then, I insist,” he said in deep timbre. A kind of rich, smooth, panty-melting voice.

  “Okay,” Roxanne agreed, sighing softly, unable to find any reason to refuse.

  “I’ll be expecting you at noon sharp.”

  “Aye aye, captain!” Wish said cheerfully. “Goodnight, buddy.”

  “Goodnight, Wish.”

  Roxanne found herself grinning from ear-to-ear. She wasn’t sure what was happening between them, but she liked the feeling. It was a feeling she’d been lacking for so many years.

  But was Wish content being her friend? She didn’t think so, but she still needed him that way.

  She fell asleep with the smile still on her face.

  Chapter Nine

  Meet the Mom

  Wish appeared at her door and her heart almost stopped. She stared at the man in front of her. He seemed like a well-to-do businessman wearing a white polo over a pair of khaki casual trousers, with brownish slicked back hair sitting above a handsome face with those bright eyes and cute little dimples.

  “Hey,” he greeted her.

  “Hey.” She barely had time to register anything else before Wish brought her back down to earth.

  “Ready?”

  “Um...yeah,” she nodded. “W-who are you? What did you do to Wish?”

  “Why? Can’t a tattooed guy look decent?” Wish glanced down at himself.

  “No! I mean, yes. You look good and overly proper.” Roxanne laughed a little. “I didn’t know you were really coming. Why don’t you come in? I’m just waiting for the kids to finish lunch.” Roxanne turned around and took a needed step to breathe.

  Wish followed her inside the house. He saw the kids eating at the dining table and smiled at them, waving.

  “Sorry, the house is quite a mess. You know, if you have kids loitering around you really can’t tidy your home anyway. They will keep on p
laying and mess up everything,” Roxanne said while taking out the garbage.

  “No, it’s fine, really. Don’t worry about it. I used to take care of my younger siblings. This is not new to me at all,” Wish said, looking at the pictures on the wall.

  “Kain po tayo,” Tinay invited him to join them to eat; a usual custom when visiting a Filipino home during meal time.

  “Thank you, I’ve already eaten.” Wish nodded and gave the nanny an appreciative smile.

  “Please have a seat. Just ten more minutes, promise,” Roxanne gestured to the sofa.

  “Thanks,” Wish smiled. “It’s okay, no worries.”

  Roxanne went over to the table and attend to her kids. Her world revolved around them.

  “This is Maximus and Daniella.” The introduction was making her feel uneasy.

  But she wasn’t really dating Wish. So, introducing him to the kids shouldn’t have been a big deal. Yet, Roxanne feared that when she introduced the children to someone, the children might assume it actually meant something, and then if the man disappeared, they might feel rejected.

  He was just a friend, she assured herself.

  “Say hi to Wish. He is Mommy’s friend.”

  “Hi,” the twins greeted in unison.

  “Hi, kiddos.” Wish smiled fondly.

  The twins finished their meal and huddled around Wish when Roxanne went to the sink to help Tinay with the dishes.

  “Do you work with Mommy at the call center?” Maximus asked.

  “No, I’m her bartender friend.”

  “Where do you live Tito Wish?” Daniella sat on his lap and asked. Her vocabulary was advanced for her age, and she was very inquisitive, like her mother.

  Tito Wish? Roxanne heard Daniella as she brought the last plates to the kitchen.

  “My family lives in Baguio, but I’m currently staying at my condo in Cubao. I go home every week to spend the weekend with them.”

  “Where is Baguio?” Maximus asked.

  “It’s far from here. The weather in Baguio is cold. There’s fog, grilled corn, peanut brittle, pine trees and strawberries. It’s a beautiful place.”

  “I want to go to Baguio!” Daniella squealed. “Mommy! Let’s go to Baguio!” she shouted.

  Wish chuckled. “Okay, okay, I’ll take you there one day.”

  Roxanne giggled.

  “Were you the one who drove our Mommy home from the party?” Daniella asked Wish.

  “I...I think so,” He shrugged, unsure of how to answer.

  “Mommy said you wouldn’t like her for sure. She said you would go for someone beautiful and single,” Daniella said.

  Roxanne heard. “Max, Danny, go brush your teeth NOW!” She kept her eyes down. “Sorry about that.”

  Wish walked up to her. There was a tiny space between. All Roxanne would have to do was to look up and they would be kissing.

  “Remember that you deserve to have someone who loves you in part for being a mom, not despite it,” he said in a very soft voice, almost a whisper.

  She smiled sadly, keeping her gaze on her feet, unable to look at him in the eye.

  Tenderly, he raised his hand to her chin and lifted it. She watched him read the unspoken invitation in her eyes.

  “Mommy, we’re done,” Maximus spoke from behind, causing them to jump.

  “Ah yeah, w-we better go.” Roxanne shook her head to clear it. She took a step back and grabbed her bag on the sofa.

  They finally arrived at the airport, after being stuck in a traffic for what seemed like forever. It was an extremely hot day in Manila, not like they weren’t used to it, but it was scorching forty degrees Celsius hot.

  That day, Roxanne got to see a face she hadn’t seen in a while. A face she’d missed and never really knew if she would see again. They would video call often, but it wouldn’t do justice to physically being with each other. She was nervous and excited.

  They waited at the greeters’ area, a building outside of the airport opposite the arrival lobby, where they sat on benches on the second floor. Most seats, however, were taken, and a lot of people ended up standing while watching out for whomever they were fetching. Wish stood near the information screen, watching for the arrival of SV864.

  “Is she there yet?” Maximus asked, anxious.

  Roxanne glanced at the information screen and checked the aircraft arrivals. “Her flight hasn’t arrived yet, Max,” she sighed, ruffling his hair. “Ma is very tightfisted with money. She could have flown with KLM and we could have waited at Terminal 3 rather than here. So freakin’ hot and crowded.” Roxanne fanned herself with her hand.

  “Hey, Tito Wish.” Daniella walked over to him and tugged on his hand.

  “Hm?”

  “I’m hungry,” Daniella mouthed, and as if on cue, her stomach growled.

  “C’mon, let’s get you some food.” Wish held the girl’s hand. They went over to where Roxanne was seated, playing a game on her phone, and tapped her shoulder. “Want some food?”

  “Nah, I’m good.” She gratefully smiled. She turned to Tinay, gave her some money and said, “Go with them and buy them some food.”

  Wish quickly dismissed her order. “No, I got it. Come on, kids.”

  There were three concessionaires inside the building, including one generic food stall, a shop popular for its coffee buns and toast, and also one of the largest food chains in the Philippines.

  The twins dragged him to the food chain that had a bee mascot dressed in a red blazer, shirt, and chef’s hat. They ordered a value meal served with burgers, fries, and soda.

  The arrival of several aircraft, particularly from Hong Kong, Dubai, and the U.S. started accumulating in the main terminal building with balikbayans[9].

  “SV864 has arrived. Come on, let’s go down,” Roxanne announced.

  The ground floor area where passengers met up was crowded. She tried to peek over the shoulders of the people that stood in front of them waving excitedly to their loved ones.

  “That’s her!” Roxanne exclaimed when she saw a woman in her mid-fifties with a slim figure and dyed blond hair descending the terminal.

  She had the urge to cross over to the arrival area and personally fetch her mother. She knew her even from afar. Even after twelve long years.

  “Mommy, I can’t see!” Daniella complained, and Roxanne lifted her. “There’s Mommy Lola, look!”

  Wish saw Maximus standing on his tip toes, so he reached down and lifted him into his arms.

  Roxanne frantically waved her hand high in the air in hopes that her mother would see her. When she finally got her attention, her mother ran over to them. She looked on the brink of tears.

  Roxette, Roxanne’s mother, pulled her only child into a tight hug that almost made her topple over as she tried to keep her balance with Daniella on her arms.

  “Mano po, Ma.” Roxanne took her mother’s hand and brought it to her forehead. She looked she was about to break down and cry in the middle of the airport. “We’re so glad you’re back,” Roxanne said in between each gasp.

  “It’s great to be back, and I’m not leaving ever again.” Her mother pursed her lips and hugged her tight, nodding vigorously as she took Daniella from Roxanne’s arms. “You’re such a big girl now,” she said, nuzzling her hair. “Maximus, apo, come here.”

  Wish released Maximus from his arms, and that was when she noticed him.

  Roxette’s eyes slid to Roxanne with a questioning look, then back to Wish, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

  “Um...this is my friend. He was kind enough to let us borrow his car to get you,” Roxanne explained.

  “Aloysius po[10], but you can call me Wish. Welcome back Mrs. Ma—”

  “Just call me Tita Roxette,” she said, holding out a hand. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to kiss or shake it.

  “Make mano. Go,” Roxanne said in low voice.

  “Huh?” he asked, a little dumbfounded, and then it dawned on him. He immediately took Roxette’s hand. “Mano
po,” he said as he pressed his forehead to the back of her hand.

  “Good,” Roxette muttered. “Let’s go home; I’m so tired.”

  “I’ll get the car,” Wish told Roxanne, giving her mother a small smile as he went over to the parking area.

  Roxette started singing a line from “When You Wish Upon A Star” while they stood waiting.

  “Ma!” Roxanne cut her off.

  “What? I’m just singing.”

  Roxanne rolled her eyes, yet couldn’t help but laugh.

  “We have a lot of things to talk about, Roxanne Virginia.”

  “Like a lot.” Roxanne smiled at the woman she idolized.

  The drive back to the house was filled with questions from Roxanne’s mother. All sorts of questions a mother should be asking a young man who wanted to court her daughter.

  “It’s a good thing you see the children not as some sort of living carryover but as human beings you’d want to share your life with, should you get involved with a single parent,” Roxette said.

  Roxanne felt like she was sinking into her seat.

  “It’s a personal choice,” said Wish, keeping his eyes straight on the road. “My mom never once saw me as baggage, but rather as the other half of her. I think when someone accepts someone for who they are, they will be a lot happier, and maybe love the person even more.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Roxanne caught him shooting a glance her way. Her lips curved into a smile.

  “Ma, you should take some rest. The traffic is getting worse.” Roxanne tried to change the topic.

  Roxette lifted a teasing eyebrow as she positioned Maximus and Daniella’s heads comfortably on her thighs, both of them fast asleep.