Love At First Sit

by Ysa Arcangel

  At noon, they had lunch at Rancho Norte in the Ketchup Community, where they ordered Sizzling Crispy Sisig, Tapang Kabayo, and Tamarind juice. That was a gastronomic haven!

  After, they headed to Camp John Hay, noticeably the only place in the city that was still dotted with pine trees, lacing the cool air with a refreshing scent. They’d taken a few shots and group pictures, then headed out to their next destination.

  When they arrived at St. Lourdes Grotto, Wish gave them a choice of either walking up the long flight of stairs (which many people walk up in penance for their sins) or having the car take them at least halfway.

  Roxette decided to walk. Maximus ended up clinging to Wish’s back while Daniella’s mother cradled her all the way up. The kids enjoyed the almost 300 step climb while taking short breaks to take more pictures. It was tiring, but fulfilling upon reaching the top where they had the chance to meditate and pray.

  “I wasn’t expecting such a scenic view on top. Really, it was not easy to climb up here, but was all worth it,” Roxanne sighed. Wish stared at her.

  “It’s beautiful,” he whispered.

  She looked up at him and their eyes met.

  “Um, let’s go?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” nodded Roxanne, dazed. “We’d better go.”

  Their next stop was at the Tam-awan village. It was like a museum portraying the life of the Igorots.

  Last, they visited the strawberry farm located in the nearby town of La Trinidad, Benguet. As they arrived, peddlers of strawberry flavored ice cream and taho greeted them.

  “You want to try them?” Wish asked the twins.

  “Yes, please!” Daniella jumped in excitement. “I want strawberry ice cream!”

  “Me too!” Maximus grabbed his hand, almost dragging Wish to the vendor.

  “How about you, Tita?” Wish asked Roxette.

  Roxette shook her head.

  Wish eyed Roxanne, pointing to the ice cream. Roxanne nodded.

  “Naimbag a bigat[14],” Wish greeted the vendor. “Four ice creams, please.”

  The vendor scooped four strawberry ice cream scoops and the twins jumped with glee.

  “Here you go, kids,” Wish said as he handed over the ice creams.

  As they were walking down the sidewalk, Daniella was about to lick her treat, but she tripped, causing it to fall to the ground. The little girl stared at the splattered ice cream and tears welled up in her eyes. She began to cry.

  Wish bent down. “Here, you can have mine.”

  Daniella stopped crying. She looked at him and smiled. “Thank you, Tito Wish.” She took the ice cream and began licking it. “How about you?”

  “Nah, your smile is all the ice cream I need.”

  Roxanne’s heart swelled.

  To pick their own strawberries, they had to pay 350 pesos per kilo. They were given three baskets to load with their pickings.

  Wish taught the twins to twist and pull upwards and they easily got the hang of it.

  Roxanne started picking at the far end of the field. She turned her head to look at Wish, who was busy assisting the kids.

  She imagined he was walking toward her with a sweet smile. He would tell her to open her mouth. Once she did, he would rest one of the reddest strawberries against her bottom lip, tracing the curve of her mouth with the tip.

  She imagined that she would try to close her mouth, but he would beg her to keep it open, entrancing her with the fragrance of the ripened fruit. Just when her lips were puckered enough with desire, he would take the strawberry away and nip off the tip of it with his teeth, placing the end in his mouth, and then as Roxanne’s mouth followed the action to find the strawberry, he would place his mouth there instead, and—

  “Hey, you okay?”

  Roxanne’s reverie was shattered by the gentle voice of Wish. Her eyes came back into focus, and she saw Wish standing there, watching her.

  She chuckled. “I was….I was just enjoying the view.”

  Wish nodded and went back helping the kids.

  Things continued to ease between them as they toured around Baguio.

  Wish took them to his family’s house for dinner. He nervously pulled into his parent’s driveway

  As soon as he turned off the vehicle, Wish’s parents came out of the house.

  “Oh, you must be Roxanne.” Precious, Wish’s mother, kissed her on the cheek. “Look at her, Paco, she’s gorgeous.”

  Roxette looked over at her daughter, furrowing her brow in amusement.

  Wish was turning beet red.

  “My, Dy, this is Tita Roxette.” He introduced Roxanne’s mother.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs...” Paco, Wish’s father, extended his hand and trailed off, not knowing how to address her.

  “Roxette is fine,” she replied, and took his hand.

  “And you can call me Precy,” Wish’s mother said, smiling brightly and giving her a friendly hug. “It’s lovely to meet you,” she added, stepping away. “So you must be your mother’s cute little angels?” Precy bent down to the children’s eye level and smiled fondly at them. “And what are your names?”

  “My name is Daniella. Mano po.” She took Precy’s hand and brought it to her forehead.

  “And you are?”

  “I’m Maximus!” Maximus took her hand to make mano too.

  Precy beamed and ruffled his hair before she stood up.

  “I hope you don’t mind us barging in. Your son was kind enough to invite us to your home. He said you cook the best Pinikpikan,” Roxette said.

  “Of course not, but the Pinikpikan, I think I’m doing a good job,” Precy couldn’t hide her smile on her face as she looked at her husband’s fat belly. “Any friend of Wish is a friend of our family. Come inside, dinner will be ready soon,” Precy beckoned as they walked into a warm, delightful-smelling home.

  They gave a quick tour of the inside, showing them the kitchen and living room. The inside of the house was just as beautiful as the outside, and Roxanne couldn’t help but smile at the number of family photos the Gregorios had hanging on their walls.

  Roxette and Roxanne helped Precy set the table while Paco took the kids to their small backyard farm where his children were.

  “Table settings?” Wish asked, surprised. “Just how special is this dinner going to be, My?”

  “Roxanne is here, that’s how special it is.”

  Roxanne flushed as she cleared the awkwardness out of her throat.

  Soon, the Gregorios, Roxette, Roxanne and her children were seated around the large mahogany table in the dining room.

  As they started their first course, Precy asked, “So how’s your Baguio tour?”

  “Well, it was tiring, but enjoyable. We really had fun today, and tomorrow’s itinerary will be at Burnham Park and Baguio Public market to buy souvenirs,” Roxette said.

  After dinner was finished, Roxanne helped clear the table. She took the plates to the sink and started washing dishes.

  “You don’t need to do that, Roxanne,” Precy assured her. “Really, just relax.”

  “I don’t mind,” she smiled.

  “Your mother taught you well,” Precy said, and stepped out of the kitchen.

  Wish quickly made his way over to help, grabbing a towel to dry the plates.

  “My family seems to like you. Let’s not get carried away, okay? It’s not because I don’t want to,” Wish said.

  Roxanne just shook her head and chuckled in response.

  Wish made sure their trip to Baguio was relaxing and comfortable. It was a weekend to remember.

  Their journey to love might not be an easy one, but he’d make sure it would be a memorable trip.

  Chapter Fourteen

  You Got Me

  For the first time in five years, Roxanne understood what she had been missing. As the days went on, there was no denying the inevitable. She was slowly opening up herself.

  Roxanne felt different, a good type of different. It felt like a weight had be
en lifted off of her shoulders, bringing a smile back to her face, something she hadn’t had in a long time.

  She had reached the point where she was beginning to believe that she might finally be returning to something resembling her former self. She believed she had taken the first steps to move on.

  She had been heartbroken. But she could handle being hurt. She was more concerned about her children.

  Wish was becoming a constant presence in their home. He was helping her set up the restaurant, run errands, play around with the kids and get them to sleep.

  Take it slow, Roxanne. Get to know him. Give him a chance, she told herself.

  “I’m here!”

  “Mommy!” The twins ran to her.

  “How’re my favorite villains?” Roxanne said, lifting the twins with her strong arms, finally home from the restaurant debacle. “Mommy had a long day.” She kissed their foreheads.

  “Mommy let’s play,” said Maximus.

  Daniella wiggled from her grip. She went down from her arms and ran to get her notebook.

  “Just give Mommy some time to rest.” She sat Maximus down on her lap and brushed his hair with her fingers.

  “Mommy, teacher told me to give you this.” Daniella handed over her notebook and sat beside her.

  Roxanne flipped through the pages, and what caught her attention was a receipt stapled on one of its leaves showing a paid tuition fee.

  “Ma,” Roxanne called. “Ma!” When she got no response, she assumed her mother might be sleeping. She got up and opened the door of her room very slowly.

  She slipped inside. “What?” Roxette peeked one eye open to the sight of Roxanne looking down at her. “I’m trying to get some sleep.”

  “Ma, did you pay the twins’ tuition?” Roxanne showed her the receipt.

  “Huh?” She sat down on the wood frame bed, pressing her palms into the cushion. She took out the notebook and looked at the receipt. “I didn’t pay for this. I was planning to, but someone must’ve beat me to it.”

  “Ma, you think it’s him?” Roxanne’s voice quivered.

  “It could be him. Chris finally came to his senses.” The anxiety she’d seen so many times on Roxanne’s face resurfaced. The mention of Chris’ name immediately shut down any progress they’d made. What made her think it would be any different this time around? Her daughter hadn’t gotten over him yet. “Come here,” she took Roxanne’s hand.

  She’d spent more than a decade wishing she and Roxanne could sit down and have a heart-to-heart.

  For years, she’d been going through her own set of depressing thoughts, yearning for a husband who was never coming back. She’d been so weak herself that Roxanne had probably taken her cue about love from what she saw in her own home. But why would she ever want to go through what her mother had? Why would she ever want to love someone again if they would leave and she’d be stuck with a broken heart?

  “I know what you’re going to say.” Roxanne bit her lip. “That I’m such a fool. That he doesn’t deserve us. That I shouldn’t let him into our lives, or let the kids get near him.”

  “That’s not what I’m going to say.” Roxette wrapped her arms around her daughter’s shoulders. “I just want you to know that you’re okay. That you’re ready to see him again.”

  “Sooner or later, it’ll come to that point. I should be ready,” Roxanne managed through a shaky voice.

  She had a crush on him since she was young, Roxette knew, and it was serious. From the way her daughter looked and acted around Chris, she didn’t need confirmation. And when Chris had left, her ex-husband told her Roxanne cried for hours but never said a word about it. What pained her the most was that she wasn’t there for her daughter when it had happened.

  “I know what it’s like to love and be deserted, Ging,” she said gently, recalling memories buried in a place that had been so lonely and dark for so many years. Years later, and that darkness still loomed over her heart. “And to worry over whether you’ll ever see him again.”

  “He isn’t like Papa.” Roxanne shook her head. “Papa fell out of love, but Chris...Chris left us.” She blinked before her tears could fall.

  “When I lost your father to someone else, I lost myself.” Roxette blinked a few times before tears could snake down her cheeks. “I blamed myself for leaving. I wasn’t a good wife...but I wanted to be a better mother...” She stopped to collect herself. “If you want him back in your life, it’s your choice. But I don’t want you to get hurt anymore. I’m glad, now that you are putting yourself out there and opening yourself up to someone new. I won’t even tell you to be careful because honestly, you’ve been careful all this time. You deserve someone better, anak.” Roxette’s eyes welled with tears.

  Roxanne smiled sadly and hugged her mother. “Thanks, Ma,” she said.

  ***

  “When are you planning to do a grand opening?” Wish asked over breakfast at their resto bar.

  “Grand opening? Roxanne chuckled. “You’re in Tondo, Wish. This is not fine dining.”

  “Hire a band or something! The opening should be one of the major events in Hermosa Street.”

  Roxanne just shook her head. “We’ll do a soft opening tonight. I’m taking the kids to Bacolod this weekend, and as soon as I get back we’ll have that ‘grand opening’.”

  Her mother heard Roxanne and she grudgingly let out her disgust to the idea that she was taking the kids to her father in Bacolod.

  “Ging-ging, I am telling you. Do not take them to Bacolod. I will miss my grandchildren terribly.”

  “Ma, the kids are here all year, let Papa have them even for two weeks. Besides, it’s the end of their school year next week, so let your grandchildren enjoy it. Don’t be so bitter,” she teased her, and winked at Wish who seemed amused.

  “I am not bitter! I don’t care about him. I just care about my grandchildren!” Roxette said, hand on her hips.

  Roxanne walked to her mom at the counter. She hugged her from behind and rested her chin on her shoulder. “Ma, can you just forgive and forget? It’s been...what...almost twelve years. You need to let go of the past.”

  Roxette turned to look at her and said, “I forgave him ages ago, Ging. I understand the fact that we are not destined for each other. He chose me, but when fate gets in the way, he went back to the love of his life. I guess that’s what destiny is: no matter who you choose, no matter how many turns you make, it will still lead you to that person at the end.” She began arranging the cakes for display.

  Roxanne stared at Wish for a moment. Did destiny lead us to know each other? Is he the one for me?

  “I can forgive but not forget…until, maybe, he dies,” Roxette added.

  “Ma!”

  “I’m serious. I don’t wish him dead, but I just don’t believe time heals all wounds. Somehow the heart still hopes and the eyes still cry. It is because the possibility is always there, but not if he’s no longer breathing. There’s no reason to shed a tear, there’s no reason to hope, right?”

  A frail smile graced Roxanne’s lips.

  “Hey, buddy, I gotta go.” Wish pulled her out of her trance.

  “You’re leaving?”

  “Nah, I’m going but I’m not leaving you, okay? I just need to head back to the shop, but I’ll see you later,” Wish said, leaving her with his sweetest grin as he stepped out of the door.

  A delivery van swerved down the street and nearly ran him over.

  “What the hell!”

  The driver apologized and Wish let it pass. He never argued. He was so easy to get along with, so easy to please…and so easy to love.

  The driver and his assistant opened the van to unload the sacks of flour Roxanne had ordered.

  “There are only two of you today? How long are you going to unload all these sacks?” Roxette asked. “I’ll get some help.” Before she stepped back inside, Wish volunteered.

  “I’ll help before I go,” he said, pulling off his shirt to reveal his well-sculpted body.
Roxanne couldn’t help but peek in her periphery.

  They began unloading the sacks of flour. Roxanne was stealing glances every once in a while. There were droplets of sweat dripping down his face, neck, and chest as he carried the sacks to the backdoor. He wiped some beads of sweat that dripped down his nose with the back of his hand.

  He caught her looking at him from the counter. He winked, and a scarlet blush flushed her cheeks.

  The last of the fifty sacks were finally unloaded. The van left after receiving their payment.

  Roxanne was in the kitchen, washing dishes when Wish came in.

  “There you are!”

  “Ay, putang ina[15]!” she shrieked in surprise, and the plate almost fell out of her hands.

  He chuckled and took the plate from her hand.

  “You scared the crap out of me!”

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. You looked like you were deep in thought. What were you thinking?”

  She grabbed the plate back and placed them on a strainer. “Nothing,” she hissed.

  Again, he chuckled. “I’m done here, buddy. I’m going.” He was about to put on his shirt that he’d tucked in his hind pocket.

  “Wait, don’t put it on yet. Flour is all over your face and body. I’ll go get a towel, just stay here.” Wish sat on a stool near the fridge.

  “Here, found one. Hey, shake some flour out of your hair first.”

  He did what he was told, then she wiped some leftovers from his face with the use of a damp, clean towel. Roxanne cleaned most of the flour from his forehead and paused when she saw him close his eyes.

  She studied his face with his hair swept across his forehead. His perfectly angled nose. His manly, peppered stubble. His aquiline nose that complemented his prominent cheekbones, plus his adorable dimples. His chiseled jawline looked as if they were sculpted and pared to perfection.

  “Done?” Wish asked.

  “Almost.” She blinked a few times and swallowed hard. “Now, get up.”

  He stood, and she was welcomed by a naked broad chest. With that sight, she blushed again. “Do it yourself.” Roxanne handed over the towel.

  “Oh, come on, why stop now? I’m already having the time of my life,” Wish objected and gave her that sexy smirk.