Songs We Listen to at the Café

Day Two

The day started a little bit off. I wanted it to start like a normal one, but I felt like I woke up at the wrong side of the bed. Good thing, a cup of hot coffee helped me to get through the first half of my morning.

After doing all my morning errands and fixing myself, I already drove to my café. I opened the café a bit earlier like I did last month. I put some jazz music to blend into mood, slow morning. While arranging the carnation flowers at the counter, Eros arrived. I then just waited for Venus to arrive so I could brief them about my errands and what to do for the café.

"I'll be out again today, but Ivan will visit like the usual." I said while pouring some water to my flask.

Eros and Venus nod as I continue briefing them. I even asked them to order some flowers because the ones I arranged earlier are already drying out.

"I don't know what time I'll be back," I continued. "So, Venus, just tell Ivan kung tuloy ang shift mo sa pub, okay?" I added.

"Sure, sir, will talk to him later." Venus replied.

And before I even bid goodbye to them I received a message from her.

Hey, good morning!

I'm sorry for sending this late, but here's our ticket for today.

I reviewed her messages. I saw the digital ticket for our plan today. Last night, she asked me if I'm free to meet today. It's a week earlier than planned, but I immediately said yes because it's always a good time to meet her.

Siguro'y 'yun na rin ang dahilan kung bakit 'di ako nakatulog nang maayos kagabi at nagising ng wala sa sarili kaninang umaga. Kinabahan ako't 'di makapakali para sa mangyayari ngayong araw. But her messages made me calm in a way.

Hello, good morning too.

No worries, no need to apologize. Thank you for this.

I replied to her messages, but when I was about to close my phone I remembered something.

It's Wednesday, your car is coding. How will you get there?

I asked then patiently waited for her response.

Commute.

I'm already booking a car.

I expected that, which made me reply to her immediately to ask her kung ayos lang sa kaniya na sunduin ko siya at sabay na lang kami pumunta sa venue. Good thing, she accepted it. Kaya naman kaagad akong nagpaalam sa staff ko para makaalis na rin kaagad.

"Take some time to rest, guys!" paalala ko kina Venus at Eros bago pa tuluyang lumabas ng café.

I went straightly to my car and messaged Eli that I'm already on my way. I wasn't able to read her reply because I'm already driving.

Eli invited me to visit an art exhibition today. She messaged me last night and said it was urgent. I thought something bad happened. But she told me she just got a ticket for the said event kaya need niya kaagad ng sagot ko. Hindi naman na ako nagdalawang isip pa na tanggapin ang alok niya.

I had a different plan at the back of my mind for our second meetup, but this one is much better than what I have. Siguro ay sa susunod na buwan na lang iyon.

After almost half an hour, I arrived at Eli's place. She's already waiting outside dahilan para hindi na kami matagalan.

"Hello there!" she greeted me with a smile.

Kaagad din naman akong napangiti. Tuluyang nawala 'yung pagkabalisa at kakaibang nararamdaman ko nang magkaharap kaming muli. She still feels like the rainbow after the storm.

"Hello, good morning!" I greeted back. "Have you eaten your breakfast yet?" I asked once she got inside the car.

"I just had my coffee." she answered.

Mabilis akong napalingon sa kaniya. "Coffee? Wow!" I said matapos ay kaagad na bumalik sa pagmamaneho. "So you're drinking coffee now huh." I added with a smile, which I hopefully she saw.

I heard a small laugh from her. "Yeah, I started drinking after that day."

That day.

I don't exactly know what she meant by it, but one thing crossed my mind. Perhaps she meant when we broke up.

That's something new from her. She used to hate the taste of coffee. That's kind of one of the reasons that's stopping me from pushing through my coffee business because I wanted her to taste my coffee, of course. But even if she hated it, gustong-gusto naman niya na ginagawan niya ako ng kape.

She used to say she love the aroma of the coffee. Gustong-gusto niya rin ang amoy ng kape tuwing umaga na sa halip na gigisingin siya ay para siyang makatutulog ulit dahil sa warm smell ng kape. Those reactions from her were the ones that pushed me through to continue my café, na kahit hindi niya gusto ang lasa ng kape, at least may isang bagay pa rin siyang gusto rito na nagiging dahilan ng pangiti niya.

I always wanted to see her smile and I want to be the reason of those smiles.

"Do you mind if we get something to eat along the way?" I heard Eli ask.

"Sure," kaagad ko namang sagot. "Hindi ba tayo malelate?" I asked.

She looked at her watch before answering. "We still have an hour and a half, I guess we'll be fine it we just take a quick breakfast." she said.

"I see," I slowly nod. "I know a place near the venue, gusto mo ba d'on lang para malapit venue or you're too hungry to wait longer?" tanong ko na sandaling nagpahinto sa akin.

"Ikaw ba, gutom ka na ba or may lakas ka pa to drive?" tanong niya pabalik dahilan para matawa ako.

We used to be like this. I missed it. Kahit hindi na mabilang kung ilang beses kaming nagtalo para sa pagdedesisyon kung saan at kailan kami kakain o kung ano ang kakainin namin. Funny how I'm missing those things na nagiging dahilan ng away namin.

Perhaps it's really her that I miss. I miss bantering with her. I miss picking petty and small fights with her. It doesn't matter what we do or what we eat as long as it's her that I'm with, I'm good enough already.

"I'm good, don't worry, it's you that worried." kalmadong sagot ko sa tanong niya. "P'wede tayong mag-drive thru if you want." I insisted.

"How are we going to eat the food then?" kalmadong tanong niya ngunit muli akong natigilan.

Sumakto sa red lights ang mga sinabing 'yon ni Eli. Napako ako sa kawalan nang dumaloy sa isipan ko ang nakagawian naming gawin. Back then, we would order in drive thru and we'll eat along the way. She would help me eat, susubuan niya ako ng pagkain habang abala ako sa pagdadrive and we would have the best meal ever.

But all of those things are beyond limits now, hindi na namin p'wede gawin 'yung nakagawian.

I saw her smile a bit. "Let's just eat near the venue." sambit niya kasunod ang isa pang matamis na ngiti.

I then focused myself more on driving. I told Eli to play some music if she wanted to and she did. Nilunod lang namin ang mga sarili sa kalmadong kanta hanggang sa makarating kami sa isang pancake restaurant malapit sa venue ng art exhibition.

Nang makapasok kami sa store kaagad na rin kaming nag-order. Hindi nagtagal dumating na rin naman ang mga pagkain namin. We sat and ate our pancakes at peace, across from each other.

"I have a good news." Eli said.

Mabilis na naangat ang kilay ko sa kaniya. "Shoot." I said, waiting for what she would say.

"I got the job." she continued with a smile, dahilan para mangiti na rin ako. "I bet you already know it, but I wanted to say it in person, in exchange for the poetry book that you gave." nakangiti pang dagdag niya.

She was right. I already had a hunch that she got the job. I know those busy nights of hers were because of her new job, which is also the reason why I stopped myself from asking too much on why she didn't visit the opening of my pub. I wanted her to focus on her job.

"I told you, you'd get it." I said with a smile, but deep inside I'm over the moon because of how proud I am with her.

She said thank you and added. "That's the reason kaya medyo busy ako these past few days."

"I hope you're enjoying it." I said after drinking from my glass. "Dahil d'yan, let's ask for some dessert to celebrate the new chapter of your life."

Pipigilan pa sana ako ni Eli ngunit mabilis akong nag-order ng tag-isang ice cream para sa aming dalawa. Nakangiti na lang siyang nagpasalamat matapos ay bumalik na kami sa usapan namin.

"I am enjoying it so much, but I still couldn't believe that I'd make it here." she said as her eyes shine.

I couldn't smile more as I look at her. It was her dream to work at that advertising company that she's working for now. Alam ko kung gaano niya kagusto pumasok sa company na 'yon noon pa man. Kung hindi lang dahil sa pinsan niya ay matagal na siyang nag-apply d'on. But the good thing is, she's working at her dream company now.

Eli's really good when it comes to art. Whether it's digital or traditional art. She used to draw random things at her notebook back when we were in college, naging dahilan 'yon para yearly ko siyang regaluhan ng drawing book.

Then she got interested into digital art. Natigil 'yung hilig niya sa sketching and painting. Which isn't a bad thing kasi magaling naman din siya sa digital art. She even started a commission out of it. Kapag ay project si Ivan sa marketing class niya, si Eli ang gumagawa ng logo and flyers for him.

It's been a while since nakita ko siyang nakangiti dahil sa passion and hobbies niya. I always love to see her smile and motivated because of art. Iyon na rin ang naging dahilan kung bakit kaagad akong pumayag sa alok niya para sa art exhibition.

I love to see her look at paintings and artworks, which aren't far from what she looks like.

"Are you done with that?" I asked nang makita kong inaayos na niya ang pinagkainan niya.

"Yes, ikaw ba?" she asked, and I replied with a nod.

Tinulungan ko siya sa pagliligpit. It became our thing to practice CLAYGO whenever we eat outside. Natutuhan ko 'yon sa kaniya, isang bagay na mas lalong nagpamahal sa kaniya when we're still dating.

"How many minutes do we still have?" I asked Eli once we got outside the pancake restaurant.

"10 minutes." she said dahilan para mabilis kaming bumalik ng sasakyan.

Kaagad din kaming tumulak, mabuti na lang tama ang naging desisyon namin na kumain na lang malapit sa venue para hindi kami matagalan papunta sa art exhibition. The venue is along Chino Roces avenue in Makati. Good thing hindi kami nabulok sa traffic kaya sakto lang kaming nakarating sa venue.

Nang makahanap ng parking ay mabilis kaming naglakad patungo sa mismong entrance ng art exhibition. We approached the front desk and presented them with our digital tickets.

"Good day, Eli and Dio, welcome to Coffee, Milk, and Sugar." nakangiting pagbati sa aming receptionist.

"Thank you po." magkasabay naming sambit ni Eli bago pa tuluyang tumuloy sa loob ng art exhibition.

May mangilan-ngilan din na katulad naming guests ang pumapasok sa venue. The whole place is so peaceful. Tahimik ngunit nangingibabaw ang calm music sa entrance ng exhibition.

There's a waiter serving wine bago tuluyang makapasok sa first room. Eli took a red wine habang ako naman ay white wine ang kinuha. We started walking papasok sa unang room ng art exhibit, mabagal ang galaw, pilit na pinipigilan ang sarili na hawakan ang kamay ni Eli na siyang nakasanayan kong gawin sa tuwing nasa ganitong event kami.

"I already like the concept of this art exhibition," Eli said nang mahinto kami sa isang art piece. "Look." she asked me to look at the brochure that was given to us. "The art exhibition is divided into three rooms: the Coffee Room, Milk Room, and Sugar Room." she explained.

"I see that, and it's really cool, literal na 3 in 1." I commented, matapos ay bumalik ang tingin sa harapan namin.

We're currently at the Coffee Room, which is the first room of the art exhibition and also the room that was assigned to paintings. I expected a lot of people inside that room since there's a lot of attendees we saw earlier in the lobby, but the Coffee Room is spacious and there's only a few people around.

Perhaps they decided to skip this room for a while, and they chose to start to the other room since the speaker instructed us that we could do that. The Coffee Room is also divided into three selection and art theme. At the most first part of the room, there's a selection entitled Hidden Paradise. It's a collection of paintings of landscapes of hidden attractions in the country.

"Look at this, Eli." I called Eli who was standing at my left.

Naramdaman ko ang paglapit niya dahilan para pareho kaming mapatingin sa isang painting sa harapan namin. We stood there in silence. Marahil pareho naming pinagmamasdan at ninanamnam ang kagandahan ng artwork sa harapan.

"City Close to Heaven, 2018." Eli read the title of the piece and the year it was painted. "This is Batanes, right?" she asked and gave me a look.

"Yes." I gave her a small smile, yet meaningful. "Do you remember it?" I asked.

"Vividly." she answered and buried her look back to the painting.

Batanes was our dream destination. We used to imagine that we'd visit Batanes once we got married. It won't be our honeymoon, we'll just stay there for a while before facing the new chapter of our life. We both wanted to see the heavenly place of Batanes.

Sadly, mukhang mababaon na lang sa past 'yon.

"Stay there." I asked Eli and stepped back from her position.

"Why?" tanong niya kasabay ang paglingon sa akin.

I pulled out my phone. "I'll take a picture of you, if that's okay with you?" I said.

Tipid siyang nangiti. "Sure," sagot niya matapos ay humarap sa akin dahilan para matalikuran niya ang painting.

"No, no, go back to your first position." mabilis kong sambit. "You look good while you're looking at the painting." dagdag ko pa.

"You mean, I look good kapag nakatalikod?" natatawang bato niya sa akin.

Kaagad din naman akong natawa. "That's not what I mean, oh, God."

"No, you clearly meant that," natatawang dagdag pa niya matapos ay muling humarap sa painting.

I silently started taking pictures of her. She looks peaceful while looking at the City Close to Heaven painting. I'm trying not to shake too much so the picture won't get blurry. But I couldn't focus especially when she faced the camera and smile at me.

I gulped as I looked at her. She's as magical and heavenly as the painting behind her. I smiled at her, which she replied with a sweet smile too.

She sipped her wine, and I took a picture of it. I missed this. I missed looking at her through the lenses of camera, she's always so beautiful.

"We're really in an art gallery because a piece of artwork is standing in front of me." I said under my breath when I'm done taking her pictures.

"Bolero!" natatawa namang sambit ni Eli. "Halika na nga." mabilis na dagdag niya matapos ay kaagad na naglakad patungo sa kabilang bahagi ng room.

Nakangiti ko naman siyang sinundan kahit na medyo nag-uunahan ang kaba sa dibdib ko dahil sa mga salitang binitawan. But who could've blamed me for stating the truth. Wala pa rin siyang pinagbago. Matamis pa rin ang mga ngiti niya. Walang laban ang mga artwork na nakapaskil sa mga ngiti ni Eli.

"I think he'll buy the painting." I heard Eli said dahilan para mabalik ang wisyo ko.

Bumaling din ang tingin ko sa isang lalaki sa kaliwang bahagi namin ni Eli. He's talking to one of the staff. Mukhang bibilihin nga ang isang painting na nakapaskil sumunod na selection ng first room.

The next selection of the first room is entitled What Comes Next? which is really interesting to see. It's a collection of two paintings per artwork. The collection is composed of old and new paintings, which are connected to each other.

"Ang galing ng concept, 'no?" I said while looking at the pair of paintings.

Nakita ko ang marahang pagtango ni Eli matapos ay dahan-dahan siyang mas lumapit pa sa isang pair ng paintings. "Look, this painting was made six years ago," she said while looking at one painting. "While this one was painted this year as a continuation of the old painting's story." she added matapos ay humarap sa akin.

"Unfinished Business, 2017 and Finished Business, 2023." mahinang pagbasa ko sa mga titulo ng dalawang magkapares na paintings. "It really feels like the business was already done. Ang galing."

"Right, I like how the painter tells the story," mahinang pagsang-ayon niya. "This one looks like a puzzle piece, different from other pairs. Alam mong magkasama talaga sila." dagdag pa niya matapos ay muling binaon ang sarili sa dalawang painting sa harapan.

A moment of silence passed through until I spoke again.

"Eli," I called her in a low voice, marahan siyang tumingin sa akin. "Tingin mo... what's next from us?" I asked straightly looking at her eyes.

I felt like she didn't expect that question. I saw her eyes moved along with her lips. Tipid siyang napangiti.

"I actually don't know, especially knowing that tomorrow isn't promise. Also, tomorrow is uncertain," she answered. "I know that's too general and lame answer." she chuckled. "But for sure, we'll still meet next month, and we'll get to know how we're doing, simple as that." she added with a small smile.

"Fair enough." I said shortly kasunod ang paglalakad patungo sa sunod na bahagi ng first room.

"How about you, Dio?" I heard her asked. "What do you think is next for us?"

Bago pa kami tuluyang makarating sa huling bahagi ng first room, natigilan na ako dahil sa tanong ni Eli. I didn't expect her to ask me the question I asked earlier. Para akong sinaksak ng sarili kong kutsilyo.

I couldn't move, my mind and heart are pulling me down and I couldn't think of an answer.

Narinig ko na lang ang muling pagtawag sa akin ni Eli.

I took a deep breath before facing her. "Hmm, I don't know," I feel so dumb. And I feel like I betrayed her.

Yet deep inside I know that I couldn't answer what's next for us because I'm still holding onto our past and our present situation, that it somehow scares me to think about our future, thinking that perhaps I'm not part of her future anymore. I don't want to think what's next for us because I still want us to live in the present and if there's a chance, bring back the past.

"I see." Eli said and continued walking.

I followed her with a heavy heart, I felt like I disappointed her.

"Did I disappoint you with my answer?" I asked while we're passing through some paintings.

Marahan siyang bumaling sa akin. "No, don't worry, I guess that's a valid answer." she shortly answered.

"I'm sorry." I said out of nowhere.

I really feel bad.

"What?" mabilis siyang nahinto. "What are you sorry for?" diretsong tanong niya sa akin.

"I feel bad because I feel like I disappointed you with my answer."

"Dio, you didn't, don't worry," she calmly said. "Katulad mo hindi ko rin naman alam kung anong kasunod na mangyayari, but since we have an agreement that we'll see and meet each other every month, I guess that's the next for us."

Marahan akong natango. She's right. I just couldn't believe that I couldn't think of a good answer to my own question. And I'm scared to tell her what I thought earlier.

"You're right, and I'd be glad to be there for our next more meetups." I said with a small smile.

After that conversation we just went back looking and admiring the artwork at the last part of the first room. The last selection is called After the Storm.

The collection is about being healed from different kinds of pain, hence its name.

"These are so heartbreaking yet heartwarming at the same time." I heard Eli commented while looking at different paintings.

I looked at her, standing at one piece at the far corner of the room. I followed her and stood in front of the painting where she's looking at. The painting is entitled Three Hundred Sixty-Five Days, Ninety-Seven Days, and Counting, 2018. That's a long title for a small piece of artwork. I guess the painting is as small as a letter paper. But it is so captivating.

"Look at the strokes, the painting is so small, but the strokes are so detailed. And the colors are very much alive, I love it." Eli commented while pointing at the painting.

"I know," tipid na sambit ko. "It's like all the words of the artist collides and transform into this piece of art. Such a sight for sore eyes." I added.

"What do you think it means?" I heard her ask while still looking at the painting.

Mariin kong pinagtuunan ng pansin ang painting sa harapan namin. I followed the strokes and vibrant yet also dark colors of it while thinking about the artist's message for it.

"I think this is a painting about a man and a woman... look," I said and pointed at the faded shadow from the painting. "Perhaps this is about a man who is vulnerable to a special woman, but the woman left the man, hence the fading woman. But he's still living on their golden days, he's still holding onto their memories, hence the man looking at the brighter side of the painting." I commented and looked back at her.

"That's an impressive interpretation," she said and looked back at the painting. "I actually agree with you, but it's also actually weird that this painting is part of this selection," she said. "I feel like one way to look at this painting's story is that the man is still not healed, he's not even healing, he's on his way to it. He looks crashed without her." she added, which I replied with a small nod.

I think she's right. Mukhang naligaw nga iyong painting sa selection ng After the Storm which is about passing through a pain. But I guess it sits here perfectly.

"I guess it's still refreshing to see this one here," I commented. "Magandang nakikita natin na someone tells a story of how it actually looks like to heal and trying to stand up again after the storm. Minsan kasi nakikita na lang ng ibang tao 'yung resulta ng pabangon natin dahil pilit nating tinatago ang hirap na pinagdaraanan natin." I added and gave her a calm look.

"You're really good at this, I missed that for you." nakangiting sambit ni Eli dahilan para muli akong matigilan.

Nabalik na lang ako sa reyalidad nang marinig kong magsalita ang isang staff malapit sa amin.

"It seems like you guys are enjoying this piece, are you interested on buying it?" a woman asked, one of the staff. "The artist himself is here, if you're interested."

Mabilis akong nagkatinginan ni Eli matapos n'on ay ako na mismo ang sumagot.

"I wish I have the means to purchase it, ma'am," I said calmly.

"Maybe we'll just ask for the contact information for this." I heard Eli said dahilan para mabaling ako sa kaniya.

"Sure, ma'am." mabilis naman ding sambit nung staff at kaagad na nag-abot ng card kay Eli.

Tipid akong napangiti ngunit bakas sa mukha ko ang gulat. Paintings are expensive, and I know she knows it.

"Are you going to buy it?" I asked her.

"No, but you are." she said matapos ay inabot sa akin ang card.

"I'm broke, Eli, I can't afford that now." natatawang sambit ko pa.

"Yeah, for now, but soon, you can, trust me." nakangiting dagdag pa niya. "Trust me because I trust in you," she said followed by a wink.

Hindi ko na nagawa pang sumagot sa sinabi niya dahil kaagad na rin siyang nag-aya patungo sa sunod na room. Nakangiti ngunit nangingibabaw pa rin ang kakaibang kaba sa dibdib ko habang sumusunod ako sa kaniya.

She still knows how to make me smile. Alam na alam niya pa rin kung paano ako kuhanin.

We continued walking and reached the second room, which is called the Milk Room. It matches the interior of the room, pure white. Which also matches the artwork inside that room.

The Milk Room is for sculptures like wood carving and clay firing. I think it's fascinating to witness an exhibition like this. I couldn't recall if we've been to a sculpture exhibition before like this, but when Eli said that this is our first time witnessing an exhibition like this I realized we really haven't been into one. That made us walked through the whole room while thoroughly studying every artwork.

The sculptures room is entitled Seven Ages of Man which was inspired by Shakespeare's poem. Which is also the reason why there's only seven sculptures in the room. The seven stages of a person which was mentioned in the poem are presented inside the room. The first outmost part of the room is the wood carving selection were infant, schoolboy, and lover are presented.

We decided to stay a bit longer at that part of the sculpture. I studied every form of them like what Eli's doing. When we're done, I looked at her and asked a question.

I'm a meter away from Eli, we're both standing in front of the lover sculpture.

"What do you think stayed the same about us since we started dating when were teenagers?" I asked.

Natigilan siya marahil dahil sa pag-iisip ng isasagot, a few seconds later marahan siyang bumaling sa akin.

"Tingin ko 'yung ganitong bagay, nandito pa rin 'yung ugali natin na nag-eenjoy sumubok at tumuklas ng bagong adventure," she said dahilan para mapangiti ako. "We love and I guess still love to visit different places that we haven't been to." dagdag niya matapos ay binalik ang tanong sa akin.

"Hmm, I guess if there's one thing that stayed the same about us: it's how we're still holding onto our dreams," I answered. "Naalala ko kung paano natin aralin 'yung mga bagay na gusto natin gawin when we graduated, and it's so heartwarming to see that we're both in our dream job." nakangiting sambit ko. "And it's so nice to see na hanggang ngayon patuloy pa rin tayong kumakapit sa mga pangarap natin katulad nung mga bata pa lang tayo."

"Yeah, I remember," tipid siyang nangiti dahilan para mas mapangiti pa ako.

We the continued walking and exploring other sculptures.

At the other part of the room, the soldier, middle-aged also known as the justice, and the old man are located; they are sculptures made in clay. While the center part of the room, the last part of the Seven Ages of Man is located, which is the dotage also known as death.

Natigilan kaming muli ni Eli sa huling piece ng sculpture. We're the only ones standing at the center part of the room where the dotage piece is located. As I look into it, I can see that something's different from the art piece. It's a combination of two materials: clay and wood, which made the sculpture more lively.

"I've just got goosebumps," I heard Eli said while looking at the sculpture in front of us.

"Isn't so unbelievable how life is fleeting," I commented while also looking at the sculpture. "A few moments ago we were just looking at the infant, then lover, then soldier, and now we're at the last stage of a man's life."

"Life is really simple and fast, you have no idea what will happen, and everything could change in a blink of an eye." she added to what I said, which made me look at her.

"Which is why you should go back to painting and sketching again," I said and continued walking.

"I will," nakangiting sambit niya.

"That's good, then you'll also have your own art exhibition like this." I said, smiling at her.

Natigilan naman siya ngunit muling nagpatuloy. "Whoa, that's a big step, Dio."

"Trust me, Eli, you'll get there, I believe that you can do it." I added without breaking my smile.

Tipid na lang siyang nangiti habang patuloy kaming naglalakad patungo sa room ng art exhibition.

Ngunit sa isang iglap naglaho ang mga ngiti sa aming mga labi nang makita namin ang huling room. The lights are dimmed red, and the music is very eerie, which already gave me goosebumps.

"What's happening?" I heard her ask.

I couldn't answer her question because I also have no idea what's happening. Then I decided to open the brochure and read about the room we're currently in.

The last and third room is called Sugar Room. At first I thought it's for fashion art because of different clothes hanging inside the room, but I was wrong. I felt my heart shattered into pieces as I look to every clothes hanging inside the room. I slowly turned my look to Eli, her face tells her emotions and what he feels about the exhibit in front of us. He looks like a sad painting under a gloomy day. I even saw how sad her eyes were.

I gulped and took a deep breath and slowly took her hands because I feel like she needs it. We continued looking at every clothes and the story behind them.

The third art exhibition is entitled Top and Bottom. From the title itself, you would think that it's about clothing and all, and it was. But the thing is, the dark story behind is that this exhibit is about the victims of sexual harassment and these clothes where the one they we're wearing when that unfortunate tragedy happened. I could feel my heartbreaking into pieces, it hurts, I feel like it'll burst any time soon, especially when we saw a pair of clothing of a young girl.

"Thank you," I heard Eli said as she squeezed my hand holding hers.

We continued walking and the story of every clothes got worse than I fear. I think there's at least 12 pieces of clothing inside the room: from a young girl, a student – male and female, and old lady, a teacher, a guard, and there's even a photo of pigs, which means that there was a pig who was harassed, assaulted, and went from a tragic experience. I gulped really hard as we walked towards the exit of the room, with a heavy heart, a burning heart, a mad soul who wants to avenge all those victims. I didn't expect that room and that exhibit to be this heavy and eye-opening.

At that moment I saw Eli's tears started to pour down her face. I let go off her hands to give her a handkerchief. We stood at the exit of the room for a while. I looked at Eli's eyes and whispered to take a deep breath. She did.

"God, that was heartbreaking." she said while wiping her tears. "No wonder why they told us to start at this room." she added after taking a deep breath.

"Are you okay now?" I asked, still worried.

"I am, but those stories behind the clothes are so heartbreaking." she said and handed me my handkerchief.

"No, keep it." I said.

"No, I'm already good, thank you." nakangiting sambit niya. "I know how stressful it is for you if you lost one." she added referring to my handkerchief.

Marahan kaming natawa dahilan para kahit papaano'y gumaan ang mga pakiramdam namin. Nakatulong din sa pagluwag ng paghinga namin 'yung bumungad sa amin sa huling bahagi ng exhibition. There's a booth where we can take pictures and write our comments and thoughts at the freedom wall.

I asked Eli to write on the wall because it's one of the things I like to do. Kaagad naman kaming tumungo d'on. We silently write our comments. Naunang matapos si Eli sa akin dahil may ibang bagay pa akong sinusulat.

"Don't tell me you're writing a 300-word essay?" I heard her say.

"No," nakangiting pagharap ko sa kaniya nang matapos akong magsulat. "Here, read it." I added and gave her a paper with a poem written on it.

"They said to write your comments, not create a poem!" natatawang komento naman niya.

"I did," patukoy ko sa comments. "And I also wrote that, so read it." muling paanyaya ko sa kaniya.

She just smiled at me and looked back at the paper that I gave. She stood in front of me in silence to read my poem. I also stood there in silence while thinking about what I wrote.

Forget Romeo and Juliet

Our love story is better than them

Forget Jack and Rose

We had better days than them

Sneaking around on a sunny afternoon

Empty highway, silent city, just you and me

Dancing in the rain, flying to the moon

Kisses under the stars, just you and me

"Classic, Dio, this is good!" Eli smiled as she looks back at me.

"Thank you!" nakangiting sambi ko.

"What made you write this?" she asked.

"It was inspired by that one painting with a long title." I said thinking about the painting.

She gave me a small nod. "I see, you really like that painting. It seems like it moves you big time."

"It did, it really did." I said with a smile. "And it makes me hungry. I'm starving, how about you?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan.

"I'm actually starving, too." she said. "But if it's okay if to use the restroom before we go?" she asked.

Mabilis ko naman siyang hinayaan. She asked for the restroom to one of the staff. Nang maiwan akong mag-isa ay binaon ko na lang ang sarili ko sa pagtingin ng mga pictures ko sa kaniya kanina.

I decided to send the pictures to her ngunit natigilan ako nang matanggap ako ng message sa kaniya.

Red alert.

My adrenaline immediately went up. Kaagad ko rin siyang sinundan sa labas ng restroom hanggang sa tuluyang siyang makalabas. She just gave me a small smile. The looks from her eyes are very familiar and I already know what it means even from her message earlier.

"What can I do to help?" I asked, like the usual.

"Is it okay if we just go home? I wasn't ready for this kasi. I'm sorry." she said in a low voice.

"Sure, no worries. And don't say sorry." kalmadong sambit ko sa kaniya. "I'll just walk behind you, will you be okay with that?" I asked, like the usual.

"Yes, thank you, Dio." she said and started walking.

Habang naglalakad kami pabalik ng sasakyan walang ibang tumatakbo sa isipan ko kung hindi ang kalagayan niya. I couldn't imagine the pain and uncomfortable feeling she's been going through right now.

Her cycle is so unstable and unpredictable. Irregular. And it's not the usual irregular that other women are facing. Hers were worse. I remember we even have to take her to the hospital during one of her months because of the pain the she's experiencing. She was at the hospital for three days, which her gynecologist advised to do.

"Does it hurt like before?" I asked nang medyo malapit na kami sa sasakyan.

"Not much, but it feels so uncomfortable." she said.

"I hope you won't find it weird and creepy, but I remember I still have your kit at the back of my cart, do you want to use them?" I asked her dahilan para maangat ang tingin niya sa akin.

"You still have that?" para bang 'di siya makapaniwala.

"I do," I said. "I still know how bad it gets when it's your time of the month, and since kinukuha ko sa 'yo sa isang araw ng buwan, I guess it's fair enough to bring them in case of emergency." I said nang makarating kami sa sasakyan.

"Thank you so much, Dio, I appreciate that a lot." tipid na ngiting sambit ni Eli ngunit bakas na bakas sa mga mata niya na hindi siya makapaniwala. "I guess if there's one thing that stayed the same since we were dating it is on how caring and thoughtful you are, Dio, and I appreciate that a lot."

"Don't mention it, Eli, I'm just doing my part." I said with a smile.

"Still, you don't have to do it anymore, but I am grateful." dagdag pa ni Eli.

"I'm happy to do it." tipid na sagot ko.

Kaagad kong kinuha iyong mga gamit na kailangan niya. Nang magharap kaming muli ay para bang bumalik ako sa mga araw na kaming dalawa pa. We used to be like that. She would even call me a boy scout dahil palagi raw akong handa. And we would laugh.

"I'm sorry for ruining our day." Eli said habang naglalakad kami pabalik ng restroom.

"Stop saying sorry, and you didn't ruin our day. I had fun and I'm still having fun, so sana ikaw rin." kalmadong sambit ko.

"I did to. Thank you again, Dio." she said. "Babawi ako sa 'yo next month." nakangiting sambit niya.

"Don't worry about it, Eli." sagot ko naman. "And we'll have more fun next month." dagdag ko pa matapos ay nagpaalam ulit sa kaniya nang makarating kami sa restroom.

I watched her as she entered the restroom. It wasn't a new feeling to me. We used to be like this. I missed this. Not seeing her in pain, but the good part. I missed taking care of her. I missed giving her what she wants and what she needs. I missed being the knight in shining armor of her life, while she's there doing her part of being a majestic princess.

Message me if you need anything, Eli. I'm just here waiting for you.

I can't wait to see what's next for us now that we're done with the second day of our monthly meeting. I hope we'll survive the storm or whatever is next for us.