forget me not series 2 – The Romance of Ayin & Will
CHAPTER THREE
In her adult life, Ayin had spent more than a decade being single. If there’s one thing that she’s peeved about couples, it’s friends bailing out on an agreed get-together or workmates asking to leave in the middle of a meeting just because their significant others showed up.
A promised time should be honored no matter the degree of relationship.
She didn’t mind it so much when the significant others actually decided to join. But to be left hanging at a cafe or be ghosted for a time you’ve specifically set aside despite your busy schedule, actually hurts.
So, she had promised herself then that if she ever found her own man, she would never double-book or bail on a friend, especially a single one.
It was a Friday night and she was out with her friend Jane for their customary midnight movie run.
They had bought their premier tickets early to reserve their usual aisle seats, and were now eating dinner while waiting for the last full show. It was still 8pm.
Just then, her phone rang.
Him, “Hi. Where are you?”
Her, “Kublai Khan. Ayala.”
Him, “Great. I’m at the basement going up. I figured you’d be here.”
Her, “No, we can’t meet tonight. I’m with my friend Jane.”
Him, “I’ll join you.”
She looked up to find Jane unabashedly listening to their conversation with a big teasing smile. Jane nodded her head several times, silently urging her to let her meet the boyfriend.
Ayin rolled her eyes at her.
Her, to the phone. “Alright, but only for awhile. I’ll just introduce you to her.”
When he arrived at the alfresco dining area on the 3rd floor where they’re at, she introduced them both.
To their surprise, Jane and Will found a common ground in that they’re both from Mindanao and their provinces are just next to each other.
She just quietly sipped her soda and enjoyed listening to them make small talk about what’s new and who they know in their hometowns.
The man was a natural. Whenever he wants to, he can talk to anybody.
After a while, Jane excused herself to go to the comfort room.
Her, “You have to go.”
Him, “Why?”
Her, “We’re going to watch a movie.”
Him, “I know. She mentioned it. I’m joining you.”
Her, “You can’t.”
Him, surprised, “Uh.. why not?”
Her, “It’s my date with her. We didn’t agree to meet tonight, right?”
He just looked at his drink and didn’t answer.
Her, “Besides, we’re watching a Tagalog movie. You wouldn’t enjoy it.”
Him, shifting his eyes to her, “I like John Lloyd, too.”
She was surprised for a moment, then narrowed her eyes. “We already bought our tickets. There are long lines. It must be sold out by now.”
He took a sip , then cleared his throat. “Um… actually, I already have tickets. While on the way here, I told my secretary to buy two tickets online and send them to me.”
Her eyes widened. “What?!”
He showed her his phone.
Him, “I was in a rush. I thought to tell you when I got here.”
She was now annoyed.
Her, “That’s a waste of tickets. Better cancel it now. I’m not going with you.”
That’s what he gets for not asking her first, she simmered.
He was quiet for a moment. Then, “It will be midnight already when you’re done.”
Her, “We’re used to this. We always watch last full shows. Jane and I will take a taxi home together.”
Him, shaking his head stubbornly, “No, it’s midnight. I will take you home.”
What was she, sixteen? Now she has a curfew again?
They glared at each other. His face was serious, there was not a single smile on his face. She was angrier.
After several seconds, a thought occurred to her. At least he’s not insisting on joining them for the movie. It was the late hour he was arguing about.
The guy was as stubborn as a mule. Deciding to have a bit of compromise, she finally raised her eyebrows at him haughtily, “Up to you if you want to wait.”
Just then, Jane arrived, now freshened up. “You ready?”
She nodded, gathering her bag.
Jane asked him, “You joining us?”
She quickly answered for him, “No, he’s not.”
Not quite meeting his eyes, she told him, “We’re going now.”
She didn’t wait to see his response.
Jane’s goodbye to him was friendlier.
Jane hurried after her and then, at a safe distance, asked, “You guys fighting?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, I just went to the CR and you guys were already fighting?” Jane chuckled “Tsk, Tsk.”
She said nothing as she stepped on the escalator.
“So, what about?” Jane asked.
“That crazy guy bought two tickets to the same movie without asking me,” she muttered.
Jane laughed. “The he should have just joined us. I don’t mind.”
She sighed, “I know. But I do.”
Jane may be kind, but Ayin remembered how uncomfortable it was to be a third wheel on a date.
Jane didn’t ask her further. Her friend had always known her stand about this matter.
Inside the movie theater, armed with their favorite flavored french fries and big milk shakes, they didn’t have to search for their usual seats – it was always front row, left or middle column, with her on the aisle seat and Jane next to her.
As the theater darkened and a series of animated teasers rolled on the screen, she started to feel guilty.
What was he doing now? Was he alone waiting at a coffee shop? Was she being too harsh earlier?
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
Jane leaned to her and whispered, “You’re feeling guilty, aren’t you?” She chuckled.
Before she could formulate a retort, both their eyes swiveled to a man with a suspicious black cap, and a big bucket of popcorn and drink on hand, calmly going up towards the middle seats.
Her jaw dropped as the light from the screen fell on his face.
Jane giggled beside her. “Just call him over to sit with us.”
“Hellooo,” she whispered back. “This is premier, remember? These are assigned seats.”
Both of them continued to watch as he finally settled right smack at the center seat on the middle row. He placed his popcorn and drink on the empty seat beside him and then stretched comfortably.
Jane laughed and teased, “Hey, check out your new love rival. Lucky popcorn just took over your seat.”
She could only shake her head.
Bugoy, she thought. What a crazy bugoy.
Still, hats off to him for proudly watching a Tagalog movie alone.
Turning back to the big screen, she muttered to Jane, “Forget him, he’s more than fine.”
So, for the next two hours, they settled in their own bubbles as they became engrossed in the movie.
Truly, it’s one of life’s simple pleasures to space out from your own world for awhile and watch beautiful people manage their own issues on screen, all the while stuffing yourself with junk food.
When it’s a movie you can relate to, two hours is just a blink of an eye. Before long, the credits rolled and the theater lights went on.
They stayed on their seats, as it was their habit to wait for the crowd to thin and go out last.
Suddenly, she remembered him.
She tilted her head back as her eyes searched the middle row. He was still sitting there.
He was watching her.
When her eyes met his, he slowly stood up and started going down toward their seats.
As he neared them, they stood up.
He put both his hands on his jean pockets and shrugged, “The online tickets were non-refundable.”
She studied his face for a moment and then blurted out, “Have you been crying?”
Jane peered over her shoulder and studied his face, too. Red eyes, puffy face. “Yes, he was,” Jane confirmed loudly.
She and Jane looked at each other for a moment then burst out laughing.
He didn’t even try to deny it. Owning up, he said defensively, “I can totally relate to John Lloyd’s character. I felt sorry for him.”
She never imagined that this hard, stubborn man was actually a softie inside. So he wasn’t lying when he said he liked John Lloyd, too.
They walked together outside as they continued laughing like nothing happened earlier.
That’s the beauty of movies, petty fights can be easily forgotten soon after.
Later, after midnight, they were back at her home, lounging at the balcony.
As a kind of apology, she prepared his favorite 3-in-one coffee, Nescafe Original, then proceeded to softly massage his right palm, just like the last time he was there.
After a while, she asked, “Why aren’t you going home yet? Aren’t you tired?”
He looked into her eyes for a moment, then said. “I want my assurance.”
“Huh? What assurance?” she asked, confused.
“I want assurance that you still like me even though you went out on a date with another.”
She stopped massaging his hand and stared at him in astonishment.
Then, she let out a peal of laughter. “I went out with a girlfriend! A girl.”
“So? You wouldn’t let me join.” He looked out at the empty street. If a man could pout, his face would be it.
She just shook her head. He didn’t know her long enough yet to understand how her mind worked. It wasn’t anything against him.
“Are you still mad at me?” He turned to look a her then, just like a puppy. Her heart melted.
Turning to him, she circled his face with both hands and then softly rubbed his ears.
Then, pinching both ears, she slowly lowered his head for a kiss.
“There, is that enough assurance?” she asked.
He smiled as he gathered her in his arms and hugged her.
Ayin learned something about relationships that night. It wasn’t only women who ask for it. No matter how tough, quiet or stubborn they may seem to be — big boys need their assurance, too.
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Ayin Quijano 
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