We are one
“It’s delicious!” Piper beamed while eating the street food. It’s her first time tasting this kind of food. As I stared at her, I was excited. Even if we just stole the moment we were together, she was happy.
I took her to where Grandpa Hermano and I ate earlier. I hoped he might be here but the waitress said she would only see that old man once.
She also said that the old man only came here when he was with someone. Sometimes she gives him food when she catches the old man just staring outside.
“Why are you so slow to eat? Don’t you like the taste?” Piper asked as she reached for the spoon.
“No. I just want to watch you eat.” She blushed on both cheeks.
“It’s a good thing you brought me here. I’ve only eaten in a place I don’t know once.” She really didn’t know. As soon as we entered, she immediately removed her wig and glasses but no one recognized her.
Except for the owner of this diner. He kept asking Piper while she was asking for an order. He even said that he likes my girlfriend’s fashion sense. It’s a pity that his body isn’t female figure so she can’t quite imitate Piper.
“I watch you often on TV! Your clothes there were really fantastic! Then look at you now! You’re carrying a simple shirt and jeans,” he told her verily as if his saliva almost spit out on me while he was speaking.
Piper smiled at the man.
“Really? Thank you. I just have a hand lotion here for you. It’s my way of thanking,” Piper replied then handed the product she endorsed on TV. I used it once but my hand was not used to it so I stopped.
“Then can I take a picture with you later after you eat?” His eyes shone as he led us to our place.
“Yeah. Sure. Why not?” Piper responded. Her even teeth came out as she smiled.
That’s what the man did after we ate. Some of his waiters were surprised by it but some of them also recognized Piper. They did not miss the opportunity so they also took pictures with her.
“Sorry. It’s not supposed to be like that.”
We walk back to church to pray.
“I’ll get used to it too then just once.”
I grabbed her hand and intertwined it with mine. Our eyes linked of that encounter.
“Maybe I should also practice how to be a photographer.”
We both laughed at what I said. When we regained our breath, I spoke.
“Are you okay now?” I hovered over her face. The wounds were still fresh so it was obvious that she just covered them with her make up.
Irritated, she looked away. Averting her gaze to me.
“I want to see that. Have you consulted doctor yet? You shouldn’t cover that up with anything because you might get infected.”
She was just silent as she waved my hand. She was like a child scolded by her parents.
“Love,” I asked her to come closer to me and then kissed her forehead. She seemed like something that could break quickly so I hugged her carefully.
“Whatever your problem is, I’m just here. Even if I don’t know that conflict, I’m just here. I’ll be with you. We’ll deal with it together. If you want to cry I’m just here.” I gradually felt the tightness of her hug and the the heat of her tears on my clothes.
“I know you and Donya Leonora are mean to each other. I felt that when fetched you yesterday. I feel that because you don’t answer my calls. Just cry that out and then we will pray.” I rubbed her back until she had finished weeping.
I took her comb from her shoulder bag and then combed her hair. I used her tissue to wipe his wet face and then powdered her. She also sneezed on the new tissue I was holding.
“It’s embarrassing!” As if she wasn’t from crying because of her pure laughter. It’s because her mucus spitted out.
“Why so embarrassed? It’s just a cold,” I said.
Our whole walk was full of laughter at what we did. Non-stop talk as if there will be no problems tomorrow. Happiness every minute that I will never forget. Her laughter, her frown, just everything.
She said she will soon return to Laguna so she wants to make the most of the remaining days. Her manager, Pixie, called to make it easier for her to go home because of the upcoming endorsements she has to make.
It cannot be denied because she has a big name in the industry.
We did a poor run when we entered the church. There will be a mass right now. We stood near the back.
“Good luck,” I said. This is one of my requests to be with her while listening to the word of God. Also one of my biggest wishes was to marry her, in the church of El Preve.
“Yeah. Maybe it’s a sign that we’ll last forever.” She giggled to herself.
The old lady next door glared at us. She motioned not to make a noise so Piper bit his lower lip.
“Don’t make any noise.” How could she still giggle.
Throughout the whole mass, the old lady was inevitably glancing at us.
“I remember my youth with you,” he said.
Because he was ahead of us and it was crowded because of the number of people with us, it was as if we were following him.
“I will also light a candle.” She also bought to where the old lady bought his candle.
“I remember my husband in your boyfriend,” the old lady began while shaking her hand.
“He’s also like that to me. I’m also lucky because he never had a third party. Because he only worships me. I am the only woman he loved for the rest of his life. What’s dark is he died early. Sadly, he did not fulfilled his last promise,” which I was curious of even though Piper was talking to her in front of me.
“What is it?” Piper queried.
The sadness on her face shows that her skin is getting worse due to old age.
“We will die together.”
Piper was shocked by what she mouthed.
“That’s hard but shouldn’t you be happy because he loves you, only you?”
The old lady did not smile and walked ahead as the saleswoman handed her the change.
“I think she was just scared to be alone,” Piper said as we walked to board the jeep.
“It’s really scary.”
She looked at me.
“Maybe she has a child so she’s not alone.”
“That’s not enough either, love.”
“That’s enough!” She frowned.
“All right. Can you handle it alone when I’m dead?”
Her face turned and then he hit me.
“Don’t joke like that! They talked about something else. They are old and have children.”
I seriously looked at her eyes.
“Because me, if you die, I will die too.”
“You’re dramatic,” she said then pulled me to the vendor of turon.
“I love you, so you don’t have to do drama,” she added.
“I do not like that.”
“Eh. What should I do?”
“I love you. When you say I love you, the I is separated from you. But in I love you, we are one.”
She nodded as if she liked what I said.
“I love you, love.” She’s the only one I see around. With the strength of my heartbeat when she’s around, I knew she’s really the one. That’s it.
It was as if my tongue was twisted so I couldn’t answer right away but I resisted it.
“I love you too, love.”
I know it’s hard to fight but if we do it together, we can handle it.