Chapter 49
Chapter Forty-Nine
Cam
I hated to admit it, but I was an anxious wreck on Friday. Not even my morning surf could soothe the nerves that kept me on edge. And all because Alonzo was coming tomorrow.
My brain pinged between the code on my screen to thoughts of the weekend ahead, then my eyes would shift to the note I’d received from Alonzo yesterday.
Maya—
Don’t panic, but I told my mom about you. Kind of—I told her I wanted her to meet you. Maybe it won’t be soon, but when you’re ready, we’ll make it happen.
I think you’ll like my family.
By now, you already know I’m going there this weekend. When I told Tala & Jason, they wanted to go too. I held them back, but I’m sure they’ll insist next time. So consider this a heads-up.
I miss the way you glare at me when I annoy you (like now?)—and how you can’t help but smile anyway.
X Alonzo
PS There was a kid selling sampaguitas outside the post office so I included some here. Next time, I’ll give you fresh flowers.
Since he’d sent that first note last Thursday, that meant he’d written this on Sunday, after brunch with his family.
His family, who apparently knew about me.
The guy was unbelievable. I couldn’t imagine meeting his sisters, let alone everyone else.
Though I was curious about them. I’d heard of families whose relationships were built on duty. Alonzo’s family, on the other hand, actually seemed to love each other even though they didn’t always see eye to eye. What a novel concept.
If I did get to meet them, would I meet their standards for Alonzo? I’d seen his ex, and I was nowhere as proper as she was?—
Stop it . That was an issue to worry about in the future.
Needing a break from the screen, I decided to clean my room, never mind that I just did so a couple of days ago. When that was done, I moved to the living area and the bathroom, giving everything a thorough sweep.
Inang arrived as I was fluffing the sofa cushions—something I’d done a grand total of once before. Her eyes rounded. She tsked, shaking her head. “Just friends, huh? Maybe I shouldn’t rent the extra room to Lonzo. He’ll be sleeping in yours anyway.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “Is it okay that …”
“Just try to keep it down.”
I winced because we hadn’t been good at that last time.
Snorting, Inang handed a new envelope to me. “Kids these days. I had a feeling about you two.”
“You never saw us together.”
“I saw you walking to the beach that morning.”
I gaped at her. “You were supposed to be sleeping.” Not only that, she had to have looked out the window to watch us leave.
Then again, should I really be surprised? That was how things were here—people got involved in each other’s business.
“You’re not as quiet as you think,” she said. “Read the letter. The house is clean enough.”
So I went back to my room and dove into one of the best parts of my day—opening mail from Alonzo.
Maya—
You haven’t reacted to these notes, so I have no idea if you’re getting them. If someone else is reading this, I hope it makes them smile. If it ended up in a landfill, shit. There goes my plan.
But if you, Maya, are reading this, know that I spent this Monday morning reliving the time I picked you up at the station. Whether or not you end up joining that company, I’ll be forever grateful to them for getting you to visit Manila.
What anniversary do you think we should celebrate—the day I bumped into you? The day we had our first date? Or the day you’ll say you love me?
Me? I’m celebrating all of them.
Missing you and how you call me a weirdo (even though you obviously like that about me)
X Alonzo
I laughed out loud. The guy was weird, and he was making a ton of assumptions for someone in a field that relied on facts and evidence. I’d have to call him out on that when he got here.
Forget what I said about not wanting to expect him to show up. My weekend had come to revolve around him being here. Jo had jumped and twirled when I told her the news, and that could have been the physical manifestation of the emotions whirling in me all throughout the week.
Smiling, I added the note to my collection. I had ten now, spanning from our surfing accident all the way to this one. It was like a time capsule of our relationship—little bits of memories that I would always come back to.
Maybe we didn’t get off on the right foot, but Alonzo kept showing up for me in the ways that mattered. I made it my mission to do the same for him.