Extraordinary Rendezvous
The memorial park, like the usual days, is silent. The breeze of the wind is the only thing that one can hear. The aura of the place would either give you the creeps or the solemnity that you sought to find. Every day, there would always be someone who would come, sit in one of the lots, light a candle and start talking their hearts out. Real life drama is usually seen here, the genuine tears of sadness and grief. The over exaggerated cries of anguish or probably relief. The reunion of families who were drifted apart by reasons unknown to others. And the blank stares filled with undeciphered emotions. The place was the end of every hope and dreams of being together with the person. It’s a resting place, the final rendezvous…
***
The cemetery was the sole place where Joy could think properly. It’s the only place she chose to unwind…beside her boyfriend’s grave. It has been what? Four years? They were almost graduating in high school when the Creator asked for Allan’s life back. Her world stopped for so long. Allan was everything to her. He was a best friend, a brother, a boyfriend… he was her soul mate.
He was everything that she wanted, except for one thing, he loved adventure… too much that he usually put his life at risk. He would try everything new… and the drag race came.
They fought over it several times. He promised her that he would never do it… again… and again… and again… Only to find out that he would sneak out in the wee hours of the morning to indulge himself in his so- called adventures.
It was her birthday. She was waiting for his call; he usually calls her when the clock strikes twelve. But sunrise came and there was no call. She didn’t sleep the whole night; her body seemed too agitated to do so. She was nervous and was having palpitations.
That morning, the news shocked her; Allan was rushed into the hospital.
It was dreadful. His whole body was covered with bruises and wounds. Not only that, he also suffered internal injuries. Most of his vital organs were damaged. Since no blood was available to match his, the doctors had his aunt signed consent for an autotransfusion. His own blood is to re-infuse to him!!!
She was anesthetized in disbelief. All that she could manage was to close her eyes and pray. There were problems during the operations that the doctors decided that they should rush him to the ICU. Three days of no sleep, she was there, beside him… and heard him breathe his last…
***
Luke was having ambivalent emotions. He was happy that finally his mom would never go through the whole painful process again at the same time, he felt sad because he knew, the moment he arrived home, it would be empty.
His mom was suffering from breast cancer for almost seven years. She had even given up both her breast in the faith that it would slow down the disease. It did. The sacrifice she made gave their family two more memorable years together.
They love her dearly, that is why her father usually takes his time off and spends it with them. On the other hand, his two sisters working abroad went home to spend the last few months with their mom. He was glad that his mom died peacefully, she has taught them well that would have the three of them equipped for their future battles in life.
Nevertheless, he could not deny the fact that he lost his mother. There was no one he could turn to in times of dilemma. Every day for two weeks, he was there. Talking to his mom as if she is listening intently and would comment on what he is talking about.
“Ma…” he started. “Did you know that…”
***
“You’re crying again…” Joy heard a voice from behind. She gasped in horror thinking that one of the residents was talking to her. When she turned around, she saw a boy, probably in her age group, standing five graves away from her. “Every time you come here, you always cry… your folk must be drowning down there of your tears…” he added.
She wiped her tears fast and threw the guy a sharp look. How dare he talk to her like that?, “Do I know you?” she questioned, her voice filled with maximum sarcasm.
The boy grinned, “Not yet,” he answered. Then he walked towards her, “I’m Luke” he offered his hands.
Joy stared at his palm, and then at him unbelievably, “Did you hear me ask for your name?”
Instead of her expected frustration, he remained cool and composed, “No, I believe you did not… so rather than wasting your effort asking…” he stopped and winked at her, “I took the initiative of giving you my name…”
Her tongue touched her molars unconsciously — an actuation signaling that she was losing patience. Help me, Allan… she plead silently.
“Would it be too much if I asked your name?” he continued.
“Spell ASA?” she turned her back and marched out of the cemetery. Damn the guy! She even forgot to say goodbye to Allan.
***
Luke can’t stop grinning. Did you see her, Ma? She’s beautiful wasn’t she? He had been eyeing her since last week. Every time he was here, which was almost every day, he could see her bicycle parking somewhere near that lot, and he would see her shed tears . Curiosity killed the cat, they say… but he was no cat. So what he did was he went on that lot when she left… wondering if the person had been dead just this year… to his surprise… the person died almost four years ago. She was still mourning? Ma, you think it’s normal? He looked at his mom’s grave and sighed. And you call talking to your mom normal? He added sardonically.
He cried when his mom died, he didn’t promise it to her. Crying, he knew was never a sign of weakness. However, come to think of it, even if how many pails of tears he will shed, it would never bring his mom back to him. What he promised her, that he’d be strong and he won’t grieve long. After all, his mom will never leave him. She will still be there guarding him, making sure that he’s a good boy.
I’m a good boy, am I mom? He laughed in a low voice; I stopped her from crying, made her angry instead. Way to go, Luke!
***
Joy slammed her bedroom door. She has never been this furious her entire life. No one had made fun of her like the way Luke did. Hey! You remembered his name. She closed her eyes in frustration. Deep breaths… inhale… exhale… inhale…
She went as early as five thirty in the morning because she heard her dad packing his clothes — again. After her dad’s car took off, she changed her pajamas and went to the cemetery.
Allan has always been there for her. She found comfort in his presence. Funny, but every time she’s in his lot, she could feel him. She talks, as if he was just there sitting with her, listening to her whims like he normally does. She cries, as if he was there, hugging her tightly and assuring her that everything is going to be just fine.
And how will everything turn out to be fine when she knew the moment she arrived home, no one is there to welcome her. Just her nanny. Her mom died giving birth to her, while her dad was busy. Perhaps that’s why she wasn’t done mourning… because four years ago, when Allan died… he took not only her heart with him, but her whole being. Allan was the only person (besides her nanny) who cared about her. Four years. Has it been that long? I missed you Allan… so much…
***
Luke was waiting for her to come. Ma, before you say anything, I’m here, primarily, to visit you… promise… and to… well… to see her…
He didn’t know what hit him yesterday but it didn’t make him sleep the whole night. He was smiling and grinning like a lunatic. He can’t help it. His feeling, whatever it was made him euphoric.
At last, she came, riding on her bicycle. When she parked it under the mango tree, he touched his mom’s niche and whispered, “For a while, ma… wish me luck…”
***
As usual, it was as unproductive as Luke expected. She hated him like he was the worst person on earth. Well, at least she didn’t avoid him like a plague. She was still going everyday on Allan’s grave — that’s the name on the niche she was visiting.
Only these past few days, she wasn’t crying anymore. Her eyes were showing sadness, but when they “talk”, despite the anger that her pretty face was showing, there was this tinge of loneliness that he could see in her eyes.
Perchance, like he was, she was getting accustomed to their unusual “talks.” It was a habitual, every time he approached her, they would start arguing. It started with him asking for her name. Until now, a month later, he still didn’t catch her name. So, he was calling her Asa — the one she let him spelled— instead.
***
“You’re smiling again, Joy…” her nanny’s voice seemed to wake her up.
“Huh?”
The woman smiled and placed her glass of orange juice in the table, “You’re eyes are glowing again, dear… It has been —-.” Her nanny stopped whatever she was about to say when she noticed her silence and change of mood. “I’d be in the kitchen if you need me…” she nodded in acknowledgement.
Her nanny had always known her. She needed not to say anything for the old woman to know what she felt. She told her that her eyes were glowing. Was it really?
She was smiling a while ago because she remembered the last time she and Luke “talked” — as he would refer their arguments. He kept on calling her Asa because she wouldn’t tell him her name. For the longest time since Allan was buried…one month … one whole month that her lacrimal glands didn’t excrete any tears.
But guilt rushed through her veins when she felt a cold breeze brushed her skin. Allan?…Am I betraying you?…
***
Rain was pouring since she arrived. Joy’s dress was completely soaking wet and her lips were trembling in coldness. She was sitting in the grass, trying to ease the tension that she was having but couldn’t help it. Her eyes were sore from crying since this morning, and her lungs were almost desperate in catching air. Her dad promised her he’d be arriving; she didn’t get enough sleep because she wanted to prepare all the food that she was going to cook for her birthday.
To her dismay, just before sunrise, her dad called her and told her he wasn’t coming home. He had an emergency meeting. “We’ll just reheat what you have cooked tomorrow.” For her dad, it was just as simple as that. Today’s her birthday, not tomorrow.
Sing me happy birthday, Allan… she begged desperately. She was too upset to celebrate. She looked around, hoping Luke was there. When she saw no one, she decided to go home and sleep until the day passed.
A little later, she slowly stood up, her vision blurred and literally, she collapsed.
***
Joy woke up inside a room, wearing someone else’s shirt. Her head was throbbing with pain. Where is she?!
She was about to get out of bed when the door opened, Luke entered carrying a tray of food. “What am I doing here? What am I doing in your shirt?!” she demanded. He smiled at her, and instantly her heart did a somersault, what is happening to you, Joy?
He placed the tray on his study table and faced her, ”It would be best if you would thank me first…”
She raised her brows, “Luke?!” she warned. Her voice was demanding for an immediate explanation that didn’t seem to bother the guy.
He laughed at her, “Thanks to me, your pretty little head is still intact until now…”
She shook her head in disbelief, “But you weren’t there!”
Luke stopped grinning then she saw that familiar naughtiness in his eyes, “You looked out for me, didn’t you?” he asked her. “You missed me, eh?”
Joy didn’t answer his questions. He was there. Why didn’t she saw him? Did she arrive just on time that she lost her consciousness? She tried to find another topic when she remembered her unanswered questions a while ago, “What am I doing inside your room and in your shirt?”
“You’re here, Asa because I don’t know where you live, you were burning with fever, and your clothes were wet…” he looked at her and smirked, “For the record, it was my sister who changed your clothes and did the sponge bath. Not me. They won’t let me in my room. So I have to sleep on the couch outside. And that shirt you’re wearing is not mine…” his brows went up and down a couple of times then he continued, “I should’ve known you want to wear my shirt instead…I’ll get you one?” Luke offered generously.
Joy was shaking her head the whole time he was explaining and tried suppressing her laugh but failed terribly. By the end of his statement, she was laughing. However, she immediately stopped, seeing him looking at her intently. “Is there anything wrong?” she asked.
“No… It’s just that this… this is the first time I saw you laugh your heart out…” he told her dramatically. Then his naughty smile was visible again, “I cooked you breakfast. Don’t worry. I didn’t put a love potion or a poison in it…I’m too lovable to do such desperate craps…” he made his way to the door but before he could take another step, she called his name. He once again faced her, “It’s Joy.” She spilled.
“It’s Joy.” She spilled.
“The one that you make me feel every time I see you?” he asked.
Joy laughed softly and shook her head, “My name…”
“Oh…” he winked at her and closed the door.
***
Luke brought her home that afternoon. He and his sisters made sure that she was totally fine before deciding to do so. Joy was overwhelmed with attention. It was a loss that she didn’t have the chance to meet their dad. She was almost sure that he was as thoughtful as his children.
She called her nanny after breakfast. Her dad was home… he came home yesterday at lunchtime and was worried sick about her. She cried over the phone and promised her dad that she’d be back as soon as possible. Her dad told her that he took a week off and booked a vacation spree in Palawan.
When his car parked in front of their gate, Joy took the initiative of speaking first, “Do you want to ask why I was there?”
“You are always there…” he simply answered.
She was amazed how Luke could manage to act according to what the situation calls for. Like right now, there was no hint of gag in his voice, plain serious. It was the first time he used that tone of voice on her, “It was my birthday yesterday… Dad promised me he’d come but he broke his word again…” she explained. Joy was staring straight ahead, on the empty street, “It was the day when Allan… when Allan had the accident…” she recalled painfully.
She told him how lonely she felt yesterday and how she wished that Allan would take her with him. No one had been there for her since Allan left. No one had understood what she really felt. No one had given her light in her darkest moments.
Luke held her hand firmly, “I, too, lost someone I loved Joy… I know how it feels… how empty the space that the person left in your heart… the realization that I will never see my mom again was a big bombed exploding right before my very eyes…it will never be the same again…” he told her. He put his arm around her shoulders and pull her close enough for comfort, “But you see, Joy… we’re still alive… they’re not… we have to live life — no matter how painful, unfair or ironic it is… my mom wouldn’t want me to cry until my eyes were too puffy… Seeing you weeping all the time would never rest his soul in peace…It’s time to move on, Joy… You’ve been grieving long enough.” Then he whispered in her ears, “Don’t worry, if you need me… I’d always be here…”
Joy closed her eyes and sighed. Weird, but the sense of security she was feeling was sufficient to make her feel okay. “You know what?” she asked in a low voice looking into his eyes, “I never thought you could be this serious…”
He beamed, “So…you want to get to know me more then?”
Once again, she laughed, pushed him away smoothly, kissed him fast on the cheeks, “Maybe…”
***
Luke knew Joy would be gone for a week; her father was taking her to Palawan. He missed her a lot. A week of no communication was misery itself. On the other hand, he was happy for her. It was a dream came true.
Now, it’s time to make his dream come true as well.
He was here again, on the place where goose bump meets solemnity — the cemetery… their unofficial meeting place…. An extraordinary rendezvous.
He was standing not in front of his mom’s but in front of Allan’s niche. He sat down, lit a candle, did several deep breathing and started talking, “Um… I’m Luke… you must’ve noticed me several times talking to Joy… well… I… I just want to ask permission if… if I… umm… I… could…if I could court Joy…” he was staring at the niche, as if really talking to Allan, closed his eyes once in a while, trying to find the words he wanted to say. “Promise…” he clasped his hands together and bowed his head a little bit, “I’ll try to make her smile all the time… to make her laugh…I will not do anything to intentionally hurt her… I will take care of her the way you did or even better… I… I love her, Allan…” At last he spoke everything he wanted Allan to know. It has been weeks since he started debating with himself if it was really love or something else. He was about to say something when he heard a soft laugh,
“You’re talking to Allan?” she asked.
Luke gazed as she was approaching, he couldn’t believe that he was here already. In the flesh! “Wow…” was all that he could utter, “You look…” where are you adjectives??!!!
“Pretty?” she supplied him with the lost adjectives, he nodded, Joy grinned, “I know…”
He was dumb-founded. Perhaps caught off-guard by her arrival he couldn’t find the words to say.
“I missed you…” he heard her whispered.
“Huh?” was she talking to him or Allan?
“I missed you, Luke…” she chuckled, “What were you telling Allan?”
“Um… I… I…” he was stuttering!
She grinned even more at him, then touched Allan’s niche, “Did he pass Allan? Do you think he won’t make me cry?”
Luke’s face turned pale, he heard him? Everything that he said? She was almost laughing at him. Nevertheless, the thought made him feel more okay rather than humiliated. The Joy that is sitting beside him was different from the Joy that left last week. Her aura radiated happiness, and contentment. Finally, he could tell that she had moved on with life…
She looked at him seriously this time and threw him the question, “Now why don’t you tell me what you told Allan… I’d be glad to hear the whole speech…”
“Well…” he pouted his lips, put his forefinger on his temples as if he was thinking to spill it out or not, “What do I get in return?”
“My heart…”
“Fair enough… Well… I told him that…”
***
Joy heard him loud and clear. He was too busy asking permission while she was busy staring at him and listening to what he was saying. She knew in her heart that she wouldn’t regret the decision that she’s going to make. Luke had taught her how to live life… she loved Allan, but he’s gone now… She’s sure that Allan wanted her to find the happiness that was once lost. Well, she already found it and it spelled… L-U-K- E.
