Chances (Chapter Thirteen)

XIII. Running After You

Less than two years ago…

James was sitting on the couch in the middle of Allie’s condo unit. In three weeks’ time, they would be walking down the aisle. James was looking at the invitations. Apparently, Allie was not satisfied with them and the invitations were not given out on time. They were supposed to give it to the guests last week, but the “color was not right,” Allie insisted. Which is the reason why she’s already on the phone, talking to those who are supposed to bring the modified invitations to her apartment, today.

Three weeks, thought James. I’m getting married in three weeks.

James looked at Allie, standing on the corner, in a heated argument. They started off as college buddies and the next thing he knew, they were kissing on the university parking lot. That was more than three years ago. In a few weeks, they would be together forever. Forever, James thought. Are we ready for that?

Allie ended the call and sat down besides James. “That was infuriating,” Allie said. She started to rant about other aspects of the wedding which are not going well. The chef who was supposed to prepare the meals at the reception, got sick. “Why do everything have to fall apart on the last minute?” Allie wailed.

James placed his hand behind Allie. “Hey,” James sweetly said. “We could always move the wedding. The invitation is not even out. Or we could just elope.”

Allie pulled away from James and looked at him incredulously, “Are you serious, James? That’s so immature. Everybody is set for the wedding date, we can’t postpone it.”

James flinched at what Allie said. Allie would often contradict his ideas. The only thing that he did that Allie did not complain about was when he proposed. However, a few hours later, she was already inspecting her engagement ring, asking for the price and if James was able to get a certificate stating that it is indeed a real diamond. I don’t want you to get duped, you get so trusting sometimes, he remembered Allie telling him.

But Allie was not always this uptight. She was a fun girl in college, but when she entered the fashion industry, that was when her attitude started to change. She would often demand James to wear clothes which are not really his style, just because they are meeting designers and clothing manufacturers. She would decide where and what they should eat. If James wanted pizza, they’ll go the other way. It’s not real food, Allie would often argue.

The fun girl he knew was starting to disappear. She was trying so hard to make him fit into her world, that he is starting to lose himself without her noticing. It gets to suffocating sometimes. But James learned to compromise. The last time he brought this up, they got into a terrible row. James remembered walking out of the condo, telling Allie, that he needs to be "him." The next day, he was back in Allie’s apartment, because Allie’s maid called him frantically saying that Allie was packing her things and will be leaving and staying in U.S. They patched things up. A week later, James was already proposing to Allie.

“We are not moving the wedding,” Allie said, snapping James out of her reverie. “We already told our family and friends about this.”

James held Allie’s hands and made her look at him. “Allie,” James said softly. “Whose wedding is this? This is our wedding. We do what we want.”

“I know,” Allie answered. “But we don’t just do things because we want them. But because we have too.”

Allie stood up and started to walk towards the kitchen. She turned towards James and told him, “Besides, this is what I want. And you, too, right?”

James stared at Allie and nodded his head. Allie smiled with approval and walked to the kitchen.

Is this what I really want? James asked himself. Or is it something that I have to do?

****

“You want what?” Bren shouted in surprise, almost choking on the glass of juice he was drinking. Ryan was also looking at James, surprised.

“You heard me,” James said. Calmly looking at his friends. “I’m getting married in three weeks, what difference would that make.”

“You’re getting married in three weeks,” said Ryan. “That’s the reason why you should not do it.” Bren was nodding in approval.

James shrugged. “What’s wrong with that,” James asked. “I just want to see her again.”

“And what would you say to her,” Bren asked, almost accusingly.

“I’ll ask her how she’s doing,” James answered tentatively.

“Then why don’t you just call her, after you got married,” Ryan insisted.

“I don’t know,” James surrendered. “I have this nagging feeling that I have to find her. I have to see and talk to her. I don’t know what I’m going to say, but I definitely need to talk to her.”

“You’re nuts,” Bren said, shaking his head. “Be honest with us James, we are your closest friends. What do you plan to do when you find her?”

James looked at his two friends and looked outside the house. “Have you ever connected with somebody?”

“But maybe the connection was just for friendship, companionship,” Bren reasoned out.

“Have you ever felt or had the feeling that you know the person so well, even if you just met for the first time?” James asked, not paying attention to what Bren said. James saw his friends shook their head. James continued, “That was what I felt when I first saw her. It feels so right to be there with her, so familiar and yet so refreshing.”

Bren and Ryan looked at each other. They have no idea what James is talking about. They felt that their friend is turning into a poet and he is a very, very vague poet.

“No,” James immediately answered. He remembered the passionate kiss, the sweet taste of rain on her lips. “It was definitely more that friendship.”

James looked at his friends, he has made a decision and he does not need their approval. “I need to find her,” James said. “I could not live a life, always thinking, what if.”

****

James is standing in front of a tall building in Makati, patiently waiting. She’s working here, he thought. He looked at his watch and saw that the employees would soon be leaving their offices. He felt his cellphone vibrating in his pocket, he pulled it out and saw that Allie was calling him. He shoved the phone back into his pocket and continued to watch the people walking into and out of the building doors.

Two days ago after talking to his friends about his plans, he called the hotel where he and Allie stayed, four months ago. He asked for the consulting firm who sponsored the seminar. After getting the names of the several firms who sent representatives to the event, he patiently called each one. He has to pull some strings just to get several leads. This morning, he hit a jackpot. A consulting firm confirmed an employee with the same name. He resisted being connected with her, when the secretary asked if he wants to talk to the employee. He needs to see her in person.

After four months, James saw her. She was wearing a crisp white blouse with black pinstriped slacks. A coat, was thrown on her arms, and she was carrying a heavy bag. He was about to walk towards her, when a man suddenly called her and walked towards her.

“Devon!”

Devon heard somebody calling her name and looked behind her. It is Jack, a very persistent officemate. She smiled and waited for the man. Jack grabbed her arm and started to pull her towards their other officemates, “Have dinner with us.”

Devon shook her head. “I want to, but I have other things scheduled for tonight.”

Jack frowned. “C’mon. You’re not going out with us anymore. Besides, this is not a date. We are going with other friends.”

Devon could not help but laugh. A few weeks ago, she remembered telling Jack that she would not go out on a date with him ever. “I can’t.”

“She can’t cause she’s having dinner with me,” a voice behind Devon said. Devon turned around and her mouth dropped when she saw James standing behind her.

Jack looked at James, he did not miss Devon’s surprised look which changed into an angry expression. “Okay, so this is the reason why you won't go out with me,” Jack joked and shut his mouth when Devon threw him an icy glare. He waved at Devon and walked away. Obviously, there is something between this two and I don’t want to get involved or caught in a crossfire, Jack thought thinking about Devon's piercing stare.

James and Devon were standing, facing at each other, not saying anything. Finally, Devon broke the silence. “Why are you here,” she asked.

“We need to talk,” James said.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Devon said and started to walk away. James went after Devon and pulled her towards the nearest parking lot. “Let me go,” Devon pulled her hand away and stopped on her tracks.

“We have to talk Devon,” James said. He pulled her again, towards a parked black car. He opened the passenger door and motioned Devon to get in.

Devon took a long look at James but remained standing outside the car. Devon said clearly, “We are not going anywhere. If we need to talk, then we talk here.”

James looked at Devon and closed the door. He raked his fingers through his hair. “The last four months was hell for me. I kept thinking about you. The kiss.”

Devon looked at James, thinking he may be joking. But his face was so serious and he was looking at Devon so intently, she pulled her eyes away. “The kiss was nothing serious.”

“Tell me, how you feel,” James asked. “Cause I feel completely different when I’m with you. I felt things that I have never felt before.”

Devon clenched her fist. I must be strong, he’s getting married Devon. “I don’t feel the same way.”

James pulled her and kissed her. It was not the time for lies. Not the time for words, nor logic or common sense. It was their time to feel, to experience. When James’s lips touched Devon’s, she forgot everything. She was shaking. He was trembling. Both wanted more.

James whispered while his lips were still on hers, “Your body shows otherwise.” He dipped his head again and feasted on her strawberry lips.

Devon pulled away from his kiss and arms. She knew at that moment, she had fallen for James. How and exactly when, she can’t remember. Fallen really hard, and its really bad. She held her things tight with trembling hands.

She said to James without looking at him, “We have to end this madness James. You are getting married.”

Devon turned and started to run. Away from him. Away from her feelings. Away from all the craziness.

James was left alone, staring at her disappearing back. In that moment, he felt that he turned into a puddle. He realized when she walked out on him, he cannot breathe without her. He needs her. I love her, the realization hit him hard, leaving him breathless.

Chances (Chapter Twelve)

(I was listening to this song while writing it, you may want to listen as you read.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrpSjXo6ah0 )

XII. Walking Away

The present…

James is looking at the clear, blue sky.  He is listening to Devon’s story and how they travelled to Baguio and how everything lasted for almost two days.  It was a weird and a funny story. He tried a few times to close his eyes and go back to that faithful day, but he could not.  He tried to get the memories back but all he sees is darkness with white spots.

James looked at Devon. She was sitting silently beside him. He looked around. They are in a gasoline station, that gasoline station, where they supposedly walked under the rain. Where they supposedly shared a kiss.  Supposedly.   He looked ahead.  They were sitting in a quiet corner, under a tree, away from the maddening cars which kept rolling unto to the station to get their tanks refilled.

Devon looked at the man sitting beside her.  It took them a few hours to get here. The trip was a silent one. James pretended to sleep, trying to avoid any conversation. Devon tried to get a shut-eye, too. But the emotions are too much to contain. This would be the turning point for her.

When James asked what they were doing in the gasoline station, Devon told him everything.  What happened two years ago. If it was able to trigger any memory, Devon could only guess, for his face showed or betrayed nothing.

How long is he going to be silent, thought Devon.  

What should I say to her, James kept thinking.  

James looked at Devon. For a slight second, he felt something warming his heart.  He wanted to touch her face, run his hand through her hair.  He wanted to pull her in his arms. Why? James asked himself. Why?

James averted his eyes and took a deep breath.  “Is that the reason why I broke the engagement with Allie?” James asked.

Devon could not answer. She was hoping more than that. She was hoping that he would know what happened next.

“Why you?” asked James bluntly. “I’m sorry, but I need to be honest Devon. Why you?”

Devon felt something pulling at her heart. “I don’t know.”

“Cause if I am happy with you, I would’ve remembered,”  James said.

Devon felt the pull became a squeeze. Her heart felt it was going to burst from the pain.  “I wanted to know why, too.”

“You know what,” James faced her. “I remember what kind of girl Allie was to me. She was the best. And I can’t understand why I would throw away something that I have shared with Allie for a long time for somebody that I have only met a few times.”

“If I have the answers to all your questions,” Devon responded. “I should have provided you the answers, two years ago.”

“You got me thinking,” James started to say but Devon placed her forefinger against his lips, signing him to be quiet.

“Don’t think,” Devon said.  She took her forefinger off his lips and placed it on his chest, on his heart. “Try to remember from here.”

James felt his heart hammering, as if it is straining and trying to get near to Devon’s warm hand. He brushed her hand away.  “The heart can only feel, it does not remember anything.”

“Then make it feel me,” Devon silently answered. Her eyes are now misting.  She knows that this trip, this conversation is going nowhere.  

James looked at Devon, drawn to her misting eyes.  He swallowed and looked away, “Bottom line is I can’t remember you, nor how it feels to be with you. And we have to accept that.”

James stood up and was about to walk away.  

“What about me?” Devon asked, her voice shaking. “What about me? I remember everything, I still feel the same.  You’ll leave as if nothing happened? What about me?”

James did not look back. “Then you have to forget.”  He started to walk away. I don’t want to be cruel, but it’s the best for everybody.

Devon watched James walking away. Leaving her, forgetting her.  She felt as if she lost all her energy, her knees became weak and the tears can no longer be controlled.  

“What about me?” Devon sobbed. And once blue sky seemed to be understand her, for it started to rain.

****

It was almost nine o’clock in the evening, Allie was on the telephone chatting with a friend, when the doorbell in her condo unit buzzed. She was not expecting anybody.  She ended the call and opened the door, and was surprised to see the person standing outside her door.

It was James.

“What are you doing here,” asked Allie. She looked behind him and saw that nobody was with him.

James then walked towards Allie and hugged her.  Allie knew that moment.  He chose me, Allie said to herself bewildered.

“Could I sleep here?” asked James. “I’m really tired and my head is really aching.”

“Yes, of course, “ answered Allie.

James sat down on the couch and looked at Allie who was sitting on the opposite chair.  “Devon and I talked,”  James started. “We ended things.”  Allie’s heart jumped and she could not help but smile. James gave a weak smile, “I guess you know what that meant.”

Allie nodded and walked towards James, she hugged him. He’s back, she whispered.

James winced as if he was in pain. “Do you have anything for headaches? My head is killing me,” James asked.

“Of course, I do,” answered Allie. “You know that I have a complete medicine kit here.  I’ll get you some. Have you eaten?”

James tried to listen to Allie, but his head is really hurting. Allie was rambling about what they should have for dinner, and that he should call his Dad about his whereabouts.  James stretched on the couch, placed his arms under his head. This is the right thing to do, he convinced himself. It is useless to hold unto something that you can’t even vaguely picture.

He closed his eyes and thought about what happened and what would be waiting for him the next day.  But the last image that flashed in his mind was the sad eyes of somebody who kept asking him and made him think if he was selfish, “what about me?”

When Allie came back, James was already asleep on the couch. She went inside the bedroom and got a pillow and a blanket. There is no use in waking him up, he needs to rest.

Allie was watching James sleep when she heard her cellphone ringing.  She walked towards it and found that it was Bren calling.  She answered the call, “Yes, Bren.”

“Hello, Allie,” Bren greeted. “Is James there?”

“Yes, he is here,” said Allie, glancing at the sleeping man.  “He’s sleeping on the couch.”

“You have to send him home,” Bren said.

“Why?” asked Allie.

“Cause it will complicate things,” Bren explained. “He’s getting married, Allie.”

“He told me, he already ended it,” answered Allie.

Bren went quiet and Allie could feel that the guy she was talking was uneasy. “Allie,” Bren said softly. “He has amnesia. He’s confused. He does not need to make this decision now.”

Allie went quiet. He’s back, she thought. “But he already did,” answered Allie. “He made the decision and decided to come back, to me.”

Bren heard how Allie emphasized the last two words. “Allie,” Bren started, ready to reason out with her.

Allie cut Bren off and answered firmly, “Bren, please understand James’s decision. He went back to me. He chose me.”

Allie ended the call and looked at James. She heard raindrops against the window sill  and quickly walked towards the window.  She closed the windows and watched the rain, drenching the entire Manila. Funny, it was too sunny and hot earlier, Allie thought.

Chances (Chapter Eleven)

XI. Goodbyes

James was lying on the jeepney seat.  The rain was still drumming loudly on the jeep’s roof.  He looked at his watch, they have been waiting for almost two hours, but the rain looks like it is not stopping.  There are no news about the road clearing, either. 

“This is the worst trip ever,” James said loudly.

Devon was watching the rain near the jeepney’s door.  She looked at the frustrated James. “Think of it as an adventure.”

James laughed. “We should have this documented and written. We would earn bucks from this,” James said.

Devon laughed. “Look at how beautiful the rain is.”

James sat down and looked outside. He saw Devon’s profile looking outside. Not as beautiful as you, he thought. He shook his violently with that thought, think of Allie, he told himself.  “You call that beautiful? That is why we kept on getting nowhere,” James said exasperatedly.

Devon looked at James. “Sometimes is not about the getting to the destination, it’s about the trip.”

She got off the jeepney and stood in the middle of the pouring rain. “What are you doing,” shouted James.

“Standing,” Devon answered. 

James answered crossly, “I know you’re standing in the middle of rain. Get inside, you’ll get wet!”

“When was the last time you played in the rain?” Devon asked.

“I never did that,” James answered.

Devon looked at him and walked towards the jeep’s entrance. “You have never played in the rain?”

“Not because I wanted to,” James said. “I get caught in the rain and I had played a few soccer matches while raining, but I never played in the rain before just because I wanted to.”  Devon was looking at him, bewildered. “In Manila, it’s acid rain,” James explained.

Devon shook her head and pulled James out of the jeep.  “We’ll get wet,” James exclaimed and tried to get back into the jeepney.

“You’ve got spare clothes, why do you have to worry about getting wet,” Devon pointed out. 

Devon jumped into a water puddle, making James pants entirely wet. James looked at Devon incredulously.  “You will be paying for that, wifey.”

A few minutes later, there are two adults frolicking in rain, jumping on water puddles and trying to get the other one wetter than the other.  It looks like the rain has no plans to stop. In was a downpour, but James and Devon were totally enjoying themselves.

James sat down on the jeepney step and watched Devon who was standing under the rain. Her hair was completely wet, plastered in the back of her head.  Her face was directed upwards, her eyes closed and her lips moving. Is she praying, thought James, or was she calling on the spirits.  She looks like a nymph.  No, she looks like an angel who landed in the middle of the rain.

 James smiled when he saw Devon opened her eyes and started to walk towards him.  She sat beside James and sighed.  James got a whiff of Devon’s sweet swell of rain. He never knew that rain could smell so sweet.  James doesn’t understand if it was the rain that got through his head, Devon’s sweet scent or the craziness and happiness that he felt when he was with her. 

James pulled Devon towards him.  Her body close to his.  Devon looked at him surprised, but anticipating. Devon’s mind was telling her to pull away. He’s getting married, her mind kept on telling her. But she could not pull away, his intent gaze was on her. James held her chin and started to inch towards her rain-kissed lips.

When James’s lips touched Devon’, he thought he heard thunderclaps. She  thought there was an earthquake.  His hands gripped her shoulders, and he kissed her. Really kissed her. The kiss was hot and passionate. Wanting for more.

James did not expect that Devon would kiss back. But she did. He certainly did not expect passion, not from either one of them. When was the last time a  kiss left him reeling? When was the last time a kiss left her clinging for dear life?.  Both of them could not remember. Both of them suspected that no kiss has ever made them feel what they are feeling now.

No, stop it Devon. Devon heard her senses telling her to stop and she did. She pulled away and was breathless. She does not know what to say. James was staring at her, still holding her shoulders.  They did not notice the rain has finally stopped. They barely heard the driver who was noisily clambering into the jeepney. 

“They cleared the tree in McKinley,” he said loudly. “You could change clothes now, lovebirds.”

Devon grabbed her bag and quickly walked towards the gasoline station’s comfort room. She needs to be away from James. We can’t be together, Devon thought painfully.

****

Devon’s eyes are closed, James can’t say if she is sleeping or feigning sleep. When he got back to the jeepney, Devon was already in that position, her head resting on the jeepney wall and asleep.

James does not know what to say to her, after the kiss. What could I possibly say to her, James thought. I don’t want to apologize. Should I apologize for something that wonderful?

When the two men got off the jeep, Devon woke up. But she was not looking at James. 

“Where am I taking you?” asked the driver.

Devon let James told the driver that the next block would be fine. They could both walk towards their hotel after that.  When they got off the jeep and after fervent “thank yous”, Devon started to walk away fast. James ran after her.

”Devon,” James called.

Devon took a deep breath and turned to James, with a smile. “What?”

“What hotel are you staying,” James asked. Is that the only thing you could say, James want to hit himself.  Devon told her the hotel, and he was surprised.  “I’m staying in the same hotel.”

He walked next to her. Nobody was saying anything, until James decided to break the silence. “Devon, I just wanted to say that…”

But Devon cut him off, “There is nothing to say. You don’t have to explain anything. It was just a spur of the moment.”

Devon faced him and extended her hand, “So this is it. We’re both here. Thank you for the adventure.”

James shook her hand. He wanted to do more than shake her hand. He wanted to hug her and tell her that he felt different when he’s with her. But instead, he just held her hand.  Devon pulled her hand out of James’s clasp and started to walk towards the hotel again. James followed behind her.

As they neared the hotel, James saw a familiar figure standing in front of the hotel. A minute later, Allie was already hugging him tightly.

“Where have you been,” Allie asked who’s in the verge of tears. “I was so worried.  I was about to call the police so they could look for you.”

“Just had several mishaps along the way,” James explained simply.  He looked around and saw that Devon was already walking towards the hotel the lobby.  He saw her disappear in the hotel’s entrance.

“Just when did a Baguio trip took two days,” Allie demanded.  She started to walk with James towards the hotel.  She was explaining what she has done and what they would do today.   She insisted that James should visit a doctor to make sure that he there’s nothing wrong with him after James “disappearance.” But James’s mind was somewhere else.

James was busy the entire day, he had a doctor appointment. Allie has arranged for food and cake tasting, as well as checking on the flowers.  She also arranged for short meeting with the wedding planner and a dinner date with her several of her family’s friends who are staying in Baguio. James wanted to look for Devon and talk to her for the last time but he could not do that with Allie by her side.

The next day, after having breakfast with Allie and another group of family friends, Allie and James went to the church where they were getting married. Once they were back in the hotel,  James went to the reception counter and asked if there is still an ongoing seminar. The receptionist said that the seminar has just ended and the delegates have already left.

Chances (Chapter Ten)

X.  In Nature’s Hands

When the old lady, who introduced herself as Nanay Saling, left them in a small room with one bamboo bed, Devon immediately squared it off with James.

“Since we already have one bed,” Devon said with hands akimbo. “I’m taking it.” Devon plunked her bag on the bamboo bed. But James quickly took the bag off the bed.

“Oh, no,” retorted James. “It was you who got us into trouble. So I am taking the bed.”

Devon’s mouth became wide open and she watched while James sat down on the bed.  “What a gentleman,” Devon said sarcastically. She sat down on the bamboo bed and looked at James. “If you did not insist on eating lunch, we would be in Baguio right now.”

“Well, if you did not insist on hitch hiking, we could’ve gone back to Manila and not in the middle of nowhere without any money,” James answered back.

They were facing at each other, daring each one to come up with a better answer, when the door started to open. James quickly placed his hand on Devon’s waist and pulled her towards him. Devon was surprised with the gesture and was about to say something when Nanay Saling came inside the room with a blanket and two pillows.

“Is everything okay,” asked Nanay Saling.  She handed the blanket and pillows to Devon.

James quickly answered, “Oh, there’s nothing wrong.  Thank you very much for being so kind and letting us stay overnight.”

Nanay Saling nodded and said before leaving the room, “When you’re done changing clothes, join me in dinner.”

Devon immediately pulled away from James when Nanay Saling left the room.  She stood up and said, “Since nobody would like to give in, I say we share the bed.”

James raised an eyebrow. This lady could be shocking sometimes, he thought.  “It’s okay with me.” He got his bag and started to look for a pair of shorts.

What, Devon thought wildly, he was supposed to refuse! He should’ve thought that it is inappropriate to sleep besides a woman who is not his fiancée. This man is so infuriating.  Devon gasped when he saw James taking off his pants and quickly turned her back from him.  “What are you doing? You could’ve warned me,”  she said angrily.

James tried to control his laughter behind Devon’s back. After changing into shorts, he walked towards her and whispered in her ear. “You have to get used to it, wifey. Besides you’ll be snuggling with me the entire night.”

Devon blushed and quickly turned around to chuck this infuriating man but found him already on the door.

“Be quick, my small and morena wife,” James said sweetly. “You don’t want to keep Nanay Saling waiting.”

James immediately closed the door before he could get hit with a flying a pillow.

****

It was almost seven o’ clock in the morning, the next day and here they are in Nanay Saling’s store, trying to sort the fruits in the old lady’s stand.

James dropped a kaing with fruits when he saw Devon sitting besides the stall, trying to take the ants out of a rambutan fruit.  He could not help but smile. Last night at  dinner, she walked into the small kitchen wearing a pair of shorts and red shirt. She has dried her hair and it was flowing freely, untied in her back. She smiled pleasantly when she entered the room. She’s so beautiful, just like a Barbie doll, James remembered. 

After their dinner, they were talking to Nanay Saling and doing their best not to get back into the room.  Eventually, Nanay Saling shooed them away, telling them that they should sleep early since the jeep would leave at four in the morning. James went inside the room first and lied down on the bed. 

He was thinking if Devon would seriously sleep beside him. He was thinking about sleeping on the floor, when Devon came inside the room. Without saying anything she lay down beside James, with her back towards him. 

Last night, he faced Devon’s back and could not help but noticing how sweet-smelling she is.  He wanted to touch her hair, run his fingers through it. His heart was beating fast in his chest, he wanted to turn Devon towards him and kiss her. My God, James thought. He was sweating, this is not good. Think about Allie.  He turned his back and faced the wall.

Until now, James was only thinking about what happened, his heart is still hammering in his chest. Did she feel the same way, James thought while looking at Devon’s quiet figure. These hormones are making me crazy, James started to walk away to carry another kaing.

Devon could not help but notice James. Who would not notice a 5’7” hunk walking around, with the torso naked and sweaty from carrying several kaing of fruits. Devon tried to calm herself and drew several deep breaths.  Stop having fantasies, Devon scolded herself. He is engaged. Engaged! She wanted to shout at the last word.

She had a terrible sleep last night. She was so conscious with the man lying beside her. My God, Devon thought, I could still remember his masculine smell. Devon shook the image and smell out her head. 

This trip is full of bad luck, Devon thought.  They were able to get into the four o’clock jeep, but unfortunately, two blocks away from Nanay Saling’s store the jeep suddenly stopped and they could hear something hissing from the engine.

James and Devon have to walk back to Nanay Saling’s stall to tell her about what happened.  Nanay Saling told them that another jeep would come by.  When the second jeepney passed, the driver refused to take the two for free. My buena mano is not going to be for free, insisted the driver and continued driving.

Nanay Saling remembered that a nephew would be going to Baguio that morning.

“He would be driving an old jeep,” Nanay Saling explained.  “The ride could be uncomfortable.”  James and Devon agreed, reaching Baguio is more important than sparing their butts from some pain.  So while waiting for Nanay Saling’s nephew, they decided to help the old woman first to repay for her kindness.

But Devon is finding it hard to concentrate, she kept on glancing on the finely chiselled torso of a guy who was parading himself in front of her.  She could not help but notice other girls, who kept on passing in front of Nanay Saling’s stall, looking at James.  And the idiot is smiling at them, she thought angrily.

Nanay Saling noticed the creases forming in Devon’s forehead and could not help but chuckle, “You newlyweds were so quiet last night.  I bet you want to be in Baguio soon.”   She loudly called at James, “Put your clothes on and rest, my nephew will be here soon.”

Devon blushed with what the old lady said. James entered the stall and could not help but notice Devon’s red cheeks.  “Why are you blushing wifey?”

Nanay Saling laughed loudly.  A few minutes later, her nephew stopped in front of her stall and kissed the old woman’s cheek.  Nanay Saling told her nephew about the two.  James and Devon looked at the jeep, the old woman was not kidding when she said it was old. There was a couple of men inside the jeepney, probably getting a free ride, too.

James and Devon embraced Nanay Saling hard when they said their farewells.  They would be coming back, they promised. Nanay Saling told them to bring a baby when they got back. Devon blushed, while James laughed so hard. 

The ride was slow and rough.  It was rattling so loudly that Devon was silently praying that the jeep would remain intact throughout the travel. James meanwhile could not help but notice the two men eyeing Devon the entire ride.  They kept glancing at her and smiling at her.  And this woman, thought James, who’s so totally unaware of herself is smiling back.

James scooted closer to Devon and grabbed her hand. Devon looked surprised and was about to pull her hand away when James whispered, “Remember, we’re still married, wifey.”

Devon did not pull her hand away, instead she leaned back towards James.  James smiled with approval, especially when he saw both men noticing how Devon leaned back and started to look at the view outside the jeepney’s window. 

A few minutes later, rain started to fall hard, again.  They quickly pulled the window covers down to keep them dry.   Another few minutes, the wind was howling so loud and visibility was so poor. When they reached La Union, the jeepney pulled to a stop in an gasoline station.  Nanay Saling’s nephew went out of the driver’s seat and ran towards a group of policemen sheltered in station.

James and Devon looked at the driver talking with the policemen and ran back to the jeep.  He started to direct the jeep into a parking space when James finally asked, “Are we staying here?”

“A large tree fell on McKinley Road,” explained Nanay Saling’s nephew. “The entire road is blocked.”

“Is there no other way?” Devon asked.

“Kennon Road,” said the driver. “But I can’t go that way with this heavy rain, this is an old jeep, it cannot make that steep climb.”

“So, what do we do now,” Devon asked the driver again.

“We wait.  Whatever comes first, the McKinley road getting cleared or the rain stopping so we could take Kennon,” explained the driver.  He motioned for the other two men inside the jeep. They got out of the jeepney and started running towards the gasoline station.

Devon and James looked at each other and sighed. “We’re stuck, again,” James said.

Chances (Chapter Nine)

IX.  Road Trip

Still two years ago...

Devon and James were both asleep when the bus suddenly halted.  James woke up and saw then bus conductor and driver getting off the bus. The bus has stopped several times already after it left Manila. It was almost  lunch time, but they were just a few towns away from Tarlac City.

Aside from the fact that a turtle is faster than the bus, the traffic was heavy.  But James was not worried. The bus stopped three times already and it still continued with the trip. Devon was sleeping soundly beside him. They had the greatest conversation earlier.  And decided to get some shut-eye since both of them were unable to get some  good sleep last night.

James noticed the conductor getting back on the bus and loudly announcing.  “We can’t continue anymore. We would be transferring you to the next bus going to Baguio.”

There was a loud buzz among the passengers.  The conductor continued to explain the situation to the passengers.  The dismayed passengers are now angry. James grunted.  Talk about comfortable ride to Bagiuo, well the good thing is that I have company.  

James looked at Devon. She looked great when asleep. Well she looked great even when awake, thought James. She shook Devon awake and told her, “We will be transferring to another bus.”

“For real?” Devon asked.  She wearily stood up and picked her things. They got off the bus.  She saw hoardes of passengers sitting on the side of the road, patiently waiting for the next bus going to Baguio.

It was almost noon and the sun is high and hot. Devon took out her umbrella and pulled James under it. 

The first bus passed, but it was too full and only a few of the passengers were able to get in. Both James and Devon decided to let the older passengers get into the second bus.  

James looked at his watch, it was already past one o’ clock, we were supposed to be somewhere near Baguio now, he thought.

Devon saw him looking at his watch, “I think you should call her.”  James looked at Devon, puzzled.   “Your girlfriend!”

James was surprised with what Devon said. They have been on the road the entire morning and they are standing here for almost two hours already and he hasn’t thought of calling Allie. 

He guiltily got his phone and dialled Allie’s number. She answered on the first ring. “Where are you,” Allie greeted.

“I’m still in Tarlac. We will be transferring to another bus,” James explained. 

“What,” Allie said.  “That’s why I wanted you to take the plane instead or use your car to get here.”

James shook his head. “I’m alright. I’ll call you again later.” He got off the phone and looked at Devon. “Satisfied?”

“I didn’t say anything,”  Devon reacted.

“Let’s eat,” James suggested and started to cross the road.

But Devon went against it. “The next bus would be here soon. We don’t want to miss it.”

“I’m hungry and I’m eating. Are you coming with me or not,” James said hotly.

Devon looked so undecided.  She finally raised her arms and dragged her bag behind her.  “You got me. Food is my biggest weakness. Let’s make it quick.”

James laughed at grabbed Devon’s bag. He carried it with him until they reached a small carinderia on the other side of the road.

****

Like what Devon predicted, they missed the bus. They were the only passengers left on the side of the road.  Their original bus was already towed away. And it was almost three in the afternoon.

“Argh James,” Devon said angrily.  She was trying to keep herself from strangling the  guy standing beside her. “I told you, we’re gonna miss it.”

“Well, it’s not my fault,” James said defensively. “You ordered another cup of rice.”

“What?” Devon reacted loudly.  “You’re the one who insisted on eating. You just have to have another bowl of sinigang, even when you already ate your first bowl.  And it is not an extra cup of rice, it’s only half of a cup!”

“What’s the difference,” James answered laughing so hard.  “We missed the bus. The next one is taking forever.”

Devon got her phone and started replying to the messages sent by her officemates. They are all worried, Devon furiously thought.  And it is because I agreed with this idiot beside me. Well, a good looking idiot.

“That’s it,” said James. He was looking at the sky and saw the dark clouds gathering. “We are not staying here until it rains. We should go back to Manila.”

“I’m hitch-hiking,” said Devon.

“What?” James asked loudly. “That’s dangerous. You don’t know who’s gonna pick you up,” argued James loudly.

“Don’t shout at me,” Devon snapped.  “I need to be in that conference.  I will be making the company presentation tomorrow night. I have to be there.”  Devon looked at James’s angry face.  “You don’t have to come with me.”

“Oh, I’m coming with you. Somebody needs to keep an eye on you,” James retorted. Devon waved her hand on the first car that passed them.  “Are we really gonna hitch-hike? There can be robbers out there.”

“Not everybody would steal your wallet, Mr. Peid,” exclaimed Devon.

Devon raised her hand and a battered van stopped in front of them. “Need a ride?” asked a clean looking man inside the van.

“Yes we do. We need to get to Baguio but everywhere with a bus station would be fine,” said Devon.

The man motioned them to get into the van beside him. James was not comfortable with this idea, but Devon has already got into the van, and he has no choice but to follow.  Immediately, after getting into the car, the rains started to pelt the van.

Devon started to talk with the driver, but the driver was very quiet.  After an hour of driving, James felt something was wrong. The man turned left, James thought, I thought the way to Baguio was straight until you reach La Union. And this is  definitely not La Union.

“Uhm, where exactly are you going again?” asked James.

“To Baguio,” said the driver shortly.

“But why do you to make a turn. Isn’t the way to Baguio supposed to be a straight one, until reaching La Union,” said James.

The driver pulled the van on a stop on the side of the road in a middle of heavy rain. He took something behind his back and Devon shouted when she saw it was a gun.

“I am so sorry,” the man said while pointing the gun at them. “My daughter is sick and in the hospital right now.”  He pointed the gun at the two and collected their wallets, cellphones, everything valuable in their bag,  and even James’s watch and Devon’s necklace and earrings.

James was thinking of ways on how to get the gun from the driver, but he was pointing it so close to Devon that he does not know how to manoeuvre. After collecting their valuables, the man continued to drive and dropped them off at small vegetable and fruit stand at the side of the road.

It was still raining they were standing lost on the side of the road. James shouted at Devon, “I told you, there are robbers out there!”

Devon defended herself, “Well he looked nice. You did not even thought he would rob us.”

James raised his arms and looked at the heavens, “Why do I find this woman so impossible!”

Devon slapped James back and started to walk towards the small fruit stand.  She started to talk to the woman standing behind the stall.

“Can you please help us?” asked Devon slowly. “We got robbed and we don’t have anything on our pockets.  We need to get to Baguio tomorrow.”

The old lady looked at Devon and then at James. “Well, there’s a jeep that goes to Baguio every morning.  It leaves at four in the morning.”

“Tomorrow?” asked James. “We don’t have any place to stay.”

The old woman looked at James. “Are you married?” James looked at Devon and was taken aback by the question.  “Cause if you are, you can stay here tonight. I don’t like an unmarried couple staying on my stall.”

Devon shook her head immediately, “Yes, we’re married. The robber took our wedding rings.”

The old woman looked at James, she looked a bit doubtful with what Devon said.  James nodded and placed an arm around Devon. “We’re newly weds,” added James.

“I’ll let you sleep on the other room,” the old lady started to get into the small hut behind the stall. “Wait, I have my eyes on you,” she reminded Devon and James.

Chances (Chapter Eight)

VIII. Mountain’s Call

Two years ago…

Devon was patiently waiting for the bus to leave the station.  She was comfortably seated near the window on a bus going to Baguio.  She’s going to attend a company seminar in the nation’s Summer Capital.  Actually, she was supposed to be travelling with officemates and arriving there yesterday. But something came up at home and needs to take care of her Tita first.

Her Tita has been taking care of her since the first day she set foot on Manila, seven years ago. Devon could not leave her aunt with a high fever for a conference. So, she called her officemates and told them that she would just take the bus to Baguio the next day. After all, it’s a three day conference and she would just miss the first day. 

She sighed and remembered how hard she worked to be in this place.  When the family they were working for decided to move to another house, she was devastated.  The house was too far away from her school, she had to transfer.  Luck is with her side.  The family they were working recommended her to another school with a good scholarship program. She passed and continued to study there.

Her four years in college was tough, but it was great.  She was able to finish her course with flying colors and was immediately hired in one of the top consulting firms in the country.  After college, Devon left the family she was serving with a heavy heart. But the family was very supportive of her. Her Tita remained with the family, until she was forced to retire last year because of her bad back.

Nowadays, her Tita is living with a cousin and his family.  Although, they were taking care of her aunt very well, she just feels responsible whenever something happened to her. Which is why, when her cousin Chaz called her telling that her Tita Aiz has flu, she immediately postponed going to the seminar. Devon even volunteered not to attend and send another officemate in replacement, but her boss was adamant.

Now, it’s already six o’clock in the morning. If everything goes well, she will be in Baguio a few hours after lunch.  Devon closed her eyes and listened to the music coming from her headphones. She rested her head on the window and tried to catch some sleep. She had a restless sleep night because of her Tita’s sickness.

She felt somebody occupying the seat beside her.  She tried to moved towards the window closer. She could hear the man’s voice.  He was probably talking to somebody on the phone. I hope he wouldn’t be talking on the phone the entire trip, thought Devon.  The last thing she needs is a noisy seatmate.

Devon could hear what the man was saying clearly through her earphones.

“I told you. I’m already on the bus,” he said. There was a pause and then an exasperated sigh. 

“I am not taking the plane and I am not driving either. You already have your car there, why should I bring mine? I need to rest and a comfortable bus ride would be good enough for me,” he explained.

Apparently, the man was talking to a very stubborn person. He kept repeating what he said. Until he cut the conversation, “I’m gonna go now.  I’ll call you later. I love you, honey.”

Devon could not help but look at the man sitting beside him, after hearing him say goodbye.  She was surprised when he saw a familiar face.  She immediately turned her face towards the window. I know him, Devon thought. He probably doesn’t remember me anymore. She was so flustered that she did not notice her phone slipping from her pocket.

The man noticed it and handed the phone to her,  “Hey miss, your phone slipped.”

Devon turned and smiled, “Thanks.” She immediately turned her face again until she heard a sudden exclamation..

“Devon,” the man asked.  “You’re going to Baguio, too?”

Devon faced the man and greeted him. “Hi, James.  I thought you won’t remember me.”

“That’s impossible. Totally impossible to forget that smile,” James exclaimed.

Devon blushed and tried to disregard what he said. 

“When did we last saw each other?” James asked.

Devon shrugged and smiled. “I don’t know. I think it was seven years ago.  I was still a freshman in college then.”

“I know,” James said in disbelief.  “I’ve been working for three years now.”

“Me, too,” Devon said. 

They both shook their head  and said at the same time, “I can’t believe it’s you.”

They laughed.  Some things never change, thought James. She still has that vibrant and contagious smile and laughter.  

“So why are you going to Baguio?” asked James.

Devon smiled and pointed to the folders on her lap. “Work, I have to attend this seminar.”

James nodded.  “How about you,” Devon asked.

James was about to explain when his phone suddenly rang. He looked at the phone calling and sighed. He excused himself from Devon and answered the call. “Yes, honey. I told you, I won’t change my mind. I already paid for the ticket. I’ll see you in Baguio, okay.”   He immediately ended the call and turned off his phone.

James looked at Devon and explained, “My fiancée, Allie. We’re getting married in Baguio in a few months. She insisted in checking on the place, reception area, and all that wedding stuff.”

Devon smiled. So he’s getting married, she thought. She felt something sharp in her heart but she ignored it. You couldn’t be jealous, Devon, she said to herself. You barely know the guy.

“Sometimes, I wished I did not propose,” James said jokingly.

Devon slapped James’s arm. “Hey, don’t say that. You’re mean.”

James rubbed his arm. “Argh,” James winced. “I forgot how hard your slap is.  Do you go around slapping people you haven’t seen for a long time?”

“Uy, I’m sorry,” Devon said and rubbed James’s arm which is now turning into red.

James looked at Devon and let her rub his arm. “Do you have this feeling that we have known each other for a long time?”

Devon looked at James’s eyes and smiled. “Yes, I do. I feel that we have been friends forever.”

“Even during the first time we met,” James asked. Devon nodded and pulled her hand away from James’s arm.

“It’s great that I am on this seven-hour trip with you,” James said thankfully.

Devon answered, “I know.  I feel the same way.”