Saved by the coconut.
That's what happened to me. I am lost for words. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to react. Thank goodness Nanette arrived with my coconut.
"We just left for a while and here you are hugging someone already?" Lee and I let go of each other upon hearing Nanette. I mean Harley. If Nanette didn't arrive maybe, he is still hugging me until now. And as the seconds and minutes ticked by it is becoming awkward.
"Nette, you don't remember him? He is Harley!" I said with too much enthusiasm it already appeared fake. However, Nanette didn't seem to notice because she was already gaping while she's looking at Harley.
"Harley! Is that you? My gosh! You are so handsome! So tall. So handsome. Wait, did I already mention that you are handsome?" Nanette shrieked and Harley smiled at Nanette. I also smiled but suddenly shivered and felt my damp clothes. I have forgotten that he splashed water on me. I saw him took off his jacket and laid it on my back.
"Thank you." I took it off and returned it to him. He gave me a quizzical look but I just smiled at him.
"Don't worry about me I'll be dry soon considering the heat of the sun. If I put your jacket on, I might get a cold." I further explained with a fake smile.
"Where is my coconut?" I asked Nanette.
"Ahh…yes, I forgot. Here." Nanette handed me the grated coconut meat.
"Common let us sit and talk for a while. It's been so long and we didn't hear any news from Harley. You own that bike Harley? Oh my gosh! You are so rich now? What did you do to become rich?" Nanette tactlessly asked.
I followed Nanette even if I really wanted to go home. I don't want to be labeled as a snob or ill mannered. It wouldn't hurt me to linger a little more and talk with them.
Nanette sit on a makeshift bamboo chair and I sit beside her. I expected Harley to sit beside Nanette because it is more spacious but he really sits beside me where it is already so cramp. Why guys like cramp spaces? It is so irritating.
"So how are you Harley? Where did you go? Why did you suddenly left?"Nanette started interviewing him. I just smiled and nodded. Sometimes I answer if they ask me but most of the time it was Nanette who control the conversation. I never asked any questions. If I didn't asked questions before, I would never ask now.
Besides, even if I won't ask, I would know what happened to him. Judging by his big bike I can see that he is doing good and I'm glad that his life is better now.
"When did you arrive?"Nanette asked again and I'm already itching to go home.
"Last week." He said while smiling at Nanette. Why don't he sit beside Nanette? It was so awkward that they are talking and I'm sitting between them.
"Then you will stay here for good?"
"Depends." He casually put his arms on the backrest of the makeshift bamboo sit just behind my back. I can feel his arms on my back and onlookers would think that his arms are across my shoulders. I felt uncomfortable with our position so I shifted away from his arms and move a little bit farther.
"Depends on what?" Nanette further proved.
"No what. Who." He answered and I wasn't able to stop myself from raising my eyebrows. Of course, of course. I thought to myself.
"Huh? Wow! A girl?" Nanette asked excitedly.
"You are blushing! My God! Are you in love Harley?" Nanette exclaimed but I remain impassive. Of course the guy has a girlfriend. With that looks, it is impossible that he doesn't have a girlfriend.
" Okay..okay…depends on whom?"
"Depends on Raziel." He said seriously and the world suddenly turned silent. Even the birds stop chirping or maybe it was just my world that stopped coz my heart suddenly stops beating. What the heck!
I first looked at Nanette who is gaping with her mouth wide open and then at Harley who is smiling.
The feeling is just unbearable. I suddenly stood up, took my coconut meat and hang on to it as if it is my lifeline. Then I glared at Harley.
"What are you talking about? Since when am I included in your life decision?" I snapped at him with my raised eyebrows.
"You know that you are always included in my life's decisions Angela." He stressed my name and I flinched. I chew on the profanities that is threatening to come out my mouth.
"Oh my! Both of you are…have…" Nanette asked confused. She looked at me then at Harley then at me..
"You don't know?" Harley ask Nanette casually. I wanted to wipe the smile on his face. No one knows about our relationship but our family. Not even our friends.
"You have relationship?" Nanette ask again.
"I'm going home." I declared. I needed to go home before I lost my mind.
"Wait Raziel!" I know Nanette is curious but who wouldn't?
"Grandma is waiting for the coconut. She'll get mad if I stayed too long." I turned to leave but Harley hold my arm. I wanted to shout at him.
"I'll bring you home." He declared.
"No! It's okay. It is not that far besides I wanted to take a walk." What I said is not true. I don't want to walk for another 15 minutes under the scorching heat of the sun.
"I'll walk with you." He volunteered.
"What about your bike? You will leave it here?" I'm sure he doesn't want to lose his expensive bike.
"Nanette is here. I can leave it here. Can you check on it Nette?" He winked at her and of course Nanette can't say no.
"Of course!" Nanette beamed.
"I'm okay Harley. I came here alone I'm sure I can go home alone." I laughed nervously.
"I insist. I'll go with you. Besides, we need to talk." I don't want to talk with you! I wanted to shout at him but I can't and I won't.
"I'm in a hurry and I'm sure we can't talk well."
"I can bring you home with my bike if you are in a hurry." I wonder what happened to his intelligence. Why can't he understand that I don't want another minute with him? I don't want to talk to him. I don't want to see him again.
"I said, I wanted to take a walk." I gritted my teeth. I hope he get my message or do I really have to spell it out to him?
"I'll go ahead. Wait, Nette, here's my payment." I haphazardly took any bills in my wallet.
"I don't have change." I also looked at the 500 pesos bills I'm holding.
"It's okay. Keep the change." I handed the money to Nanette and almost run across the road.
"Angela!" I heard him called after me but I didn't look back because I'm not Angela. No one calls me Angela. I walked faster braving the heat of the sun and the dampness of my shirt.
I hugged myself while walking on the small path leading to our ancestral house. Automatically my foot stopped when I passed through a clearing near the river. I looked at a certain spot.
Then I remembered myself 10 years ago.
Waiting patiently.
Hoping ardently.
Loving unconditionally.
Then I saw myself walking away from the spot, hugging myself because I was very cold and I'm also wet. It rained that night and my clothes are drenched. I'm shivering not because of my damp clothes but because of my cold heart. That night it rained water…
…and tears.