INTERMISSIONS

INTERMISSION: NOVEMBER 19

AU

P'Eed pauses by the car window.
"Not too long okay? We still have an event tomorrow at noon."

"We promise," chorus the two handsome men, both grinning at their manager like innocent cherubs.

P'Eed shakes her head as she steps away but she is smiling. They deserved a small break. It's been a tiring couple of months.

Win steps on gas and carefully drives down Gil Puyat Avenue. It was a good thing it was almost 1 in the morning. The streets were easy to navigate despite Win not being used to a left-hand drive.

"Where to?," Win asks Bright, who was fiddling with the GPS. 

"GPS says head straight. Malate shouldn't be too far."

"Anywhere there in particular?"

"Not really. All I want is to be with you."

"You get cheesier by the day."

"You make it so easy, Meta."

Win shakes his head, and continues cruising along.

"I love driving on empty streets. Makes me feel like I own the road," he muses. "You know what's missing?"

"What?," Bright asks, wondering what Win needed.

"Music and iced coffees."

"Let's solve one of those now."  Bright opens the car stereo and fidgets the old school knob to find a radio station. As he turns this way and that, a raspy haunting voice sings a cover:

"'Cause in a world where everybody hates a happy ending story
It's a wonder love can make the world go round
But dont let it bring you down
And turn your face into a frown
You'll get along with a little prayer and a song..."

"Hey! You just sang that," Win exclaims.

"I have always liked this song," Bright says before he hums along.

"What's it about?"

"I think it's a song of reassurance. Don't worry. I got you.  No matter what, no matter if everyone else turns on you - I'll be there. I'll stay."

"It's beautiful," Win muses as the car idles at a red light.

"It's for you."

"What?"

"I've always sang it for you."

"Cheesy," Metawin teases as he squeezes Bright's knee affectionately.

"But true," counters Bright as he envelops Win's hand in return.

They continue their late night drive, singing  along with whatever song would play on the radio. Not too long after, they arrive in Malate and the Filipino producers were right, it was bustling despite the hour.

They drive slowly, reading the establishment names
when Bright sees one called Kismet.

He gives a small laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Not funny," Bright says. "Just incredibly fitting."

"What is?," Win asks, confused about the sudden turn of the conversation.

"Remember when you taught me your favorite English word?"

"Kismet?"

Bright points to the sign about a hundred meters away.

Win grins and activates the turn signal. He expertly navigates the Mercedes E350 they borrowed into the small parking space of the cafe.

"Let's go?," Bright asks, about to open the car door. But Win flashes him the dazzling smile that was known to completely melt Vachirawit Chivaaree.

"First tell me what kismet means," Win challenges.

"Of course I know. You already told me. It means fate or destiny."

"You're missing one more definition."

Bright takes a moment to think. His eyebrows furrow. Huh? He memorized the word because it was Win's favorite. Did he miss a definition? "What else does kismet mean?"

"Kiss Metawin."

Bright laughs heartily. "I thought I was the cheesy one".

Win shrugs. "You're rubbing off on me."

"Let me rub off on you a little more," Bright says as he draws Win closer.

Their lips touch. Their eyes close. Their hearts and breaths sync. They get lost in each other and found in each other in the span of seconds.

If you look up kismet in the dictionary.
Moments like this define it.

Two souls made for each other, finding each other. Discovering again and again that they are meant to be.

The sounds from the cafe drift to the car. And the pair breaks apart.

Caps, shades, and masks on.
Hands secretly touching. Unexpectedly intertwining.

They walk towards Kismet.