Destiny's Game

63

"Are you okay?" M asked as she turned to cuddle and rest her head on J's shoulder. They had just gotten into bed and with a very brief, 'good night', J switched off the bedside lamp. M's rhythmic tapping on his chest soothed him.

"...kelan nga ulit?"

"...yung alin?"

"Yung punta mo ng Singapore..." J asked. He finally 'settled' down and put his arm over M's back.

"Next, next week. Magkasama kami ni Patricia..."

"Hmm...pwede..."

"Ang alin?"

"May conference din kasi..."

"Sa Singapore?"

J shook his head. "...sa Florida...aayusin ko yung flight plans ko para sabay tayo papuntang Singapore. From there, direcho ako ng States..."

"Ah..."

"Pero mga 3 weeks akong wala..."

"Three weeks?"

"Oo...a few days in Singapore then a few days with my folks...3 days din yung conference sa Florida...wala bang nurses' convention sa States?"

M shook her head, "hindi ko alam...first time kong mag-aattend ng convention abroad..."

"Ah..."

"Dati, sa Subic o Tagaytay lang yung sinasalihan kong conferences...ah, nag-Baguio din pala kami noon..."

"...diba nga sabi mo, di ka pa nakasakay ulit ng airplane?"

M nodded. "Actually, medyo kinakabahan nga ako sa idea na sasakay ako ng airplane although matagal ko nang wish makapunta ng Singapore or kahit man lang Cebu"

"And now's your chance..." J said as he (finally) relaxed and kissed the top of M's head.

---

"Ready ka na?" Patricia asked. They met at the airport. "Doc?"

"Hi Pat! May conference din ako sa Florida...Singapore muna tapos mag-s-States ako..." J said. He had not fully announced about his itinerary. He and M had just started to also being more 'public' about their relationship. Luckily, like Belle, Patricia did not really react 'loudly' to whatever she knew or saw. "...nininyerbyos din kasi tong si Mendoza sa pagaskay ng eroplano..."

"Ah okay. Pero mukhang okay naman yung flight...clear yung skies o" Patricia said as she glanced at the tarmac from the departure lounge.