LDR (Lock Down Romance)

Thursday, March 12, 2020

1 Message Received from unknown number

Hi! This is Ms.Jenny Ong from ASBC Alabang. We received your resume and you are invited for an interview on Monday March 16, 2020 at 8:00 in the morning. Please come in business attire with your pertinent documents and look for Ms. Yna Gomez of the HR Department. See you!

“Yes!” Maan was ecstatic after reading the message.

She has been jobless for almost two months now after resigning for work as an office secretary in a small company in her hometown. She thought of applying as a call center agent in Manila so she could make use of her Communication Arts course which she is a graduate of. After four years in her old job, she got tired of just simply writing business letters.

She immediately texted her cousin Joan from his father’s side of the family that she already has a scheduled interview on Monday from the company located near their place. They have already talked about it that she will be staying in her cousin’s house once she gets news of her application in Manila. She composed a message for her cousin.

“ Jo, can you fetch me at the bus terminal tomorrow. It’s been a long time since I went to your house and I couldn’t remember it anymore.”

My father and Joan’s father are brothers. My dad is older than my uncle and I am just a few months older from Joan. It has been three years since we last visited their house on Christmas Eve.

1 Message Received from Joan

“ Okay Couz! I’ll see you tomorrow at the terminal just tell me if you are on the way so I can get ready by then. We could go to Mall of Asia and have our lunch there.”

“ Sure, sure! I haven’t been there!’ I excitedly replied.

That night Maan packed a few good clothes for a week's stay at her cousin’s house. She plans to go back to the province and get more of her things if she passes the interview.

Friday, March 13,2020

Inside the air conditioned bus on her way to Manila, Maan woke up after dozing off a few hours. She looked out the window to see how far she has travelled and realized that she’s halfway. She left the bus terminal in the province at seven in the morning and it’s almost ten o’ clock. She checked her phone to see if she has any messages.

 1 Message Received from Jo 9:30 am

“ Couz, where are you? Text me before you reach the terminal. I just accompanied mom to the hospital for check up. See you!” 

“ Okay. What happened to Aunt Jean? “ i replied

“ She had difficulty breathing. We suspect that it’s her blood pressure rising up again. I’ll just text you again once we’re done here.” Joan replied.

“ Alright. I hope everything’s gonna be okay for Aunt Jean. Take Care.” I replied.

She travelled for a few more hours because she got caught in traffic in some towns that they passed by. It’s almost eleven o’clock so she decided to text Joan again.

“ Jo, I am almost there. I’ll wait for you at the terminal. “ I texted her.

Maan waited for Joan’s reply but none came. Until she arrived at the terminal. It’s almost twelve noon and she’s already starving. She decided to have her lunch at a nearby fast food. She was having her lunch when her phone alarmed with multiple messages.

3 messages Received 2 from Joan 1 from unknown sender

 “ Couz! I’m so sorry! I wouldn’t be able to fetch you now. We’re still in the hospital running some laboratory tests for mommy.” Joan’s text.

Another text from Joan reads:

“ Couz, don’t worry I asked a favor from my cousin Gil. I asked him to fetch and bring you to his house. I will just fetch you there this afternoon once I finish here.” Jo’s text.

What? What just happened?! Maan really looked worried. She couldn’t take it against Joan because  it wasn’t her fault. In the first place she’s asking her a favor.  She opened the message from an unknown sender.

“Hi! I’m Gil. Joan’s cousin. Where are you now? I’m here at the terminal.”

Panic is starting to rise from Maan. Which one should she reply first?

“ I am here at the 2nd floor of the nearby restaurant from the terminal.” I replied to an unknown sender.

I sent a text to Joan.

 “ Jo, what’s happening? It’s an inconvenience to your cousin.I don’t even know him!” I texted.

1 message received from unknown sender

“ What are you wearing?...what color? So I can easily identify you. “

Maan felt she blushed with the question. If it’s under a different circumstance she would be offended with the question. But I guess it was just an appropriate question with their situation.

“ I am wearing a green shirt, denim pants and rubber shoes. I’m just seated near the staircase.” I replied to the unknown sender and decided to save his number. Gil- Jo’s Couz

 1 Message received  from Joan

“ Couz, it’s okay. Gil is kind. You’re in good hands! Hehehe.” Joan’s text.

Maan couldn’t finish her food because of the stress she’s feeling at the moment. When suddenly a man appeared in front of her.

“ Excuse me. Are you Maan? “ a soft spoken man said.

“Y-yes, it’s me. ``I hesitantly answered

“Hi! I’m Gil. Joan’s cousin.” he introduced himself and offered his hand which I timidly took.

“ Joan asked me to fetch you. She just needs to attend to an errand.” he explained.

“ H-have a seat.” I reluctantly offered. Come on Maan relax. Why are you feeling nervous? This is not like you are having a blind date. She scolded herself. She nervously drinks her iced tea and secretly surveys him. He has white complexion, pointed nose, chinky eyes, a few inches taller than her, lean but not muscular just good enough. She noticed that he glanced at his wristwatch so she finished drinking her iced tea.

“Are you ready to leave?” he asked.

She nodded her head and got her travelling bag beside her.

“ I’ll carry it for you.” he said and got the travelling bag  and walked ahead of me. She closely followed him to where his car was parked and noticed something with the way he walked. 

Aside from being soft spoken, he also moves gently like a woman. Joan said I am safe with him… Isn’t he?...