Soil and Smoke

33

I smiled as I gave enough money for the bread I bought in my favorite bakery. I've been in the states for five years and I was already usual for them.

I go here weekly to buy a loaf of bread that I so love the most. I was wearing a thick trench coat because it was cold outside these days.

My life here was good.

Maybe even the best one I've had yet. Of course, I wasn't rich, I still work part-time in a cafe despite already being thirty-six. I'm still young and free!

My relationship with the people in the Philippines stayed the same even if I was away. There were days when I would be on a zoom call, and those days were now.

I opened my laptop before checking my messages, and seeing that the link is finally ready, I opened it.

"Hello! And Good Morning, Philippines!"

I could see the twins from a laggy camera, sitting together with smiles on their faces. There was the seventeen year old Tala being the most beautiful woman she is.

Even Kian and his family were there, look, it was Alon, my brother's son who took the name of the Waves.

He represents the years that I was gone from the Philippines, and we also have the same birthday!

Betty was also on the call, and girl... I could see a hickey on her neck. James did something to her before this!

"Venti, it's nighttime in here." Cyno cleared, which made my face heat up in embarrassment. Then I saw him... He was wearing a fitted white shirt, and had circular glasses on his face.

He was... Uhm, handsome, I suppose.

I wasn't supposed to focus on him anyway!

"So, how's the US life!?"

"Been pretty good as always! I just got home from buying this bread. I'm telling you guys, they're so good!"

"Want ko 'yan, tito Ven, huhu." Tala says, pouting. It was because I sent her a video once to show her how fluffy it was and now she's been craving for it. Nako, buntis kaya s'ya?

"Eh how about work? Is it doing well too?"

"Yup! Salary's still as decent as before! I don't really have problems at the moment."

"Are you seeing someone? Tanong ni Boss Xiao, hehe." Cyno joked, creating a sour look on Xiao's face. "Excuse me, I did not say that."

"Pero oo nga, are you seeing someone there sa US?" Betty went along like they were both teasing a certain someone. I laughed. "No. Like I said... I'm here to relax, to clear my mind, to make myself happy. I'm not looking for cute guys in here."

"Baka daw gusto mong balikan 'yung isa dito. Baka lang naman daw." Tala says, laughing a little.

"Wews, miss ka na n'yan." Lumine teased more. And you could see the anger in Xiao's face.

Every single one of us had our turns to tell our chikas and teas for each other, just like the usual, one by one we will tell each other what had been going on lately. After all, this zoom was for everyone, and not just about me.

In the middle of Aether's rants regarding his annoying boyfriend, I sang.

"So don't you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shines and life makes love look hard. The stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours."

I love this song so much! God!

"It looks like Venti wants to have a concert first." When I heard what Cyno said, my eyes widened...