MACE: Back to an Old Routine

The moment I have been waiting for has finally happened – Luke James was standing right in front of me.

He was taller and more tanned now. Gone was the awkward and lanky build and in its place, was a more muscled and toned body. His eyes seemed darker, his nose narrower and his mouth set in a lopsided grin. But it was his hair that drew me in. One side of it still fell across his forehead, covering one of his eyes that always crinkled whenever he smiled. The entire effect had always made me catch my breath. Evidently, nothing has changed as I had to fight the impulse to brush that lock of hair from his eyes.

“Hi Mace,” he said in a friendly voice.

“Luke,” I said just as amicably. “It’s been a long time.” I was glad to hear that my voice sounded natural and steady.

“It’s good to see you,” he continued. “You look great!”

I noted the sincerity of his tone and the compliment pleased me immensely. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” I praised back with a smile.

And then there was silence. I really couldn’t think of anything more to say and obviously, Luke was out of words too. Kate came to the rescue by suddenly clapping her hands, getting our attention. “Well, that was good,” she said in a relieved voice. “I was worried you wouldn’t be able to say anything to each other and just stand there looking like dorks!”

Her remark somehow broke the ice and we all ended up laughing, including Luke’s mom, who I’ve always called as Tita Dane.

Tita Dane motioned for us to sit down on the dining table and quite automatically, all of them sat in their permanent seats and I sat on the chair where I always sat since Luke and I started dating - where else but beside him.

“I made your favorite food Mace,” Tita Dane announced happily. She took out the cover of one of the plates to reveal her home-cooked Adobo, a recipe that I dearly miss.

I squealed in delight. “Oh my God, Adobo!” I looked up and beamed at her. “Thanks, Tita Dane, you don’t know how much I’ve missed your home-cooked meals!”

Tita Dane smiled at me warmly. “The pleasure is all mine my dear,” she said. Then opening the other plates, she revealed other equally delicious food – Mongos, Lumpia and Pancit Canton.

“You’re going to have to roll me out of your door by the time I’m done eating Tita,” I said with a laugh. “I’m really going to eat everything!”

Kate laughed along. “Don’t you know the word, diet, Mace?”

“Diet?” I said feigning a puzzled look. “That’s not even part of my vocabulary… at least for today!”

Luke, who had kept quiet during the entire exchange, suddenly laughed. “It’s good to know you haven’t lost your appetite and sense of humor Mace!”

I turned to him in surprise. I wasn’t expecting him to join in the conversation as we might go through an awkward phase but he didn’t seem to mind at all that I was joining them. Thanking the heavens above, I smiled mischievously. “Do you think you and Kate can manage to roll me out of the door?”

“No problem at all,” he answered without batting an eye. “We just bought this new mattress and it’s perfect for your size. We could easily roll you out the door without any effort.”

I burst out laughing. “All in good timing then,” I said in between giggles. “Everything in this life does have a purpose.”

Kate and Tita Dane chuckled as well and somehow, despite not having been able to eat together like this for a long time, we easily fell into comfortable conversation and good-natured laughter. It was just like the old times and I have to say that’s what I love about Luke’s family. They have always treated me the same, regardless of whether I was going out with him or not. People like that are hard to come by these days and I treasure them with all of my heart.

“Thank you for the most delicious lunch Tita Dane,” I said after finishing the last spoonful of lumpia. “I really am so full now.”

“You’re most welcome Mace,” Tita Dane said warmly. “Shall we have dessert? I have cake in the fridge.”

I shook my head. “Oh, Tita Dane,” I moaned. “I would love to but I really can’t eat anymore. My tummy’s filled to the brim!”

Kate patted her mom’s shoulder. “Don’t worry Ma,” she said knowingly. “Give Mace an hour or two and that tummy’s going to make room for your moist chocolate cake for sure!”

We all stood up and Tita Dane started clearing the table. “I’ll handle the dishes Mom,” Luke said. “After feeding us, hungry wolves, you deserve to rest and just watch some TV.”

Tita Dane looked surprised at Luke’s offer but happily obliged. “Why thank you Luke,” she said with a smile. “That’s most thoughtful of you!”

Kate clapped her hands. “I’ve got an idea,” she said in a suspiciously very excited voice. “Ma, we will rest and watch TV. Luke has offered his dishwashing services so we will graciously accept it. Mace needs to do some exercising so she’ll have room for your moist chocolate cake, so she’ll help Luke wash the dishes.”

“Wait a minute…” I protested.

“Kate, she’s our guest!” Luke exclaimed at the same time.

Kate rolled her eyes. “Oh, please Luke,” she said in an exasperated voice. “You wash dishes like a turtle walking on the road. Any help would do you good.” She turned to me and continued. “Besides, Mace is practically family. Not exactly somebody new in the house and has washed our dishes so many times before!”

“Before Kate,” Luke pointed out. “Past Tense.”

“But she’s here now, isn’t she?” Kate challenged.

In an effort to curb an obviously brewing argument between brother and sister, I stepped in. “It’s okay Luke,” I said smoothly. “I don’t mind helping with the dishes.” I understood this was Kate’s way of giving us some time to be alone and catch up with one another. While I am touched at her effort, I do feel it was much too soon. But I can’t really say that out loud now as she had placed me in a corner with no other way out.

Luke was looking at me uncertainly. “Are you sure you’re cool with this?"

I nodded brightly. “Sure, dishwashing is a new favorite hobby.”

“Well, that’s settled then,” Kate said in a satisfied voice. “C’mon Ma,” she urged tugging the sleeves of Tita Dane’s blouse. “Let’s go watch some TV!”

They headed for the living room and Luke and I started bringing the plates to the kitchen. He was silent and frowning, his eyebrows almost meeting at the center of his forehead. Not exactly an encouraging reaction but expected nonetheless.

“So, Luke,” I began talking, hoping to break the tension. “What have you been up to these days?”

My voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Oh… uh, not much. Busy with school and my part-time job.”

I perked up in interest. “Really? You have a job now? Where do you work?”

He looked down. “Nothing big,” he said off-handedly. “I work part-time at a restaurant.” He shrugged and gave a sheepish smile. “You know, for extra allowance and all.”

By this time, Luke and I had finished bringing all plates to the kitchen and we’re standing beside the kitchen sink, ready to wash the dishes. Luke looked at me reaching for the sponge and held my arm. “Mace, you don’t have to do this. I can wash everything myself.” His expression darkened. “I don’t know what Kate is trying to do with this sudden idea but it’s not right for a guest to do dishwashing.”

I looked at his hand still on my arm and noted the sudden tingling of my skin. I shivered but definitely not from the cold. I didn’t move my arm away. “No worries Luke, I’m okay with this,” I said with a smile. “Besides, Kate was right. I really need to do something so I won’t feel so bloated with everything I ate.”

Luke’s face relaxed into a smile. That lock of hair fell and covered his eyes again. I had to stop myself again from reaching out and brushing it away from his eyes.

“Well, okay,” he said. His hand dropped from my arm and we stood beside each other facing the kitchen sink. “Tell you what,” he said with a grin. “I soap, you rinse… just like the old times.”

My breath caught in my throat at the mention of old times but I showed no signs of being affected. “Just like old times,” I repeated with a nod. Then to bring back the light mood, I tried continuing our earlier conversation.

“So, as you’ve piped up my curiosity, what exactly is your position at your job now?”

Luke looked surprised at my question then realizing my interest, he smiled. “I started off as a cook and since they rotate tasks, I’m now one of the waiters.” I noted the pride in his voice.

“That’s really great Luke,” I said sincerely. I was genuinely glad that he’s now concentrating on a job instead of doing who knows what with his friends on the streets. “I’m really happy for you!”

I noted that even if we haven’t seen or talked to each other for a long time now, Luke and I easily fell into an old routine as if we haven’t stopped doing it all. Now that we were alone, our conversation flowed smoothly and basically consisted of updating each other of what we are up to now.

“So, let me get this straight,” Luke said thoughtfully. “You graduated with a Masscomm degree but you ended up working in the Marketing field?” He laughed. “Why didn’t you take a business course and majored in Marketing? You could’ve been in the same school and class with Kate. After all, you have the same age.”

I rolled my eyes. “I never liked math and business,” I said with disdain. “Besides, the Marketing I meant is not the business side. It’s Marketing Communications, more on branding and advertising of products.”

“Does that still involve writing?” he asked.

I was quite surprised with the question. I didn’t know he noticed I like to write. “Yeah, it does,” I answered. “But this time, more on writing for the brand or product.”

“That still suits you then,” he said with a smile. “I mean since you graduated Masscomm, I assumed you would end up writing for the newspaper but I guess you’ve found something else that makes you happy.”

Curiosity got the better of me. “I never knew you noticed I like to write,” I said. “When did you know?”

“Oh, I knew that way back when we were in highschool,” he replied. “You used to write in a journal.”

“How did you know it was a journal?”

He looked sheepish. “I overheard you and Kate talking. You were telling her about your journal, which holds all your deep dark secrets.”

“You’re so overdramatic,” I said with a laugh. “I didn’t say that!”

“You did say that,” he protested laughing as well. “Those were your exact words. I remember thinking I have to get my hands on that diary. I wonder what, or better yet, who she wrote about.”

I felt my cheeks suddenly grow hot.

Naturally, he noticed. “Hey,” he said with an impish grin. “By any chance, am I mentioned there?”

“No,” I said a little too quickly and little too sharply. “Of course not!”

“Then why are you getting all red?”

I gave him the smuggest grin I could muster and said confidently, “Because I’m a pretty mestiza!”

He gave a hoot and laughed so hard at my answer. Gripping the side of the sink for support, he wiped one of his hands with the hand towel. “I’ve really missed your witty quips Mace,” he said in between gales of laughter. “It’s been so long since I heard one.”

My heart skipped a beat at his unexpected remark. Taking a deep breath and laughing along to hide my fluttering feelings, I did something I normally would not dare to do. I reached up and brushed the lock of hair that was covering his eyes. “Well, we’ll be in Badian soon,” I said with a sly smile while I smoothed his hair back. “I suggest you use that time catch up on my quirks then!”

The look of comical surprise on Luke’s face when I touched him was something I could not even begin to explain. If I wasn’t so nervous and affected myself, I would have laughed out loud. No doubt, he was shocked at my boldness. And I had to admit I was getting self-conscious with what I said and did as he just stood there, not saying anything.

So, I made a hasty exit.

“Oh, I think I hear Tita Dane calling me Luke,” I said airily, as if without a care of what just happened. “I’ll go on ahead to the living room okay?” And with that, I turned, bolted for the kitchen door and left him standing there, still gawking at me.

Leaning on the closed door, I took a deep breath to calm my pounding heart. Fanning myself with my hands to pacify my hot cheeks, I slowly walked towards the living room. Now that I think about it, it wasn’t such a bad first-time encounter with Luke after two years.

A smile played on my lips as I recalled the expression on his face. Nope, I decided more certain this time. Not bad at all.