LUKE: The Bus Ride Together

I stood at the bus line with Mom, my backpack on my shoulders and a box of Cebu delicacies on my other hand. We were waiting for Kate and Mace who were supposed to be due five minutes earlier but they were nowhere in sight.

“I wonder where they are,” my Mom murmured. “We’re about to leave in 10 minutes.”

I recalled the first time Mace went with us to Badian. She and Kate were not able to go on the first afternoon trip with us because they had to wait for my cousin who was not able to leave her work on time. I remembered my disappointment at not being able to go together with her, but it turned to worry when I realized that the three of them would be alone on the bus ride. If they would leave on the second 3-hour trip, it would already be dark by the time they arrive there.

Plus, she and Kate were wearing twin outfits that they declared was the trend during that time: black T-shirts, shorts and boots! I don’t mean to sound old-fashioned but the first thing I wanted to tell them was to change into something more conservative. Okay, so their shorts weren’t exactly as short as what girls wear these days but hey, legs are legs! And Mace and Kate happen to have flawless fair-skinned legs, so if they sit on the bus in plain view of the male species… well, you get the picture.

But there was nothing I could do because Mace already got Kate to agree with this get-up. There’s simply no stopping them when they decide to act like twins. Sometimes, I wondered if it’s good to have your girl and only sister as best friends. While you don’t have to worry about them getting along with each other, my main problem was they do stuff together that I would normally not, for the lack of better word, approve of.

“We’re here, we’re here!” Kate’s shrill voice filled the air and Mom and I turned toward its direction. She and Mace were still running towards us, clutching their backpacks and panting as they slowed to a stop next to me.

I quickly checked their outfits and sighed with relief. Both were wearing skinny jeans, sneakers and twin plaid polos, with Kate sporting blue and Mace, red. Somehow, I expected Mace to be wearing blue as it was her favorite color but as I checked out her entire ensemble, I decided she actually looked better in red.

“You made it just in time,” Mom said. “Here comes the bus!”

As we waited for it to stop in front of our line, Kate stepped behind my mom and Mace followed. I moved behind Mace, as my intention was to play the gentleman of the family.

“What took you guys so long?” I asked her as the line moved forward. I had not spoken to her since our last encounter while washing the dishes but to avoid any awkwardness, I decided to just act casual.

Mace leaned back so I could hear her above the noise. “Kate needed to buy some more toiletries.” She wrinkled her nose. “To be honest, I thought we won’t make it because the line at the cashier was quite long. We were literally flying on our way here!”

I chuckled as I pictured what she said. Somehow, the image that came to my mind was her, riding a broom.

She heard my reaction and turned towards me. “What’s so funny?”

I bit my lip to keep from chuckling even more but answered her honestly. “When you said you literally flew coming here, I see you riding a broom like a witch or something.”

She laughed. A sound that has always been music to my ears. Her brown eyes twinkled. A sight that has always been a pleasure to behold.

“That’s not exactly wrong Luke,” she said still giggling. “I mean with our hair flying and all, we probably looked like witches!”

By this time, we were boarding the bus and I could see that Mom and Kate had taken seats beside each other. My heart started racing in anticipation. This meant Mace and I would be sitting beside each other. She stood beside the seat Mom was sitting in and looked at me, her hands gesturing towards the seats behind them or across them.

I did some quick thinking. I wanted a chance to be alone with her but since I very well can’t do that inside a public utility bus, I went for the next best thing. “The seats behind,” I answered her. It may still be filled with people but from the back, we’re away from Kate’s prying eyes.

Mace made her way behind Mom and sat on the window seat, her backpack on her lap. I followed looking at the big object. “That looks pretty heavy,” I remarked. “Give it to me and I’ll put it in the baggage bin with mine.”

Mace shook her head. “Thanks for the offer Luke,” she said sweetly. “But I’d rather have it with me.”

“Why?” I asked. “It’s going to be a long trip and you’re going to get uncomfortable.”

“I want to lean my head over it like a pillow,” she explained. Then to make her point, she positioned it on the side of the window and laid her head over it. “See, it’s comfy as what’s inside my backpack are all clothes.”

I had to agree with her. But then, she had the window seat so she could go for that position with no problems. The aisle seat was not built for such set-up. After making sure my bag was secured inside the baggage bin, I sat down and looked around the bus. It was quickly getting filled with people and I gave it around ten minutes before we would finally be off.

I leaned back on my chair, closed my eyes and marveled at fate for giving me a second chance to go to Badian but this time, with Mace right beside me. The only problem now was while I am happily sitting beside her, I couldn’t think of a single thing to say to strike up a decent conversation. I opened my eyes a little and saw Mace gazing at the window, a wistful expression on her face. This scene bothered me suddenly because instead of looking hyped for the trip, she actually looked a little sad while watching people pass by.

“Penny for your thoughts, a nickel for a kiss,” I sang softly.

She turned towards me, a surprised smile on her face. “Hey, that song’s a classic,” she replied. “I can’t believe you know the words!”

I was glad to see I got the effect I wanted to see --- she smiled. “Yeah well,” I shrugged and my voice trailed off.

“Do you know the entire lyrics?” she persisted.

“No, just the chorus,” I answered. There’s no way I would admit to her that during those long nights when I missed her after we broke up, I would tune in to the mellow radio stations she is fond of listening to and imagine both of us listening to the same song. I don’t know if it was my sub-conscious at work or because I just missed her too much but I soon found myself singing along to these songs. It’s amazing that I got to memorize some songs without even trying. I remembered thinking to myself that this must be the part when love makes one cheesy and sappy.

Mace was still looking at me, clearly amazed. I couldn’t blame her actually. I’m not the type who likes love songs, let alone sing it. But I have to admit I’m enjoying the admiration I see in her eyes. It felt good to be able to do something that made her happy. In fact, right about that moment, I just wanted to do what I can to keep it that way --- Mace with her bright, happy smile while looking at me.

“So, what’s your favorite song these days?” I asked eager to keep the topic that seemed to cheer her up going.

“Let’s see,” she said looking at the top of the bus thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t exactly say these days as I am inclined to the music of the 90’s but songs by The Corrs, Enrique Iglesias, Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson are top of my list.”

I’ve got to hand it to Mace. She knows artists and songs like she knew the English alphabet. While I know the artists she mentioned, I have to admit that I haven’t memorized any of their songs. I suddenly remembered a conversation from long ago and decided to bring it up.

“Hey Mace,” I piped up. “Just out of curiosity, do you still like the band, Parokya ni Edgar? And that song you went crazy about? What was that?” I snapped my fingers searching through my web-dusted mind for the title. “Oh yes, Harana!’ I said triumphantly. “Do you still like Harana?”

She gave me a look of surprise then burst out laughing. “Oh my God,” she squealed. “You still remember I like that song?”

“Well, there was a phase in your college life when you used to sing it non-stop.” I reminded her. The memory was actually fresh in my mind. Since it was quite obvious how she adored the song, I went out one night to get that cassette tape from my friend’s house. Kate was not pleased, considering the late hour and was grumbling why I had to get it at night time.

Of course, I didn’t tell her that I needed it that very night because Mace was coming over the next day. I was bent on giving it to her as a surprise; but then, I chickened out at the last minute. I did give her the tape but instead of saying it’s a gift from me, I just told her it’s a tape I borrowed from my classmate and that she should return it after a week.

Not cool, I know. Kate told me so a million times after she found out from Mace, who innocently told her that I’m just letting her borrow the tape for a week. But I didn’t know how to take it back and when Mace returned it exactly a week after, I had no choice but to accept it and keep it in my desk drawer.

That night though, I took the tape out. On a mission to find out why she loved that song so much, I sat down and really listened to it. After hearing the entire song, I had to admit it was good. Certainly not the usual music of “Parokya ni Edgar” but knowing Mace’s personality, I could see why the simple lyrics appealed to her. Because she was just exactly that. She may look a bit snobbish at first impression but when you get to know her, you would see that she’s a simple girl who gets happy over the most elementary things and still cries over Disney cartoons.

“Did I drive you crazy singing it over and over again?” Her question brought me back to the present time.

I shook my head and smiled. “No, it didn’t drive me crazy Mace,” I answered. “It only made me like you more.”

The words were out of my mouth before I could stop it. My eyes widened when I realized what I just said matching Mace’s incredulous expression. I felt my face heat up and resolved to redeem myself. “I mean, I - I found it really cute that you liked a pretty mushy song,” I clarified.

Mace’s mouth slowly curved into a lovely smile. “Is it safe to say that’s a compliment from the cool guy, Mr. Luke James?”

Seeing her smile at me that way, I suddenly felt I had not made a fool of myself after all. If anything, it seemed like Mace was really happy with what I just said. I winked back at her. “It was definitely a compliment,” I confirmed with an equally big smile.

The engine of our bus roared to life and began inching its way to the exit. In just a matter of minutes, we were off for the 3-hour long trip. I looked at the girl sitting next to me, her eyes glued to the scenery before her. There was nothing more I want to do then reach out and take her hand in mine but knowing I don’t have that right anymore, I restrained myself.

Tapping my fingers on my lap, I turned to her. “This is good,” I said.

She tilted her head in question. “What is?”

“This second chance to go to Badian,” I answered. “The last time you came with us, we weren’t able to go together. I’m glad we’re going on the same bus trip now.”

This garnered me another smile. “I’m glad too” she said with a nod. “I remember last time, we had to wait for your cousin, Aileen because she’d have nobody to go with her.”

Somehow, the fact that we seemed to be in our own little world at the spot where we were seated helped me to gain a little more courage and boldness in saying things I would normally not say, especially with Kate around.

“To be honest, I was disappointed that time,” I confessed. “I mean, it was our first official trip as a couple and we weren’t even able to ride the bus together. I wanted to go with you guys but then, it wouldn’t be right to leave Mama to go on a long trip on her own.”

Mace gave me a look of surprise, clearly not expecting what I just revealed. “I didn’t know you felt that way Luke,” she said. “Honestly, I was disappointed that time too because well… I was looking forward to going together with you.”

I could not hide my smile of delight at her words. “So here we are, right back where we started from,” I take it you’re happy we’re finally going together?”

She gave another nod and smiled up at me. “Yep, I’m happy Luke.” She paused then added rather shyly. “It was a downer without you.”

I met her gaze but I had to look away as I felt my mouth widen into a smile. My face started getting red and to wave off my reaction casually, I clasped my hands together and finally looked back at her with a foolish grin.

She was smiling back at me too and then probably because of that awkward but happy moment, both of us laughed. The laughter erased what awkwardness passed and soon, we were talking animatedly. I looked at Mace who was telling me a funny story about her sisters, her face carefree and full of life.

It was a 3-hour trip to Badian but at that moment, I wished it were 24 hours instead.