Page 124 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘I wish you hadn’t done any of those things, Rod. Why? Why did you? You could’ve ended things with me respectfully and then done whatever you pleased. Did you have to hurt and insult me by hooking up with someone else? Did I deserve it?’
Rodrigo still remembers that evening. He was supposed to go over to Bhaskar and Alice’s. Timira had said she’ll be cooking. He remembers vividly how excited he had been. He had ordered flowers, had his manager Kabir deliver a bottle of Yamazaki to his hotel suite. He was showered, dressed and ready to step out when his doorbell rang. The next morning, his face was splashed across the tabloids, and by afternoon, he had lost the one person who mattered to him more than most. Timira.
Rodrigo, consumed with guilt, doesn’t say a word and just hangs his head, unable to look Timira in the eye.
‘Yo, Rod! Where are you lost?’ Timira pokes Rodrigo in his delts.
‘Ow! Sorry, sorry, Tim. I was just … well, all I can say is sorry. I’m just really, really sorry. Maybe one day, if you manage to forgive me and still consider me a friend, I can explain to you why I did what I did. But at this point, I can only apologize. I’m sorry, Tim!’
What is a cheater supposed to say anyway?Timira scoffs, but looking at ashen-faced Rodrigo, she doesn’t press further.
‘But you know what I’m not sorry for, Timira? For meeting you, for falling in love with you. Meeting you has been my life’s greatest joy and loving you has been my absolute honour!’
Timira looks at Rodrigo with disbelief in her eyes. His eyes are clear as water. Nothing’s hidden in them.
Why is he speaking so earnestly? What has happened to him?
‘Well, guess what, Tim? I’ve decided to forgive myself. A very wise man said I should, and of course, a particularly wise lady said I shouldn’t keep running away. So here I am, facing all my demons and cleaning up my life, one mess at a time!’
Wow, who is this guy? Where is the good ol’ vain, moronic, the king of rizz Rod?
‘Say something, Timmy. You’ve been unnaturally quiet!’
It’s true. Timira isn’t usually this quiet.
‘Well, I’m still processing all that you have said.’
‘I haven’t said much really, have I? I’ve only apologized. Something I should’ve done a long while back!’
‘Well, better late than never. And, better now than later!’
Rodrigo, a sad smile on his face, looks up at Timira upon hearing these words.
‘So do you forgive me?’
‘Well, I accept your apology. It’ll take me a while to forgive you …’
‘Promise me you will!’ Rodrigo cuts in impatiently.
‘I’m sure I will.’
I have loved you, you nutjob. Of course I will forgive you!
Rodrigo looks visibly relieved and smiles.
A waterboy runs up to him right then.
‘Hyung, they want you on the field. Game starts in five!’
Turning towards Timira, Rodrigo says, ‘Gotta go, T!’
‘Of course! Go on then. I’ll be on my way.’
‘Before you go, may I? One last time?’
He spreads his arms wide open.
Timira smiles and obliges.
