Page 57 of Between Love and War
“Upstairs,” I say, stepping aside.
“You been hanging heavy books?”
“I… like to read?”
“Hollow blocks,” he mutters, shaking his head. “Not for heavy things.”
I nod like I understand construction physics. “Noted.”
We make our way to the shelf, but just as I move, my stomach rumbles. It feels like someone’s wringing my intestines out.
“Um,” I manage, already backing toward the hall.
“Tofu empanada?” he asks. I nod.
“Yeah, my daughter had issues too. She wanted some of Manong Jose’s barbecue but he’s not selling this week.”
“What? Why?” I ask. I know he’s going through some medical issues.
“Your basketball hotshot gave him enough for hospital bills so he can rest.”
“Michael?” My brows furrow. “Did he ask him for money?”
“No, Jose would never,” Kuya Ferdie says, opening a pack of gum. “Michael paid for more than everything he had that day but didn’t take all the food, so Jose got to keep the food, sell it all again, and earn double. He didn’t have to restock.”
Michael did that? No cameras, no PR stunt, no one to impress, just… kindness? It’s almost unfair, how a man can be both impossibly frustrating and quietly good in ways he’ll never brag about.
Before I can think of something positive to say, my stomach rumbles again. Kuya Ferdie notices and says, “Go ahead, Kate, I can finish up this shelf. I’ll just leave when I’m done.”
“Great, thanks, good luck with the shelf!”
I bolt down the hallway just as the second cramp hits.
Perfect. Sunday, ladies and gentlemen. Exactly how I planned it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Michael
Iguess it’s only a matter of time before I have to confront this. The life I put a pause to.
My phone’s been vibrating nonstop for the past five minutes, lighting up the screen like a siren. A group video call. Of course.
I sigh and finally accept it.
“Finally,” Chris and Vince say. They’re my best friends in the team. We were in the same leagues back in college, and we’ve been inseparable since. We don’t usually do calls like this, though.
“Sorry, sorry,” I say. “I’ve been doing some R&R.”
“Community service, we know.” Vince chuckles. “But where?”
I pause. “I can’t tell you, Heather will kill me. But it’s a small town near Manila.”
“Okay…” Chris says slowly. “We’re not the type to pry. So if you need space, man, we respect that. But just tell us straight—howareyou? You’ve been MIA for a whole month. No updates. No group chats. Just that one Instagram story where we caught a sliver of curly hair.”
I glance down and shrug. “I’m good. Better than I’ve been in a while, honestly.”
Chris narrows his eyes. “And?”
