บท 74: Visiting Kyla (Part I)

Saturday morning, I was at the dinner table with Charissa when the telephone inside my unit suddenly rang. My mother stood up and called her.

"Christine, Kyla wants to speak with you," Charissa called me out.

I promptly made my way to the living room and picked up the phone. At that moment, my conversation with Kyla began.

Kyla: "Christine, I was thinking if you are available today. Perhaps we can hang out and have lunch at my house this afternoon. And then we can go shopping later. Do you want to come with me, pal?"

Christine: "Well, I don't have any pending assignments right now so yeah. But how can I reach you?"

Kyla: "Christine, the thing is I live inside a luxury condominium somewhere in Makati. It was conveniently located a few meters away from Greenbelt. You know where that mall is, right?"

Christine: "I do Kyla. You can just text me the specific directions and the location of your unit. Is that okay with you?"

Kyla: "Definitely my friend. And by the way, would you mind inviting Michelle to my home as well?"

Christine: "Sorry Kyla but she was too tired after working on our video project the other night. Maybe I can accommodate her some other time."

Kyla: "Oh well. I'll see you later then."

Christine: "Indeed. Goodbye for now Kyla. Go talk to me in a few hours."

After I had hung up the phone, Charissa approached me for a brief discussion.

"I'm very curious Christine," Charissa naturally wondered towards me. "Who is Kyla, and how was she able to deduce our telephone number?"

"Mother, she was my classmate in philosophy class," I happily revealed to Charissa. "Kyla also happened to be Michelle's teammate on the basketball team. She kind of resembling me in terms of facial features."

"Interesting," Charissa responded with a curious look on her face. "But still, I want to find out how Kyla managed to call us on the phone without my prior knowledge."

"Mother she simply asked for my contact numbers during a recent class," I heartedly admitted to Charissa. "That is why Kyla was able to contact you earlier."

"I see," Charissa replied. "Well Christine, perhaps you should convince Kyla to visit our unit soon. I look forward to meeting your doppelganger. What can you say?"

"No problem mother," I swiftly approved Charissa's proposal. "After all, Kyla is a very kind and humble person to relate with."

"Okay then," Charissa satisfactorily concluded. "Good luck on your visit today."

"Thanks mother," I joyfully responded.

After a short visit to the bathroom, I was all dressed and ready for the trip to Kyla's home. Except there was one problem.

"Can you drive me to Kyla's place?" I asked Charissa upon going down the living room.

"Sorry Christine I have groceries to do this afternoon," she answered back. "But you can ask Michelle to drive there."

"Unfortunately she is unavailable today," I reluctantly admitted. "She was too tired after working overtime last night. Which means I have no choice but to commute."

"Hey Christine, don't worry about that," Charissa humbly advised me. "Like I told you before, commuting is not so bad at all. As long as you stay calm, commuting will not be a problem."

"I understand mother," my head reluctantly nodded in approval of Charissa's valuable words of wisdom.

"Stay safe my beloved daughter," Charissa gently reminded me. "Hope you and Kyla have a fun time."

"We will mother", I responded back.

Charissa tenderly kissed my forehead and heartily caressed me. Then as she waved her hand, I promptly closed the door and headed down the lobby to wait for a taxi.

A few cabs passed but each of them already carried at least one passenger. And one cab even refused to give me a ride.

"That was so disrespectful," my thoughts angrily directed towards the driver as he sped away.

Eventually, another cab was passing by the lobby when I gestured for it to stop. Fortunately, the driver willingly allowed to give me a ride and upon entering I immediately directed him to my chosen destination: Greenbelt in Makati.

The trip to Greenbelt was quick and smooth that morning. The driver even went as far as playing the song 'Drive My Car' by The Beatles on his radio.

Honestly, that was a very good single to sing at a time like this.

Shortly before arriving at the mall, my phone suddenly vibrated inside the pocket. Upon opening the screen, it was revealed that Kyla sent me a text message.

"Christine, meet me at Starbucks immediately," read the message.

"Okay then," I promptly replied.

The cab then stopped at the driveway, and the meter instantly flashed a figure that read 'P 150'. That was the amount of money needed to pay to the driver.

Turns out taking a taxi was too taxing for my wallet. Then again, it was considerably safer to ride a cab than experience the trouble of waiting impatiently for a jeepney or standing up inside a overcrowded train or bus.

As soon as I stepped onto Greenbelt, a strangely nostalgic feeling gripped my mind. Looking wistfully at those lush trees, pristine pond waters and cobblestone walkways, it naturally felt as if I was traveling back in time.

My first birthday was spent inside this mall. Next came those frequent Valentine's Day dinners and birthday lunches with my parents.

No wonder this place felt familiar to me.

But there was no time for nostalgic reflections. Kyla was waiting eagerly for me at Starbucks.

Upon my arrival, she promptly greeted me and said, "Wonderful morning Christine." After a short embrace, Kyla continued by saying, "Are you ready to come to my humble abode?" to which I nodded in approval.

Kyla's luxury condominium is a few minutes away from Greenbelt. It was undoubtedly an architectural marvel: the magnificent building stood around 30 stories tall, and Kyla lives in the middle at the 15th floor.

I could not help but feel impressed at the height of this building. Whoever constructed it must be a legend in the architecture industry, one who is well-revered by peers.

As we promptly made our way to the lobby, my radiant face was gripped with joyous excitement and fervor. I could not wait to look keenly at Kyla's place in person.