First Date – Take Two

April 19, 2013

8:39 pm

Christine Romulo

The Walled Village. This is what that quiet place of the city called. One can see the age of this place with the weathering stones used in this place a hundred years ago. One day, time will get the best of this place for its age. However, the city preserves this site as a romantic and tourist spot for any incoming visitors.

"And you want us to have a date here, at The Walled Village?" Mateo asks incredulously.

"Yes," I say frankly. "I don't need you to spend lavishly on such places. At least, maybe we can have some fun, explore this part of the city you obviously never visit, and you know, just have a good time as two people."

He just smirks at my childish enthusiasm. "You are truly one of a kind."

It is a bit late at this time of time. He can park wherever he wants. There's a lot of spaces for parking in this simple place. Of course, he still does his noble acts and helps me out of the car. I can't really tell if he is just being forced to act this way because of the accident or if it is because he really wants this date.

"It's my first time to be here," he says honestly as he locks the car. "To be honest, I always pass by The Walled Village on my way around town, but I have never really stopped and looked at it." He then lets out his arm once more. "Shall we?"

Alright, first date, take 2!

We walked around the pathways around The Walled Village. It is like a maze, a beautiful maze at that. One can lost their way around here, but still find a way out. One can also never realize that they are lost for they are lost at the beauty of the old ruins of this Village. I see carriages passing by us. The clattering of their hooves is music to my ears. Each step I take is like a travel back to the past, the Spanish times.

"On the day that we first met, I feel like I have to ask you," he says as we walk along the paths. "Are you the church pianist of Word Miracle Church."

I remember that day. Now that I remember it, maybe I took this date as a fun little game. All I could is just give a slight chuckle. "Yes, I think I am, but not yet officially. I am just training, you know. I'm not a firm practicing Catholic. Are you, though?"

I see him give a funny shake of a head. "Hell, no! It was always my mother that insisted I try going to church to improve my behaviors."

"I feel the same way. It was my father that urged me to try church ministry. Who knows that it would be hard work? I mean, if you look at the congregation, they are too serious. They say their 'praise be to God' and be in tears."

"Yeah, and don't forget the 'peace be with you' that they always give to each other. Utter hypocrites! You see them give peace, but outside the church, just look at them."

He then goes on at the middle of the pathway and pretends to be a member of the congregation. "It's like this, you see. Here's what the first old woman would say." He then takes the posture of an old woman. "Peace be with you, dearey. May God bless you."

Once again, he takes a proper posture. "And then, the other lady would say," – he now stands up straight, pretending to be a modern woman. "Thank you, peace be with you too."

"That's how they are inside the church," he says with a laugh in his voice. "But then outside," – he then once again takes the posture of the old lady, pretending to be her again. "Oh, the youth these days! They never respect the old! All they care about is their worldly concerns! Too busy, too disobedient to their husbands, sometimes they are going on affairs!"

I cannot help but laugh at all of these. It's too accurate. But, wait! He's not done yet. He stands up straight again. "Now, this is how the other lady would talk shit about the old lady." – he then stands up straight, proper as a professional young woman. "I cannot believe that old woman! How can she judge me for being a modern professional that take no money from anyone? I can handle myself. I don't need a man."

"So, you see, Christine," he says after his one-man performance. "Those that are inside the church tend to be the most hypocritical and the ones bound to hell!"

He laughs so hard that I go along with his joy. "Stop that," I say to him cautiously. "I know it's very funny, but," – I cannot help but also laugh – "people are watching!"

He then spreads his arms open, without a care for the world. "Oh, blimey! Let the people hear my words for it is all true!"

I just laugh at all of these. It's so crazy that he can make fun of religion in the middle of a Village built in a time when this country is at the peak of Catholicism. I see nuns pass by us as we laugh along the world's craziness. I think they heard us make fun of religion that they even crossed themselves.

"See those nuns?" I whisper to Mateo. "They just crossed themselves."

I see him give a slight chuckle. "They must have thought that we are the devils themselves."

No man has ever made me laugh the most than him. At this time, I willingly crossed my arms with his as if he is my actual lover – a lover that I actually care for without thinking of seduction for personal gain.

As we walk some more, I see a man and a woman also enjoying themselves while walking along the paths. Mateo and I wanted to greet the couple passing by us. However, as they get closer, I notice their figures and appearances. I see the man's hair bearing the color that of mahogany. A little more, I can clearly see their faces.

Of course, it had to be Morris. His arms are crossed with another woman. Quite the pretty face, I must say. I can see them just talking amongst themselves with a few teases here and there. Sometimes, they would chuckle – the typical things a couple would do.

"Good evening!" Mateo greets when the two of them passed by us.

"Good evening, my dear," the lady with Morris says with a slight wave.

The lady and Mateo are clearly amicable to each other even though they barely know each other. As for me and Morris, we both know that we are not in good acquaintance. All we did is give each other a short nod. I see him give an amused smirk – a smirk that judges me for what I am doing. It is a smirk that just says, "you are only dating that man, so you could get back at me." If that is what he is thinking, he is not wrong at first. But as I enjoy my time with Mateo, I am beginning to think less of him. He's just a figment of my short desire to seduce.

Still, as I enjoy my company with this man, I cannot help but think to myself. Is it right to date a man who might be the son of Governor Julian Samuel Macedo? What if this man is also like his father? What if he will be a corrupt mind and I will be forced to take this man down too?

Right now, all I see is a fun-loving man – a fun-loving man that is not afraid to speak his mind.