Quarantine Diaries 2020: Writing In Tandem (Part 4) by danelle — Pulandit.com

Author's note: Sorry, the red flag is up, kaya walang tiltillating scenes dito. Suggestions are welcome. ------------------------------

04 April 2020 - Josh

I don't think reading Jade's story while waiting in line for my turn to the grocery is a very good idea. As her story just gave me a hard on, it was very difficult to adjust in my seat.

Is it just me, or is it getting hotter in this mall?

I looked around me. I was sitting on one of the chairs placed just outside the mall's grocery entrance to ensure physical distancing. It's like a game of "Trip to Jerusalem" of sorts. Only a handful are allowed inside the grocery. One person exits, then another person from the queue will be allowed inside. I arrived at 10:30 am, but it'll be around 20 something people before it's my turn. Everyone around me were on their phones, minding their own business. Only two people were talking in the line -- a couple of young women almost near the grocery's entrance. They were giggling.

I messaged Jade.

"I shouldn't have read your story where I am"

"Why not?"

"Honestly, it gave me a boner. That's not a good thing in public."

"Oooohhh! Naughty little Ricky! Did I do that?"

"Stahp! You're making it worse!"

"[laughing gif]"

"Honestly, you are making everything very difficult for me here at the mall."

"Really? You're at the mall?"

"Yep, grocery run."

I sent her a photo of the line of people ahead of me.

"ASL?"

I laughed to myself before typing.

"Shouldn't ASL begin before chatting as an introduction of sorts?"

"Nevermind. Forget I asked. I'll just keep on imagining you in your late twenties or early thirties, male, and living in Metro Manila."

"Well, you are spot on about that. So you can keep imagining. While I Imagine you are the same, except you are female, of course. LOL"

I paused for a bit before tapping on my cellphone again.

"Okay, are we going to go beyond anonymity now?"

The line moved and the people ahead of me moved forward five chairs. So did I before checking for her reply.

Seen one minute ago.

I typed again.

"Sending you the link of my real FB profile. I just want you to know that I'm not a poser."

04April 2020 - JADE

It was our turn to get inside the grocery. As Cheryl walked ahead of me, I looked back at line of people behind me. Somewhere out there, seated among the masked people, was Ricky.

It was only when I got home that I was able to check-out the profile link that Ricky sent.

Joshua Sta. Ana was his real name. 34 years old. Lives in Quezon City. Looks single so far.

With my real FB account, I sent him a friend request and sent him a message.

"Hello there, Joshua! One honesty deserves another."

"Soooo… we're moving forward."

"Don't get any ideas, okay?"

"Oh no, ma'am! I won't"

"I was at the same mall you were in this morning."

"Really? At SM North?"

"Yeah. I recognized it from the pic you sent. I was there with my friend."

"Tsk! And you didn't say hi!"

"Sorry, It was our turn."

It turned out that he lives with his sister and her boyfriend in a closed village of a barangay close to mine. So close that the gate of his village is just a 10 to 15 minute walk from my street.

Small world, huh?

11 April 2020 - JADE

"Plak, plak?" I told him over the phone as soon as he answered.

It was Saturday afternoon and I just finished reading his latest erotica. Since last week, we have started video calling each other practically every day. He seems to be a nice guy. I checked all his social media profiles, LinkedIn profiles, and no scandals there so far. We've talked about our work, families and friends. He's a nice guy to talk to. A good conversationalist. I found it very easy to share my thoughts.

No, no SOC. It seemed very awkward still, now that we're no longer anonymous to each other. I don't know. It's just awkward for me.

"What's wrong with that?" His face on my cellphone's screen frowned.

"You could do away with it."

"Okay, just send your comments and edits on the file. I'll just go to SB West to get coffee. Want some?"

"Hey, that's a great idea! I can meet you there!"

I was at Starbucks within 10 minutes since it's also a walking distance from my apartment.

Josh PM'd. "I already ordered your caramel macchiato. Pay me."

I saw a guy standing at the entrance of the store with two venti cups in his hand. He pulled down his face mask to let me know it's Josh. I did the same and walked towards him.

"Wow! You're fast!"

"Oh, I brought my car," He said. "They're open for take out only."

We walked towards his car and I settled on the back seat, him at the front -- ECQ rules.

"It's great to finally meet you in person!" I told him. "I would give you a hug, but we're not allowed to."

Josh chuckled, looking at me. "I know! I mean, this is great! Seeing my favorite writer in person!"

I blushed.

"So what now?" He asked. "We have…." he looked as his watch, "…. Four or so hours before curfew."

"How about my place?"

-----------------

"I would have to ask you to srip here and go straight to the bathroom and shower." I told Josh as I unlocked the door to my apartment.

"What?" he said, surprised.

"I'm serious!" I pointed to the automatic washer near the front door of my apartment. I placed the washing machine by the front door when Cheryl, my best friend, started dropping in on me. Good thing that the apartment has a secure carport/garage.

"What will I wear," he asked but started to take off his shirt. My jaw nearly dropped at the sight of his abs. Wow! This guy works out!

"I'll lend you some of my baggy clothes while your own dries." I told him, almost chokingly. Then I also started to strip off my clothes. I pulled my shirt and jogging pants and threw it inside the washing machine. I had a tank top and cycling shorts underneath.

I felt his eyes roam down my body which made me blush.

"Stop oggling and get in the bathroom!" I ordered.

"Yes, ma'am!" He said with a salute.

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Photo credits: Art by Yarek Godfrey