FROM AFAR: LOVE IN THE INBOX-18
"Do you recall that night at the police station after the car accident on Hotel Drive? You certainly know how to be a distracting passenger!"
READ MESSAGE INBOX
March 02, 1999 Tues 7 pm
Subject: Marching in March’99
Dearest Ray,
I’ve just returned home after a busy morning. My appointments concluded around 2 p.m., and I then made my way to Jessie’s school. Tomorrow promises another early start, and the weather is as unpredictable as ever. Despite the calendar’s march into March and the onset of the dry season, the sky is a curious mix of rain and sunshine.
I was delighted to receive your charming card, with a couple sharing a kiss amidst a chorus of exaggerated “yuck” expressions from the surrounding crowd. It brought a smile to my face.
I couldn’t help but laugh when I read your card! It feels like ages since you left in January, even though it’s only been two months. The conversations we had, that unexpected trip to the police station in Tagaytay, the signing of affidavits, and the whole saga with my little car and its dent (or rather, the lack of one!). I’m really grateful you were with me through it all. I can’t imagine handling everything with all those police around on my own.
You really do make my days a little lighter. I was telling my sister, Sien, about how you knew Art C from your time at Concio Architects 1 It turns out that one of Sien’s closest friends is the daughter of Concio and Lupita Aquino Kashiwahara, who is now a movie director.
After dropping off Jess and her nanny, Deng, at the house, I went to the gym. It’s such a relief to have Deng around—she helps with cooking now and then, though she can’t do it every day since her main job is taking care of Jess.
So, you got burned as an angel when you were a kid? No wonder you turned out the way you did! By the way, I don’t even know if you’re the firstborn or the youngest—you hardly talk about your past. Do you have some dark, dirty secret?
I asked Remee to look into the cost of plane fares to Canada. It turns out the peak season there runs from April to August.
By the way, do you recall that night at the police station after the car accident on Hotel Drive? You certainly know how to be a distracting passenger!" I've never had a car accident in my driving history, and now we find ourselves in not one, but two. Is that just a coincidence, or are we destined for chaos? What a nuisance! Mr. Armada.
Oh, and Sien said her Irish boyfriend, Martin, did produce financial statements showing his income. Also, even though she didn’t have a ticket when she went to the consulate, she had an itinerary from the travel agency.
Ciao for now.
Jas.
P.S. It’s perfectly fine if you can’t write more emails for the next two weeks. You more than make up for it with your cards and our almost daily calls. Although, now that I think about it, I do live for those emails!
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02 March 1999
“Remember this? “Neither distance nor time can change my love for you…?
Although I cannot give you everything you deserve, nor always understand you in the way you might wish,
“I can promise I will love you, all the seasons of my life, and be thankful for the beauty of just sharing them with you.”
Happy Easter, with all my love, Ray
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From: Jas <jasminso@hotmail.com> Save Address Block Sender
To: ray <ray_jasmin@hotmail.com
Subject: Madly, truly, deeply
Date: Fri 5 Mar 1999 02:05:22 -0800 PST
Dearest Ray,
Just got back from Makati. First things first: I didn’t get to pick the girls up from school today. Their dad called my office to ask if he could take Jess for the weekend since they’re heading to Tagaytay.
Thank you so much for the Easter card. I just heard a song that instantly reminds me of our time in Tagaytay. Do you remember? I’ll always associate this song with our relationship, Ray. Gino Vanelli 2really knows how to tug at the heartstrings.
“When I think about those nights in Montreal3
I get the sweetest thoughts of you and me
Memories of love above the city lights,
Oooo, I've tried so hard to take it
But alone my heart won't make it….”
I’m feeling pretty tired but need to drag myself to the gym—I haven’t been able to work out lately. Since the girls aren’t with me this weekend, Andrew and I are planning to catch a movie. It’s our little date night when the girls are away. We’re also heading to Powerbooks to browse for cards and some tapes for the car.
So, you’ve read Message in a Bottle? 4Is it a love story? Who stars with Kevin Costner? I have to say, I actually prefer Robert Redford, even though that might surprise you since he’s in the same age group as my parents. I had Redford’s photo that I used as a bookmark back in high school. So you love to read too! That’s really great—seems we have more in common than just…? Lets just say, we save that for our phone calls, hmm?
Your cards are coming in like rain! Wait for my snail mail, will you? Its officially dry season here. Holy Week isn’t far off. Normally, the kids go Easter Egg hunting with their dad, so I’ll be staying home.
Call me Saturday?
Jas
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Concio Architects - A defunct architectural firm in Manila
Gino Vanelli - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gino_Vannelli - Gino Vannelli (born June 16, 1952)[2] is a Canadian rock singer and songwriter who had several hit songs in the 1970s and 1980s. His best-known singles include "People Gotta Move" (1974), "I Just Wanna Stop" (1978).
"I Just Wanna Stop" (1978) released as a single by G. Vanelli reaching No. 1 in Canada.
Message in a Bottle - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message_in_a_Bottle_(novel)
Message in a Bottle is the second romance novel written by American author Nicholas Sparks. The story, which explores the romance theme of love after grief, is set in the mid-late 1990s, then-contemporary Wilmington, North Carolina.