As Ging looked up, she met the irresistibly sparkling eyes of someone who looked like she is in her mid-40s. “Certainly,” she couldn’t help answering the friendly stranger who also ordered a cup of coffee.
Opening her copy of the day’s Philippine Daily Inquirer, the lady, Rosalie, proudly pointed to Ging an article on the front page of the broadsheet, saying, “The author is a classmate of mine in my French class.”
Squinting her eyes, Ging read the title, “The Inner Meaning of Christmas” by Flerida Ruth P. Romero. “Ah yes,” she said, laughing, “she’s the professor of my husband Polo at the UP (University of the Philippines) College of Law. I have not met her, though.”
With that brief exchange, the two ladies launched into an animated conversation spiced with snippets of what they knew about the writer. Ging, the gentle, genteel lady in her 60s, plied Rosalie with questions about why a septuagenarian would enroll in a French class.
Skirting the issue, Rosalie disclosed in conspiratorial tones, “Her son, a lawyer, is also in the same class. Believe it or not, her husband, another abogado, is enrolled in the adjoining Spanish class.”
She added, “We all attend classes sponsored by Alliance Française de Manille in the basement of Madrigal Arts Center in Alabang near the St. Jerome and Sta. Susana Parish Church.”
Before the tête-à-tête ended, Ging extracted a promise from Rosalie to introduce her to the writer, “Maybe we can invite her to lunch…?”
Like old friend
In no time at all, I found myself seated in a restaurant with Rosalie and Ging, the newfound acquaintance. It was like we were old friends. Rosalie, brandishing her copy of the Inquirer, expounded on her interpretation of my article.
The initial meeting was followed by several others—always on a weekday, but never on Tuesdays, for these were Ging’s sessions with Opus Dei. Amid much conviviality, the three of us would always exchange gifts.
Unfortunately, Rosalie suffered a stroke, which interrupted what was becoming a pleasant occasion to look forward to. As she slowly recovered, Ging and I would visit her in her San Pedro home.
Rosalie was forced to drop out of her French class, not only because of her condition, but because the classes were moved to a new building on Nicanor Roxas Street in Makati. Finding myself alone, I soon made new friends among the younger set.
When Rosalie rallied and regained her strength, the lunches were resumed. Unable to drive herself anymore, she had to be squired by husband Sam. Romero’s son, accompanied by his wife Beng, became a regular member of the group.
Bigger circle
The circle grew bigger when Rosalie asked permission to invite her gynecologist, Dr. Rizz from Naga, who would travel to Manila every November to attend the annual convention of obstetricians and gynecologists. At the last gathering, Dr. Rizz brought husband Dante all the way to Alabang.
In Christmas advent mode, they brought out their gifts like the Magi of old. Suddenly, Rosalie announced with a chuckle, “You know, we’re also celebrating our wedding anniversary today!”
Ever-expanding group
The group chorused, “Why didn’t you tell us? We’ll have to have a cake!” By dessert time, a chocolate cake with a congratulatory message, was divided among everyone, with Sam making sure each got a generous slice.
Recently, Rosalie informed her friends that her uncle, a balikbayan preacher from the United States who is also a musician, was eager to meet the expanding group. With a twinkle in her eyes, she promised, “I shall be sure to bring my copy of the PDI, no matter how dog-eared it is already.”
(Editor’s Note: Flerida Ruth P. Romero is a retired senior associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.)
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