To Kiss My True Memories

CHAPTER 8

Chapter 8

"Good morning, miss."

"Welcome back po."

"Na miss ka po namin."

Iba't ibang pambungad na bati sa akin ang sumalubong pagkapasok ko pa lamang sa restaurant. Nakatipon sila na tila inaabangan talaga ang pagdating ko kahit hindi naman nag-abisong dadating ako ngayon.

"I miss you too all. I hope you all already okay na?" sabay tingin ko sa kay kuya Mario at Moira.

"Maayos na kami, miss." ani Moira.

"Huwag ka ng mag-alala dahil daplis lang naman." si kuya Mario.

Tipid akong nangiti sa kanila. "Kahit na po. But it's good to heard that you all okay. And sorry for the days I didn't here."

"Okay lamang iyon, miss." sabay-sabay nilang saad.

I smiled on them genuinely and nodded. "By the way, where's Sheeme?" taka kong tanong dahil siya lamang ang hindi ko makita dito.

"May inaayos lamang po sa itaas-"

"I'm here, K!" Sheeme shouted happily from the stairs.

Tsk, ang ingay! I'm glad dahil kaonti pa lamang ang customer dahil maaga pa.

I watched her slowly walking towards us while on her lips there was a smile seems teasing me. Iritado agad ako sa ngiti niya.

"What?" napabulong ako.

"Isang tawag lamang, sinabing may nakakamiss sa kaniya nandito na agad." makahulugan niyang tinuran.

"I don't care who's missing me. I'm here because of important things." I said, trying to make her realize it.

She have a dirty minds but that was the truth, anyway.

"Miss, maiwan na po namin kayo." paalam ng mga server.

Tumango naman ako at hinarap ng mabuti si Sheeme na nakangisi na ngayon. "How's the booking? Marami ba?" I asked.

Hindi sya sumagot, nakangisi lamang siya sa akin. I rolled my eyes because of her reaction. What happened to her? Nawala lamang ako ng mga ilang araw ay parang nisasapian na s'ya.

The fudge, happened this girl!?

"Can you please answer me, Sheeme?" inis ko ng saad sa kaniya.

"I'm sorry." hingi niya ng tawad ngunit nakangisi parin. "It's like before, there's so many booking this day. Halos panggabi lamang naman na, K."

"Okay! How about Mrs. Mizelle Dela Torallez? Is she free right now para makipag-usap na kami. May idea kana ba sa kung ano ang pag-uusapan namin?"

"Wala pa. I'll update her now that you are here. Just wait a minute."

I nodded. "Okay thanks."

Tumalikod sa akin si Sheeme, bahagyang lumayo nang may kausap na sa phone. I just started to round my eyes to see the whole part of the first floor, nothing change and like before, every morning mga coffee sa cafe ang dinudumog.

"Kairra, Mrs. Dela Torallez secretary told they will have their lunch here and she booked one VIP table." si Sheeme matapos sa tawag.

"Prepare their table." utos ko.

"Noted, K."

"Check ko muna ang iba." paalam ko.

She nodded while I quickly walked towards the counter.

Tumulong ako sa pag-aayos ilang sandali bago dumating ang oras ng tanghalian. I already checked the VIP table that booked by Mrs. Mizelle Dela Torallez's secretary. The foods, drinks, wine and desserts are already prepared. I'm only waiting for Mrs Dela Torallez that's why I'm here on the first floor waiting for her.

I'm thinking if what this is for? I know she won't waste any time for this kind of lunch. Naglalakabay ang isip ko ng napatingil lamang dahil sa tunog na dulot sa glass door, hudyat na may dumating.

Mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay tanaw ko ang pagdating ni Mrs. Mizelle Dela Torallez. She dressed up with her fancy dress while on her shoulder was her black coat partnered on her black stilettos and her accessories that fit on her make-up as well. Sa kanyang bihis palamang ay nagsusumigaw na sa yaman. Maybe I'm not familiar to her, but I'm sure that they family are one of the rich family here in the Philippines.

Sa paglapit ko ay saka ko lamang napansin ang babae sa kanyang gilid. I'm sure she's not Mrs. Mizelle Dela Torallez's secretary, I could see it from her posture, from her skin, face with her decent make-up, and her garb. She's wearing also a touchy peach tube dress partnered on her white ankle strap heels and because of that her height most shew.

She's not familiar on me. Kahit kunot ang noo ay nakuha ko pa ding lumapit upang salubungin at batiin sila.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Mizelle Dela Torallez." I greeted politely. "It's nice to see you again here, ma'am." I added.

She smiled. "It's nice to see you too young de Versa." pauna niyang bati sa akin. "You look so stunning with your simple dress up."

I felt my face heated because of her commendation. I'm only wearing a touchy purple off shoulder dress with my wooden color wedge sandal with my simple light make-up.

"You look more stunning po." puri ko sa kaniya.

"I can't decline that." tumawa siya kaya napatawa na din ako.

Fudge! She's really gorgeous! So stunning!

Nahagip ko ang babaeng katabi niya, I don't know her talaga. Gulat ako ng inirapan niya ako bago binigyan ng masamang tingin. Napansin ni Mrs. Mizelle ang matagal kong tingin sa babaeng kasama niya.

"Bye the way, this is Zurina." lahad ni Mrs. Mizelle dito. "Zurina this is Cikairra."

"Nice meeting you." sabay lahad ko ng kamay sa kaniya, tila gulat siya sa naging askyon ko.

It's took a minutes before she accept my hand. "Nice meeting you... Cikairra." tila may panunuya siya ng banggitin ang aking pangalan.

Sa pagbangit niya sa pangalan ko, naramdaman kong tila matagal niya na akong kilala. Seems we already know each other and we had so much interaction... but it was a bad interaction, ngunit mabilis ko rin iyong inalis sa aking isipan dahil napakaimposible nito.

"Kairra na lang." I corrected even I don't want.

"Zurina is Darrow fiance—"

"Ma!" Mrs. Mizelle didn't finished her word when a baritone voice cut her.

Napatingin ako sa lalaking kapapasok sa glass door. And it was Darrow. Mrs. Mizelle Dela Torallez's son.

I looked at him slowly as my heart started to beat so loud and fast while our eyes quickly meet. I swallowed hard, couldn't take away my eyes on him. I shouldn't looked at him this way. I shouldn't looked at him longer!

Though, Mrs. Mizelle didn't finished her words ngunit nakuha ko parin iyon. Nakuha ko na ang kasama ni Mrs. Mizelle na babae ngayon ay ang finance ng anak niyang si Darrow.

It hit me big time.

"Oh son, you're here." Mrs. Mizelle greeted her son.

"What are you doing here?" si Darrow sa ina na sinulyapan niya at mabilis ding binalik ang mga mata sa akin.

I slowly looked away even I didn't want. I still want to stare at him, more longer! But I shouldn't!

"Zurina and I set a lunch here. And I want also to talk miss little de Versa for the up coming event." paliwanag ni Mrs. Mizelle sa anak. "You? What are you doing here?"

I look back to Darrow. He couldn't answer her mom question.

"You following me?" tanong ni Zurina, seems she assumed something.

Darrow didn't mind Zurina's question. Instead, his eyes turned to me seems he's examining me. His eyes travel on my body before his stare stock on my neck. Kumalabog ng malakas ang puso ko dahil sa kaniyang tingin. Lumunok ako ng makailang beses at bahagyang gumalaw sa gulat. I'm very shocked the way he looks at me.

Pervert, he have already a fiancee!

"Kairra, the table are already prepared." Sheeme interrupted us,"Uh, good afternoon Tita Mizelle." she then turned to Mrs. Mizelle to greeted her.

"Good afternoon, Sheeme." balik na bati ni Mrs. Mizelle sa kaniya.

They know each other?

Nagtagal ang tingin ko kay Sheeme at naabutan kong binigyan niya ng masasamang tingin si Zurina na fiance ni Darrow. What is Sheeme problem? They are our costumers, she shouldn't treat then like that!

Nanliit ang mata ko ngunit agad na nawala ang atensyon sa kanila nang maramdaman ang dalawang pares ng matang nakatitig sa akin. I don't need to turn my eyes to see who's the owner of that eyes. Shocks, my heart keep throbbing faster!

I just swallowed for several times as I still feel the fast and loud throb of my chest. What the! Why he's keep watching me in front of his mother specially in front of his fiance! Pinapahamak niya pa ata ako!

Stop staring at me... because your stare make my heart shivered!

"H-uh, how's the food, Sheeme?" baling ko kay Sheeme upang mawala ang atensyon sa kay Darrow.

"Maayos na rin, K. Maayos na ang lahat." ngiti niya sa akin.

I nodded. "T-he table and your food's are already prepared, Ma'am. Why can't we go there, it's more comfortable there than here." anyaya ko sa kanila.

"That's a good idea hija." Mrs. Mizelle smiled at me genuinely. "Eat with us son." baling nito sa anak.

"For sure Tita, he will eat with us." nakangiti saad ni Zurina kay Mrs. Mizelle.

I caught Darrow. His expression look like he didn't happy on what's happening. Isang pasada pa muli sa kaniya at nakita ko ang tingin niyang mariin parin sa akin bago tumalikod at nagsimula ng maglakad para maigiya na sila. Even I already turned my back to him I could still feel his firmly stare.

May naramdaman akong sakit sa aking ulo kaya napahinto ako sa unang hagdaan. This is it again, I did the inhale exhale like what I always do when I feel my head aching, then continue walking like nothing happened.

This can't be happen again! Not now please!

Why my head always aching when he's here? Everytime his in front of me!?

Is there's something wrong in my head? In my mind? Or in my heart?

************

We're now busy eating on a round table, Mrs. Mizelle started asking his son about his meeting lately. Tahimik lamang naman akong nakikinig sa kanila habang kumakain dahil hindi naman maalam tungkol sa pinag-uusapan nila. I don't want this set up but It's hard to say no to eat with Mrs. Mizelle. I try to refuse her offer but through this set up will we talk about something important, though she's our big costumer that's why it's okay but I hope her son won't be here. To show my politeness I accept na lamang. I have no other choices, anyway.

Tahimik ako ganoon din ang nasa gilid kong si Zurina na sumasagot lamang kapag tinatanong ni Mrs. Mizelle. Ni hindi man lamang ako nito kinakausap ng patungkol sa kahit ano, maybe she's thinking that it's awkward, we're just introduce to each other earlier, right. But I should entertain her, she's our costume.

While I caught Darrow glancing on me every time. I couldn't prevent myself not to scowled, I'm tryna don't mind him but his stare make me feel something inside me, make me shuddered. Pinipilit na lamang ang mga matang hindi siya balingan ngunit kahit wala sa kaniya ang mata ay nararamdaman ko parin ang paninitig niya.

Seriously!

In front of her fiance!?

"Son, we need to pave the up coming event. Do you think the result will be good?" Mrs. Mizelle asked to his son.

"Yeah." tanging sagot ni Darrow.

I'm still feel his eyes on me!

"I want you to know why I'm came here is to personally discuss to Ms. de Versa what I'm planning for the servicing of the food. I chose their restaurant because they impressed me." Mrs. Mizelle said while there was a smile on her lips. "So Ms. de Versa this is my plan." bumaling siya sa akin sabay abot ng isang folder.

I nodded. "I'll check it ma'am." tugon ko at sinimulan itong suriin.

Sinimulang ko itong basahin mula sa itaas. All Plans are already written. The date of the event, what time we need to arrive to be exact and what time the meals will be serve, number of people who will attend. Sa pinakababang bahagi naman ay nakasulat ang aking pangalan at ang kay Mrs. Mizelle na mayroon ng signature, at hinihintay na lamang ay ang akin.

I get the fancy pen in front of me to sign it - but before I finally put my signature my eyes caught the payment that I didn't expect. Kumurap-kurap ako ng ilang beses kung namamalikmata lamang ba ako sa nakasulat na amount doon bilang bayad. It's was six digit that supposed five digit only.

"Ma'am." I quickly up my head to turned my eyes to Mrs. Dela Torallez. "The payment is too big po." pangtutukoy ko sa bayad na nakasulat.

Masyadong malaki talaga ang bayad, doble ito! Isn't the amount I'm expecting. I know I shouldn't refuse her offer but I think I couldn't accept it.

"That's the actual amount."

"But?" protesta ko.

She only smiled at me. "It's fine. Your restaurant deserve that."

Yeah, I will accept this for all my server that always working hard for my restaurant. I will give them a bonus na lamang?

"Thank you ma'am. Promise we'll do our best po." nakangiti kong saad.

"Let's see."

Nahagip ng paningin ko si Zurina na umiirap, seems she's pissed because I'm talking Mrs. Mizelle Dela Torallez this way. I don't know but seems she have a displeasure on me. I just secretly rolled my eyes to her too before I turned my gaze to Darrow. I caught him still watching me and I don't care if he caught me rolling my eyes to her fiance. Her fiance got pissed at me and I don't know why!

I was surprised when Mrs. Mizelle Dela Torallez stood to excuse herself for a call. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi panoorin siyang lumabas at maglakad patungo sa veranda. Silence quickly engulfed on our table. I don't know how to start a conversation with this two that's why I chose to shut up my mouth and just continue eating. After this no more luch with them!

Tahimik ang aking galaw upang hindi makagawa na ingay sa napakatahimik na paligid. I wonder why this two won't talking? Is their on fight? Maybe.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagnguya ng marinig ang malakas na pagtikhim ni Darrow na tila ba nisadya niya upang makakuha ng atensyon. I quickly up my stare to turned to him.

Our eyes meet as I feel my heart beat in something I always feel every time our eyes caught each other eye. There was something on his eyes that I couldn't explain. His eyes seems saying something but I couldn't read and analyze it clearly. It's was blurred!

"Darrow, can you put some dessert on my plate." we're busy staring each other when Zurina interrupted us, using her maarte voice.

Napakagat ako sa labi at napaayos ng upo. Lumipat ang aking tingin kay Zurina habang ang kilay ko ay kusang tumaas dahil tila walang pakealam sa kaniya si Darrow kahit narinig naman ito. Duh, that's her fiance!

I felt I've a bad temper towards Zurina sa kadahilanang hindi ko naman alam. Yes, she's beautiful I admit it. I stared her for a while when I remember her now, she's a model. She's a famous model of some clothes, accessories and perfume. Sometimes I saw her commerical on TV. For me she's okay but I didn't agree on her unpleasant attitude, but I don't know if she's only like this on me or to others also.

I just shrugged and drink my juice. Ilang minuto na simula ng inutusan ni Zurina si Darrow ngunit hindi parin nigagawa ni Darrow ang utos ng fiance. Darrow just signed on his seat. Siguro nga ay nagkaroon sila ng away?

Tsk. Bahala sila.

Nagpatuloy na lamang ako sa pagkain ng dessert kahit na nawalan na ng gana. I hope I get rid in this set up, huh!

"K." nabuhay ako ng lumapit si Sheeme sa kung nasaan ako "The other table want to meet you." she whispered.

"Oh!" kunwari'y gulat kong tugon ngunit masaya naman.

Thanks, Sheeme. You save me!

Tumingin ako sa kaniya ng may malaking ngiti, taka naman siya sa naging reaksyon ko. I just smiled at her when I caught Mrs. Mizelle walking towards on our table. I think it's time to excuse myself now.

"Good afternoon, Tita. Sorry to excuse Kairra for a while, someone wants to meet her." Sheeme apologize to Mrs. Mizelle once she's standing in front of me.

"It's okay, Sheeme." Mrs. Mizelle said.

"I already said you're busy K, but they want to meet you talaga." Sheeme turned to me.

Nginitian ko siya ng malapad. "No it's okay, we're already done naman na din."

Her forehead still scowling. I only smiled wider and wider and then winked on her. Gosh, she really save me on this set up, I don't want to stay here more for a minutes, in front of this girl - Darrow fiance.

"Ma'am." bumaling ako ng nakangiti kay Mrs. Mizelle. "I hope it's okay if I go now, other customers want to meet me po."

I caught Zurina smiling, seems she's happy because I will finally gone on her sight. Don't worry I'm more happy.

"It's okay, hija. We're already done, anyway." Mrs. Mizelle said while smiling at me. "We're also done eating. We will just take a minutes more before we go."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

Nabaling ang aking paningin sa dalawang pares ng matang nariyan at pinapanood nanaman ako. I'm not mistaken it's from Darrow, again. I turned my eyes to him and he didn't even bother his eyes to take it away, as usual but I'm just wondering why he keep watching me specially now that we're in front of her mother and fiance. Napataas na lamang ang kilay ko at naputol ang pakikipagtitigan nang magsalita ang kaniyang ina.

"You're too formal hija, just call me tita." nakangiti tugon nito sa akin.

Bahagyan akong nagulat ngunit tumango na lamang at bago pa tumalikod ay nahagip ko si Zurina na may nanlilisik na mata ang i-pinukol sa akin. I don't know what her problem. I don't want that kind of attitude. Santa santita, pero ang totoo ay maldita!

I just take her about in my mind and proceed to my customers who wants to meet me.

"Good afternoon, Sir." bati ko sa mga purong lalaking nagsisikainan na gusto raw akong makausap.

I feel Sheeme on my back, observing what happening. Kunot-noo naman ang mga lalaking binati ko kaya napakunot din ang aking noo, medyo nakaramdam ng kahihiya dahil tila nagulat ang mga lalaki sa paglapit ko. Huh, I thought they want to meet me?

Slowly, I turned to Sheeme and raised my eyebrow, asking if what's happening.

"Who are you?" the man who's tallest asked.

I think they all foreign, sa postura pa lamang ay malalaman na agad na may bahid ng Ibang lahi. Mga mapuputi sila at may banyagang kulay ang mga mata.

"Huh, Sir, she's the owner of this restaurant." Sheeme explained.

"Ah..." taging sagot lamang nila, tila nagulat.

"Any problem, Sir?" I asked politely.

Napaayos ang lalaking nagtanong sa aking kanina kung sino ako. "Sorry, sorry, we're not expecting... that someone like you will manage this huge restaurant." he said slowly.

"Hmmm." I just nodded to him.

"No miss, don't get me wrong." habol pa niya at napatayo na "What I want to say was you're too young for this." he then smiled shyly.

"It's okay, Sir. I think I'm on my proper age to manage this kind of huge restaurant." I smiled back. "By the way I'm Cikairra de Versa, my manager said you want to meet me." I extended my hand for him.

"Yeah, we want to me you. I'm Brixe Briones." he extended his hand too get my hand.

I smiled, greeting him with happiness to show my hospitality when two pair of dark eyes caught my attention. My heart quickly beat faster because of this feeling that I know only one person can make me feel this way. Sinimulan kong ilibot ang aking mata upang mahanap siya. Sapamamagitan ng salamin na pader ay nagtama ang mata namin si Darrow kahit pa may kalayuan kaming dalawa sa isat-isa.

Kahit lumalakas ang kalabog ng aking dibdib dahil sa madilim niyang tingin ay nagawa parin siyang pagtaasan ng kilay. Why he's watching me darkly!?

"By the way, this is my friends." naputol lamang ang tingin ko sa kat Darrow nang magsalita muli ang customers sa aking harapan.

I take away my eyes to Darrow. The man in front of me introduce his friends one by one but I couldn't even get their names because my mind really occupied because of someone. Though, I'm remained here for a while to give them respect. I just pushed really hard myself to give my attention to them.

They said, they are here for vacation and explained that it was their first time to eat here, though they always visiting Philippines naman daw. Hindi rin daw kase sila ng nagtatagal sa isang bansa dahil sa kanilang business na hinahawakan. But for now they're staying for good, dahil a-attend sila sa isang malaking event.

They are good and funny even they speaking in English lamang, kaonti lamang kase ang alam nilang tagalog words. Nagtagal ako sa kanila ng mga ilang minuto at nang makahap ng tamang tiyempo ay mabilis narin akong nagpaalam dahil medyo napahaba na ang aming kwentuhan, ni hindi ko na namalayan ang paalam ni Sheeme kanina pa.

"Sir, sorry for cutting our talks but I need to go." I said to them and seemed they got shocked.

"Ohh, sorry for long talks." Brixe Briones said, apologizing but still smiling at me.

"It's okay." I said and smiled. "Though, I want to spend more time with all of you but the time isn't enough."

"We also want, but maybe next time." tawa ni Brixe. "Anyway, nice meeting you and thanks for the time, Miss Cikairra."

"Nice meeting you too." saad bago tuluyang nagpaalam sa kanila.

Nagsimula na akong maglakad at ramdam ko parin ang madilim na titig ng isang lalaki sa akin na nagpapanginig ng aking tuhod. What his problem ba!? I know who own that eyes! He's the only one who can stared me that too dark, no other than Darrow Dela Torallez!

How dare him stare me that way when his already have a fiance!?

Tssk, you're just assuming, Kairra!

Mabilis kong nahanap muli ang tingin niya at naabutan siyang kalalabas sa VIP room na kung nasaan kami kumain, sa likuran niya ay nakasunod si Zurina na nakangiti sa kaniya. Why he couldn't give his attention to her fiance instead!?

"Miss Cikairra!" in the middle of my walk someone shouted my name.

I look back on the table when I have been a short time ago. Wondering why they called me.

"Brixe want to spent his full time with only you next time. It's okay?" masayang tanong ng Isa sa kanila.

Kunot ang aking noo sa tanong, nakuha na si Zander ang may tanong nito, the one who always says funny words. So I think this one was one of his funny words? But seems he's serious.

Nag-atay ako na sabihin niyang 'it's a joke' lamang pero walang dumating. Pansin ko na din ang ibang customers na nakatingin na sa amin, naramdaman ko na ang pag-iinit ng aking mukha sa tanong.

Is he really serious?

The fudge!

Isang pasada ng tingin sa mga customers ko. Lahat ng nakarinig ay nakatingin na sa akin, tila nag-aantay sa sagot ko. Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa kung nasaan naabutan ang mga mata ni Darrow kanina, nagtama ang ang mga mata namin. My eyes remained looking at his as he looking at me as well with his full attention that darted on me, seems like he was waiting on my answer too.

And since I didn't know what to answer... unti-unti na lamang akong napatanggo ng wala sa sarili. The fudge kinakabahan pa ako dahil sa maraming matang napabaling sa akin lalo na ang dalawang pares na masang-masama na ang tingin sa akin ngayon.

When I'm done nodding I quietly leave the area, pero bago iyon ay narinig ko pa ang mga masasayang kantiyawan ng mga kaibigan ni Brixe sa kaniya. Napabugtong hininga na lamang ako bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad na hindi alam kung saang dereksyon tutungo. Gusto ko lamang magtago sa dalawang pares ng matang nagpapalakas ng kalabog ng aking dibdib.

"Ikaw miss, ah." gulat ako sa mapanuksong presensya ni Sheeme ngayon na samantalang kanina ay parang wala.

"Cr lang muna ako." palusot ko dahil alam kong tutuksuin niya ako ng tutuksuin.

Wala akong pinansin na kahit sino sa costumers namin. Deretso akong nagtungo sa cr. Mabilis akong pumasok at nagpasalamat na wala namang mga tao sa cubicle. I feel tired mentally even I'm not. I watch my reflection through the mirror while I started washing my hands.

"What on that look, Darrow?" I asked to myself quietly.

Tinitigan ko ang aking dibdib habang mabilis na bumamaba at tumataas ito dahil sa kabang nararamdaman pagkabangit ng kaniyang pangalan. He's name sounds so familiar in my heart.

Who are you, Darrow?