To Kiss My True Memories

CHAPTER 6

Chapter 6

With each passing day I felt my heart beat so calm but something seemed to be missing. Seemed my heart finding some feelings wants to feel. Seemed my heart isn't truly complete - yet.

But I don't really know why.

The next days, it became a regular day. Ang nangyari doon sa bar ay hindi ko na pinaalam pa sa kay Gem. I'm sure na mag-aalala siya at may posibilidad na masabi niya ito sa kaniyang daddy. Kay kuya Aldwin nga ay ayaw kong ipaalam dahil for sure he will make me stop managing our restaurant at baka mapagalitan pa si Gem kapang nalaman na siya ang nagdala sa akin sa bar kahit ginusto ko naman. I know Gem can't lie.

Similar to regular days. In the morning, the cafe was the crowded part and when the afternoon came the reservation was full for lunch. Minsan ay inaabot pa ng midnight kung maraming tao, when some paid for their reservations for celebration.

I'm thankful also that there was no commotion happened again even if it was small or huge like before.

It's sunday kaya maraming tao kahit umaga pa lamang. It was also a family day kaya matatagalan bago magsarado ulit gaya ng mga nagdaang araw. There was so many lovers dating on the rooftop also that why we close too late at the night.

I'm busy entertaining our customers on the first floor when one man catch my full attention who's entering towards inside my restaurant - he always caught my attention, huh?

I then focus my eyes to him to watched him silently. For this day, he was wearing a formal white long sleeves that folded up to his elbow partnered on his black pants with his black shoes. It seems he'd attended a meeting and presented. He looks gwapo and elegant the way he dressed up but isn't for this day because he's wearing a formal clothes but I noticed also that when we're at the bar he's still gwapo.

Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa kaniya hanggang sa magtama ang mga tingin namin. His eyebrow arched, I quickly looked away while I felt a sudden soft bang in me.

Fudge!

"E-njoy your meal, Ma'am." I smiled at the old woman with her family, before I turned to the man I was watching early.

He's now listening to what Sheeme was saying in front of him. Hindi ko mapigilang hindi siya panoorin habang kausap si Sheeme, nanatili namang seryoso ang mukha niya habang nakikinig sa paliwanag ni Sheeme. Ngunit ang sa labi ni Sheeme ay may ngiting nakaukit.

Unti-unti ay tahimik akong naglakad patungo sa isang customer na malapit sa kanila para marinig ang kanilang pinag-uusapan. Para-paraan ampp, K! But the fudge! I don't even know why I am doing this! I'm just curious! Yeah, you're just curious Kairra!

"Enjoy your meal, Ma'am. I hope you like our desserts here." I smiled at the girl who's taking her meal alone.

"Yeah, It was taste good." she smiled back. "Though, this was my first time to eat here and I've plan now to go back. Your meal impressed me!" she said happily.

I smiled more. "Thank you ma'am." tugon ko ngunit ang atensyon ay nasa katabi, malapit kung nasaan si Sheeme at Darrow.

"One reservation for you? You're alone?" I heard Sheeme asked to him.

I want to know if he's alone or if he's with someone but didn't hear what he answer to Sheeme. Ano kayang sinagot niya? Did he say yes? He's paying for reservations? Was he will gonna eat here?

"Okay, Just wait a minutes and we're preparing your meal." Sheeme explained. "I'll guide you now for the reservation that you wanted."

He will going to eat here!?

Mabilis akong napabaling kay Sheeme. Ngunit nahagip ng paningin ko ang kausap niyang lalaking - si Darrow na nagsimula ng maglakad. I watched him walking towards the stairs while his expression was too serious. Mabilis kong binalik kay Sheeme ang aking tingin na huminto sa aking harapan, taas na ang mga kilay niya at binigyan niya ako ng isang malaking ngisi. What was that?

Ngising nanunukso?

The fudge! Was she caught me watching Darrow!?

"He reserved one VIP table on the rooftop for himself, if you want to serve for him just get his order, K." she said seriously, directed at me.

"Why would I do that?" I arched my eyebrow irritatedly "I have a plenty server..." irap ko.

She smirked. "Why you sounds so pissed?"

"I'm not!" I protested.

"Oh, really? Your acting was too familiar on me." she murmured. "By the way, I'm just asking you if you want." She added.

"Then I don't like." I said a little hostile.

"Bakit naman ayaw mo?" kinunot niya ang kaniyang noo. "I'm just asking okay. Maraming customers at halos lahat ng server ay abala at isa pa kailangan mo siyang pakisamahan dahil costumer natin siya, was it bad? But it was okay though, paghintayin natin siya." aniya. "But swear he'll get bored, he's impatient I think." she whispered the last sentence, but I pretty sure na sinadya niya paring iparinig iyon sa akin.

I rolled my eyes. "Okay! I'll go to him na!"

Inis akong naglakad sa harap niya and I just heard her chuckled. Sinasadya niya talaga ah! They looked close to each other. Magkakilala ba sila? Friends, I think? Or more than friends? Lovers?

Tskk. I don't care.

When I'm arrive on the second floor, I saw some of my server really busy entertaining our customers na utos dito utos doon para sa mga kailangan nila. Nagpatuloy akong maglakad patungo sa rooftop upang daluhan na doon si Darrow. He's on the rooftop - it means, he's waiting for someone? His date, perhaps?

Tssk.

I just shrugged.

As I arrived on the last ladder towards the rooftop I quickly rounds my eyes to see him. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya ngunit ang mata ko ay agad siyang nakita kahit pa nasa pinakagilid siya, hindi masyadong kitang parte. Seemed I already know that he's there. He's sitting on the far side table where you can see the perfect beautiful view from below through the glass wall.

My eyes darted at him and from where he was sitting a sudden memories tryna reflect in my mind. I saw myself, not so clear but seem I was sitting on the empty chair in front of him. I shook my head and it quickly fades away in my mind.

Maybe - I'm just imagine that scenario!?

I quickly take it away in my mind at dahan-dahang humakbang nang tuluyang makatapak sa rooftop ng restaurant - but I froze when I felt a heavy feelings inside me. I closed my eyes tightly when I felt every beat of my heart make me feel the pain. Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib, bahagyang habol ang paghinga habang dinadama ang sakit na nararamdaman.

I sighed for several times to ease up my feelings.

Pagkadilat ng mga mata ay nagpatuloy na ako sa paglalakad, pinipilit na pagaanin ang mabigat na pakiramdam sa aking dibdib. But when I almost close where Darrow was I then felt my heart beat so loud and fast, similar to the previous days when I was close to him, seems my heart was jumping like wants to go out in my chest because of so much happiness I felt. I don't know why my feelings change this sudden. Lately I felt the pain but now it was happiness? I couldn't understand myself! I couldn't understand my heart as well as my mind!

This feelings was really driving me crazy!

Nang tuluyang makalapit sa kaniya ay bigla namang kumirot ang ulo ko dahilan ng mabilisang pagkakahinto ng aking paligid. I felt a cricket in my mind moved that cause my head aching. The fudge it was aching again!

It's hurts!

My head hurts so bad!

Hinawak ko ang aking kamay sa aking ulo at pumikit ng mariin, pilit na kinakalma ang sarili para kahit papaano ay mabawasan ang sakit na nararamdaman. I tried to open my eyes and saw that the grounds was spinning like a wheel. I felt the dizziness but it's only a moment because everything is back to normal. The pain I was feeling in my head had stopped.

I sighed, though it's a relief but I'm wondering what was that?

What was this feelings!?

What was that scenario!?

It's really driving me crazy!

"What's your order, S-sir?" mabilis kong tanong sa kaniya, pinilit na iayos ang sariling.

But instead of answering me he only stared at me. Don't tell me he's mad? Sheeme's said that he was impatient. Hindi ko naman masabing naiinip nga siya dahil ang mga mata niya ay napakaseryoso at misteryoso na hindi mo siya kayang mahulaan, hindi mo mahuhulaan ang iniisip niya.

"Are you okay?" he then asked seriously but his voice was soft.

I opened my mouth but no words came out. I remained quiet for a second because of shocked.

I just pushed myself to smiled at him a little. "What is your order, Sir?" I asked the same question, didn't mind his question for me.

But then again he only staring at me, na para bang sinisuri ako, ang kabuoan ko. Ramdam ko nanaman ang mabilis na pag-pintig ng aking puso - na lagi ko na lamang nararamdaman sa tuwing siya ang kaharap ko. What's the meaning of my heartbeat?

"Sir?" tinapat ko ang palad ko sa kaniyang mukha at ginalaw ito to get his attention.

"Where's your server?" Instead of answering me he throw another question.

Medyo nagulat muli sa tanong niya. Matagal akong tumitig sa seryoso niyang mukha, hindi alam kung ano ang isasagot sa tanong. I acted like it was nothing, but I couldn't stop my heart not to beat so fast and loud.

"They all busy." I said simply.

"Are you okay?" he then asked again.

Naningkit ang mata ko sa tanong niyang iyon muli habang ang puso ko ay tumatalon na sa saya dahilan para hindi ko agad siya nasagot.

"Y-eah. I'm okay." I felt a little nervous in me. "S-o what do you want, S-sir? What's your o-rder?"

The fudge! I stuttered!

He stunned for a while and stare at me again before he finally said what his order. Hindi ko alam pero may kilig na dumaloy sa aking katawan ng tinanong niya kung okay lamang ba ako. Kahit kabado ay nangibabaw parin ang kilig sa akin. Why did he asked me if I'm okay?

Ohh fudge! What this feeling!

I turned my back to him quickly to get his order but while I'm walking, I felt a small smile appears on my lips that I couldn't help - I felt happy right now. But it's gradually vanish when some ideas form on my mind.

It is impossible if he doesn't have a girlfriend? I didn't confirm it yet because he only order one meal, thus, it means he doesn't have a girlfriend?

But it's too impossible! That kind of appearance! Alam mong babae pa ang maghahabol sa kaniya. He's rich too - but if he have a girlfriend I pitied this girl because base on what I heard in the bar he's have a plenty woman. Sa bar ay maraming nagpapantasya at gusto isayaw siya kawawa naman ang girlfriend niya.

Nakapikit ako sa inis at binura iyon sa aking isipan nang pabalik na sa kaniya dala ang kaniyang pagkain.

"Here's your order sir." I put the tray in front of him then arrange it one by one. "Enjoy your food, Sir." I stand beside him and wait him touch his food.

But instead, he turned to me. "Why don't you eat with me miss little de Versa?" he then asked with his deep voice.

I was shocked by his question.

He know me?

He sounds like he really know me, huh.

I scowled. "Do you know me?" I asked curiously.

"Yes." he said simply while looking at me.

Huh, maybe natandaan niya ang pangalan ko noong pinakilala ako ng mommy niya noong nagluch sila dito. I guess so.

Napatango ako. "By the way I want to introduce myself parin-"

"No need. I know you miss Cikairra Zame de Versa. Maybe it's only a little about you?" he said sarcastically.

"How did you know me?" takang-taka kong tanong.

"Oh, don't act like you don't know about nothing." halata ang galit sa boses niya.

Mas lalo pang nalukot ang mukha ko dahil sa sinabi niya. "Ahh, maybe social media?" I laughed but fake.

Tumitig sya sa akin na para bang pinag-aaralan ako, ganoon din ang ginawa ko sa kaniya - but swear our first interaction was noong na late siya sa lunch at pinakilala ni miss Mizelle Dela Torallez na anak n'ya.

"Who are you again?" I asked, he was quickly annoyed with my question.

He tilted his head while looking at me intently. "Darrow Dela Torallez." pagalit niyang tugon. "Now, do you remember me?" bawat bigkas niya ng salita ay mabibigat.

"Huh?" tanging nasabi ko.

"Don't act like!- Stop lying to yourself!" tahimik ngunit halata ang galit sa boses niya. "Unsatisfying that you run away?" he then asked seriously.

Run away?

"What are you talking about, S-ir?" I forced myself to asked even I felt pain through his words.

"Why don't you try to remember the previous years - with me? The past?" aniya.

"Are you fooling m-e?" napatawa ako ngunit sobra-sobra na ang nararamdaman sakit sa mga pinasasasabi niya.

He laughed mockingly. "Your the one who's fooling yourself here. Stop lying! Stop keeping our past!"

Our past?

We have past?

I closed my eyes firmly tryna remembering what past he was saying about - but my head ache. It's aching again but I can't stop the pain! I only can do is to endure the pain while my eyes started watering. Nahilo ako at halos manghina ang buong katawan sa sakit ng aking ulo.

"I'm s-orry. I-I don't know what your talking a-bout..." I said stuttering.

I couldn't look at him in the eyes because of the loud beat of my heart. Habol ko ang aking hininga na pilit kong pinipigilan dahil hindi na ako makatayo ng maayos sa panginginig ng mga tuhod.

"E-xcuse me, Sir. I-I will leave you here. I have some important things to d-o." I excused myself before my tears fall.

I can't count kung ilang beses na may tumusok na parang karayom sa aking dibdib dahil sa interaction na iyon. Halong pagsisisi, panghihinayang at sakit ang nararamdaman ko. And before I turn my back to him I saw his pain and sorrow through his deep eyes.

I quickly go to the restroom and cry silently. I don't know why I'm crying but my heart pushed my tears to fall. I don't even know kung para saan ang mga luhang ito! Ngunit kahit hindi alam ang dahilan ay nagpatuloy ako sa pag-iyak.

I look at myself through the mirror. Tears keep falling from my eyes and I couldn't help to stop it. I just want to bring this tears out.

What's that man saying about? May katotohanan ba ang lahat ng iyon? Pero wala akong maalala ni isang senaryo na magkasama kami! Was it true or he was just lying to me?

Why he's lying at me, then?

What should I do to find out if that man was saying the true?

Or he just wants to make fun of me!?

Lumabas ako sa restroom ng walang bakas ng pag-iyak o ano man. Pero ramdam ko parin ang karayom na unti-unti paring tumutusok sa aking dibdib na nagpapahiwatig sa sakit. This pain was killing me really crazy.

I decided to stay on the first floor na lamang dahil tingin ko iyon ang magpapagaan sa aking dibdib. Tahimik akong naglalakad patungo sa counter kung nasaan si Sheeme na natatanaw kong mag-isa.

"Are you familiar to Darrow Dela Torallez?" I immediately asked to Sheeme when I was in front of her.

She's busy preparing foods for our customer, but when I mentioned that name she suddenly turned on me with her widened eyes. I get her attention, she's so shocked with my question. Nakapagpasya akong tanungin siya dahil parang close sila.

I just want to know about that man - about what he was saying about.

I raised my brow. "He's regular here?"

"I'm very familiar to Darrow Dela Torallez, I saw him on many events and yes his regular here. I know his family as well. Why?" aniya.

"You really know him, huh." napabulong ako.

"Why? You jealous?" agad niyang tanong nang marinig ang binubulong-bulong ko.

My eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"I don't know - but I think you are." she smirked.

"I'm just asking." depensa ko.

"I'm just answering you." depensa niya rin.

I rolled my eyes "Whatever." sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "You think too much that couldn't be."

Matapos sabihin iyon ay mabilis ko na siyang iniwan dahil tingin ko ay wala akong makukuhang eksaktong impormasyon sa kaniya patungkol kay Darrow Dela Torallez. Seems she's making fun of me as well - but my heart saying that I'm used to it - I'm really used to it.

My heart used to her - seems we're really close already.

Haystt, I don't really know! My feelings really driving me crazy!

Nang sumapit na ang gabi ay unti-unting nagsisidatingan ang may mga reservation. Hindi ko na binalak pa na bumalik sa itaas. I think I can't stand in front of him or even see him. But it's already night so I think he got home already? Pero para lamang akong baliw na kinukumbinsi ang sarili dahil sa totoo lang hindi ko pa siya nakitang bumaba.

He's still on the rooftop!

Why he's still there? Was he waiting for someone? His date? Girlfriend?

I chose to stay on the counter, but even so I always turned to the glass door everytime there was a customers were leaving, checking if it was him. Swear hindi pa siya bumababa, even this restaurant was huge the entrance and exit is only one, there was a door on backside but it's only for all my employees.

Gusto ko mang sumilip sa rooftop o kahit sa second floor man lang ay pinigilan ko ang sarili. Super busy na ng halos lahat samantalang ako nandito dahil takot na makaharap siya. I couldn't even help my employees to serve because of nervous. I waited him na bumababa pero halos maubos na ang customers ay hindi ko parin siya nasusulyapang bumaba.

I'm sure nandoon pa siya!

"Marami pa bang customers sa itaas?" tanong ko sa nilapitang lalaking server na nagpupunas ng mesa.

"Kaonti na lamang, Miss. Papaalis na din po ang iba. Bakit po, Miss?"

I smiled. "That's good para hindi na tayo magabihan pa." palusot ko.

"Ah." nasabi niya.

"Can you call Sheeme?"

"Oo naman, miss. Wait a minute po." he smiled shyly before he go.

Nagmuni-muni ako sa counter, pabalik-balik ang mata sa glass door sa tuwing may mga lumalabas expecting that it was Darrow.

Nagdadalwang isip akong hindi umakyat sa itaas. There was a part of me that I want to saw him and ask what he was saying about to me lately - but I'm scared. Tumitibok ang puso ko sa takot sa maari niyang sabihin. Kung biro lamang ba ito, kung totoo o kung kasinungalingan lamang ba ito.

"What it is, K?" tanong ni Sheeme na hindi ko namalayang nasa harapan ko na pala.

I sighed to get myself back. "How's for this day?"

"It's a nice day, K. 'We like and enjoyed your foods here' that's all they comments" masaya niyang balita.

Pati ba si Darrow Dela Torallez?

Hmmm... I guess so.

"That's good, then. Inform now all the employees to fix they things. It's late we need to go home na." utos ko.

"Yes, K-" Sheeme didn't finished her word when we heard something noisy.

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang may narinig na putok ng baril, ganon din ang kaharap ko na si Sheeme. We staring each other for a seconds, trying to realize what's going on. Napatulala ako nang may narinig pa na sumunod na putok, hindi na makagalaw pa sa kinatatayuan.

Akma na akong lilingon sa kung nasaan nanggaling ang putok ng baril sa aking likuran dahil sa expression ng kaharap kong si Sheeme, she's so shocked, her eyes widened seems she wants to say something. Her mouth opened for some word but there's no voices came out.

"Huwag ng subukang lumaban pa miss para hindi ka na masaktan." Isang malaking kamay ang kumulong sa leeg ko sabay tutok ng baril sa aking sentido.

I freeze. I can't even breathe. In a quick seconds tears started to formed in my eyes. Nanghina ang mga tuhod ko kasabay ng pagsakit ng aking ulo. Gumalaw ako ng bahagyan pero natigil dahil sa malaking braso na kumukulong sa leeg ko.

"Ibigay n'yo ang mga kita niyo kung ayaw ninyong masaktan!" saad ng isang lalaki maliban pa sa lalaking kumukulong sa akin.

Napahikbi ako ng mahina. Walang magawa kung hindi ang lumuha. I'm very scared.

"Tahimik!" shouted of another man.

I can't count them, but I think they're four and above.

Nang tumahimik ang iyakan ng aking mga employees ay may pumalit na ingay, isang pagkasa ng baril. Nervous suddenly engulfed me. I'm shaking.

"Ikaw ibigay mo lahat ng pera niyo." one holdaper pointed out the gun to Sheeme.

I watched Sheeme while tears continue falling from my eyes. She didn't move, got shocked on what's going on as well.

"Tang'na ka bilisan mo kung hindi ipuputok ko ito." the man who's holding me shouted as he pushed more the gun on my head.

I groaned because of what he did. While my heart engulfed of so much nervous.

Sheeme look at me, asking for help but I don't know what help I can give. Tahimik lamang akong lumuluha at hindi na binalak pang gumalaw dahil mas lalong humigpit ang may hawak sa aking leeg dahilan upang mahirapan akong huminga. One nodded to Sheeme and she moves faster towards on the counter. I think that was the permission she's asking from me. May isang sumunod sa kaniya habang nakatutok ang baril. Kita ko ang pagnginginig ng kamay ni Sheeme sa bawat galaw na kaniyang ginagawa.

I'm really nervous but I'm tryna controlling it right now. I should be be strong now!

"Maawa po kayo pakawalan niyo na kami."

"Huwag niyo po kaming sasaktan."

"Huwag niyo po kaming patayin."

Iyakan muli ang narinig ko sa aking paligid, mga nagmamakaawa. Pinilit kong maging matapang kahit pa ang mga luha sa mata ko ay patuloy. I can do nothing! I should give some strength to my employees but I'm the one who's weak here!

"Tahimik!" napatingil sila dahil sa sigaw muli ng isang lalaki. "Hindi kayo masasaktan kung hindi na kayo manlalaban."

Tilian muli ang narinig ko pagkatapos ng isang putok ng baril. "Tang'na ni ito ipapahamak pa tayo! Kung ayaw niyong magaya sa isa niyong kasama sumunod kayo! Ibaba niyo ang lahat ng selpon n'yo! Dali!"

Pagkatapos ng isang putok ng baril ay narinig ko ang daing galing sa lalaking employee ko. I think he tryna called the police for help, but because of what he did they shot him.

The fugde! That's too much!!

"Tara na! Tara na!" I heard another man said, panicking.

How many are they? Ang dami nila!

"Bakit!" the other man asked

Narinig kong nagmura ang isa sa kanila."May mga padating na pulis!"

"Nalintikan na." the man holding me shouted. "Kunin lahat ng mga gamit na may halaga!"

"Tara na! Tara na! Malapit na sila. Malilintikan tayo kapag nahuli!" kabado nilang saad.

"Tang'na ka! Hindi tayo mahuhuli! Tara na, dali!"

Akala ko ay binitawan na ako ng lalaking may hawak sa aking ngunit hinatak pa ako nito hanggang sa makarating sila sa pinto. I couldn't catch my breath properly because the man who's holding my neck was too tight. Nang tuluyang makarating lamang sa pintuan saka niya kinalas ang pagkakahawak sa aking leeg, tinulak ako ng malakas kasabay noon ang ang pagsimulang pagsakit ng aking ulo.

My head is aching so bad again. I hold my head while tryna endured the pain. Tiny piece of sweat started to form on my forehead. I'm catching my breath because of the pain I was feeling on my head. Pikit ang aking mga mata, hindi magawang idilat habang nanghihina at hinihingal. Sobrang sakit talaga na tila sasabog na ito. I couldn't handle the pain!

Hinang-hina ako, walang lakas kaya't hindi ko ma-control ang aking katawan mula sa pagkakatulak sa akin. I prepared myself to hit on the wooden table but I bounced on hard chest while huge hand quickly hold on my waist to support my balance.

"Are you okay." the familiar voice of man asked using his gently voice.

Words didn't came out on my mouth, instead tears keep falling from my eyes. My hand still shaking while I bit my lips to stop myself from crying. Sinubsob ko ang mukha ko sa kanyang dibdib, ang luha ko ay walang tigil sa pag-agos.

"Shhhh."

"I-I thought... I-I was going to d-ie." hangulgol ko.

"Shhhh... you're safe now." he whispered softly.