SECRET AFFAIRS' Bound in Love (Ree and Lia)

Chapter 12

Hindi ako mapakali sa kama. Since there is only one room available, he decided na sa akin na lang ibigay. Nakakahiya, he has to spend the night somewhere else. I took bath and fixed myself. Mabuti na lang talaga may unused undies siya sa kotse niya. Pero napakunot-noo ako when I realized why does he keeps? Napailing ako habang pinatutuyo ang buhok ko na nakaharap sa salamin. He’s driving me crazy. Kailangan ko yata mag-disinfect ng uupuan ko bukas. Kung sinu-sino ang dinadala niya tapos pinaghahanda niya ng undies?

Nahiga ako. Napakatahimik at wala man lang ako maisip gawin. Nakailang balikwas na ako, but still I can’t find sa best time to fall asleep. I looked at the time on my phone screen, and it’s almost half past ten. Bumangon ako at tumayo. I want to drink something para antukin. Kanina uminom nga ako, pero wala naman talab sa katawan ko.

Bumaba ako, taking my things with me. I looked for him in the parking area at mabilis ko siyang napansin. He smokes at tila malayo ang tingin. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang naiisip niya. Tumikhim ako para makuha ang atensiyon niya. Maliksi siyang nagbaba ng kamay pero nasamid ito sa sariling usok na hindi naibuga agad. He dropped the cigar’s butt and stepped on it.

“What are doing here?” he asked. I can smell the smoke from him. “I am sorry, pigilan mo na lang muna ang huminga.”

Tumawa ako sa kaniya. Is he alright? Ano akala niya? Hikain ako? “Are you drugged?” tanong ko.

“Bakit ka bumaba? Akala ko inaantok ka.”

“I can’t sleep. Gusto ko lumabas. Can you take me somewhere, I think I need a drink.”

“Drink? Sa ganitong oras?”

“Yes!”

“No, get inside. Hindi mo lugar ang lugar na ‘to.”

“Why would you want me to sleep? Napaka-boring mo kasama,” usal ko.

“Boring ako kasama?” Singhal niyang parang na-insulto. Pumasok siya sa driver’s seat at pinaandar ang sasakyan. “Pasok,” utos niya. Mabilis naman akong pumasok at naupo. Madali pala kausap ang isang ‘to.

“Dahil lalabas ka, hindi ka pwede matulog.”

“Sure, you wanna know?” sabi ko. Ako pa ba? Kaya ko uminom the whole night na hindi natutumba. He took me in a bar. Maraming kabataan ang naroon. I think some of them are still in their seniors in college. Well, mukhang magkakaedad lang naman kami ng mga ‘to.

“We’re here, Lia. Ayoko ng gulo dito.”

“Grabe ka naman, I will just sit and watch them. I am not that kind who ignites tension.” Bumaba siya at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. Pagbaba ko ay diresto akong pumasok. We seated at the counter. Tahimik lang akong ini-enjoy ang inumin ko at siya naman ay abala sa phone niya. I wonder who does he talks to at this hour.

Lumipas ang ilang oras na wala kaming pinag-uusapan. Napaka-boring niya kasama. Ni hindi man lang ako niyaya magsayaw. I can feel the vibe inside where everyone dances to the beat. Tumayo ako at mabilis kong tinungo ang dance floor. Ayaw niya siguro ng ganitong lugar, but I like it here. I danced by myself like I never cared. Maraming grupo ang nakapalibot sa akin. Hanggang sa pinalibutan na nila ako ng tuluyan. So I dance in every way I can. Until I am having fun, finally. But suddenly a hand pulled me out of the circle. Ang daming tao so hindi ko agad naisip kung sino ang may hawak sa akin. Hanggang sa narating namin ang entrance ng bar.

“Sandali,” piniksi ko ang kamay niya. Napatingin ko sa mata niya. Does he look upset? What is he up to?

“Were leaving,” sabi niya.

“What? I am having fun, you may leave me here,” sabi ko na isinasayaw na ang ulo ng alcohol.

“Listen, I am responsible for taking you here, please, don’t make it hard for me.”

“Hard your face, umuwi ka, magsasayaw pa nga ako,” tumalikod ako at humakbang. Ngunit hindi pa man ako nakakadalawang hakbang ay hinila niya ako pabalik. I bumped into his chest dahil nawalan ako ng balanse.

“Look how clumsy you are, aalis na tayo,” sabi niya.

Magmamatigas pa sana ako pero kita ko na ang pagka-irita sa mukha niya. Katakot naman ang talim ng tingin niya. Does he bite?

Hinihila niya ako patungo sa sasakyan niya. Hindi ko na ito kinausap. Nakanguso akong humugot ng paghinga.

“It’s late, ganiyan ba ang madalas mong gawin?” he asked me.

“Ako ba?”

“Who else?”

“Alam mo na, it’s fun. Kill joy ka, ‘yon ang tamang tawag sa ‘yo.” Humalakhak ako ng todo. He started the engine at pinatakbo ang sasakyan. Sa dami ng nainom ko ay hindi ko nalabanan ang antok. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

REE

Malakas ang loob ng batang ito. Hinahamon pa yata ako. Tingnan ko nga kung adventure ang hanap mo. Hindi man lang inabot ng sampung minuto at natulog. Let me see tomorrow if how will you react sa surprise gift ko. Sinusubok niya ang pasensiya ko. Napaka-arte sa mga bagay. Nasanay na lang ba ito sa karangyaan, at hindi man lang nagustuhan ang ginawa ko kanina. Sabagay, nag-iisang babae. Enrico have given her everything.

Narating ko ang lugar kung saan ko siya msusubok kung ang tapang ba niya ay kahanga-hanga. I have called for a reservation of this thing. I am sure, ito ang bagay na hinding hindi niya maiisip na gawin saa tanang buhay niya.

I will wait for her to wake up ‘til dusk.

“Sir sabihan niya lang po kung paiilawin na,” sabi ng in charge.

“Sure, thank you. Paki-sabi kay Andrew na salamat.”

Hours passed and the sun is sneaking from afar. Nakita kong gumalaw si Lia mula sa kinalalagyan nito. Tingnan ko nga kung hanggang saan ang tapang ng babaeng ito. I can find out if she is strong enough to handle the heights. Wala siyang ibang mahihingihan ng tulong at ako lang.

LIA

Nahihilo yata ako. Nakapikit man ang mga mata ko pero halos isinasayaw ako sa kinalalagyan ko. Nasaan baa ko at parang may malakas na apoy na lumalgablab sa tainga ko. I opened my eyes and I can see that blazing flame above me. Mabilis akong bumangon na para bang inihahagis ko ang sarili. I am on my feet when somebody held my arms. Naptingin ko sa paligid and I can see nothing but trees, I am like rising above them at para akong lumulutang paitaas. Sigaw ang siyang naging hinga ko nang itaas ko ang tingin ko. There is fire and a huge rounded thing above it. I screamed when I realized, it is a f*****g hot air balloon. I screamed so loud until I remember somebody is holding my arms behind me. Humarap ako bigla at nasampal ko ‘yon ng hindi sadya. But he never took off his grip.

“Calm down,” sabi nito. Ako naman ay sobrang taranta at napakapit ako sa baywang niya. Ang lakas-lakas ng kalabog ng dibdib ko sap ag-aakala na babagsak ako.

“Wala kang awa, ibaba niyo ako dito.” Nagsisigaw ako when he hugged me closer to him. Wala akong paki-alam. I want to go down now. Naiiyak akong sumisigaw.

“Ibaba moa ko,” usal ko. He held my head and whispered into my ears.

“I badly need the lot as soon as possible. Ibibigay mo ba ang hiling ko o babagsak tayo?”

“Oo, sa ‘yo na. Ako na nag nagsasabi. Ibaba mo lang tayo. Ayoko pa mamatay, wala kang awa.”

“Breathe, Lia. It is alright, I am here. Hindi tayo babagsak. The balloon sways I guess. Hindi ko alam kung saang impyerno galing ang walang hiyang ito na naisipan akong iblockmail sa hot air balloon. I then felt his grip into my body. Does he hugs me tight? Yes he does. Pero he has given me no choice but to hug him too. I cannot look down dahil babagsak kami pareho. So I better close my eyes and held him in my arms too.

AFTER THAT FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE I HAD IN THE BALLOON. I decided to have a business deal with him. He said he’s gonna develop the lot he asks at magiging share holder niya ako. Sounds cool to me, I am twenty three and this sounds a good start for business. Baka nga panahon na for a detour. Magseseryoso na siguro ako sa pagbuo ng future ko. I have called for the family lawyer, but with the consent from my dad. Mabilis niyang pinayagan si Ree, mas nauna siyang pumayag sa kaniya. If he will be my business partner, sigurado na madalas na ang pagkikita namin. But I will make sure na sa bawat meeting namin, may sarili na akong sasakyan. Ayoko na samahan ang mga trip niya, nakakaloka.

Honestly when it comes to things like this, I would alwys run to Lucas. He’s my confidant here, dahil madalas siya lang nakakaintindi sa mga sinasabi ko. Most especially when our mom would always contradict. I drove myself home to see him. Good thing is that his car is inside. Meaning? Nasa loob na siya. Excited akong pumasok at mabilis na umakyat papasok sa bedroom ko. I need to take a shower. Pakiramdam ko inikot ko ang buong Luzon sa mga pinaggagawa ni Ree. But I admit, though I was too frighetened up there, I felt bit joy inside my heart. Hindi ko lang nakita ang landcape. Riding it is not like I ride a plane. It was dam like hell to be there swaying with the wind. Akala ko talaga lilipad kami sa pinakamalayo, because that is how he made me feel. Tapos malalaman kong four feet lang pala kami. Doon ko lang talaga naramdaman na parang wala na akong bukas. Tapos nakakahiya for acting so weird. I shook my head and changed my clothes.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto. “Ma’am ipaghahain ba kita?” tanong ni manang Celsa.

“Manang naman, gusto ko ng something hot,” sabi ko.

“Alam ko na ‘yan. Saan ka ba naroon kagabi?”

“Ah sa hotel lang ako nagpalipas.”

“Hinahanap ka ng ani Lucas, hindi mo naman sinasagot ang tawag.

“Hayaan mo nga, at puntahan ko na lang,” saad ko.

I walk para puntahan si Lucas sa bedroom niya. Ibabalik ko na nag card niya since dad returned mine kanina. Things are going smoothly now. I can use my money anytime.

It’s ten in the morning at siguro ay tulog pa ang isang ‘to. His room is closed, maybe tulog pa. But gusto kong silipin kung tulog nga siya. So opened the door slowly. His bed is in a mess dahil ito ang una kong nakita. Tahimik sa loob ng kwarto niya at nagkalat ang mga garments niya sa sahig. What has he been doing last night? Ilang damit ba ang dapat niyang iwanan sa sahig? Mukhang nagwala ang kuya ko kagabi as I look at some wine bottles left open in the table. I noticed there were plates too at may wine glasses na nakapatong. Seems like he got somebody here with him.

Gusto kong kumatok sa bathroom but I am kinda thinking na bak naman mali ako. Maybe he left already at nakisakay sa daddy. Napatango ako. So I turned my back at napadaan sa console table. Something caught my attention there. Dinampot ko naman kaagad ang nasa parisukat na plastic. Ang dami naman ng mga ‘to. Naka box pa. Sa sobrang curious ko ay binuksan ko at binasa ang nasa label. Napakagat-labi na lang ako at inilapag ko na lang. May babae ba dito? Nappaaisip ako, what is the reason of these condoms here? Kailan pa nagdala ng babae si Lucas dito sa bahay?

Suddenly narinig kong nagbukas ang pinto ng bathroom at maliksi akong lumingon doon. I am expecting to see him. But my jaw dropped when I looked at that man’s face. The water drips him wet all over. Ang masaklap he wears nothing na lumabas mula doon. My heart have skipped a beat when I realize that this is not my brother here. Who the hell is he? I ran out of the bedroom and called for manang Celsa. Halos umapaw ang dugo ko sa katawan ko sa bilis ng takbo ko palabas ng pinto.

“Manang,” hiyaw ko. “Manang,” muli kong sigaw.

“Lia,” tawag ng dad. Mabilis kong kumilos at nilapitan ito.

“Dad may ano,” saad ko. Natataranta ako. Am I this paranoid? Sana nagtanong muna ako kung sino ang lalaking ‘yon.

“Ano?”

“Sino ang bisita ni Lucas?” tanong ko.

“Saan,” tanong ni daddy. Hindi ako sany tumingin sa mga bagay-bagay but that was really shocking to see. Why is he not wearing anything?

“W-wala, Dad.”

“Lia?”

“Excuse me, Dad.” Tumalikod ko at bumaba na. Hindi ko kilala ang lalaking ‘yon. But why is dad home? Natataranta ako sa pagkakataong ito. I saw him, all of him. Sino siya? Why would he stay in Lucas’ room? Sa kaniya ba ang condoms? Did they bring women last night? Pero wala naman akong nakitang items na pambabae. Maybe he just slept over here for a night. Ayoko mag-over react.

“Anong kalokohan?” Narinig ko ang malakas na sigaw ni daddy. I wonder bakit parang galit? Ilang sandali pa ay may tumatakbong lalaki na s hagdan. It is him, running down in a hurry.

“Anong nangyayari?” tanong ko sa katulong.

“Maam galti po si Sir Enrico.”

“Bakit?”

“Lia,” tawag ni dad.

MABILIS AKONG UMAKYAT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. Parang mali yata ang ginawa ko. But why should I feel this guilt within? Madalas ko naman talaga pasukin ang kwarto ni Lucas. It just happened na may bisita pala siya and I am not aware of that. He doesn’t bring visitors here, ang alam ko he stays in his condo unit kapag naglalasing siya sa bar. Doon yata siya madalas mag-stay. Halos bilang sa daliri ko ang mga gabing dito siya natutulog.

Nasa hagdan pa lang ako naririnig ko na si dad. He sounds really angry. I wonder what happened, mabilis na kumalabog ang dibdib ko kasabay ng pagbagsak ng kung ano mula sa itaas. When my feet finally reached the floor, my eyes caught Lucas holding his lip and he’s lying on the floor like something have hit him. It felt like I’m stucked to where I am. Anong ginawa ni dad? Hindi ako nakaimik, but my feet pulled me to where dad is. I wrapped my arms around him trying to hold him and make him stop. He’s about to pull him off the floor and will surely will give him another punch.

“Wala ka ng ginawa.” Singhal ni dad. I can feel his body trembles habang yakap ko siya. “Kailan pa, Lucas?” tanong ni dad. Napabaling ang tingin ko kay Lucas. His lip is bleeding, and I am in shock seeing him bleed on the floor. Binitawan ko si dad at nilapitan siya agad. Nagtatangka pa lang akong hawakan siya but he refused.

“Lumayo ka muna,” sabi ni dad na dumuduro sa kaniya at bakas ang galit sa mukha. Napalingon ako sa kaniya. I don’t think if he means it, but he sounds like.

“Dad,” sabi ni Lucas na nakatayo na at nakaharap sa amin. “Let me explain, just for a sec,” nakikiusap ito.

“What else should you tell me? Would you tell me, that was nothing?” hapong-hapo na ang daddy sa pagpipigil ng kaniyang sarili. I know he does not want to hurt him. Dad never points a finger in us, never.

“Lucas I have put my trust in you, never make me regret twice,” ito ang huling sinabi ni dad. He left us. Bumaba ito. Nais ko man habulin, but I can’t leave my brother. I don’t know what happened. Tumingin ako sa kaniya but he’s approaching the door of his bedroom.

“Luke,” sambit ko. Maliksing humarap si Lucas sa akin. His eyes were like a knife that’s sharp enough to stab me here.

“What happened?” nauutal kong sambit. Hindi niya ako sinagot. He gets in his room. I knocked and begged for him to speak to me, but I got no for an answer. Nakakapagtaka, what have he done na ikinagalit ni dad?

“Don’t talk to me, Lia.” His voice so cold and I can feel something.

“Luke naman,” saad ko.

“Could you step aside?” galit niyang sabi. Napaliksi ang dibdib ko. I never saw him like that.

After that fight I witnessed, hindi ko nakitang umuwi si Lucas sa bahay. I wonder kung bakit hindi na rin niya masagot-sagot ang mga tawag ko. Ilang araw na rin ang lumipas, but still I heard nothing from him. Until one morning while I am having a meal with our parents.

“Enrico si Lucas,” sambit ng mommy.

“I don’t want to bring that here,” sabi nito.

“Bakit ayaw mo pag-usapan?”

“Pwede ba? Tama na muna, tingnan mo kung paano mo pinalaki ang batang ‘yon? He does not belong in here, if he don’t change his self.”

This caught my attention. Ano naman ang sinasabi ni dad?

“Enrico, he is your son,” diin ni mommy. Ako na nakikinig ay parang nanghuhula sa usapan nila. Anong ibig sabihin ni mom sa daddy. Hindi ko talaga makuha ang puno at dulo.

“Lia would you finish your meal and leave us,” pakiusap ni mommy. Nagulat ako na kung kailan ako susubo ay doon naman ako pinaaalis.

“No, stay and finish your meal,” sabi ng daddy.

“Leave now,” singhal ng mommy. They argue, yes I know. But to whom should I listen?

Kaya naman ay nilapag ko ang hawak ko at tumayo.

“Mom, Dad.” Tumayo ako. “I have an appointment, please feel free to talk,” sabi ko sa kanila. I left them at the dining and drove myself away. Sa halip na problemahin ko ang away nila, I want to meet Ree and talk about business. Alam kong ilang araw na siyang tawag ng tawag and I keep ignoring his calls. I sent him a message that I want to meet him for a cup of coffee para pag-usapan ang proposal niya sa itatayo na training school. His lawyer said, we will be business partners at kailangan na alam ko ang mga plano nito. They said I will be owning forty percent share of the the stocks. Not bad, dahil akin naman ang lupa. It is a three hectare lot na ibinigay na ni dad sa pangalan ko. He gave me the authority over it habang inaayos pa ng lawyer niya ang paglipat ng pangalan nito sa pangalan ko.

I drove in a restau. Dito ko na hihintayin si Ree. I am sitting at the corner na malapit sa glass wall, from here I can see people outside. It is a two way glass kaya hindi ako makikita ng nasa labas. Only I, could see them. Ilang sandali pa ay naagaw ang pansin ko ng isang lalaking nakasuot ng body fit shirt na kulay brown. It’s Lucas. Napatayo ako dahil gusto ko siyang habulin at makausap. But the moment I moved myself out from where I am seated, I saw a man approached him at umakbay sa kaniya. He is that man he’s with in the bed room. Ngayon ko lang napansin ang mukha ng lalaki. He looks familiar but I cannot recall where did I see him aside doon sa kwarto ni Lucas. Sinundan ko pa sila ng tingin at hinila niya si Lucas sa isang sasakyan. Hindi kay Lucas ang kotse. Pumasok ito at umalis.

“Hey!” untag ng tinig sa harap ko na ikinalingon ko naman agad. “Are you okay? You look different,” sabi niya.

“W-wala, I thought I saw someone,” sabi ko. “Have a seat,” alok ko. Naupo naman siya at magkaharap na kaming dalawa. Biglang may inabot ito sa akin na isang rectangular box. It’s lengthy and a bit light. Tiningnan ko ang acetate nito sa bandang itaas. My eyes widened in amusement. Is it real? “Flowers?” naglukot ang noo ako at bahagya akong napailing at tumingin sa kaniya.

“Yeah,” sabi niya.

“What for? I-I mean why would you give me these?”

Nagkibit ng balikat ito at umiwas ng tingin.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“My thoughts? You are a step closer to courtship,” diretsa ko na sabi. “Why would a man give a woman stuffs like these? You brought me in a camp, spent a night with me and took me in a hot air balloon,” sabi ko.

He laughed and he shook his head. “Then let it be in your thoughts, I wanted to apologize for everything and I wanted to start over again, can we be friends?”

Tumikhim ako at tila wala siyang nasagot sa aking sinabi. Maybe he wanted to make it up to me.

“You have been ignoring my calls for how many days, kaya kanina when you sent me a message, I rushed right away.”

“Oh, did I ruined your schedule?”

“Of course, not. You know when to make me get out my place. I have been thinking of meeting you sa bahay niyo, pero nauna ka nang magsabi. Who am I to refuse a cup of coffee with you?”

“Cut it off. Hindi mo ako madadala sa mga salitang ‘yan.” Inilapag ko ang boquet na ‘yon. He’s kinda old school, saan naman siya kumuha ng ganitong bulaklak? This is my first time na tumanggap ng ganitong klaseng set ng bulaklak. Napangiti na lang ako sa isip ko.

“By the way, I brought all the things you need to see, para maayos na natin ang kontrata para sa contractor ng project. But first, may I know if you will hundred percent sure about this?”

I looked at him for while. Nakatali pala ang buhok niya and he looks a bit sweet sa itsura niyang ‘to. Ang lapad ng dibdib tapos nakatali ang buhok. He’s so cute to my eyes sana laging ganiyang na lang siya mag-ayos. Nakakairita ang itsura niyang nakalugay ang buhok at bigotido pa.

“Could you get a hair cut?” ito ang lumabas sa mga bibig ko, trying to remind him.

“Is that your answer? Well, I guess you’re not sure about the project.”

“First, I want to make a deal with someone who would look more presentable and is ready for every hassle awaits. Alam mo bakit? Baka lang kasi kapag nadisappoint ako, at mahugot ko ‘yang buhok mong nakatali.”

“I never thought you are very particular with the looks, well, if you would be sure, then I promise to get a hair cut, that when you signed this,” sabi niya.

Seriously? He’s a bandit who would always make sure he wins the argument.

“Fine, I lose. Akin na nga,” sabi ko sabay bukas ng palad ko. Instead of handing me the document he put a pen on my palm at inilapag ang mga dokumento sa harap ko. How clever, Roshchild. I read all the content of it. Sounds better dahil equal share of profits naman kami.

“Hey, kakasya ba ang proposal mong ‘to? I guess not.” Sabi ko sa kaniya. Am thinking that this millions of pesos will never be enough. Sa building pa lang yata ito.

“Don’t worry about it, may nakausap na akong investor na willing sumama sa project.”

“Who?” I looked at him.

“He would not want to tell yet. Maybe later. What matters most is that we are good to start.”

“I see, I trust you, so here go,” I signed everything at ibinigay ko sa kaniya ang pen kasama ang documents. Tumayo ito at inabot ang kamay niya sa akin for a hand shake. I stand from my seat and took his hand. His grip was a bit tight. This made me feel safer, safer in terms of business. This could not be something else, Lia. This could not be the thing you are thinking.

We dined together, and we had time to talk about a lot of things. His plans for the training school and the orphanage.

“So, paano ka nga pala nakilala sa orphanage?” tanong ko. I am really curious about it.

“I will tell you, but now is not the time.” Nag-iba ang himig niya.

“Who do you live with?” tanong ko.

“Why would you ask? Do you want to live with me?”

“You can’t be serious, I am just asking. Alam mo na gusto ko lang makilala ang partner ko sa negosyo. I have been to so many schools at wala pa akong natatapos, while my partner holds a degree in culinary at galing pa sa prestihiyosong eskwelahan sa France. Why would someone like you, trust someone like me?” This is true, why would he want to build business with me, isa lang akong palaboy lagi sa kung saan at walang pakialam sa kinabukasan ko. Why would I fear? My dad will never let me live in hunger. Besides, he told me to find where my heart is. Hindi ko pa nakikita kung saan ‘yon.

“Why do you look at yourself that way? Can’t you see how lucky I am?” sabi niya.

“You’re lucky?”

“Of course. By the way, our groundbreaking will be in a week. Kung may plano ka after the groundbreaking for the party, let me know.”

“Oh, ayoko pumunta. You can do it by yourself, you can invite Dad or your family or anyone. Ayoko ng exposure,” sabi ko.

“That’s impossible. Hindi pwede ang gusto mo mangyari. This is our business.”

“I said, no. Please huwag kang mapilit.”

“Then at least help me with the preparations? Like the venue, the menu and other stuffs.” He said.

“Sure, I will. Lagyan ko ba ng lason ang pagkain? Anong alam ko?”

He laughed. His eyes looks different hindi kagaya noong una ko siyang nakita. He’s weird and he’s like he don’t want to mingle with anyone.

“Ihahatid kita,” sabi niya.

“Seriously? Paano? I have my car, and you have yours,” saad ko.

“I have my driver with me.”

Napakurap mata akong lumingon sa sasakyan niya. He’s right, may driver siya. Talaga ba? Nagdala ng driver?

“No, I can drive myself.”

“Please, I want to make sure you will be safe,” seryoso siyang nagpupumilit. What happened? Why suddenly he changed his tune? Tumikhim ako at walang nagawa kung di buksan ang pinto ng sasakyan ko.

“You can’t be serious, you’re driving?” tanong niya.

“Of course,” sabi ko.

“Give me the key. I’ll do it for you,” saad niya.

No arguments, binigay ko naman agad sa kaniya dahil hiningi niya. It is just a question remained in my thoughts. Why would he take me home when he’s got his car with him and I have mine? Nasa loob na kami ng sasakyan at binaklas niya ang seat belt niya. Lumingon agad ito sa akin.

“Did you left the bouquet?” tanong niya. This made me realize, yes I forgot to take it, actually no. Walang anuman na lumabas siya sa sasakyan at nagmamadaling pumasok ulit sa resto. Pambihira, iniwan ko talaga ‘yon. Aanhin ko naman ‘yon? Bibigyan ko na naman ng palaisipan ang mga tao sa bahay. Well, nakakahiya nga naman sa kaniya, nag-effort ang tao and I am too heartless not to appreciated this little thing.

Bumalik agad siya at inilagay ito sa likod. Habang nasa daan kami ay binasag niya ang katahimikan.

“Can I invite you to a dinner some time?”

Nagtaas ang kilay ko sa aking narinig. Talaga?