003

Dinner

We agreed to eat out sometimes to get to know each other or to be comfortable. It wasn't mine or his idea. It was my mom's. Pagkatapos kasi ng unang dinner namin ay nasa bahay na ang Mommy ko at tila hinintay ang pagdating namin.

"Mom! You're here," Gulat kong saad kay Mommy noong makita siyang naghihintay sa hagdanan ng bahay kahit gabi na.

Kaagad akong lumapit sa kanya para makapag beso. She was wearing her nightgown but her make up is still put together. Diretso ang tingin niya sa likuran ko. Lumapit si Vieo at bahagyang yumuko para bumati. Isang baitang sa hagdanan ang pagitan namin.

"Good evening, Madame. I took Nieves out for dinner, hope you don't mind."

Ngumiti si Mommy sa kanya, "Of course, Vieo. Do you want to come inside for a while?"

Napalingon ako sa ina. I don't know what she's up to now but it's late and Vieo must be tired already pero sumang-ayon pa rin siya kay Mommy.

Naunang pumasok si Mommy at sumunod naman si Vieo sa kanya. Nakasunod ako sa kanilang dalawa. Madaming tanong ang pumasok sa isip ko sa maaaring sabihin ni Mommy sa kanya. She might really ask me to live with him! O baka mas ipaaga ang kasal?

Pumikit ako ng mariin sa naisip. Napansin kong napatingin si Vieo sa 'kin pero hindi ko siya nilingon. Naupo si Mommy sa mahabang sofa habang sa pang isahan naman naupo si Vieo. Sa tapat niya ay doon naman ako naupo.

Dumaan muna sa 'kin ang mariing tingin ni Mommy bago binigyan ng matamis na ngiti si Vieo.

"Hindi na ako magpa ligoy-ligoy pa, Vieo." Panimula ni Mommy, "I want you two to see each other more often. I want you two to be comfortable and open with each other. Ayaw kong sa oras na kasal na kayo ay doon pa lalabas ang mga issue niyo sa isa't-isa."

Sinasabi ko na nga ba. Tahimik lamang akong nakinig sa kanila habang ang tingin ay nasa palamuti sa coffee table namin.

"I understand, Madame. Although I am a very busy man, I will make sure to find time."

"Hindi ko naman sinasabing you should go out in public. Kahit dito lang sa bahay. Or have dinner everyday?"

"Everyday?"

"Yes,"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Vieo, hinihintay ang sagot niya. Lumipat ang tingin niya sakin sandali bago muling nilingon si Mommy, halatang pinag-iisipan ang magiging sagot sa ina ko.

"If that's alright with Nieves, Madame."

Mariin na bumaling si Mommy sakin at inaasahan ang sagot ko kaya tumango ako ng walang pag-aalinlangan.

Tumayo si Vieo at inayos ang coat na walang gusot. "I will take your daughter out whenever I can, Madame."

"Thank you, Vieo."

We led him out of the doorway at lumingon siya saglit sakin bago pumasok sa kanyang sasakyan at lumabas sa isang gate namin.

True to what he said, he fetched me everyday at six for dinner, we did not exchange conversations or questions with each other. It was all formal and silent as we ate our dinner. 

We always go to the same restaurant at parati ay walang tao roon maliban sa amin. Naiintindihan ko naman iyon. If he's protecting his reputation with women then I don't really mind. Kuya Gavin is very active with women so I won't be surprised if he is, too. Lalo na dahil magkaibigan silang dalawa. Birds of the same feather flock together.

ᨒ

"Usap-usapan pa rin ang nagyari noong nakaraang linggo, Mom..." Achi said while we were eating our breakfast at the garden of our house.

It's a bright and sunny sunday morning. Usually, Dihia doesn't join us. Pero ngayon ay narito sa hapag dahil alam niyang mapag-uusapan ang nangyari noong nakaraang linggo. Narito ang mga kapatid sa bahay dahil nirequest ni Mommy na mag family breakfast kami tuwing linggo.

"Hayaan mo sila," Sagot ni Mommy kay Achi.

"Wala ka rin daw pong sinasabi sa tuwing may nagtatanong kung kailan ang kasal,"

Tumawa si Mommy, "Ano naman ang gagawin ko? Magsisinungaling? E, kung pwede nga'y ipagsigawan ko ang nararating na merging ng kumpanya natin sa mga Silvanus. I don't know the date yet. Ophelia and I still need to talk about it."

Tumikhim si Dihia.

"Our competitors would crumble and bow down to our feet once the wedding would happen,"

Tumikhim muli si Dihia dahilan kung bakit mataman siyang tiningnan ni Daddy.

"Brianna, can you do something about the media? Rowan?" Baling ni Daddy kay Achi at Rowan.

"Don't worry about it, Dad."

"Sure, Dad. We'll settle it tomorrow. I can surely find ways to stop the media from bugging us." ani Rowan.

Rowan's family owned a broadcasting network kaya malakas ang kapit sa media.

"I'll be expecting that, Rowan... I don't want them forcing us,"

"I was also bugged by the media about it. Ang daming tanong, ayaw akong tantanan. Hindi ko na nga pinapansin. At one point, may reporter pa na nasaktan dahil ang kulit." Ahia chuckled.

For the third time, tumikhim muli si Dihia.

Nilingon namin siya. Iritado na ang mga magulang at mga kapatid namin sa kanya ngayon. Paano ba naman kasi dahil panay ang tikhim. Nakataas ang kanyang kilay habang hinihiwa ang kanyang pagkain.

"Ano ba, Dihia? Uminom ka ng tubig," Iritadong saad ni Dichi.

Tumawa ng mahina si Dihia. He reaches for the glass of water beside his plate and raises it to Dichi before sipping on it. Inirapan siya ni Dichi.

This is our usual set up when we get together. My parents, Ahia, Achi, Dichi, and their partners were usually the ones who conversed with each other. Kami ni Dihia ay tahimik lang. Pero madalas ay ako ang tahimik talaga. Dihia seldom joined their conversation at minsan lang din naman siyang sumasama sa mga family gathering.

"How's your relationship with Vieo, Elvira?" Mommy asked.

Nagulat ako sa kanyang tanong. Uminom muna ako ng tubig bago siya sinagot. My family is waiting for my answer. Even Dihia who wasn't attentive earlier ay tila interesado na ngayon.

Pinunasan ko ang bibig ko bago binalingan ang ina na nag-aabang sa aking sagot.

"It's fine, Mom."

Tumango siya, "Don't mess this up, Elvira. You know how important this is for the family and the business."

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at tumango ng marahan. I bite my lips as I try to gain back my appetite. Of course, nevermind your daughter. It's all for business. The top on their list will always be about business. Pangalawa lang naman ang mga anak. Baka nga ay hindi pangalawa, baka nasa huling listahan na.

"Do you still go out to dinner everyday?" Achi asked.

Pagkatapos ng naging usapan namin sa rooftop 'nung nakaraang linggo ay nag suggest si Mommy na mag dinner kami kinabukasan na siyang sinunod namin. Iyon nga lang, what I thought was a one time thing eventually leads to dinners everyday.

"Yes, Brianna. Vieo would pick her up here and then drive her back home. Such a gentleman!" Si Mommy ang sumagot para sa 'kin.

"How is he, by the way? May nasabi ba siya tungkol sa kanilang negosyo?" Ahia asked, his eyes on me.

Hindi ko alam anong isasagot kay Ahia. How is Vieo? Hindi ko alam. I don't think I ever asked him that question. Parating si Vieo ang nagtatanong kung kamusta ako at ang pag-aaral ko, how my day went and so on. All I do is answer him. Kaya nangangapa ako ng salitang maisasagot sa kapatid ngayon. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung anong nangyayari sa buhay ni Vieo, much more to their company.

"Wala naman po..."

Kumunot ang kanilang mga noo na para bang may mali akong nasabi. Padarag na binaba ni Mommy ang kubyertos niya. Matalim niya akong tiningnan.

"Then it's not fine because he isn't even open to you, Elvira." Mariing sabi ni Mommy.

I pressed my lips together and bowed my head.

"Give them time, Mom. Isang linggo pa lang naman, ah?" Singit ni Dihia.

Sinipat siya ni Mommy dahil sa kanyang sinabi at muli akong binalingan. My mom's expression is telling me she isn't pleased with me. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin, hindi kayang suklian ang emosyon ni Mommy.

"Mr. Sy's son is getting along with his fiancee, Connor, kahit ilang araw pa lang na ipinakilala." Dad coldly said to Dihia.

Nagkibit balikat lang si Dihia sa sinabi ni Daddy.

"Come on, Elvira. Ano ba? All you have to do is to entertain him!" Si Mommy na medyo tumaas ang boses.

Lumunok ako at kinabahan. I don't want to push my mom's buttons.

"O–Okay, Mom..."

ᨒ

"Elvira," salubong sakin ni Bryan paglabas ko ng classroom.

Nilingon ko siya at nakitang may dala siyang bulaklak at isang paper bag. Wearing his culinary uniform, he flashed me an apologetic smile when I saw him leaning at the wall.

I sighed and walked towards Bryan. Umayos siya ng tayo. Nanatili lamang nakatayo ang dalawa kong kaibigan at nakatingin sa 'min.

Bryan stepped forward.

"I got you something from our trip in Croatia," Aniya sa maliit na boses at inilahad ang dala niya.

My brows furrowed, "Bryan, hindi naman na kailangan."

He moved his shoulders a bit, "I just want to give it to you. Peace offering?"

I only pursed my lips when I remembered what happened last week. He bugged me about Vieo and I got irritated, dahil nairita ako ay nairita rin siya kaya nagkasagutan kami.

I don't like it when they give me gifts because they hurt me. Ayaw ko ng ganoon. Hindi naman ako nabibili at lalong ayaw ko naman ng mga materyal na bagay. A sincere apology was enough for me. Kapag kasi may ibibigay sakin, tingin ko'y kailangan ko silang patawarin. Like I owe it to them instead.

"Wala ka bang pasok?"

"May cooking contest akong sasalihan ngayon."

"Hindi ka na sana nag-abala pa, Bryan."

"Nah, I wanted to apologize for my actions."

His eyes wandered on my face, heavy and expectant. Guilt written all over his face.

"I'm really sorry, Elvira. I..." nag-iwas siya ng tingin, "I really didn't mean to raise my voice,"

I sighed, "I know." I said softly.

All I could see was the young boy whom I spent most of my childhood with. Memories of our childhood flashed before my eyes: playing hide and seek in parties while our parents did their own thing, to seeing each other grow up and be together during the tough times of my life. Bryan was there by my side to witness it all and comforted me.

Kinuha ko ang dala niya at ngumiti, "It's okay, Bryan. Alam ko namang hindi mo sinasadya."

What was there to say? Anger wouldn't change anything. 

Umaliwalas ang mukha ni Bryan sa narinig. Hinawakan niya ang isa kong kamay. It was gentle and warm, the same hands that held me even when we were kids. I squeezed his hands gently and gave him a smile.

ᨒ

"Elvira!" Malakas na sigaw ni Mommy galing sa loob ng bahay.

Binitawan ko ang kamay ni Bryan at tumayo sa damo. Tinawag ako ni Bryan pero iniwan ko na siya roon. We were finishing a large puzzle at nag-aagawan kami sa isang piraso.

I rushed inside our house and found my mom holding my sister's small dollhouse.

"Anong ginawa mo?!"

Galit na galit siya. Nasa gilid niya si Dichi na hinihila ng bahagya ang kamay niya at pinipigalan.

Nakita kong mabilis na umalis ang dalawang katulong. Malungkot nila akong nilingon bago lumabas ng dining at nawala sa paningin ko.

"Mom, it's okay..."

Nasira ko ang pintuan ng dollhouse ni Dichi habang naglalaro kami kanina.

My eyes watered because of fear.

"I-I'm sorry, Mommy..." Pumatak ang mga luha ko. "Hindi ko po sinasadya..."

I looked at my fingers and clasped them. Nanginginig na ako sa takot dahil sa galit ng ina. It may not be the first time but I was young and I love my mother so much that her anger hurts me. I was eight and Dichi was just two years older than me and we played together. But Mommy doesn't like the idea of us sharing things with each other. Hindi ko maintindihan. I thought sisters were supposed to share and borrow things from each other pero bakit ayaw ni Mommy iyon?

"Ugh! I told you not to touch their things because you have yours!" Mariin niyang sabi at kaunti na lang ay mukhang sisigaw na talaga siya sa galit sa akin.

"Mom, we shared toys!" Bahagyang lumakas na rin ang boses ni Dichi.

"It's just a door, Mom! It can easily be fixed!" dagdag ni Dichi.

I was playing with my Dichi a while ago before Bryan came and visited so we played in the backyard.

Binalingan niya si Dichi. "Shut up, Dianna!"

Muli ay bumaling sakin ang galit niyang mga mata. Kahit walang ingay na lumalabas ay hindi pa rin tumitigil ang luha ko. Sa malalaking hakbang ay lumapit siya sakin. Humikbi ako at napaangat ang tingin sa kanya. I took two steps back, afraid that Mommy might hurt me.

"Where's Elvira?" Just before she could advance closer to me, I heard my Angkong's voice in the distance.

Natigilan si Mommy at lumingon sa likuran. There was fear in her eyes for a second before it disappeared. Matalim siyang bumaling sakin bago mabilis na tumalikod at lumabas ng dining.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang umalis na si Mommy. Dichi sighed and went to follow Mommy, probably to get her toy. Pinunasan ko ang luha ko gamit ang aking damit.

"There's my favorite girl." Ani Angkong pagpasok niya sa dining at naabutan akong umiinom ng tubig, pinapakalma ang sarili.

I forced a smile. He went to me and gave me a hug.

My heart hurt so bad and I think that I'm having an internal bleeding. Tingin ko'y sinaksak ang puso ko ng paulit-ulit na tila kay lalim ng sugat na iyon. It hurts so bad that I can physically feel it.

"Hello, Angkong..." I said softly. "I missed you,"

Huminga ako ng malalim at dinama ang init sa yakap ng aking lolo. Hinigpitan ko ang yakap sa kanya. I wanted to cry but I push my tears back.

Yumuko siya at hinawakan ang balikat ko ng marahan, "Aw, princess. I missed you too. Angkong got busy with work but I'm here now..."

Nakangiti siya habang nakatitig sakin. Unti-unti ay kumunot ang noo niya.

"What's wrong? Were you crying?" He asked and I sensed the anger in his voice.

Umiling ako, "No, Angkong. Sipon lang po ito..."

Tinuro ko ang bakuran namin sa gilid lamang ng dining area. At dahil glass wall ay kita namin si Bryan na kumakain ng meryenda habang nakaupo pa rin sa damuhan at pinagpapatuloy ang puzzle.

"My friend is over there..."

"Oh? Why don't you go back and play with him? I'll just talk to your dad,"

"Will you stay here for dinner?"

If he's here then I won't have to meet my mother's anger.

"Yes... I'll also stay here for the night."

Tumango ako at tumakbo na pabalik na kaibigan.

Kinabukasan ay nagising na lamang ako na may mga regalong binili si Mommy para sa 'kin.

ᨒ

"Sige na, may contest ka pa, hindi ba?" Ngiti ko sa kaibigan nang bitawan ko ang kanyang kamay.

Narinig ko ang malakas na buntong hininga ni Gillian. Mahina naman siyang sinuway ni Shane.

"Thank you. I'll make it up to you." He gave me a small smile. "If it's okay with you, let me drive you home?"

Natigilan ako roon at nagdalawang isip. I'm not sure my parents would agree but they probably won't mind. Isa pa, wala naman sila sa bahay tuwing umuuwi ako. They either come home at midnight or not at all.

I know, I know. There are times that Bryan gets into my nerves but I just can't totally ignore him. He's been a great friend. Kahit pa halos madalas na kaming hindi nagkakaintindihan nang tumanda na kami.

"Don't you have a contest?" Tanong ko at pinasadahan ang kanyang suot.

His crisp, white chef's uniform with a high collar was immaculately clean. His family owns a chain of restaurants and he's the only heir to it. Walang kahati dahil walang kapatid at walang pinsan na aagaw sa kanyang posisyon. Though his parents are not chefs, he said he wanted to work in the kitchen himself.

Naisip ko rin na baka iyon din ang dahilan kung bakit hindi siya ang napiling mapapangasawa ko. My parents are not into hotels and restaurants, anila'y marami na raw ay may ganoong klaseng kompanya at negosyo. They lean more to transportation because the country's growing economically and even the population is increasing.

"Mamaya pa. May oras pa ako para ihatid ka. Ano?"

Nilingon ko ang dalawang kaibigan at nagpaalam kaagad sila nang makita ang ekspresyon ko. Umiiling-iling pa sakin si Gillian bago sila tumalikod.

Binalik ko ang tingin kay Bryan. Bryan is handsome, alright. Mestizo siya at hindi singkit dahil Amerikana ang kanyang ina at kahit isang buwan silang nasa beach house nila noong nakaraang taon ay hindi kailanman nagbago ang kulay ng balat niya.

Maraming nagkakagusto sa kanya. Gwapo, matangkad, matipuno, mayaman. He's everything that girl's dream of. Pero hindi ako kailanman nakaramdam ng ganoon sa kanya. I appreciate his appearance pero hindi kasi siya ang tipo ko. My crushes are usually chinito.

Minsan na rin akong tinulak ng mga kaibigan ko sa kanya. Nagbago lang ang paningin nila nang nasaksihan ang pagpunta ni Bryan sa school namin, illegally. Because we studied in an all girls school during our elementary and high school years and no boys were allowed to enter our campus. My friends also knew about the guy he punched. Kaya ayun at tila allergic na sila kapag nariyan si Bryan. Sometimes they get protective and would hide me from Bryan.

I texted my driver na mauna na silang umuwi at ihahatid ako ng kaibigan. Mabuti naman at baguhan lang ang driver at bodyguard ko kaya hindi na sila umangal at nagtanong, tanging 'okay miss' lang ang naging sagot.

ᨒ

On the drive to our house, panay ang kwento ni Bryan. Naaaliw naman ako dahil para akong binabalik sa panahong sobrang close pa namin.

Pumasok na kami subdivision at lumiko sa kalye kung nasaan ang bahay namin. Nang nasa tapat na ng gate ay hindi binuksan ng guard ang gate. Tiningnan niya pa ako mula sa loob ng sasakyan saka lamang niya binuksan ang gate.

Pagpasok sa gate ay tanaw ko na si Dihia sa pintuan ng bahay kausap ang aking bodyguard. May tatlong baitang ng hagdanan bago makaabot sa pintuan ng bahay namin. Nasa pangatlong baitang si Kuya at nasa pangalawa naman ang bodyguard ko. Kunot noong nilingon ni Dihia ang sasakyan ni Bryan. And because Bryan's car is not heavily tinted, nakita kong umikot ang mata ni Dihia nang makita si Bryan sa driver's seat.

Tumigil si Bryan sa harap ng pintuan ng bahay. Umikot siya para pagbuksan ako ng pintuan. I smiled at him when I went out. Dihia's lips went into a thin line. May sinabi pa siya sa bodyguard bago ito tumango at tuluyang bumaba at umalis.

Bumaba ng isang baitang si Dihia at humalukipkip habang walang emosyong nakatingin kay Bryan na nasa likuran ko.

"Connor—" pinutol ni Dihia ang pagbati ni Bryan.

"My sister has a driver and a bodyguard for a reason."

"It's alright, Dihia. I wanted to catch up with Bryan." Agap ko dahil mukhang papagalitan pa ang kaibigan kong nagmagandang loob lang.

"Umuwi ka na." Aniya kay Bryan, inignora ako at hindi man lang tiningnan.

Tumango si Bryan, "Mauna na ako, Elvira. See you at school."

Kumaway ako kay Bryan habang papasok siya ng sasakyan. "Thank you sa paghatid!"

Nang nakalabas na ang sasakyan niya sa kabilang gate ay nilingon ko naman si Dihia na nakasunod ng tingin sa sasakyan ni Bryan kahit na nawala na ito sa paningin.

"What was that about, Dihia? Pinagalitan mo ba 'yung bodyguard ko?" Tanong ko nang maalala ang nakita kanina pagpasok ng gate.

Umakyat ako sa tatlong baitang. Umiling siya.

"I don't want to see you with Bryan again, Shobe."

"What? Bakit naman?" I don't remember him being this protective.

"We both know that boy has caused you so much trouble before."

Ilang beses na akong napagalitan dahil kay Bryan. He was aggressive towards my suitor and super protective. My parents value their relationship with other people, their business partners, that I'm the one that's getting scolded.

Tumango ako sa kapatid at tuluyang umakyat ng bahay. Nilingon ko ang loob ng bahay bago tumingin kay Dihia.

"Si Mommy at Daddy?"

He shoved his hands in his pocket and stepped down the stairs of the house.

"They're away for a week."

"Saan?"

"France."

Oh.

So I'll be alone for a week. Pero hindi naman na bago iyon sa akin.

"You're going na?" Tanong ko sa kanya dahil tinawag na niya ang isang guard na kunin ang sasakyan niya mula sa garahe.

"Oo, hinintay lang kitang dumating." Nilingon niya, "I was informed that you let your driver and bodyguard go home without you."

Nasa harapan na niya ang kotse at binigay na sa kanya ng guard ang kanyang susi.

"Don't go anywhere without your driver and bodyguard, Shobe. You hear me? I don't want you getting into trouble."

Tumango ako sa kapatid at ngumiti.

"Take care, Dihia..."

He only nodded before he drove out of the gate.

Tumalikod na ako at pumasok na sa bahay. Sa bulwagan ng bahay ay naroon sa gilid ang isang malaking larawan ng aming pamilya. Nakaupo si Angkong sa isang upuan habang ang batang ako naman ay nasa isang mas maliit na upuan sa kanyang tabi. Sa likuran namin ni Angkong ay ang pamilya ko. Daddy stood beside Angkong, sa tabi niya si Mommy, Ahia, Achi, Dichi at Dihia. Dihia was on my side, his hand rested on my shoulder. None of us smiled before the camera. Seryoso ang aming mga mukha sa lumang larawan.

My mother's jet black straight hair was something that my siblings and I all shared. Dihia and Achi both look exactly like my mom, even their monolid eyes. Ahia, Dichi, and me, we all look like our dad and unlike my other siblings, we're all very chinky, almost close to monolid. I realized my Daddy looks like Angkong. He's the spitting image of Angkong. That means I also look like my Angkong.

Ang pinagkaibahan ko sa kanila ay ako ang pinakamaputi. Kahit sa aking mga kabigan at iilang kakilala, I'm fairer than most of them. I'm close to paper white that's why my skin easily gets pink and bruised.

ᨒ

Handa na ako para sa dinner namin ni Vieo. My parents don't have to call to remind me of my responsibilities as their daughter.

Pagpasok ko ng kwarto ay kaagad akong nag-ayos. It didn't take me long before I found an outfit to wear. I picked a short, sleeveless and black pleated dress with a round neckline. I paired it with gold hoop earrings with a square design, a gold watch and some gold bracelet to elevate it more, and a pair of black pointed-toe mules with a small bow.

Iyon nga lang, dahil maaga pa ay dumeritso ako sa library para sana magbasa pero hinila ako ng antok.

"Miss?" I heard a voice on my side. "Miss Elvira,"

I opened my eyes and looked up to see one of our maids standing beside me. Nag-aalinlangan siyang sabihin ang gusto niyang sabihin nang mag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya.

I opened my phone and saw two missed calls from an unknown number. I was about to question why he has my number but of course he has. Baka nga pati ang birth certificate ko ay binigay na sa kanya ng mga magulang ko.

If it were up to my parents, the wedding would have happened years ago. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari at sa loob ng dalawang taon ay walang pag-uusad. Not that I'm complaining.

"Nasa baba na po si Sir Vieo, Miss. Kanina pa."

When I went downstairs and saw him sitting comfortably in our living room. Nakapikit ang mga mata habang naghihintay sakin.

Nang marinig ako ay tumayo siya at hindi tinanggal ang tingin sa 'kin.

I don't easily get intimidated but for some reason, his mere presence intimidates me. Lalo na pag nakatingin ito sa 'kin.

I frowned at him nang nakalapit na. He still smells like an expensive manly perfume of mint and musk despite looking like he went here after work. He still looks fresh even with the tiredness in his eyes.

Nakatupi hanggang siko ang kanyang puting long sleeve. Mukhang galing pa sa opisina dahil isang puting long sleeve, itim na slacks, at itim na oxford na sapatos ang kanyang suot. Kuminang ang pilak na relo niya noong nilagay niya ang dalawang kamay sa loob ng bulsa ng kanyang slacks.

His expression was unreadable. But I am not here to figure out what sorts of expressions he has, more so read it.

Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang suot ko habang pababa ako ng hagdanan.

"Let's go." Tinalikuran niya ako at naunang maglakad bago pa ako makapag reklamo.

I rolled my eyes.

"Let me just grab my coat then!" I shouted but he didn't stop.

Mabilis akong bumalik sa kwarto at hinablot nalang ang unang coat na nakita sa aking dresser. When I went out, a shiny silver Porche sports car was waiting outside our front door. Nasa hagdanan pa siya sa bahay namin at nang mapansin ako ay tumingin ito sakin. I held my head high and went towards his car. At dahil dalawang pinto lang ang mayroon sa sports car niya, mabilis akong pumasok sa shotgun seat, inunahan siya sa pagbukas ng pintuan doon.

When I settled myself inside his car, there was a lingering trace of a familiar musky, masculine perfume.

Umikot siya sa harapan at pumasok na. Hindi niya ako nilingon at pinaandar na ang sasakyan palabas ng gate namin.

I crossed my arms. Itinuon ko na lamang ang tingin sa daan. Tahimik kaming pumasok sa isang restaurant. Walang ibang kumakain doon kung hindi kami lang. The night ended quietly. Hindi kami nag-usap masyado. We simply ate our dinner then he drove me back home.