Pleasure Me, Mr.

Catching Up

"Olive.."

The loud announcement from the speaker, the sound of the train, the voices of hundreds of passengers became inaudible when his eyes met hers.

Olive let out a deep sigh. "How are you? I-It's been a long time," she said trying to sound as cheerful as she can, hiding the crack in her voice.  Her eyes went down to her pulse that is being held by Nicky.

"I'm sorry." Nicky loosen his grip to Olive's hand and released it. "I am doing well." He looked around. "Dito ka na pala sa Connecticut naglalagi. Kailan pa?"

"Halos limang taon na rin. Ikaw ba?"

Tumango-tango si Nicky. "Sa Pilipinas pa rin. I am just here for a speaking engagement. Pauwi na rin ako bukas."

Marahang tumango ang dalaga. "Great." Ibinulsa niya ang dalawang kamay sa coat.

A long pause came in between them. Both of them try to think of ways to extend their small talk. "Well, it is nice to hear something from you again, Nicky. I hope we could catch up sometime." Olive bowed her head and turned her back at Nicky. "I got to keep going. I'm on a rush."

"W-Wait." Lakad-takbo ang ginawa ni Nicky mahabol lang ang dalaga. "Where are you heading to?"

"New York," tipid na sagot ni Olive.

"Great. That's my destination too." Masigla nitong ipinakita ang train ticket sa dalaga.

Napamura sa loob-loob si Olive. Wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang pasabayin ang binata sa kanya.

♡♡♡

One hour and thirty minutes. Iyan ang oras na gugugulin nila sa tren papuntang New York.

Nicky decided to seat beside Olive at mula nang maupo sila ay hindi na siya tumigil kakukuwento. Sa kabila namang banda ay malayo ang tingin ng dalaga habang lihim na nag-iisip ng paraan kung paano tuluyang mahihiwalay kay Nicky pagkababa nila ng tren.

♡♡♡

"Olive, nandito na tayo."

Naalimpungatan ang dalaga sa mahinang pagyugyog sa kanyang mga balikat.

Iminulat-pikit niya ang mga mata at doon niya napagtantong ang ulo pala niya ay nakahilig sa balikat ni Nicky. May kaunti pang laway na halos manuyo na ang napapunta sa manggas nito.

Tarantang napaupo nang tuwid si Olive.

"S-Sorry." Kumuha siya ng panyo at inespray-han iyon ng sanitizer. "Nakatulugan ko na ang pagkukuwento mo. Nalawayan pa kita."

Nicky softly chuckled and look at his sleeve without disgust.

"Laway lang 'yan, Olive. I'm used to it." He winked at her.

Olive felt like her cheeks are burned with fire. Hindi niya maiwasang bigyan ng double meaning ang sinabi ng binata.

Naglakad na sila palabas ng Penn Station na hindi maikakaila ang lawak. Mas malawak pa sa train stations na mayroon ang Pilipinas.

Nicky insisted to eat pizza before they part ways. Gusto na sanang tumanggi ni Olive but there's a part on her that tells her not to go. Ito ang nasunod sa pagkakataong ito. Marupok din 'noh?

They went to NY Suprema Pizza. Sinalubong agad sila ng ingay na nagmumula sa loob ng restaurant. The noises are from the people that are chatting, kids that are wailing, music from the stereo, and the voices of the cashiers taking in orders.

Pumunta sila sa gilid ng glass window. Ito na lang ang nakikita nilang bakanteng puwesto. Sakto para sa dalawang tao.

"I'll place the order for us," Nicky said as he pulled the chair so Olive can sit. "Wait for me."