THE DEAL

TD- 24

AGAINST ALL ODDS

She went back to the resort the next day. There is something in her that makes her want to roam around the resort to search for the guy and to make sure he is fine and well. He is none of her business but she'd like to see anyway.

Fortunately, Anton didn't protest but he reminded her the most important rule: "Huwag kang pupunta sa event." She'd like to tell Anton about the guy but she knows how jealous he gets when she entertains a guy so she didn't bother anymore.

She couldn't understand why Anton asks her this but she couldn't also understand herself because she kept on breaking the rule. She walked around the resort and tried to find the guy but she failed. The place was surprisingly crowded today compared to yesterday so she found it hard to look for him. Disappointed, she went home. From what she heard, the event will end tomorrow which only means she will never see him anymore. Why does she care, anyway?

She remembers his face — his beard, his pointed nose, his eyes, and his lips. She closed her eyes and then memories started to flash at the back of her mind again.

A girl was standing in the dark, When You Look Me In The Eyes was playing at the background. On the other side of the room, a video of a little girl asking for a snow was playing. A boy then started to walk towards her. His smile is familiar like she's seen that smile before.

Anton rubbed her back as her head started to ache again. Another episode, "Hon, relax."

"Anton, ang sakit," she grunted and then held her temple.

Anton held her hand and then whispered, "What did I tell you? Close your eyes and then count to five, breathe. Hon, you will be fine."

She did what he told her and after a few minutes, she's fine.

"What is it again?" Anton asked her.

She sighed, "A song, a girl asking for snow... and a boy walking towards me."

Anton raised a brow and then frowned, "Ah, that's from a movie that we watched before. You, actually uhm, cried after."

"Really?" she replied, feeling unconvinced and sad, "Why do I keep remembering scenes from the movies? Why can't I just remember my life? This is just so unfair and frustrating."

"Same thought, hon," Anton replied and then caressed her hand, "I have to tell you something."

"Mhm?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow. May aayusin kami sa Batangas branch. Gusto ko sanang sumama ka kaya la-"

"Hon, it's fine. Besides, I just really want to stay at home. Okay lang ako dito."

"You sure? I'll go to the grocery later para maipamili kita, sabihin mo lang ano pang gusto mong ipabili, ha? And, hon, don't leave the house, okay?"

"Anton naman, mukha naman akong preso niyan. Can't I go out with Mae? Kahit isang gabi lang?"

Anton paused, trying to think it over. Claire then used the most powerful weapon — her puppy eyes.

"Sige na nga. Basta, hon, do not talk to just anyone, ha?"

"Okay!" she exclaimed and gave him a tight hug.

—

"Tara na, Claire!" Mae, her friend, shouted from the living room. She glanced at her wristwatch and saw that it's 7 in the evening already. She started fixing herself at 6. Contented with her white haltered top tucked in ripped jeans, she went out to see a smiling Mae, "Perfect. Ang blooming mo yata? Did you and Anton finally do it?"