IKAW LANG ANG MAMAHALIN (ASHRALD)

Chapter 23C

After magdinner nina Gerald at Fred, nagaya muna si Gerald na maglaro ng billiards bago dumiretso sa clubbing. By 10:40 pm nasa The Fort na sila. "Saan tayo?" Tanong ni Fred. "Basta ayoko ng maingay at crowded." Gerald answered. "Bro, Saturday night ngayon, its crowded everywhere." "Sige Fred, ikaw na bahala, game ako kahit saan."

They decided to go to Seventh High in Global City. Nang makapasok sila, jampacked ang loob at wala ng available na table. "Bro, hindi tayo makakuha ng table dito without a reservation." Fred said.

"So pano, lipat na lang tayo?" Gerald replied. "Sayang naman yung entrance fee natin. Tara, dun tayo banda, mejo hindi crowded." While they were walking, Gerald heard someone calling his name, ngunit hindi niya pinansin, baka namali lang siya ng rinig. Nagulat na lang siya ng may humila sa braso niya, he turned, "Ge! Ano ka ba!"

Gerald was suprised. "Kim?" He exclaimed. Tinapik niya si Fred na nauuna sa kanya.

"Halos mawalan na ko ng boses ha! What are you doing here? Oh Hi Fred!" Bati ni Kim.

"Wala naman. We're just hanging out." Gerald said.

"Kayong dalawa lang? Do you guys have a table na?" She asked.

Nagkatinginan yung dalawa. "Wala nga eh, wala ng available." Mabilis na sagot ni Fred. Tinapik ni Gerald si Fred sa braso.

"Come join us, guys. Nagpareserve kami ng table. Tara!" Yaya ni Kim.

"Thanks Kim, pero actually, palabas na kami eh, lipat kami sa kabilang bar." Biglang bumulong si Fred, "Ano ka ba, sayang ang entrance fee." Gerald sharply looked at him.

"Guys, come on! May available pa sa table namin. Hassle pa yang paglipat ng bar." Kim took Gerald's arm and pulled him while she walked towards their table. Fred was nodding at him, napailing na lang si Gerald. Kim directed them at the Lounge, a little more private part of the bar wherein guests could relax and enjoy a more subtle music.

Pinakilala ni Kim si Gerald and Fred sa mga friends niya na nandun na sa table, there were four of them, and kilala na ni Gerald ang isa sa kanila, si Pauleen. "Kim, nahihiya ako sa mga friends mo. Okay lang naman kami ni Fred, sa baba na lang kami." Bulong ni Gerald kay Kim.

"Alam mo, wala namang problema eh. The table is big enough for all of us and kami kami lang wala ng iba."

Gerald looked at Fred. Umupo na si Fred sa sofa and smiled at him. "Sige Kim. Thanks."

"Yay! Guys, ano drinks natin?" Kim exclaimed.

11:20 pm. Sarah turned to look at the t.v. again. "Haaaay Ge, anong oras ka ba talaga uuwi? And where are you?" Naiinis na sambit ni Sarah. She is seating on their bed watching t.v. She grabbed her cellphone, "Ano tatawagan ko ba? Sasagutin naman kaya?" She dialled Gerald's number, but then she immediately cut the line before it even rang. "Nakakairita ka na ha!" She looked and frowned at Gerald's picture on top of her bedside table. "Sabi mo nga, huwag ka antayin di ba? Sige, I'll give you more time...if that's what you want."

"Hi Gerald." Pauleen sat beside him on the sofa. "Pauleen. Long time. How are you?" Gerald asked.

"Nothing much. And you? still good looking Doc ha, I mean..still very gorgeous." Pauleen lowered her voice. She was seductively staring at him. Napatingin si Gerald sa kanya.

"Don't worry Doc. I'll make sure na sa Medical City ako magpapatingin pag nagkasakit ako. Is that okay with you?" She slightly touched his upper leg.

"Sure, alam mo, we have a couple of good physicians in Medical City, I'll make sure to refer you to one of them." Gerald grinned at her. He scratched his cheek to flaunt his wedding ring to Pauleen's face. Napatingin si Pauleen sa kamay ni Gerald, she got the message. Just in time, bumalik si Kim sa table nila. Lumayo na ng kaunti si Pauleen kay Gerald.