Maybe This Time

Part 24

"So ano daw sabi ni Sandro?" jody asked

I told them tinanung lang niya kung pwede niya ako sunduin. Syempre hindi nanaman ako tinigilan nung dalawa. Ewan ko ba sa mga toh parang mga bata.

Nakaikot pa kami sa isa pang floor ng mall bago nag- message si Sandro

**hey already at the front of the mall entrance**

"Girls I have to run, asa harap na daw si Sands. I have to go" i kissed both their cheek and gave them a hug

"Ay sus!!! Galingan mo gumiling mamaya" Gly whisphered when I hugged her

Gago! Talaga toh! Pero syempre pulang pula mukha ko. Not a good thought when meeting him.

I hurriedly walked to the entrance alam ko hindi pwede mgpark doon ng matagal.

I arrived at the mall entrance and didnt see any black SUV. Pinausog na kaya siya? I called him.
a black porsche was suddenly infront of me.

The car window opened and lo and behold

"Hi miss, need a ride?" Sandro said with boyish smile.

I couldnt help but smile back

He was wearing a powder blue polo long sleeve cuffed to his elbow, khaki colored dress pants and his designer dress shoes.

Why does he look like this!! Hindi ko ko matanggal yung ngiti na naka- paskil sa mukha ko.

"Have you eaten?" He asked as he helped me buckle my seat belt. I swear he could hear my heart na halos lalabas na sa dibdib ko.

I couldnt answer i just moved my head. And he sped away. We walked by the streets where almost all the building were covered in lights. I was amazed . Natawa ako nung sabay nmin sinabi na magugustuhan ni Sandy eto.

"Were parents" he said. With a smile on his face. If hearts could melt mine was already a puddle in my chest

I smiled with him. "He's a smart boy, just like his daddy" i said to him.

"I wish, he is smart like mommy, pero yung good looks kay daddy" he said proudly.

I couldnt help but laugh. We spent the whole car ride talking about our wonderful boy.

He stopped at what looked like a pub. Nagtataka ako kasi this wasnt usually his style. He was more of fine dining.

He guided me thru and alley where we went down a basement and entered a restaurant that had a live acoustic band. We sat almost to the back of the reataurant. He guided me to my seat like the gentleman that he is.

I was staring at him trying to figure out how he founded this place and why he choose this.

"What?" He asked as he took his seat

"Wala naman, hindi mo usually type ang ganitong places" i said while trying to browse the menu

"Yeah, but you do" he said

I had to look at him but he was already looking at the menu

"Hindi ka masyado nakakakain when I bring you to fine dining restaurants" he added

He was right, sino ba nman makakakain doon ang serving prang pre-school kmakain.

"Pano mo nadiscover lugar na toh?" I asked, kinabahan ako kasi baka ang isagot nya is may ka-date sya dito. Hays huwag nman sana

"Vincent" he answered. Medyo nakahinga ako ng malalim nung sinabi niya yun.

He let me order our food and I asked him to choose our cocktails. It was refreshing since dati siya nag oorder for us.

I ordered baby back ribs with sides of mac and cheese and mash potatoes. He ordered cocktails ive never heard of pero masarap. I couldnt even taste the alcohol.

"Do you want more cocktails?" He asked

I smiled at him seductiveley

"Nilalasing mo ba ako Mr. Marcos?" I laughed trying to hide my embarassment sa sinabi ko

"No Maam, theres a little boy waiting for us that needs you 100% sober" he answered so innocently.

We finished dinner and I called manang na pauwi na kami.

I asked if we could walk a little across the block. It felt really nice to spend time with him, not arguing, not feeling awkward not drunk, no pressure from anyone else just us.

He agreed and we both walked in silence. After our walk across the block we decided to head home. I noticed him a little agitated? Maybe nervous? I dont know. Suddenly i felt nervous myself, i know him. Ganito siya when something is wrong.
What could it be now? After a perfect night? May mangyayare nanaman ba?

He opened the door for me and ive decided that im going to ask him whats wrong. Mas mabuti nang alam ko agad.

Pagkaupo niya sa drivers seat,  I called his attention.

"Ano iniisip mo?" I sounded worried, hindi ko mabago ang tono ko.

"Ive been thinking about what you said,that day in La union" he started... mas lalo ako kinabahan. Did I push him away?

I was about to say something when he started talking again

"You were right, i was selfish... i only thought about what I wanted not what was best for you and Sandy. I rushed you into getting back together with me without even  thinking if you wanted it too" he was looking forward. I was afraid of his words. What if ayaw na rin niya.

"Sandro" i said.  I was lost for words. I wasnt ready yet pero ayaw ko rin mawala siya.

"Eli, pwede ba kita ligawan ulit" he asked with the most hopefull eyes

I couldnt help it, i felt tears in my eyes, but I was laughing. Mukha akong baliw, but he wiped the tears from my eyes

"Hindi ko alam kng dahil sa accent mo ako natawa or the fact that we already have a kid at ngayon mo ako tatanungin kng pwede ka manligaw" i said still with tears in my eyes

"I knew you before, I want to get to know you now. Does that make sense?" He laughed nervously.

"I just want you and Sandy, whatever it takes" he took both my hands and kissed them

My heart was so full. With all the willingness in the world I said

"Yes"

:)