Summer Sham

07 - Samgyupsal

Bree

Keith picked me up at around 10:30 AM. Sabi niya nagpa-reserve naman siya ng table na so that we can immediately settle kahit na lunch hours. Actually, it's kinda early pa nga. Pero gusto lang daw niya talagang umalis na ng bahay nila para makatakas kay Paula.

I just wore a pink puff sleeve top, denim jeans, and white sandals. I also brought a cute floral baguette bag containing only my phone, wallet, claw cip, house keys, sanitizer, and a lip and cheek stain. Keith, on the other hand, wore a black polo shirt, denim jeans, and white sneakers. He looks neat naman.

About 20 minutes later, we finally arrived at the place. Thankfully rin at nakahanap kaagad kami ng parking space lalo na't medyo makulimlim ang panahon. Compound-type yung lugar and the Samgyup restaurant was at the corner ng second floor.

"Your family owns this place, diba? Like the whole compound?" I asked for a confirmation while we were walking towards the building.

Keith nodded and said, "Yeah. But we don't own every store here. Only the Samgyup place, the Thai massage place, and the beauty salon. The rest are being rented by others"

"Mmm." Napatango naman ako habang paakyat na kami ngayon ng hagdan patungong second floor. "Is that why Business 'yung kinuha mong major?"

"Yeah, I would say. I mean, ako naman din maghahandle nito soon so might as well study about it." Then he suddenly looked at me while teasingly smirking, "Teka, how did you know na Business major ako? Hindi ko pa 'yun nakukuwento sa'yo ah?"

I glared at him sabay sampal sa braso niya, "Hoy 'wag kang assuming. Na-mention lang ng pinsan ko kasi nalaman niya na we know each other. Hindi kita sina-stalk noh?" I said while rolling my eyes.

"Hey, I didn't say anything about that," He said while raising his hands in surrender while still laughing.

Nainis ako kaya sinampal ko ulit 'yung braso niya. Ang tigas. Pero sana tumalab parin 'yung sampal ko. "Huwag ka nga!"

He just laughed hanggang sa makarating kami sa entrance ng Samgyupsal restaurant.

The staff immediately accommodated us and led us to our table where we sat across each other. Kilalang-kilala rin nila si Keith at mukhang maayos naman 'yung pakikitungo niya sa kanila bilang mga empleyado.

Sabi ni Keith, treat daw niya kaya nag-order siya ng unlimited pork and beef at bottomless cucumber lemonade. Sabagay, matakaw nga rin naman 'to.

While waiting for our order, tinanong niya ako kung sino 'yung pinsan ko na nagkuwento saakin tungkol sa kaniya.

"Ate Patrice Ciacho. I call her Ate Pat. Magkapatid 'yung mothers namin. Sabi niya classmates kayo nung high school."

He nodded his head, "Oh, yeah. I see. Si Pat pala. Yeah, I kinda also see the resemblance." He said while squinting his eyes and acting like he's studying my face.

"Ano ba! Huwag ka nga tumutok." Reklamo ko kasi he just stared at me.

He chuckled first then said, "Ito naman! Bawal tumingin sa mukha mo? Sige nga, takpan mo."

I just made a face habang dumating na 'yung order namin at inaarange ng waiter sa lamesa.

"Here's your order, Ma'am and Sir Keith. Enjoy!" Sabi ng waiter.

Aaalis na sana siya pero pinigilan muna siya ni Keith, "Ah Kuya Arnold, si Aubree nga pala. Bree, this is Kuya Arnold. He's my closest here. Siya kasi kinukulit ko pag nandito ako."

I just said 'hi po' and waved my hand at Kuya Arnold, tumango naman siya and then he left.

I got my chopsticks and started putting some pork and beef on the grill. Keith, on the other hand, started melting the cheese while eating some appetizers.