Spotlight

CHAPTER 9

Rebecca

For 2 hours, I have known a lot of things about Freen. Though we only talked for some minutes and we literally spent most of the minutes in a comfortable silence.

She is a thoughtful and a sweet woman. Matapang at may conviction ang mga views and perspective nya sa buhay. She is full wisdom when she talks.

Mahilig din sya sa music at kumain ng kahit anong pagkain na gusto nya. These are the simple things she shared to me.

It's almost 12 mindnight ng mapagpasyahan naming dalawa na umuwi na. Wala ng traffic kaya mas mabilis na ang takbo ng sasakyan nya. Kasabay ng mabilis na pag- andar ng sasakyan nya ang mabilis na naman na pagtibok ng puso ko. Naiisip ko pa lang kasi na magse-separate ways na kami ay parang ayoko ng mangyari.

"Can you drive a little slow?" Bigla kong nasabi. Mahina lang ang pagkakasabi ko pero ikinabigla nya kaya bigla na lang syang napapreno. Dahilan para pareho kaming kamuntikan ng mapasubsob. Mabuti na lang at wala kaming kasunod na mga sasakyan.

"I'm so sorry Rebecca! Are you ok?" Natataranta nyang tanong.

"No, it's fine, kasalan ko...nabigla yata kita. I'm sorry." Ang sabi ko agad ng makita ang pag-aalala sa mukha nya.

Kaagad din nyang binuhay ang makina at mas binagalan na nya ang pagtakbo kesa kanina.

"Pasensya na talaga kung napabilis ako ng takbo. The road is clear naman, nasanay kasi ako ng ganun." Paghingi nya uli ng tawad.

"Drive slowly so that we can still be together."

"Are you saying something Rebecca?" Bigla nyang tanong? Did my mind say it loud?

"Umh, I'm not saying anything." Sagot ko naman.

Tumahimik na lamang ako habang nakatingin sa labas ng bintana. Hindi ko naman masabi na mas gusto ko na bagalan lang nya ang pagmamaneho para mas mahaba ko pa syang makasama. Hay Rebecca Patricia Armstrong, you are so doomed.

After few minutes ay narating na rin namin ang subdivision kung saan kami nakatira. Huminto ang sasakyan sa tapat ng aming gate.

"Wow you have a very big house, Rebecca." Paghanga nya.

"Com'on, pasok ka muna." Pag-aanyaya ko sa kanya.

"Maybe some other time. Medyo late na, baka maistorbo ko pa ang family mo. So, I think it's time to say goodbye for a while so that we can both get some sleep." Mahina nyang sabi at ngumiti.

"You can stay for a night. Masyado ng malalim ang gabi. "Pag-aalok ko sa kanya na sa bahay na namin matulog dahil nag- aalala naman ako sa kanya. Ano ba yan? Parang napaka-possessive ko naman. Kanina pinapabagal ko ang pagmamaneho nya, ngayon naman niyayaya ko syang sa bahay na matulog? What's wrong with me?

"Jan lang naman ako sa susunod na subdivision kaya ilang minutes lang akong magdadrive. Thank for the offer though."

"So...mmmm, t-thank you for this wonderful night, Freen." I said nervously.

"Thank you din. I enjoyed your company. I really hope that we can do it often despite of our very busy schedule." Masayang sabi nya.

"Madami pang pagkakataon. I better go now. Goodnight...Freen." Sabi ko habang nakatingin sa unahan ng sasakyan.

"Goodnight... Rebecca." Sagot naman nya at ibinaling ang tingin sa akin.

Nandun na naman ang tension sa pagitan naming dalawa. Para na naman akong napako sa kinauupuan ko. I don't know what comes to my mind when suddenly I turn my gaze at her and gave her a quick kiss on the side of her lips. At mabilis akong bumaba ng sasakyan na hindi man lang tumitingin sa reaksyon nya. Nagmamadali akong pumasok sa gate at para bang gusto kong kainin ng lupa.

My God, Rebecca...it's just a friendly kiss on the cheek. No, it's not, I almost kiss her on her lips. Almost. And so? What's the big deal? Oh, shut up brain!

Isang oras na akong paikot- ikot sa higaan mula ng makauwi ako ng bahay. Iniisip ko pa rin ang adorable face ni Freen at ang ginawa kong chased kiss sa kanya. I know na hindi naman big deal ang halikan sa pisngi ang isang kaibigan pero pagdating kay Freen, I can feel my whole system go crazy. Hinalikan din naman nya ako kanina nung nasa field kami. Ano ba ang meron sya at ganito ang epekto nya sa pagkatao ko?

Bigla na lang tumunog ang message alert ng cellphone ko. I immediately grab it at baka importanteng message yun. Sino bang magtetext pa sakin ng 1 am kundi ang manager ko or anyone from my team.

The message came from a number na hindi nakaregister sa contacts ko. I read what it says.

"You didn't even give me the chance to return the kiss you stole." With sad face emoji.

Damn! For sure, it's from Freen.

Bigla na lang akong napangiti ng sobra sa sobrang saya at embarrassment.

I responded.
"You're embarrassing me STALKER! How did you get my number?"

"Your beloved manager forwarded it to me since we have to work as a team for our magazine promotion. Don't change the topic!"

"What topic are you referring to STALKER?" Sagot ko ng pabiro at hindi na nabura sa mukha ko ang pagkakangiti.

"Never mind. Why are you still awake?" Freen responded dropping the topic. Good thing she didn't pursue the topic or else I will die of embarrassment.

"I don't know either. I should ask the same question to you." I responded.

"I can't sleep because someone stole something from me."

Oh no, she's opening the topic again. Just play it cool Rebecca.

"Oh no, you better report that to the police station. Hahhaha."

"Playing funny huh?!" She responded.

"Because I am really a funny actress, right?!"

"Okay, okay...Miss Superstar... we better sleep na dahil may mga trabaho pa tayo bukas."

"Don't think of me too much so that you can sleep well, Miss World. Hahaha" I responded. That sounds flirty.

"You're my biggest nightmare. Hahaha." Freen texted.

"Nah, I'm your sweetest dream. Try to hunt me in your dreams so that you can return that "something" that "someone" stole from you." Sagot ko naman agad.

"Hahaha, I'll do that. Goodnight, Superstar!"

"Goodnight, Stalker" Then, I closed my eyes slowly feeling more peaceful and happier than a while ago.

"Goodnight... Freen"

The smile is still plastered on my face 'till I was drifted into sleep.