I hit my head or fell off my crib when I was a baby. That's the only reason I could think of as to why I am this position right -- preparing for a date with Denzel.
I took one last look at the mirror. I'm satisfied naman sa look. It's just a light make up -- enough to give the impression that I didn't try that hard. Saka si Denzel naman 'yun. It wouldn't be awkward. I put my hair up on a messy bun and wore a off the shoulders long sleeves paired with a low-waist bell bottom jeans.
Saktong bukas ko ng cellphone ko, a notification from Denzel popped up, informing me that he's already parked outside my apartment. Snapping a quick photo to update Anneliese (who was equally kilig and unimpressed with where I stand with Denzel now), I left my room to open the front door for my date. Gosh, kakilig?!
There was at least a minute of dead silence bago nagsalita si Denzel. He was staring outright at me and I was starting to panic! Hindi ko ba na-blend maayos ang contour ko?!
"Ang ganda mo."
Nothing could have prepared me for the sincerity of his tone. He sounded like he mean it. I mean, I know maganda ako but it still hits different when it comes from the person you like.
"I know," I said to cover how flustered I am.
Napatawa sa sagot ko si Denzel. "Tara."
He held my hand as we walked towards his car. Like the gentleman that he is, he opened the door for me. He's driving nang mas mabagal as usual din.
"You can connect your phone so you can play your music."
"Talaga?" I asked, excitedly. I don't like car rides, okay? Music makes it bearable. I was just too shy to tell him. Ang disrespectful din naman kasi if I'm going to wear my earphones.
He chuckled again. Am I tripping or he's only like this when he's with me?!
Denzel guided me on the process. When I'm successfully connected, lalo akong na-excite.
"Are you sure I can play anything I want?" I asked again. "I'm a pop girlie through and through. Malayo music taste ko sa'yo."
"I'm sure, Yara," he answered, nakatingin pa rin sa daan. "I know you're an OPM hater. Di ka nga nasabay pag OPM tugtog natin e."
"Excuse me, no! I'm never a hater," I protested. "I grew up in Australia lang kaya hindi ako ganon ka-familiar sa OPM."
"Really?" This time, he looked at me. Oh gosh, ang pogi so much. I could kiss him right now. "Ngayon ko lang nalaman."
"I don't mention it that much. Makes me miss being there," I explained. Hay, naalala ko na naman sila kuya and dad. I miss them so much.
"Hanggang ilang taon ka ba dun?" Denzel asked as I finally played Maisie Peter's You Signed Up For This album.
"Fourteen," I answered. "But I'm happy here din naman. I could never get enough of malunggay pandesals."
Denzel laughed at me again. Do I make him happy that much?
He continued interrogating me about my life in Australia for another half an hour before we finally reached the destination. He already informed me about his date plan last night. The place did not disappoint.
Halos mapanganga ako when he helped me out of the car. In front of me was a camper van. Sa taas, may mini rooftop. May guitar sa side. Meron ding round table sa gitna na naka-set up for a casual dinner date.
Denzel opened the door to van. Sa loob, meron namang sofa and throw pillows. May maliit na snack bar din sa gilid at TV. It looks cozy.
"Perfect ba 'tong first date para sa isang writer?" he asked casually.
I nodded my head. Hindi ko mahanap kung ano 'yung tamang description to what I'm feeling right now. "I..I like it. Very much. I can't wait. Gusto ko nang i-try," I ended up spurting out. He's probably thinking I'm not making sense pero who told him ba kasi to make the first date this perfect?!
Denzel grinned. "It feels nice to make you speechless."
I can't think of a response. Ayoko rin naman makipag-banter. I want to eat dinner. And hear him play guitar. And watch movies sa television. And maybe make out with him if given the chance.
Inalalayan ako ni Denzel sa small metar stairs paakyat sa rooftop. He pulled a chair for me too.
Sa table, naka-prepare and shrimp dishes and wine.
"You know —"
"Your food highlights is full of shrimps. Of course, I'd know."
Oh gosh.
We ate the dinner while talking about random stuff. Hindi awkward. We still joke around each other and say our most random thoughts. Ang nag-iba lang, may mga pasingit nang flirty remarks. I was never a fan of change but I like this one.
When we finished the dinner, we stayed at the table for a little longer to drink wine. He poured me a glass before pouring himself one too. Princess treatment talaga from him.
"When did you start liking me again?" I asked. I don't know. I like hearing the story. He told me when 3 days ago and I still want to hear it again.
"Ganon," he laughed. "Gusto mo ng ego booster."
I chuckled. "I like hearing the story, bakit ba?"
"Nung unang hangout mo kasama kami sa bahay ni Sandra. Tumulong kang mag-bake nung carrot cake tapos natapon sayo ni Sandra 'yung half nung flour. Akala ko mag-lalash out ka kasi halatang kikay ka pero hindi ka nagalit. Tinuloy mo pa pag-bebake kahit may harina sa dress at mukha mo. Nung time na 'yon, interested na ako sayo."
He was so serious and in deep thoughts while telling me the story. Gusto ko rin sabihin 'yung moment kung paano ko siya nagustuhan but Anneliese told me to not tell him right away. Paghintayin ko raw to make sure he's serious. But I think he is... Just his effort tonight could be enough proof.
He wasn't finished wit his story and continued. "Tapos nung nagkatabi tayo sa room, mas lalo akong na-drawn sayo. Tapos ayun, na-realize ko na gusto nga kita nung nag-inom sa inyo. Ayaw ko sa makulit e. Lalo na pag makulit na lasing. Pero nung ikaw, ang nasa isip ko lang ay gusto kitang alagaan. Lasing man o hindi."
Napainom ako nang deretso ng wine. It was too much. I'm too flustered. I couldn't imagine a guy being this genuinely into me. I was used to the "kasi ang ganda" mo answers and not the paragraph one!
"Ang ganda ko talaga."
"I know," Denzel agreed. "Alam ko rin na response mo 'yan tuwing kinikilig ka sakin."
I only rolled my eyes but smile at him after. Baka kasi mataboy ko siya with my kamalditahan. Hindi ko na 'to papakawalan, 'no!
We finally went down to the camper's living area. He made me choose the movies and since I'm a romcom fan, I chose Set It Up — my all-time favorite movie. Bonus na si Zoey.
Habang nasa intro pa lang 'yung movie, I focused on finding the most comfortable position for watching. And huh, would you look at it, I ended up leaning on Denzel's shoulders while his arm is around mine. My safe place.
Masayang kasama manood ng movie si Denzel. He was equally invested as me as we watch the movie. Hindi na parang ako lang ang nag-eenjoy.
When I need to drink or a snack, he'd get it for me. Kapag naman may hindi siya naiiintindihan, I'd explain it to him. He also allows me to blabber my thoughts. Hindi rin siya na-ooffend sa mga opinions ko... It's just like we're perfect for each other.
Of course, this night can't last forever. Mabilis pumatak and 12 am. Naka-tatlong movie rin kami. My eyelids were also heavy na pero parang ayoko pa umuwi.
"Tara na," Denzel gently whispered. "Hatid na kita sa apartment mo."
I pouted. Ayoko pa talaga. It made Denzel chuckle.
"Late na, Yara. First date pa lang naman. Marami pang kasunod."
JE LEEST
Keeping Tabs and Losing Us (Highschool Love Affairs #2)
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