ICE CREAM
ALMERA'S POV
“Say 'ahh', wife” natigil ako sa paghiwa ng steak at nag angat ng tingin only to find out na nakaharap ngayon sa'kin ni Clark at may hawak hawak na tinidor at may nakatuhog na kaperasong steak doon.
I ate it hesitantly, a shy smile spreading across my face when he smiled at me. Then he continued eating.
I couldn't take my eyes off him, we're eating..
We're eating outside, this is one of my dreams and I can't believe that this is happening right now.
I feel so happy and contented.
Inalis ko agad ang mga mata ko sa kanya ng mag angat siya ng tingin nagkunwari akong naghiwa ng steak at isinubo ko agad iyon sa aking bibig.
Muntik niya na akong mahuling nakatingin sa kan'ya, nakakahiya!
Clark took me to a Chinese restaurant. The food was delicious, especially this steak.
After we finished eating, he paid for our food. And now, I can't believe what is happening right now..
We are walking towards Clark's car while holding hands, yes! Holding hands!
Nagulat nalang ako ng hawakan niya ang kamay ko kanina nang palabas na kami ng restaurant.
He held my hand, his other hand tucked into his pocket. Just a simple gestures sending shivers down my spine.
Habang naglalakad ay napadapo ang aking mga mata sa isang manong, may tinitinda itong ice cream.
Natakam naman ako ng makita kong bumili 'yong isang batang babae ng ice cream, muntik pa akong maglaway dahil ube flavor ang binili nito.
Ube is my favorite flavor of ice cream.
“Do you want to eat some ice cream?” I realized then that I had let go of his hand, and he was a little far away.
Naglakad siya papalapit sa'kin kaya ay mabilis akong umiling at mapasulyap sandali sa kung saan nakapwesto si manong.
“No, I'm not even sure if it's safe to eat,” I lied, my cheeks flushing. Ayuko lang talagang mag mukhang childish sa paningin niya. “Look, he's just selling it by the side of the road, so I—HEY! What are you doing!?” I was startled when he suddenly pulled me towards the ice cream vendor.
I tried to get his hands off me but he's too strong!
“Can I get one Ice cream” tumigil na kami sa paglalakad ng nasa harapan na kami ni manong at tumimgin siya sa'kin ”What flavor do you like?” he asked me seriously.
“U-ube” napakagat ako sa labi, sana naman hidi ito makabawas ng ganda ko.
Seryoso siyang tumango sa'kin at bumaling ulit kay manong.
“One ube ice cream for my wife, please” he said in a deep voice.
Taray, parang nasa restaurant lang kami. Natawa ako pero kalauna'ya namula rin dahil sa sinabi nito, wife? sh*t!
He immediately gave me the ice cream and we left right after he paid the vendor extra, because he only had a thousand-peso bill and the vendor didn't have change, kaya hinayaan niya nalang iyon.
Napailing ako, rich kid.
Pumasok kami sa sasakyan at ako naman ay ine-enjoy itong ice cream na binili sa'kin ng ASAWA ko.
“Ang sweet naman ng asawa ko” usal ko at dinilaan 'tong hawak hawak kung ice cream.
“Mm? Are you saying something?” I was surprised when he suddenly spoke, I must have spoken too loudly.
Tumingin ako sa kanya at mabilis na umiling.
“I-I said, this ice cream is sweet” I smiled awkwardly “It's so sweet”
Hindi parin nito inaalis ang tingin sa'kin, masyado akong nalulunod sa malaabo nitong mga mata kaya ay nag iwas ako ng tingin at iniba ang pinag uusap namin.
“Bigla umunit!” pinay-payan ko ang sarili ko gait ang aking palad “Why aren't we leaving yet? Let's go back, I have a lot of work and papers to sign” I said, trying to sound serious.
Tahimik kong nilantakan ang hawak-hawak kong ice cream pero ramdam ko ang init ng ginagawang pagtitig nito sa'kin.
“Tsk, you're grown woman but look at you..” he said, his tone teasing, natuod ako sa kinauupoan ko ng bigla itong humilig papalapit sa'kin.
Nag play naman bigla sa'king isipan ang nangyari kanina dito sa sasakyan, ang paglapit niya sa'kin at ang biglaang pagnanakaw niya ng halik kanina.
Napapikit ako dahil doon.
I felt something on the side of my lip, but I knew it wasn't his lips.
Akala ko hahalikan niya ulit ak—What the fuck am I thinking?! If someone could read my mind, it would be so embarrassing!
My cheeks burning with shame.
Idinilat ko ang aking mga mata at nakitang titig na titig ito sa'kin habang pinupunasan nito ang gilid ng labi ko, gamit ang hintuturo niya.
“Such a messy eater,” he said, his voice serious, his are gaze intense. I felt a pang of disappointment when he moved away from me.
Pasimple akong napahawak sa aking dibdib, ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, and he was doing the same to me. He even raised an eyebrow at me because I wouldn't stop looking at him.
“What? Are you expecting me to do something?” he smirked, looks amused on something.
But I couldn't smile at what he said. I felt like I had messed up.
I'm slowly.. loving this side of him, kahit na alam kung hindi ito totoo. Panandalian lamang..
We look like a real happy couple, and I'm scared of that.
“Let's stop this, I can do this anymore..” mahinang usal ko.
Bakit ko ba na iisp na gawin 'to sa kan'ya? 'yong deal? Masyado ko lang sinasaktan ang sarili ko.
At masyado ko rin s'yang pinapahirapan.
“I am giving you the—what is this called? butterflies in the stomach? That's why you want me to stop?” he asked using his voice playful, and his eyes full of amusement.
He was becoming more talkative, more open, and I loved it. I'm happy that he's showing me this side of him.
But..
Before I wanted to do things that I couldn't do with him, so that my life would have meaning before I completely leave this world.
Now I just wanted to be with him, to savor every moment..
At kapag nag patuloy ito..
Natatakot akong dumating ang oras na matatakot akong iwan siya..
Natatakot akong dumating ang oras na matatakot akong mamatay kasi gusto kong nasa tabi niya lang ako..
“Let's stop this deal, Clark” I finally said, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination. His playful smile vanished, replaced by a look of seriousness that made my heart skip a beat.
END OF CHAPTER 20
