The Love Project: Make Her Smile

Chapter Ten

Hindi na lang niya ito pinansin at nagmaneho na. The whole drive was quiet. No one dared to start a conversation. Parang wala rin siya sa mood magsalita. Gumising siya ng maaga para matapos na ang pinapagawa sa kanya. May nauna naman ng imbestigasyon tungkol sa kaso, hindi lang natapos kasi nagkaroon ng emergency. Nanganak kasi yung misis nung lawyer na naunang na-assign sa kaso. She is tired and the silence in the car made her a little relaxed. She was busy driving and Enzo was busy sleeping.

Nang makakita siya ng gas station, itinabi muna niya ang sasakyan. Naiihi na siya. Napatingin siya sa lalaking kasama niya. He was comftably leaning and his eyes were shut close. His sleeves were curled up to his elbow and his tie was loosened. His coat was folded, and he used it as a pillow.

Mababa siguro para sa kanya yng sandalan. Sabagay ang tangkad niya kasi.

“How’s the inspection? Gwapo ba?” she was a bit shocked ng magsalita ito.

Gising pala ang hudyo!

“Woah, you even stopped the car just to focus on admiring my handsome face. Sabagay baka nga naman maaksidente tayo kung hindi ka tatabi.” He was grinning from ear to ear. She matched his grin and flashed her oh-so-sarcastic smile.

“Don’t flatter yourself too much. I need to use the toilet. Bantayan mo ang sasakyan ko.”

“Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.”

Did I hear it right? I just give him a mocking look.

“I mean your car. Your car is safe with me.” Another mischievous grin was flashed in his lips. She just ignored it and went to the comfort room.

“ANO NA NAMAN BANG KALOKOHAN TO?” para siyang lola ko na handa akong paluin dahil sa kakulitan ko. Napansin kong pagod ang mga mata niya. Her eyes looks like it haven’t had a proper sleep. Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon ng magpaalam siyang gagamit ng banyo. I took all her stuff at the back seat. Umupo na rin ako sa driver’s seat para hindi na siya maka-alma.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko siya tinawagan at basta na lang nagpasundo. Uuwi sana ako sa bahay kanina para kumuha ng sasakyan, pero mas may magandang kalokohan ang pumasok sa isip ko. I took my phone and called her.

“Just get inside.” Wala na siyang nagawa kundi sumakay. I can feel her cold stare so I decided to explain. “Ang bagal mo magmaneho. Aabutin tayo ng siyam-siyam sayo.” When I looked at her, she was murmuring.

“Whatever! Edi ikaw na mabilis magmaneho. Kala mo naman champion car racer. Pilingero lang naman.”

Nagpanting ang tenga ko sa narinig ko. Hindi ba niya ko kilala?

I’m a professional car racer!

“Saang tribo ka nakatira? Hindi ba abot ng kahit anong istasyon ang lugar niyo?” Minamaliit ako ng babaeng to. Well, papakitaan ko siya. “Wag kang lalabas ng sasakyan mo. Wag ka ring lilipat sa kahit saang pwesto. One wrong move and I’ll leave you here.”

I checked the tires, pinadagdagan ko ng hangin. Mukang kaka-full tank lang ng kotse niya. Ch-in-eck up ko ang sasakyan niya ng madalian. Parang namiss kong magmaneho.

“What’s with you?” tanong niya pagsakay ko.

“Papaliparin ko yung sasakyan mo.” Napanganga pa siya ng kindatan ko siya. “At magpapakilala rin ako sayo.”  

PARA KONG IPINAGHEHELE. Hindi man lang ako nakakaramdam ng kahit anong kaba. Pero pumapalo ng 220 ang takbo namin. Juskes! Kung kasama namin si Bes, malamang naghihisterya na yun.

His driving skills are just so grand. Pakiramdam ko nakikipagkarera kami at kumakain na ng alikabok ang mga kalaban namin kahit nakasarado ang mga bintana nila at aspalto ang kalsada. Ang nakakaloko pa, pakanta-kanta pa siya. Walang bahid ng takot yung mukha niya. Wala man lang kahit anong kaba na mababakas sa mga mata niya. He’s driving so fast, like it was just a piece of cake. He’s even tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. Excitement and thrill is evident in his eyes. Sa sobrang confident niya magmaneho, wala kong nararamdamang takot.