MY LOVELY STRANGER

CHAPTER 20: The Prince and I

Naghintay pa ko ng ilang sandali hanggang sa makaramdam ako ng pagkainip.

Nagring ang phone ko.

"Hello Chelsea. I'm here na at the mall entrance" si Zeus yun.

"Oh ok, pupuntahan kita dyan." sabi ko at tumayo sa kinauupuan ko.

"No, wait for me there. Saan ka banda?" tanong nya.

Sinabi ko ang kinaroroonan ko at ilang sandali pa ay natanaw ko na sya.  Patakbo syang lumapit at malaki ang ngiti nung nakita ako.

"Sorry, did you wait for long?" sabi nya.

"No. Kararating rating ko lang din" sagot ko, obviously lying. I don't want him to feel bad.

"Ah. Pero sorry pa din. Ako dapat ang naunang nakarating eh." he smiled at me. Showing his dimple. "So, let's go?"

Naglakad na kami para humanap ng makakainan.

"I want to watch a movie with you. Ok lang ba?" paalam nya.

"Hmm, wala naman akong gagawin sa bahay so sige." I agreed.

"Yes" tuwang sabi nya. "So, bili muna tayo ng ticket?"

I nodded.

To my surprise, bigla nyang hinawakan ang kamay ko. Magkaholding hands kaming sumakay sa escalator. I was too shocked to react before he even realize it. Heavy breathing.

"Are you nervous?" he asked later on.

"A a-bit" I replied. I don't know why.

"Your hands are cold" he said. Crossing his fingers into mine. He kissed the back of my palm. I gasped.

"I really like you" he said with a wink.

Ang puso ko bes!!!

Yung ibang mga kasabay namin sa escalator hanggang sa paglalakad ay napapatingin sa'min. I felt a little shyness but my proud heart dominates it. Ang ganda ko today, dahil sa pogi kong ka-date. Haha!

We chose what movie to watch. We ended up buying tickets of a romantic comedy movie coz he let me decide.

Pinili namin yung pang 1PM na schedule. Soon after, naghanap na kami ng makakainan.

We chose to eat steak.

"Paborito ni Tristan ang steak" he said while we seated waiting for our orders. "He said he can eat steak everyday for the rest of his life."

I just smiled remembering Tristan. Dinala nya rin ako sa steak house minsan.

I wonder what he's doing right now.

I shook my head. I'm such a disgrace. May ka-date ako tapos ibang lalaki ang iniisip ko.

"May problema ba?" pukaw ni Zeus sa pag iisip ko.

"Wala naman" I smiled at him.

"Nga pala, nagkakausap pa ba kayo ni Tristan?" he asked.

Napaisip ako. Kahapon oo, pero baka bukas he'll go back to his cold ass attitude.

"Baka iignore nya ulit ako. Nagtalo kami kahapon." I honestly said.

"Bakit naman?" nagtatakang tanong nya.

"Well" napatigil ako. Muntik ko nang masabi ang dahilan kung bakit kami nagkatampuhan ni Tristan. "random thing lang naman. Bigla syang nabadtrip"

"Is that so?" napakunot ang noo nya. "So nagkita kayo kahapon"

"Ha? Ah oo" I bit my lips. Oh no. I'm screwed. Baka isipin nya nakikipagkita din ako kay Tristan kahit weekend. "Napadaan lang sya sa shop" dipensa ko.

"Ah" he then smiled. "That's a relief"

"Bakit ka naman nya iiignore? I know him. Hindi yung basta mapapadaan lang. Unless kailangang kailangan nya. I think he likes you"

Dumating ang waiter. Served our food. He thanked the guy. He has really good manners.

"Ano ka ba. Hindi no." sabi ko ng makaalis ang waiter.

"Well let's see" he smiled. "How about I invite you to come to our party this coming Saturday night?"

"Party?" I looked at him.

"Family party. Pero no worries, marami din namang friends na invited" sabi nya.

"Hala, teka lang" hindi ako ready. I felt awkward.

He then realize I'm feeling a little uncomfortable. "Oh, sorry. Let's eat first."

We started eating.