No Strings Attached

-4-

"Sa restaurant ni Chris." She smiled.

Napakunot bigla ang noo ko. "Who's Chris? Parang last week lang eh may Lance ka." I snorted. I can't believe I managed to recall the guy she was with at the bar.

"Classmate ko lang siya sa Law School at may-ari naman ng restaurant yung ate niya." She explained. I rolled my eyes in annoyance. It seemed like she knew a lot of people here in Metro Manila. She's friendly... too friendly that sometimes, it irritates me already.

"Tsk," I scoffed as I continued driving.

We went inside the restaurant together. It's classy  but the ambiance is calming and homey. I also took notice that they have a lot of customers. I was looking around when someone spoke.

"Brunch, Ma'am, Sir?" The waiter smiled politely. Nagkatinginan kami ni Eleanor at tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay.

"Uhm, yeah."

"For the two of you, Ma'am?" The waiter smiled knowingly.

"Actually, hindi. May ibang kakausapin to." She pointed at me.

"Naku, Ma'am. Sorry po pero isang table for two na lang ang available. Sunday po kasi ngayon eh at madami po talagang cutomers kapag weekend." I didn't speak because I was just watching Eleanor.

"Ganito na lang. Siya na lang ang kunan mo ng table. Makikipag-usap na lang ako―"

"No, it's fine. We'll have that table for two. Gutom na ko eh. Ikaw ba hon, di ka pa gutom?" I interrupted Eleanor at inakbayan siya. Nakita kong natawa naman samin yung waiter. Tinanguan ko lang ito.

Eleanor gaped before glaring at me. "Ano bang ginagawa mo? Hindi tayo ang magdedate!" she hissed, "Hahanapan kita ng mmmm! Mmmhhmmhhmm!!" I covered her mouth with my hand before forcing a smile to the waiter.

"We'll take that table for two. Magkasama naman talaga kami." The man nodded before leading us to the table. That's when I realize that most of the customers here are couples or family. It's clearly not a restaurant for single people like me. Or her.

We made orders as soon as we settled on our table. Pagkaalis naman na pagkaalis nung waiter, Eleanor punched me in my arm.

"Sht." I muttered under my breath. Why is her hand as strong as that? She's brutal.

I kept a straight face while she was glaring at me non-stop. I sighed, "I'm hungry, you're hungry. Now get it over with. Stop glaring at me." But like the usual Eleanor, she didn't budge. She punched me in my arm again.

"Woman, stop being brutal." I hissed with gritted teeth.

"Mukha mo. Bwisit ka! O pano na yan? Eh ikaw nga yung dapat hanapan natin ng date eh."

"Hindi na ba kita ka-date ngayon?" She was taken aback by my rhetorical question. I had to stop the smile that was about to spread across my face. Damn she's just amusing. Eventually, she glared at me before sighing again. Okay, you can guess it. Siyempre pagkatapos niyang bumuntong hininga, nakangiti na naman.

"Hay nako, Chance baby. Kung sinasabi mo na lang na ako pala ang gusto mong maka-date, edi no problem! Ayiiee... crush mo pala talaga ako eh." She chuckled.