"You're right. Tara, may pupuntahan tayo." Bago pa ako makapag-react, nahila na ako ni Eleanor pabalik sa kotse niya. Siya pa ang nagdrive.
We then arrived at Commander Shooting Range in Cubao. I was still not able to react when she practically dragged me inside. An attendant started giving instructions before the shooting begins.
Then they gave us all that we needed, including the goggles and the ear muffs. When I turned to Eleanor, she was just watching me. I made a face. What are we doing at a place like this?
"Why am I here?"
"Idaan mo na lang sa pagbaril yang inis mo. Para mabawas-bawasan ang 'Kasungitan ni Chance' Syndrome mo." Ano daw? Kasungitan Syndrome? What the hell was that?
"Kung ano-ano yang iniimbento mo." I snorted. I reached for the gun and wore the ear muffs and goggles. I turned to my target which was a few feet away from me. Sinunod ko lang yung mga instructions nung Attendant.
"Hindi ko alam kung effective pero ito kasi ginagawa ko. Try mo." I nodded before pointing my gun to the fake human target. Nakatama naman kaya tuloy-tuloy lang yung pagbaril ko. I only stopped when the gun powder was everywhere that I could almost taste it.
"Galing ni Chance baby. May pinaghuhugutan kasi." I heard her laugh. I placed the gun down before turning to her. She was just watching me with that weird smile on her face.
"I'm done here."
"Okay ka na?"She asked, smiling. Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay. What is she thinking anyway? I'm not that shallow. She thanked the staff who was attending to us earlier before turning to me.
"Sungit as ever. Anyway, pwede bang ngumiti ka?" I didn't move an inch.
"Uy, ngumiti ka nga."
"I don't want to." Eleanor pouted and without even knowing, I was smiling while watching her. I can't help it. She looked ridiculous. Though, she's still pretty.
"Oh my God! Ngumiti ka!" Napatalon siya sa tuwa. Ano bang ipinaglalaban niya kung ngingiti ako? Why should I even smile?
"You should always smile. Tumataas kaya ng kahit konti ang kasiyahan mo." She pinched my cheek. I was only looking at her. Naguguluhan ako sa kanya. Why is she even doing this? I can still live my life even when I'm lonely.
"Uwi na tayo?" she asked. She gave me that spontaneous smile again and I have to remind myself how beautiful she is. Her eyes were deep and expressive. Medyo chinita. Her cheeks are always flushed kahit hindi naman nakablush-on at kapag ngumiti siya, buong mukha niya yung nakangiti.
"Never ka pa bang nagkaboyfriend?" I blurted. I was wondering about that for a while now. I didn't think Eleanor was the sweet type of woman who prefers to be taken care of. Even if she'd kiss me on the cheek before waving goodbye, I don't count it as her sweet gesture. She's just friendly like that.
"Uyy, curious siya. Meron naman. Hindi na uso ang NBSB."
"Why did you broke it off?"
"He's being clingy. I didn't want to be suffocated." I nodded in understanding. So that's what she doesn't like? Clingy guys?
YOU ARE READING
No Strings Attached
General Fiction[For my beloved Chance Lucas Sandoval] Chance Lucas Sandoval meets Eleanor Kai Gonzales in the most unlikely place, and you can guess that the most unlikely thing happens. He agrees to date other women, as Eleanor has stated, to help him move on wit...
