Not Like the Movies

Chapter VIII

"Disappointed ka no?" Pabirong tanong ni Sela kay Arthur.

"Diba sabi ko sayo don't get your hopes so high."

"It' fine really," seryosong sagot ni Arthur. "I did not expect that chicken intestine could be this delicious."

Nilibre ni Sela ng isaw si Arthur at mukhang namangha ito sa natikman. Mayaman kasi kaya hindi pa naranasang kumain ng streetfoods.

"Ang sosyal lang ha. You know what, next time try mo rin yong ibang streetfoods."

"So my next time pa?" Casual na tanong ni Arthur.

He looked uninterested but he was actually considering the idea. It's another chance to get to know her. He needed to know the real Seletina Miranda. Para makagawa siya ng plano kung paano ilayo ang pinsan sa babae.

Sela thought for a while. Iba ang dating ni Arthur sa mga lalaking nakilala niya. Yumuko siya at napatitig sa isaw na kinakain.  His subtle way of asking her to go out with him was there. She was not certain if he just wanted to be friends with her or not. Nevertheless, she mentally chided herself. She took a quick glance at him and his expensive persona, then she got her answer.

"Of course! Since natikman mo na ang isaw, I'm sure you'll crave for more. So it's natural na may next time pa... " but not with me.

Arthur was a big contrast from her. Ang mundo nito ang ayaw niyang pasukin. Patrick was already enough.

"Eat all the streetfoods you want pero hinay-hinay lang dahil masarap nga sila but that doesn't mean healthy na."

"Okay," he chuckled. It was very manly. "So you live around here?"

She nodded. "Sa ikalawang kanto."

There was an awkward silence after that. Naalala bigla ni Sela ang inang pumanaw. Kung paano ito naghirap hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang hininga. At ito'y dahil lang sa umibig ang kanyang ina sa maling lalaki. She took a quick glance again at the man beside her.

Ganito rin ba ang ama niya? Naka-suit and tie. Leather shoes. Expensive watch. Sports car. At sa physical attributes naman: tall, dark and handsome. Brooding. Mysterious.

Sa pagtitig ni Sela, Arthur got the wrong idea. He thought she was assessing him to be her next 'client'.

Pumasa naman kaya siya? He thought bitterly. He cleared his throat to get back her attention.

"What are you thinking?"

Sela smiled sadly. "I just remembered my mother."

"Maybe nag-aantay na ang parents mo sa pag-uwi mo."

"Imposible. Ulila na ako. My mom died. Hindi ko naman nakilala ang papa ko."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."

That's a new information for Arthur. His secretary failed to include it on his report. Kunsabagay hindi naman professional na private investigator ang secretary niya. Isa pa, pinasundan niya lang ang daily routine ni Sela at hindi nag-delve sa family background nito.

"It's fine... Anyway salamat talaga. Sinagip mo ang buhay ko sa buwan na ito."

Tumango si Arthur. "We'll see each other again, right?"

Sela shrugged. Hindi niya ito sinagot at nagpatuloy siya sa paglakad. But one thing was for sure, there would be no next time for them.