Through Dangers Untold

Chapter Five - X

HINANAP NG MGA MATA NI STACEY SI RENANTE. Nang marating ang rooftop restaurant, hindi niya inaasahan ang pagsalubong ng lamig ng hangin doon. It was only the beginning of the summer, for Pete's sake! She rubbed her bare arms with her hands before spotting him.

Nakaupo ang lalaki sa isang seat malapit sa balkonahe ng rooftop. Pina-secure iyon ng salamin na pumapader doon. Sa likod ng salamin tumambad ang view ng buong siyudad. Stacey could not help dropping her mouth slightly open in awe, as she walked closer to that table. Kumikislap ang mga ilaw na parang mga bituin sa lupa sa kabila ng mahabang linya ng mga sasakyan dala ng traffic. Bumalik kay Renante ang atensyon niya nang tumayo ito.

Anyone would mistake this man to be proper. Magaling itong magdala ng kasuotan, lalo na kapag mga formal na suit. But for now, he was wearing black button-down shirt with sleeves tailored in three-fourths. It was tucked in his straight black jeans. Kapansin-pansin ang navy blue na blazer na nakasampay sa sandalan ng upuan nito.

"Not wearing a suit to work?" nadulas niyang bulalas nang pasadahan ito ng tingin.

"Yeah," swabeng saad nito nang maglapit ang mukha nila. Napalapit ito nang lisanin ang upuan nito at napadaan sa harapan niya. "Suits to work? So 80s." Lagpas nito para ipaghila siya ng upuan.

"Wow," was her sarcastic remark. "Pulling seats for ladies now, huh?"

"Are we going to argue again?" anito bago tumango para udyukin siyang umupo na.

She sighed and reluctantly sat. Renante gave her seat a gentle push closer to the table before he was seated.

"So," patong ni Stacey ng shoulder bag niya sa kandungan. Gawa ang bag na iyon sa rattan na may kadenang strap. "Nasaan na 'yung sulat?"

"You already had dinner?" abot nito ng menu card sa kanya.

"What makes you think I'll have dinner with you?" taas niya ng kilay dito.

"I suppose you have to. Unless you don't want the letter anymore."

She was about to stand up when Renante reached for her arm.

"Stay here," matiim nitong titig sa kanya.

"I don't want this. You can't force me to this dinner."

"Bakit ayaw mo akong saluhan?"

"Isn't this awkward for you?"

"Why should this be awkward? Old friends having dinner?"

Stacey scoffed. "You're insane."

Tuluyan na siyang tumayo.

Renante stood up as well. "Look, gusto ko lang makabawi."

She gave him an undereye.

"I've been thinking about the last time we've talked, Stace and I know I've been a jerk to you."

Umiwas siya ng tingin dito.

"It was me who initiated it. I took advantage of your feelings for me. I was wrong."

Nagnakaw siya ng sulyap dito. Was he apologizing to her?

"I saw that," panghuhuli nito nang alisin niya agad ang tingin dito.

Pinasya na lang niyang umupo ulit. Ewan niya kung bakit. Nakatayo na siya, eh. Pwedeng-pwede na siyang umalis. At ano naman kung hindi na niya mabasa 'yung sulat para sa kanya? That was written a long time ago. Tulad ng sulat niya para kay Renante, baka wala nang sense anuman ang nasa sulat na iyon ngayon.