All at Once (Absinthe Series 6)

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

All at Once

Hindi ko alam kung saan ibabaling ang tingin ko, sa harap ba ng sasakyan kung nasaan ang daan o sa lalaking katabi ko habang binabaybay namin ang daan?

I don't want to take his offer but the thought that I'll be spending the night in my cafe alone is a bit alarming. Nasubukan ko naman kasi noon na doon matulog pero hindi ako komportable, lalo na at sofa lang naman ang nandoon. At isa pa, kasal ni Raya bukas, kailangan ko ring makakakuha ng sapat na tulog para hindi ako lalampa-lampa.

"Have you eaten, Miss Divinagracia?" untag ni Rogan Zobel sa gitna ng katahimikan. Agad akong napalingon sa kaniya. He was still facing the road so I only witnessed his side profile.

"Kumain ako kaninang hapon," I paused and smiled a bit. "And please, can you drop the formalities?"

"Why is that? Are you uncomfortable?" aniya at sinulyapan ako.

"Hindi naman. I mean, we're just in the same circle of friends so I think it's better if we call each other on a first name basis."

Tumango-tango siya. I watched as his lips pursed a bit and protruded. Dahil sa ginawa niyang iyon, mas lalong nadepina ang kaniyang panga. I can say that Rogan Zobel is indeed a fine specimen. Nakatagilid pa nga lang ay napapansin na paano pa kaya kung haharap, diba?

"Okay, so I can call you Phaedra or Phae?"

"Phaedra na lang," mabilis kong sabi. Phae sounds a bit gayish for me. Napalingon ulit siya sa akin at tumaas ang gilid ng labi.

"You can call me Rogan then...or Rogue."

"Rogue?" I asked. "You want me to call you that?"

No offense but it sounds villainous to me. But I just kept my mouth shut because I think that opinion of mine doesn't matter.

"It's up to you. I'm comfortable with both names."

Tumango-tango lang ako at bahagyang napangiti. This is like the longest conversation I have with him. At ito din siguro ang pinaka-casual sa lahat.

"So," he trailed. His car slowed down a bit. "Would you like to eat dinner with me, Phaedra?"

My name sounded pleasant to the ears, especially when he emphasized my name. Hindi kalaliman ang boses ni Rogan at nasa tamang timbre lang. It's a manly voice that suits his gentleman-like aura.

Pero ano daw?

"Ha?" Mukhang tanga kong baling sa kaniya. Mabilis ang pagbaling ko nang makitang medyo traffic pa at tumigil ang kaniyang sasakyan.

"I'm starving right now. Ikaw ba, hindi ka ba nagugutom?"

"Oh," I pursed my lips. "Medyo. Pero pwede naman akong kumain sa condo."

Tumango siya. "Can you accompany me then? I'll be eating at nearby restaurant. Total kasama naman kita kaya itinatanong ko lang kung gusto mo. It's okay if you'll decline my invite."

Okay pa ba 'to? Nakakahiya na siguro kung sasamahan ko pa siyang magdinner. He offered me a ride and help to recover my dying car. Pero ang bastos naman din kung magd-decline ako pagkatapos ng tulong niya.

"Okay." I finally said. Sinulyapan ko siya at nakita ang pagkunot ng kaniyang noo. I cleared my throat and smiled a bit. "I'll have dinner with you. Pambawi ko na rin sa tulong mo ngayong araw."

"No worries. You're a friend so it's just right to help you when you needed one. Hindi naman kita pwedeng pabayaan."

He's not just a gentleman, he's also kind. Minsan na lang ako makakita nang ganitong klaseng lalaki. But I have also been hearing some stories about him as a CEO of the company. Masungit daw siya at hindi masyadong palasalita. I think he has a different way of dealing with different people. Ganoon ko kasi nakikita noon si Daddy kapag nag-aasikaso ng business. There are times that he's ruthless towards his employees and there are times that he's just calm when dealing with them.