All at Once (Absinthe Series 6)

Kabanata 23

Kabanata 23

All at Once

It has been a while since I dated a guy. Nagtagal ng apat na taon ngunit ang mga nahuling araw sa apat na taong iyon ay puro lang naman kalungkutan ang hatid sa akin.

Dating wasn't my thing. Ilap ako sa mga lalaki lalo na at conscious din naman ako sa aking ginagawa. They might find my habit weird, hence, they won't even approach me. Kaya, matagal-tagal na rin. And I don't know how to act like a woman who's dating a guy, let alone someone like Rogan.

The dating was his idea but if it wasn't for my answer, it won't happen. My curiosity filled me, as well as what I feel about him, that's why, I loosened up and gave myself a chance to experience being happy again with another man. Sa tingin ko naman, deserve ko iyon kahit pa, ang tingon ko sa sarili ko ay hindi naman karapat-dapat iyon sa akin.

Dating again was quite new to me. Natural lang ba na maging conscious sa pananamit? If your partner is someone like Rogan, you'll force to wear something more decent and fancy. Iyon lang ang naiisip ko habang nakatingin ako sa hilera ng aking mga damit na nakasampay.

I'm going to work and I really prefer my usual working clothes but Rogan will come visit later after work. Sa tingin ko nga ay may pupuntahan kami kaya nasisiguro kong kailangan kong magsuot ng maganda.

I pursed my lips. I tried to get a dress. Humarap ako sa salamin at ibinagay iyon sa aking katawan. I pouted a bit when I realized it was too fancy. Magt-trabaho ako buong araw at sobra-sobra naman kung ganito ang suot ko? But I do wear dresses at work, just not this one that's too sexy for my liking.

"Just stick with simple, Phaedra." I whispered to myself.

In the end, I chose to wear a dark colored lady's polo shirt and boyfriend jeans. Nagpares na lang ako ng sandals na may takong para naman ang lagay ko ay casual din. I sprayed on a little bit of perfume and put a clip on my hair. Kung tutuusin, humaba na nga ang aking buhok. Kalangan ko na namang bawasan.

I went to work on my usual time. Hindi naman gaanong busy at sa tingin ko next week pa dahil malapit ng mag-end ang semester ng mga college students. I think they'll have their semestral break on the end of October.

Nakangiti lang akong nags-serve sa mga customers na pumipila. It's a good thing I wore pants to be flexible. Mas malaya talaga akong nakakagalaw kapag nakapantalon. At hindi naman siguro masyadong importante kay Rogan kung ano ang susuotin ko? I mean, he doesn't comment on things like clothes, I guess. Basta siguro nakadamit ako ay okay na?

I chuckled inwardly at that thought. Nagpatuloy ako sa pagpunas ng counter dahil sa naiwang bakas ng malamig na cup kanina.

"Good morning." The familiar voice made me look up. Agad kong napigilan ang malawak kong ngiti.

Inalis ko na ang pamunas doon at itinabi. Humarap ako kay Rogan at itinago ang mga kamay sa aking likuran.

"Good morning. What will you have?"

"I'll have the usual," aniya. Tumango naman agad ako at nagtipa sa keyboard.

"What time are you going to eat lunch?" tanong niya habang inaasikaso ko ang kaniyang order. Napatingin muna ako sa kaniya.

"Twelve, but if you want us to have lunch together, I could end here early."

Tumango siya. "Okay. Is Casa Gomez okay with you?"

"Ang layo pa ng next branch. We can just settle for a Korean lunch nearby. I'm suddenly craving for meat." I smiled at him.

He licked his lower lip and nodded. "Okay," tinitigan niya pa ako sa mukha. "You look beautiful by the way."