Date
Danarine's Point of view
Tita's Ice birthday was successful. It's been four days since it happened. Masaya naman si Cams sa outcome because she prepared all of it.
"Did you bring your phone?"
Cams asked.
"No. Why?"
"Kaya pala ako ang tinatawagan ni Lance.. Here.."
She handed me her phone. Lance is calling. I slide the green button to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hi. Nasa school ka ba?"
"Yeah. Why? May problem ba?"
Why do I feel like this conversation is so familiar? It's like I am talking to Lei.
"Nothing. Just worried. I can't go there, busy pa kami sa recording."
"I've heard. You ditch classes today." I joked.
He laughed. I miss him already.
"I gotta go Dan. See you later.."
Hindi pa ako nakakasagot when he ended the call. What does he mean by later? He'll go here after the recording? I gave back to Cams her phone.
"Kayo na ba?"
"Maybe? I guess dating?"
"Hmm.. Okay. Just be careful Dan. He's very popular."
I know she's worried about me. Hindi ko pa rin alam ang status namin. I don't want to ask nor confirm it to him. I'm afraid..
....
Ang bumilis lumipas ng oras. Uwian na agad. I want to think that this is just a normal day. But I can't, he is already on the parking lot waiting for me.
"You in a hurry Dan?"
Our class President asked me.
"Yes. Why?"
"Wala naman, ingat ka."
He smiled. Nauna pa siyang lumabas sa'kin ng classroom.
I just ignored what he said. I walk faster than normal. I'm feeling excited. Ito ulit ang unang beses na magkikita kami after four days. Hindi naman ako pumayag noong niyaya niya akong sumama sa rehearsals nila.
"Dan! I missed you."
Nabigla ako sa pagyakap niya. Tinulak ko siya palayo sa akin. I look around. Ang mga estudyante sa parking lot ay nakatingin sa amin.
"Lance! Ang daming nakatingin.."
I said to him and widen more our distance from each other. Sumimangot lang siya at lumapit ulit sa akin.
"I don't care.."
Naka-cover naman ang mukha niya ng face mask and a black cap.
"Where are we going?"
"Date.. Get in."
Hinatak niya ako papasok sa loob ng kotse. We both sit in the back seat. May driver siyang kasama na first time ko lang din makita.
He instructed his driver to go to the nearest mall. Tiningnan ko lang siya, asking for answers. But he just smiled. He put his head on my left shoulder and hold my hand.
"Lance, pagod ka ba? Uwi na lang kaya tayo?"
I said to him. Gusto ko siyang makapagpahinga ng maayos.
"No, I'm fine Dan."
He said. Hinawakan niya ng mahigpit ang kamay ko.
The butterflies in my stomach are restless. Itong mga simpleng bagay na ginagawa niya ang nagpapakilig sa akin.
...
I already texted tatay Jojo na pupunta lang kami sa mall. I mentioned that I'm with Lance. Malalaman din naman nina Papa kung magsisinungaling ako sa kung sino ang kasama ko.
When we arrived at the mall's parking lot, he instantly put on his face mask and cap. Hindi naman siya naka uniform kasi nga galing siyang rehearsal slash recording.
"Wear this.."
He handed me his black hoodie. I give him a puzzled look.
"You're still wearing your school uniform. Baka hindi tayo papasukin.."
Ah right! Oo nga pala, galing kaming school. I immediately wear his hoodie. Umiling-iling lang siya. He's against of what I'm wearing. Maliit na portion na lang naman ng skirt ko ang nakikita.
"What?" I hissed.
"Nothing. Let's go."
Pumasok na kami sa loob ng mall. Hindi naman siya ganoon ka-suspectful looking, except to the lady guard on the entrance, she saw his face when she asked Lance to removed his mask. Mabuti na lang wala kaming kasunod kanina.
Nagpunta kami sa arcade zone ng mall. Ang daming tao rito, mostly teenagers like us. I think this is their hide out to release stress from school works. Maingay din ang paligid. Everyone are having so much fun, playing on the claw machines, basketball hoops and many more.
"First time?" He asked.
"Honestly, yes."
He laughed on my response. Dinala niya ako sa isang claw machine na puro pokèmon characters ang laman.
"Just wait here. Magpapalit lang ako ng tokens."
Tinuro niya yung malapit na machine sa amin na pwedeng magpalit ng from cash to tokens.
I stared on the claw machine. Ang cute kasi nung pikachu na stuff toy. I've seen video clips of people na sinusubukang laruin ito. But, it's so hard.. Mauubos ang pera niya rito.
"Uy.. Danarine? Miss kapitbahay?"
Sulpot nung neighbor namin na Lei raw ang pangalan. What is he doing here?
"Anong ginagawa mo rito? Nakikipag date?"
I scanned him from head to toe. He's wearing a formal attire. He looks neat unlike the first time I saw him.
"Kinda. How 'bout you? I think you're in the wrong place.."
I said to him. Out of place naman talaga kasi yung attire niya.
"Ah. This? Hinahanap ko kasi yung ka blind date ko. Hindi ko nga alam baka napag-tripan lang ako. Hahaha!"
Blind date? In this place? Weird.
I felt a hand on my shoulder. I look on my back and Lance is already looking on Lei. Ngumiti lang sa kanya si Lei. Nang iinis na ngiti.
"Kuya Lei, what are you doing here?"
Lance said. Wait what?!
"Kuya?!" I asked him.
"That's my older brother Dan.."
Walang kabuhay-buhay na sabi ni Lance.
"Leon Irvy Reyes, nice meeting you again Danarine.."
to be continued..
