"Why? What's your problem?" She asked curiously.
Nanatili ang pagkadismaya sa aking mukha. Why is opening a door for her such a big deal now? Fuck! I shook my head to get rid of whatever useless thing I am making up.
"Is this where you live?" I asked instead and looked at her apartment in front of us. I looked at their gate and it looked secured too. May mga street lights at may nakakabit rin na cctv.
"Yes, at mag isa lang ako sa apartment." She responded as she looked at it too.
My ears went wide with what she said.
Mag isa lang siya sa apartment niya, then that means...kapag naging kami na...we could...hmmm. I could visit her right? Papayagan naman na niya ako siguro kapag naging kami na?
"Why are you smiling like an idiot?" She curiously yet brutally asked again.
Kaagad kong pinaalis ang ngiti sa aking labi. "Nothing..." But she is alone. Is it safe for her? Secured ba ang lock ng kwarto niya? Ng main door niya? May malapit bang cctv sa kanya?
"Papasok na ako." She walked past me hanggang sa makarating siya sa kanilang gate.
"Thank you for driving me home." She coldly thanked me.
I looked at her softly and smiled warmly. "Go...I'll wait here till you lock your door."
And I have realized one thing today. Her voice is naturally cold, but her expression will make a difference. She looked so relaxed and relieved right now looking at me.
She nodded her head and that is when I remembered I needed her phone number. I am courting her now, so I should have her digits! And we will meet tomorrow as well, we need communication, right? The more I needed her number.
She turned her back to me and was supposed to enter the steel gate when I stopped her.
It is natural for me to get her number but I am feeling so shy right now. I feel like a thirteen year old boy trying to get his crush's attention. Fuck! I've done this many times so why am I feeling this right now? Of course, it's because Carmella is different.
I slowly walked towards her as I grabbed my phone from my back pocket. I stopped just enough between us and swallowed hard. Pakiramdam ko may bumukol sa lalamunan ko.
"What?" She coldly asked again.
Iniwas ko ang mga mata sa kanya at muling napalunok ng malalim.
"Your...number. I-I need your number." I stuttered, then handed my phone without looking at her still.
"What for?" She asked again at doon na ako napatingin sa kanya.
Why is she asking this thing? Mas lalo lang akong nakakaramdam ng hiya sa mga tanong niya.
"Of course. I am courting you now we will text and call each other." My answer almost came aggressively just to mask my nervousness and shyness.
Kumunot ang noo niya sa akin. "I am not a fan of texting and calling, if that's what you are expecting." And then she started typing her digits.
I kinda expected this answer from her and there is no problem with me. "That's fine." I reassuringly said.
I felt the excitement all over my body as she finished typing her number.
Woah! I really have her number now!
I looked at the name she typed in and was disappointed with her full name written on it. Papalitan ko to mamaya pagdating ko sa penthouse. I smirked at my own thoughts.
"Meron pa?"
Kaagad akong umiling. "No more. You should rest now."
Unti-unti siyang tumango sa akin at tumalikod na. She opened the gate and then closed it. I watched her lock it and then looked at me again.
I breathed in deeply. "Good night...please lock your door." I looked at her warmly.
Tumango lang ulit siya sa akin. I looked at her more and nothing really compares how beautiful she is in my eyes. Not even the full moon shining at us right now.
"I'll text if I'm home." I breathily said and eventually a warm smile made it to my lips.
I saw how she avoided my eyes then cleared her throat. She just nodded her head again and quickly went inside.
I watch her take the stairs hanggang sa makarating na siya sa harap ng pintuan niya. She didn't look back anymore and continued walking inside.
I breathed in deeply. My smile won't fade at parang baliw na akong ngumingiti dito sa gilid ng kalsada mag isa. Mabuti na lang at hating gabi na at wala ng tao sa labas.
I looked at her unit one more time at nakailaw na ito sa loob.
Nakarating kaagad ako sa penthouse. I layed down on my sofa and quickly opened my phone. Dumiretso ako sa phonebook at kaagad na pinalitan ang pangalan na nilagay niya.
From her full name I simply edited her name to 'baby'. Fuck!
Napasubsub ako sa unan para lang maitago ang kilig na nararamdaman ko. I could feel my chest rumbling and almost felt like my energy was back. It is already midnight but I cannot feel myself getting sleepy this time
Right! I need to text her now. Dali-dali akong umayos ng upo at nagtipa.
Ako:
I'm home. And have a good night.
I am already feeling good at its maximum level and a response from her could probably make me insane right now.
And so I waited. Hanggang sa wala nga, she really stayed true to her words. But that's fine. I am fine with it.
Maaga akong nagising kahit after lunch pa naman ang usapan namin. I need to exercise today. That is why I am in my personal gym right now, just inside my penthouse too.
I already looked good but I also need to be fit. And I have to remind myself to attend my kickboxing classes. I am still active with it at mas pinagbuti ko pa magmula ng may nangyari sa kanya sa bar.
I texted her before starting.
Ako:
Good morning! How was your sleep?
We will meet at 1pm in the same coffee shop, don't forget please.
I was smiling like an idiot while texting her even though I know that she won't reply. My phone is always on mute but this time, I made my text and call at full volume. I can't miss a text or call from her.
I started doing my stretching when I heard my message alert tone. Dali-dali kong linapitan ang cellphone na nakapatong sa isang bench.
I am still stretching, yet I started sweating as soon as I read her one word message, 'okay'.
My lips automatically formed into a smile. I cleared my throat just to surpass my smile. This is her first text to me so I will definitely treasure this one.
But wait...is this a date? I am courting her and we're gonna see each other outside today. Fuck! Is this our first date?
I suddenly panicked with my own thoughts. Wait...no it's not. I guessed? Because we are not going to talk about our status, we are going to finish our requirements.
Huminga ako ng malalim. I really get excited with my little things with her, but fuck requirements! This should be our first date.
I typed in my reply after daydreaming about our first date.
Ako:
I'll be waiting for you.
Linapag ko ulit ng cellphone ko at hindi na hinintay kong may reply siya. She won't text back I am sure, and her first text is enough for me.
All throughout my exercise I was feeling light hearted. I did my reps and cooled down after. I did my one hour routine exercise easily at nagpahinga saglit pagkatapos.
I made my breakfast around 8 when suddenly my phone started ringing. Kaagad kong tinigil ang pagkain at baka si Carmella ang tumatawag. But it was L, I disappointedly answered it.
"What?" I asked, irritated at his call.
"It's 8 in the morning Gaston, why so grumpy?" He asked, irritated too.
"None of your business. Why did you call?" I continued munching my food.
I heard him sigh heavily. "The chopper,I need your chopper. Mom and Dad went to Tagaytay and used our chopper."
"Oh! It's here today at the tower's helipad, bakit saan ka pupunta?" I asked curiously.
He suddenly went silent. Kaya napatingin ako kung nasa linya pa rin siya, and he is still on.
"Saan ka nga pupun-"
"Baguio" He cut me off.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sagot niya. "Ohhh! You are going to visit your fiance?" I teased him.
I heard him gasped. "She is not my fiance!" He shouted over the phone.
Mas lalo akong tumawa at mas lalo niya akong minura. L's relationship right now is quite complicated, that's the only thing I could say. But it's fun teasing him so I'll do it and don't really care.
"I'll be leaving by 11:30, so be early." I reminded him.
"Fine." And then he ended our call, irritated.
Mas lalo akong tumawa sa sinabi niya. He is really so easy to teased. He is quiet and almost nerdy with his glasses and good boy look...no he is not a good boy.
He is vulgar with his words and always cold with others. He won't hesitate to call someone an idiot and he doesn't associate himself with useless things and useless idiot people. And now that he has a fiance...I just don't know what will happen to him.
I spend my time choosing my clothes and preparing for our meet up. I was anxious as I chose my proper outfit. In the end I chose my light blue button down polo and black maong pants.
Natapos na ako sa paghahanda ng mga bandang alas onse. It was in time when L called. Kaagad ko itong sinagot.
"I'm here." And then he ended the call. He really has no manners at all.
I went to my main door and opened it. And he is there with his personal pilot.
Nakasimangot siya sa akin kay ngumiti ako ng malawak. He looked at me strangely as I smiled lightly at him.
"What?! Sa helipad na tayo." I closed my door at nauna ng maglakad.
Kaagad ko namang naramdaman ang pagsunod nila sa akin sa elevator. We got in and chose the rooftop.
"Why are you smiling like that?" He asked weirdly again.
Napatingin ako sa kanya na nakangiti pa rin. "Like what?"
"As much as I can remember, you weren't like this the other day, you were grumpy as hell!" He explained.
Mas lalo akong ngumiti sa kanya at doon na nanlaki ang mga mata niya. We got out at nakita na ang helicopter na nasa gitna.
"Don't tell me, you and Ada are an item again?!" He is not just a nerd when it comes to studying but also with gossip.
Malala rin siya kagaya ni Peter at Gunner. I won't give him any tea.
"Aalis ka na ngayon o babawiin ko na?" I asked him seriously.
He piercingly looked at me. "I'll pray to all Gods, she won't like you." And with his last words he marched towards the helicopter.
I just waved at him and as snubbed as he was, he just looked at me like I'm a piece of shit.
Hinintay ko silang makaalis bago ako bumalik sa loob. I looked at my wrist watch at malapit ng mag 11:30. It is still early but I am too excited, I should be there 1 hour in advance. And I need to get her some flowers too, whether we are dating or not. I am courting her now, and it is just normal to give her flowers.
Kaya naman ng matapos na akong naghanda ay muling kong tiningnan ang kabuuan ko sa salamin. I smelled myself and I still smell good. I felt content with my overall look and I went out.
I checked my face again on the reviewer mirror after settling myself inside my car. I felt really anxious and no one can blame me. I breathed in deeply and I needed to stop at a flower shop too.
Kaagad akong nakakita ng malapit lang at kaagad na bumaba. I went inside the shop at kaagad namang may lumapit sa akin na staff.
"Good morning, Sir! What can I do for you?" An old lady asked politely.
I looked at the displayed bouquets and flowers to choose from. What should I give her? And it is my first time buying one for a girl, except my mom of course.
Tumingin ako sa staff. "Uhmmm, I am courting someone now. What should I give her po?" I asked politely.
"Ohhh...white roses is the right one, Sir." She enthusiastically responded.
"I'll get one bouquet then." I looked at my wrist watch again at may oras pa naman ako.
They fixed my order quickly habang umupo na lang muna ako sa waiting area. Natapos rin kaagad at nagbayad na ako sa cashier.
I got in my car and placed the bouquet on the passenger seat. I wanted to give her a huge bouquet but she might not accept it, baka isampal niya lang sa akin. She might think it's expensive, so I need to play safe.
Naging madali na ang biyahe ko at nakarating rin kaagad. I looked at my wrist watch again at mag aalas dose pa lang.
I parked my car and went out with the bouquet. There are few students in their dahil katapusan na ng school year. Kung dati ay sa labas lang kami noon gumawa ng summary, I should choose now an exclusive room for us. Or should I ask her first which will make her more comfortable?
And so, I waited at one of the tables instead.