Lloyd Vincent
I took Stephannie to a nice restaurant here in Bonifacio Global City. Kung hindi man kami makakain sa Eiffel tower at this moment, a French date here at L' Aubergine would suffice for the meantime. Nakapagpaalam naman siya sa kuya niya na male-late siya ng uwi.
The interior of this restaurant was an understatement to its menu price with its plain blue leather seats and cramped up tables, but at least Annie would stand out from this place. This time, she wore straight and long brown hair down. Her off shoulder free-falling dress that ends at her calves made her fair complexion glow. It was paired with white stilettos, a brown bag, and a handsome boyfriend.
"Ito muna ang bayad ko sa Paris date natin, ha?" Pasuyo kong sabi sa kanya matapos umalis ang waiter na kumuha ng order namin.
She was visibly upset nang sumagot. "Ako nga dapat ang magbayad. Cancelled ang mga flight tickets at accomodation natin."
I looked into her sad eyes, took her hand, and squeezed it tight. "Don't worry about it, I'm sure we'll find another time. Kamusta na si mommy mo?"
"Kalalabas lang niya ng ospital, scheduled for physiotherapy. Napagkasunduan namin ni kuya na kami muna ang mag-aalaga kay mommy habang nagpapalakas siya. Kumuha rin ako ng kapalitan just in case, 'yong pinsan ko."
"So.. We won't see each other that often? Kahit nandito ako?"
"Well, pwede mo naman akong puntahan sa bahay para may doktor na naka-supervise sa'kin."
I rolled my eyes at her. "You mean I took a three-week vacation from my profession just to get more work?"
"Sungit nito."
Tumawa lang ako sa biro niya. Dumating ang appetizer at wine; Foie gras and Sauternes for the both of us.
"You're not wallowing in the apartment, aren't you?" Patuloy ni Annie sa usapan habang kumakain.
"I'm visiting friends. Pinoy din ako baka nakakalimutan mo."
"I know, nag-aalala lang ako. Sungit talaga nito."
Tumawa naman ako. "Hindi na kasi kita kasama sa apartment kaya nakakalimutan kong close pala tayo."
Tinitigan niya ako nang masama at inirapan ako. "Ikaw ang nagsabi niyan, hindi na tayo close. Nagpaalam pa naman ako ngayong gabi. Sabi ko hindi ako uuwi."
"Talaga?" May pagka-paasa rin 'to minsan lalo na kapag trip niya ako asarin.
"Hindi ba, hindi tayo close? Bakit parang na-excite ka?"
"Buti pinayagan ka."
"Sabi ko kay kuya tutulong ako sa kanya sa event niya two weeks from now. Sabi ko naman sa'yo tiwala lang."
"Let me know kung anong araw para makatulong din ako."
"Nagpapa-good shot ka rin?"
"Ayaw mo ba."
"Oo na nga, check ko ang date para may tigabuhat kami kapag nagkataon." Then her eyes widened as if a light bulb lit up. "Wait! Muntik ko nang makalimutan."
May dinukot siya mula sa bag at inabot sa'kin; isang black bracelet. It was made with black plastic strings and in the middle of it was an acrylic plate with her number engraved on it. She knew I could get light-headed sometimes and fainted on too many occasions, especially when triggers were present. She knew that I'm not comfortable dito sa Pinas and coming here was a big step for me but she was never nosy on details.
