𝐴𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠

19

I can feel that she's staring at me so I'm trying my best not to glance at her. "Psst uy. Kaya ba you asked me yesterday about my schedule?" She asked with a sweet tone.

I glanced at her finally, nodded and smiled. "Hmm... Yes." I answered shortly.

"But what is this for?" She asked again.

"Why, masama na ba if I wanted to take you out for a dinner date?"

She shook her head. "No. But you didn't tell me about this kasi eh"

"I didn't tell you because I wanted to surprise you. Tsaka para na rin hindi ka na makatanggi" I laughed as I threw out a humor.

She slapped my hand playfully and pouted with a bit of a subtle smile. "Hala kaasar ka" She said with her usual tone whenever she's being teased.

"Biro lang. But seriously speaking, wala I just wanted to take you out on a date. I know we're not yet together, pero you deserve this. This kind of treatment. You know, to be treated like a queen that you already are" I flashed her a sweet and genuine smile.

"Wala ka naman sigurong kasalanan 'no?" She asked and laughed. I shook my head then chuckled. "Thank you. I appreciate every effort that you're doing" She smiled.

"We're just starting. This is just the start. Better expect more, lalo na when we're you know. When we're together na"

"Well you don't really have to do this"

"Hmm maybe you're right that I don't have to. But I want to. Tsaka like what I said a while ago, you deserve this"

"But makes me think, we're not yet together and you're courting me pa lang, and yet ganito na?"

"O why? Hindi ba dapat ganon? Na sa courting stage pa lang, ganito na. Tapos syempre along the way yung consistency of treating you like this continues. Pero ayun nga, dapat courting stage pa lang you're treating the girl nicely na. Tsaka para namang hindi ka sanay? Ganito naman tayo even before. Also, hindi naman ito yung first time I took you out on a date ever since I told you that I'll court you again"

"Yeah, hindi nga first time. But what I mean is, aside pa dun sa I know na, may surprises ka pa like this. Isn't it too much? High maintenance levels"

I chuckled. "No, it's not too much. Don't worry. Kulang pa nga eh. Tsaka ano ka ba, dapat lang that you're treated in a high maintenance levels gaya nga ng sabi mo. Don't ever settle for less. You don't deserve to be settled for less" I smiled and caressed her hand but then the food came. "Oh here's the food already. Let's eat"

"Don't worry, your efforts won't go to waste naman" She said with a lower voice as she put on the table napkin on top of her lap. Fortunately I heard it.

"Ano ulit sinabi mo? Ulitin mo nga" I said with so much energy all of a sudden and an ear to ear smile.

"Ulitin the what?"

"Yung kakasabi mo lang"

"Huh? Ay nako you eat na. Don't let the food wait. Bad yun" She smiled sweetly.

"Ay ano ba yan" I pouted for a moment which made her giggle. "Sige na nga, next time na lang. Anyway, let me. Akin na. Ako na magsa-slice ng meat mo" I helped her slice her food.

"Better luck next time, Mayor" She giggled. I just shook my head while smiling.

We continue eating and enjoying the food with of course, chitchat on the side with giggles and laughter being heard around the room. Seeing her this happy to the point that even her eyes are smiling, makes me feel so satisfied. That everything that I do for her is worth it. Plus hearing from her a while ago that all my efforts won't actually go to waste, makes me feel these mixed positive emotions inside me. And of course, it got me kilig as well haha.