She Loves Me More

Chapter 20

            

                                                 *****

LANCE

"Attorney salamat po sa lahat-lahat... actually dun pa lang sa pagsama niyo sa akin sa settlement meeting, nagtaka na po ako." Kristina giggled. "Yun pala it was already a sign that you were finally putting your trust on me..."

I gave her a quick glance. Maaga pa naman at meron pang biyahe ang MRT but here I am, driving her home. I tried saving my pride but it was instantly overpowered by my desire to spend more time with her. I could feel how happy she was and I wanted to witness every gleam in her eyes even by just quietly observing her. Hindi ko inaasahang ganito magiging kasarap sa pakiramdam ang makita ko siyang masaya. As always...cute, funny, talkative and pretty.

"...In fact, madami akong natutunan kanina sa meeting, ganun po pala yun parang pagalingan lang mag-bluff! Tsaka isa pa..." Again, she giggled. "Ang gwapo niyo pala kapag nakikipagdebate! Ang lakas ng sex appeal niyo! Buti walang nagkakagusto sayong kliyente."

I got flustered. Napalunok ako. Buti na lamang ay mabilis akong nakabawi. Whew! This girl has great talent in flattering people.

"Buti naman at may natutunan ka pa kung wala ka naman palang ginawa kundi titigan ang kagwapuhan ko." But I have greater talent in boasting myself.

Ngayon siya naman ang namula at napatanga.

"Ah...." she uttered while finding for a good answer.

Eto yung isang bagay na unique sa kanya. She's too vocal and doesn't hesitate to deliver her opinion pero kapag nahuli mo naman sa sariling bibig, she panics and her boldness easily shattered into pieces. She would instantly look like a lost sheep.

"Magaling kaya ako sa multitasking!" she exclaimed.

"So you weren't denying na tinitigan mo nga ako?"

Her nose wrinkled and she gave me a shy smile. "Eh totoo naman po kasi."

Tumahimik ako and quickly decided to stop the conversation. Kapag may lumabas pang pambobola sa bibig niya, baka mahalikan ko na siya.

When we reached her place, paulit-ulit na naman siyang nagpasalamat.

"Matutuwa po si Tita Rose nito! Sa totoo lang ay namomoroblema na rin yun kung papaano niya ako matutulungang ihanap ng bagong trabaho!"

I cleared my throat. "Kumusta na nga pala ang Tita mo? Nakakarecover ba siya ng maayos?"

"Oho. Malakas na po siya. Pwede na ho siyang bumalik sa trabaho kaya lang naghahanap pa po siya ng yaya." 

"How about the baby? Is he healthy?"

Her smile widened. "Ay ang kyut-kyut po! Kasing kyut niyo! Gusto niyo pong sumama sa loob para makita niyo?"

"N-No thanks. N-Naitanong ko lang." The thought of facing her aunt suddenly gives me an amount of inhibitions and nervousness.

Shame on me! Kelan pa ako nagkaroon ng inferiority complex na harapin si Mrs. Dakdak, a person who easily got rattled by my mere presence?

Ms. Bartolome said her final 'thank you' saka ito tuluyang lumabas ng kotse. I rolled down the window upang makita ko siyang pumasok ng gate but instead she remained standing in front of it habang nakangiti't may kinakawayan. Nakatingin siya sa bandang likuran ng aking sasakyan hanggang sa biglang sumulpot sa harapan ng kotse si Joshua.

I'm supposed to leave pero natukso akong pansamatalang pakinggan ang kanilang pag-uusap. Hinayaan kong nakababa ang aking dalawang harapang bintana.