Palawan Strangers (CharDawn)

Thirteen

"Babe!" she sits close to him, "Coron, please?"

Richard rubs the back of his neck, "I'll think about it"

"Sige na, babe! Bring me there!!!"

"I'll think about it pa nga, I have to contact people pa to bring you there."

Her brows drew together, "Huwag ka nang mag-abala pa ng iba pang tao, just tell Doc Sylvia right away."

Richard scoffs, "Ha! Akala mo madali lang siyang kausapin? I'm a shy person"

"Ba't ka naman shy? May something ba kayo in the past?"

He laughs forcedly, "What are you talking about?"

Dawn continues, "Cute ka naman and pogi. Gentleman and super caring. Everyone likes you pa. Will that exclude your hot mama director? huh?" her eyebrows wiggled.

He scratches his head, "Diosmio, Dawn! Do you hear yourself?"

"What? Ano? Bakit ba? Anong masama kung may sugar mommy?"

Richard grimaces, "Wala namang masama pero I can't– " he sighs, "Ewan ko sa 'yo!"

Dawn laughs as she throws her arms around Richard, and leans on his chest "Please bring me to Coron"

"Fine" he rolls his eyes, "Okay, fine," he says as he kisses her forehead, the tip of her nose, sniffs her once more, and feels his very soul melt into her. If it would make her happy, then, yes.

Aga clears his throat.

"Pwede po bang mag-disturb?"

Richard and Dawn motioned to look back, there— Aga and Lea looking at them with a scrunching face. The couple had to smother a laugh.

"I think I need to go na po..." Aga tells Dawn then softly he adds, "Achi"

"Oh please, don't be shy with me," Dawn says.

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Richard walks with Aga to his car, "So... anong plano mo ngayon?"

Aga shrugs, "Wala"

"Huwag mong sabihin 'pre na hanggang ngayon torpe ka pa rin kay Doc Lea? Matatanda na kayo"

Aga rubs his hand over the top of his head, wishing he had the courage not to be torpe, "Sana naging katulad mo nalang ako, ang daling sabihin pero hindi madaling gawin. Iba si Lea eh, ibang iba talaga"

"Try her" Richard stares at him, his gaze probing, and Aga knows his friend would surely push him to pursue Lea, "Let me ask you— wala ka na ba talagang special feelings para kay Doc Lea?"

Aga meets his gaze; he is blushing and heat is starting to make its way up through his ears. He can't dare to lie in front of Richard, the man who knows him well, "Siyempre meron. Kahit noon pa hanggang ngayon special si Lea para sa akin."

"O, so anong problema? Ba't nagdadalawang isip ka pa?"

"Parang ayaw niya at ayaw ko naman siyang pilitin"

"Ayaw pa niya— that's the correct term. Give her time, nag-a-adjust pa siya sa bagong buhay niya"

Aga's lips tighten, nodding, "That's what I've been thinking"

"But even if you're waiting for her, don't stop pursuing her," Richard tells him.

"Paano kung ayaw niya talaga?" Aga turns his head, not able to look at Richard.