Island Series: Patricia Tan

Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Seven

"I'm not doing it."

"Akala ko ba gusto mong malibang?"

Umirap si Patricia kay Aliana kahit hindi naman nito kita.

"One time lang. Nahirapan ako maghanap ng blind date mo."

"I said I'm not doing it."

"Okay bye! He's waiting."

Inis na bumangon si Patricia mula sa kama at kinuha ang duffle bag nya. She's in Manila for two weeks because of her mom's death anniversary. Naka-book sya sa Lausingco Hotel for her stay. Tapos si Aliana, kinuhaan sya ng blind date.

Nagmumukha na daw syang losyang.

She work a red dress with a ribbon straps on the shoulder. Kinulot nalang nya ang humahaba na nyang buhok at naglagay ng konting make up.

Wala naman syang gagawin, papatusin nalang nya itong pakana ng kaibigan nya.

Hawak hawak nys ang black purse bag habang sinisipat ang loob ng restaurant kung saan nandoon na daw ang date nya. She has no idea of this, sabi lang ni Aliana, gwapo daw. May isang lalaking nakasuot ng black polo shirt at maong pants sa gilid na panay ang sulyap sa wrist watch. Lakas loob na syang lumapit doon.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes?" Anito sa baritonong boses.

"You're Nicolo Chavez?"

The guy smiled and stood up.

"Yes. Ikaw si Patricia Tan?"

She smiled also. "Ah, oo. Nice to meet you."

They both shake their hands, nilahad ni Nicolo ang upuan sa kanya. Tahimik syang umupo doon.

"I'm sorry, it was so awkward for me." Aniya. "Pasensya ka na din kay Aliana."

"No worries. Actually, I was the one who asked for this blind date." Kinamot nito ang noo nya. "Pakiramdam ko kasi, nawawalan na ako ng time."

"Why?"

"I'm a doctor, 24/7 nasa loob ng hospital but don't worry. The main purpose of this blind date is for me to find time for myself."

"Oh. Mahirap ba maging doctor?"

"Well, If that's your passion, you won't feel the burden." Ngiti pa nito. "Anyway, can I asked about you?"

"Sure."

"Order muna tayo. Baka nagugutom ka na?"

"Hindi pa naman pero sige. Baka kasi gutom ka na."

Sinabi nya ang order nya at pagkatapos ay sumimsim sya sa tubig.

"Ay, I work as a manager in Aces company, but before. Ngayon, may business ako." Aniya. Tumango si Nicolo. "And uhmm.. I was once married pero wala na, divorce na."

"It didn't work out?"

"Long story but to make it short, yes something like that, we didn't work out."

"That's part of the life."

Madami pa silang napagkwentuhan na dala ni Nicolo. He's fun to be with, madaming tanong at parang ingat na ingat pa.

"Would you like some coffee, uhm before we drifted apart?"

Sya na ang humila kay Nicolo papunta sa isang coffee doon na nakita nya. Pumasok sila at agad nyang naamoy ang aroma ng kape.

"One latte." Aniya. "Ikaw, Nicolo?"

"Double shot espresso."

"I'm on this." Ngiti nya pa.