"May something ba sa inyo ni Giorgio?"
Natigil ako sa pagbukas ng sauce. I looked at Euna, weirded out by her random question. "Huh?"
"You're uncertain, ha!"
"I'm not. Nagulat lang na nagtanong ka ng ganyan kasi... tinatanong pa ba 'yan?"
Suminghal siya. "Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? You mean, meron? "
"Wala. Really. I meant obvious naman na wala so I was confused why you'd asked," natatawa kong paliwanang sa kanya.
"You two just seem..." Umiling siya. Bumaba ang mata niya sa lamesa namin. "Mio dio, may ka-call ka pala! Was that your kuya?! I thought you were just filming our small after party!"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang maalala na naka video call nga pala kami ni Cosimo. Ended na 'yung call. It was ended just seconds ago. That means... he heard our conversation about Giorgio? He doesn't really know the guy so it doesn't matter.
"A friend," sagot ko kay Euna.
"Oh, you have so many friends, huh?" she said, not buying my answer. "Ba't 'di ka nalang nag-marketing course."
She smirked when she glanced at Louis and stood up to join them. Naiwan ako sa table namin, kumakain ng cheese pizza. They were taking pictures as if they were tourists. 'Yung mga albums na naka display sa wall at shelves, bagong lagay raw pala 'yun which I think was to attract more customers. Kanina pa ako nagphotoshoot doon. Nakaraming shots pa ako since it's my first ever visit to this restobar.
The pizza was still in my mouth and as I took another bite, I saw Giorgio going out of the bathroom. Agad kaming nagkatinginan. I smiled even when I was eating. He approached our table, as I had expected. Alam ko kasing hindi siya makikisama sa picture-taking.
"Hi, welcome back." Ngumiti pa ako nang makaupo na siya.
Nagtaas siya ng kilay. "I was only..." He sneered and didn't bother to finish his sentence, as if he realized it was useless.
"Only... ?" I encouraged him.
He glared at me. "Only out for a couple of minutes."
"Va bene." (Okay) I smiled more because he actually explained. "What time do you usually go home? Don't you have a curfew?"
"Dio..." he whispered to himself but one word was audible. "I'll go home now."
I watched him stand up. "Okay. Buonanotte! Stay sake ka pauwi."
Natanong ko siya kasi anong oras na pala. The city never sleeps but it still gets dark and we have classes tomorrow. Tataba na yata ako rito dahil ilang beses na ako kumain ng pizza, hindi pa rin tapos sina Euna. Patiently, I waited, allowing them to enjoy life.
Isa-isa silang nagpapapic doon sa may main spot. I bet my instagram feed will be filled with all their photos later. For sure, I'd do it, too.
"Damn, I look good," ani Louis habang naga swipe sa photos niya.
Nasulyapan kong tumigil si Stefano para sagutin ang tumutunog niyang cellphone. He stopped walking immediately. Lahat kami ay ikinagulat ang bigla niyang pag-alis. He waved a hand without looking back. Napamura si Rosette at umiling. I was confused why Louis laughed.
"Rosette, coming?" tanong ni Tullio kay Rosette.
"Si. So will Louis," sabay tingin samin ni Rosette. "Ciao, mwa!"
BINABASA MO ANG
Halfway Down There
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