Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Fifty-One - Priority

"SUNDAY? You mean, the Sunday tomorrow or Sunday next week?" kalmado na paninigurado ni Renante ngunit kunot na kunot na ang noo nito. Halos magkasala-salabit na rin ang mga kilay ng lalaki.

"Wednesday na ang flight niya, so obviously, she meant tomorrow," she confirmed drily.

Nakaupo sila sa maliit na table set na ipinuwesto nila sa harap ng makitid na balkonahe ng condo na kasalukuyang tinitirahan nila ni Renante. It was already seven in the evening, and their eyes were focused on the view before them—the lights of the metro. The twinkling lights moved back and forth because they came from the cars all lined up in the streets. The steady studs of lights could be seen from distant buildings and light posts. A few of them were bigger, for they were emitted from giant billboards and LED screens. Madilim ang kalangitan—itim na itim—pero hindi maaninag ang mga bituin dahil tinalo ang mga ito ng liwanag ng siyudad.

When Renante kept his silence, Stacey turned and looked at him. He seemed very pensive. She was assuming that he thought of something else, something not related with her mother's request. Napilitan tuloy siyang ibahin ang topic. Ibinalik ni Stacey ang tingin sa view na nasa kanilang harapan bago nagsalita.

"Will you still go to your favorite restaurant? The one by the rooftop?"

"Bakit mo naman naitanong iyan?" naguguluhang lingon nito sa kanya. Kaya nang sulyapan niya ang binata ay nagtama ang kanilang mga mata.

"Kasi, abot-kamay mo na rito sa unit na ito ang favorite view mo. Hindi ba, kinakainan mo lang naman ang restaurant na 'yon dahil sa ganitong view roon?"

Pinasadahan ni Renante ng tingin ang nagkikislapang mga ilaw sa ibaba ng gusali kung nasaan sila. A hint of smile appeared on his face that was touched by the soft yellow light from the nearby floor lampshade.

"Ayaw mo bang nagpupunta ako roon dahil naaalala mo na dinadala ko dati roon si Sonny?"

Wala siyang naramdamang kahit ano nang banggitin iyon ni Renante. For the very first time, she did not feel bitter by the thought that it had always been Sondra who he brings to that place before her.

"Not really. I am just wondering, gusto ko lang kasi malaman kung alin sa dalawang view ng siyudad ang mas nagagandahan ka."

"I really don't mind. They look the same," buntonghininga nito kahit magaan ang tono ng pananalita. "Both views represent Manila's finest. That's why I find it hard to leave this place, no matter how bustling and chaotic it is. You never see this kind of view in the province."

Nahihiwagahang napatitig siya rito.

"It's no different with how I feel for you. No matter how busy I get, or how chaotic life becomes. . ." He glanced at her and his eyes softened. They reflected the twinkling lights of the city that instantly made her hold her breath. "It doesn't matter from which perspective I look at you, I just can't get away from you. In any angle, you are still the most breathtaking view."

Stacey lowered her eyes and smiled. Ang tatanda na namin bumabanat pa itong si Nanting. Ang tatanda na namin pero kinikilig pa rin ako sa hinayupak na 'to . . .

She heard his suppresed chuckle. Napatingin tuloy siya rito.

"What?" natatawa niyang tanong. Bahagya siyang tumawa para bagayan ang ginagawa nitong pagtawa.

"Iyang ngiti mo kasi," nasa himig na nito ang panunukso, "halatang kinikilig ka."

Kahit may nakapagitan sa kanilang lamesa, inabot niya talaga ang lalaki para malutong na masampal sa braso.

"Aray!" layo agad nito sa kanya, halos sumiksik pa sa kabilang dulo ng upuan nito. "Boo!"

Umayos siya ng pagkakaupo sa silya niya at hinawakan ng dalawang kamay ang bote ng malamig na softdrinks na iniinuman.