All For Show (COMPLETED)

Chapter 02

Chapter 02

"Oh, my god. Nakakahiya ka," Jana said nang matapos kong ikwento sa kanya iyong nangyari kagabi.

Iyinukyok ko iyong ulo ko sa table against better judgment dahil feel ko ay madumi iyon. "I know!" sabi ko sa kanya. "Hindi naman ako nakainom kagabi kaya medyo weird sa akin iyong mga lumabas sa bibig ko."

Fuck.

Na-turnoff kaya siya sa akin kasi parang ang eager ko naman masyado? In my defense, I was pressed for time! It wasn't as if nilalandi ko siya just for the heck of it. I mean, yes, gwapo siya sa gwapo... but kung iyon lang ang reason, hindi ko sasabihin lahat nung sinabi ko kagabi. I would be more... chill. And calm. And mysterious.

But iyong last night?

What a colossal mess!

Kulang na lang ihain ko iyong sarili ko sa kanya sa lamesa. Iyong karamihan pa naman ng lalaki, based on experience at least, would lose interest the moment they see that they can easily get you. Or at the very least, you'll be put in the 'fun' category aka one night stands and fuck buddies and not on the 'serious' category aka the girlfriends and the future wifeys.

Man... why is dating so hard and complicated?

"So, what's the next move?"

"Next move?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes. Kasi ang tagal mong naghanap ng date, e. Ngayon na nakita mo na, what? Suko na agad?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Uh... didn't you hear me tell you the story of how I made a fool of myself kagabi?"

She just so casually shrugged. "I mean, I love you, C, but you were so embarrassing last night. But then again, sino ba siya? So what if owner siya ng bar? Don't ever forget na Creative Director ka ng biggest magazine sa Pilipinas. Never sell yourself short."

I pouted. "Love you," sabi ko kasi gusto ko talaga na kahit minsan kami ang worst critic ng isa't-isa, kapag ganito, kami rin ang biggest reminder what a catch we actually are and how we should never settle.

She faked a gag at natawa na lang ako.

"So, ano na nga plan? 'Di mo nakuha number, noh?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi, e. So far, ang alam ko lang ay siya si Pablo na owner ng Pablo's."

"You seriously think na wala siyang social media? Kahit facebook man lang?"

"I really have no idea," sabi ko. "But if wala, it wouldn't be surprising, to be honest," dugtong ko. "The man's phone is an iPhone6, Jana! And it's not 'di niya afford iyong latest phone. Kung pwede siguro iyong Nokia, iyon siguro ang phone niya! That man is wired differently, that's for sure."

Tawang-tawa si Jana. "Or maybe... we should go to Pablo's later. Na-curious na rin ako."

I groaned. "But I just made a fool of myself."

"And you'll make a fool of yourself again later for my entertainment."

"Wow. Thanks."

"No biggie," sabi niya.

"Bitch," I replied and she just grinned at me. "But seriously... it would be so creepy kung nandun ulit ako two nights in a row."

"So what? Nagsabi ka naman na kailangan mo ng date sa wedding. Sinabi mo ba na sa isang araw na iyong kasal?" Umiling ako. "Sabihin mo mamaya. Topic for conversation."

I groaned once again kasi ngayon pa lang, naiisip ko na iyong mga kahihiyan na mangyayari. "Fine... but no drinks for me later."

"Oh, no, no, no," sabi ni Jana. "I will pick you up mamaya. Dress nicely. Pakita mo 'yang legs mo. The little black dress? The one na sinuot mo nung company party niyo? Iyong halos magmakaawa na si Paul sa 'yo? Iyon ang suotin mo. Then you'll drink. I will be the designated driver as usual. Do your thing—just don't overdo it. If ayaw niya, his loss, to be honest."