Heaven By Your Side

23

Party

"Here, Miel." Tita Renee called.

After our appointment with the florist this afternoon, we agreed to meet and have dinner at Yamazato, a Japanese fine dining restaurant in Newport.

"You look so pretty." She complimented me while I was taking a seat.

"You too, tita." I said, and put my black leather bag on the chair beside me.

I'm wearing a white bustier midi dress from Chloé, while Tita Renee is wearing a grey short-sleeve silk blouse and black pants.

"I'm sorry if nahassle pa kitang umalis ng bahay while your feet is injured. I just really want to bring you here."

"It's nothing, tita. Gusto ko rin naman pong lumabas tonight. Thanks for inviting me for dinner."

Tita smiled at me, so I smiled back. Ito ang unang beses na kakain kami na kaming dalawa lang.

Maya-maya lang ay tinawag na ni tita ang waitress para makapag-order na kami.

"Their kaiseki and teppanyaki are really good here, Miel. But you can also order anything you want from the menu." She suggested.

"Then let's order both, tita." Untas ko tapos binalik na sa waitress ang menu.

"Sure, sure. I like that idea." Sang-ayon ni Tita Renee at ginawa rin ang ginawa ko.

The waitress, wearing traditional Japanese clothes, confirmed our order before she left. While waiting for our food, Tita Renee started telling me her and Tito Damian's love story.

"Your Tito Damian brought me here on our first date because he thought I was the kind of girl who liked Japanese cuisine, but to be honest, I don't really like it. I only eat Filipino or Italian food lang talaga."

"Really? What did Tito say when he founds out?"

Umiling si tita. "I never told him, kasi pag-uwi ko ng bahay that night narealize ko, ang sarap nga ng Japanese food."

We both giggled.

Dumating na ang pagkain kaya nagsimula na kaming kumain ni Tita Renee.

"Masarap ba, Miel?" Tita Renee always asked every time I'd try a different dish.

"Yes, it's really good po." Sagot ko naman lagi.

"To tell you the truth, never ko pang nadala dito sina Reece at Dakota. I think they know this restaurant, but they don't know that their dad and I have a history here. Ikaw palang ang dinala at sinabihan ko about doon." Tita smiled at me.

I smiled too. "It's my pleasure, tita. Thank you again."

We both ordered a vanilla ice cream for dessert.

"Does Reece Damon treat you well, Miel?"

Napahinto ako sa pagsubo sa aking ice cream dahil sa tanong niya. Dahan-dahan din akong napaangat ng tingin sa kanya.

"I know he's kind of aloof, and you can barely see emotion on his face, but he's warm on the inside. He's very responsible as Rei's big brother, but he's also reliable and mature as a person. I saw it because of how he treats you. He never cares for anyone the way he cares for you."

My heart throbs.

"Alam kong hindi siya papayag na pakasal sayo kung ayaw niya talaga, and I can't see anyone marrying my son except for you, beau."