Chapter 71
"Girl, congrats!" Mitch yelled over the phone.
I tried to compose myself as I hold my chest. Pakiramdam ko ay sasabog ako sa sobrang saya. "Tongyang tayo mamayang lunch. Early out ako sabi ni boss," I told her. My face is so puffed because I've been trying to hide my excitement all this time. I want to scream my heart out. Pero nagpipigil ako dahil ayaw kong patunayan ang hula ng mga officemates ko na weird ako.
"Sagot mo?" she asked. I could imagine the silly grin in her face.
"Oo naman! Kita tayo sa Megamall. 11:45pm. Don't be late. I'm a professional woman with a busy schedule," I kidded.
I ended the phone and fixed my things. Before I even had the chance to took an out with the clock, my officemates congratulated me as well.
"Wow, Hontiveros. Congratulations," Kai said.
"Thanks." I smiled.
"Lunch?"
"Nope." I shook my head. "May date ako."
His eyes widened. "I thought you don't have a boyfriend."
"Sinong nagsabi?" I winked at him. He stood quiet. I walked past by him and grinned. Who says you can't date your best friend, anyway?
Nag-taxi na ako papunta sa Megamall. I personally chose it because it's more convenient for her. Sinabi niya kasi sa akin na mayroon siyang meeting with a client this morning doon lang din.
Nakarating ako sa Atrium nang 11:30. Pumasok na ako agad sa Tongyang, and to my surprise, nandoon na siya at malapad ang ngiti sa akin nang matanaw niya ako.
"Early bird," I commented upon having my seat.
"Naman! Mahirap na. Baka hindi mo pa bayaran ang lalamunin ko," she said. After a minute or two, we already had our food.
"Eat all you can until you puke," I told her.
"Huwag ako, kaibigan. Kilala mo ang bituka ko," she stated a matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, right." I rolled my eyes. Puro sea foods ang kinuha ko. Nagluto din ako ng gulay na may shrimps. Light lang dahil mas gusto ko ng sweets. Dahil lang talaga kay Mitch kaya ko pinili dito. Nahihiya kasi ako sa kaniya kung hindi siya mabubusog sa libre ko.
"Mitch, kalma ka lang. Pwede namang bumalik kapag gusto mo pa," suway ko sa kaniya. Kanina pa siya kuha ng kuha ng bacon at steak.
"Sobrang gutom ko. You know what, I was so hungry. I discussed a business proposal for almost two hours with someone who doesn't want to eat because she's on a diet. Can you believe that? Siyempre, ako naman itong bibo kid. Of course, I said I'm good. Nakakahiya naman kung kakain ako sa harapan niya habang puro green tea lang ang iniinom niya." She rolled her eyes.
