Where Iris Bloom

Ch 4. La Primera

"Here, I'm guessing you haven't tried this before." We settled on a shabby stall with monoblock table and chairs.

I didn't know what the food is called and it's sitting in front of me waiting for me to devour it. The smell was enticing however, it looks weird. It was on a wooden skewers, cube shape that comes in color black with what seems like bubble holes in it. It was dipped in an oily red sauce which I think is ketchup.

"Quit staring at it and have a go." She scolded me while munching on her food.

Hesitant, I took a bite and boy I was surprised. It tasted salty with a hint of sweetness. It was moist and very delightful. The sauce compliments with this thing that I don't know what's it called.

"Well that was nice." I mumbled after swallowing. I picked up the next skewer and took a bite. It was like the texture of foie gras but a little bit drier. It melts in the mouth accompanied by a sour and salty taste.

"Here, have a gulp." She offered the drink on a red disposable cup. There was translucent stuff floating on the surface and I'm not sure if it was ice or something else but I still took a swig which surprisingly cleaned my pallet.

"What did we just had though?" I inquired whilst dabbing tissue on my oily lips.

She smiled mischievously, "That black cubed shape is called Betamax. That's like black pudding in the UK but the difference is that, the black pudding is pigs blood and the betamax is chicken blood. The other one is chicken liver."

My mouth hang open when I heard what I just ate. "You're messing with me right?"

"Nope. T'was good right?" She smiled haughtily but I didn't find it funny.

I shrugged and looked at the aftermath of what I had. "Well it was interesting. I didn't know you can eat that in such ways."

I caught her squinting at me like trying to figure out something.

"You're interesting huh. I thought you're gonna go Gaga right there." I didn't know if it was a compliment or was she waiting for that kind of reaction.

"How often do you go to Love, Nana though?" She crossed her arm and lean on the chair.

"I don't know. I go whenever I feel like it which is like 5 times in a week?" I retorted.

"Then how come I haven't seen you in a while?" She asked condescendingly.

I was like a deer caught in headlights. How am I suppose to say I didn't came back in a while after embarrassing myself infront of her.

"I have been busy lately. Hospital stuff. Surgeries and rounds. You know." I tried acting cool but her stare is not faltering.

She skeptically nodded. "C'mon." She stood up and I followed suit.

We were walking back towards my car when she spoke again. It was like she's making sure I won't feel awkward with the entirety of this jaunt.

"What do you love most about Love, Nana that you keep on coming back?" She asked out of nowhere.

"I really don't know. There's this sense of comfort I'm gathering whenever I'm at that place. The food, the ambiance, and the people there, it's wonderful." Our conversation is going fluidly as we spend more time together.

"So I guess I'm gonna see more of you there." She concluded when we got in the car.

"You can say that." I flashed a small smile liking the idea of her looking forward to see me more often.

"See you around then." She was about to walk away when I stopped her.

"Wait, where are you going?" My brows furrowed quizzically.

"I'm going back to work and you're off your way." She shrugged.

"Hop in. I'm gonna drive you back." I offered and I saw her internally deciding

"Nah, it's okay. I'll take the metro." She countered and waved her train pass.

"I insist." I threw her the keys and she caught it fast. "You drive, I'll go have my dessert at Love, Nana."

We were on the road in no time but this time, we fell into comfortable silence. I can smell her intoxicating scent and it's kinda addictive.

"Can we play music? I don't like silence. It drives me crazy." She sighed.

"I don't mind. Go ahead." I tapped the console and turned on the bluetooth.

I saw her fish her phone and unlocked it. "Here, connect me to bluetooth." She handed me her phone and the first thing I noticed was her wallpaper. It was a picture of a gray Persian cat.

"What should I play?" I concealed my curiosity and bit my tongue.

"Put on the first playlist in Spotify." She was looking side to side ready to overtake.

The first playlist I saw was that titled with just three dots. I did play it and I was not familiar with the songs in there.

Playing. Heartlines by Broods.

We could jump the statelines
I don't wanna always play nice
But I wanna feel your heartlines
I wanna feel your heart

Have you been let down by the ones before?
Do you leave too soon to know?
Never fell in love 'cause I just cut loose
But not when it comes to you

I gave her phone back and sunk on my seat. I wonder what makes the silence so unbearable. It's giving me a vibe that she don't wanna be left alone with her thoughts. It's like she's keeping the music around to make herself sane.

"Is that your cat?" I can't help but to ask.

I saw her flash a smile. "That's Nimo."

I opened my phone and show her Susu. There I saw a glimmer in her eyes and for the first time, I saw a smile reach her eyes. It was something so different and I can swear it suits her best.

"Are you done reliving your impromptu date?" Shelby pulled me out from my reverie, almost forgetting her presence.

"It wasn't a date. It was just..." I paused to think of a better term of what we did. "A lunch."

"Did you at least get her number?" Shelby was busy scribbling something on her desk and conversing with me in between.

Then it got me thinking. "I did not."

"Well you can always go there anytime anyways." She's got a point.

I don't even know if she's into girls or was it just a friendly gesture? Who knows?

But one thing's for sure. That smile looks gorgeous on her.

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A/N: anyone found their favorite smile?

Get yourself one, it's a supplement you should have everyday. I've got mine :)

5 years of endless subscription of gorgeous smile. 😉