Rain's driving carefully. For whatever reason, He wants to impress Taylor. He's so focused that he twitched a little when he heard Taylor's voice.
"Sooo, where would you like to eat?" Taylor asked in an effort to break the awkward silence.
"Is there anything in particular you'd like to eat? Since this is a thank you meal, you get to choose." Taylor offered.
Rain silently considered the question and then asked, "I'd like to know where you live first."
Taylor faced Rain with a questioningly creased forehead.
Rain laughingly said "Hey, let me explain first before you think me weird."
Taylor then noddingly gestured a go ahead
"I heard you sent your driver away so I'm thinking we should eat near your place so it will be convenient for you to go home." Rain smilingly explained
"Ah ok." Taylor nodded with the words "But don't worry about that too much. Just choose a place where you'd like to eat."
"Oh then, let's have ramen at a North Edsa Mall I always go to." Rain answered. He chose a place near his condo purposely. Maybe he can show Taylor their QC condo while he waits for his ride later.
'Sneaky Rain, you just want to take him home, admit it!' Rain's inner self scolded
***
Rain peaked at Taylor's ramen order sheet, "You don't want the spicy version?" Rain asked a bit surprised since most of his friends opt for the spicy version of this ramen house.
"Can't eat spicy food. Stomach issues." Taylor said.
"Ah, I assumed gerd or gastritis? Common issues of stressed people. I have it too."
When the server collected their ramen sheet, they added drinks and Rain added a salmon aburi roll to be served in advance prior to their ramen.
Rain noticed Taylor observing him. Rain gave a big smile and assured Taylor. "Don't worry I can finish the roll. I eat a lot I promise."
"Really? You don't look like you eat a lot." Taylor voiced his doubt.
"It's true! River and I both eat a lot that our usual choice on eating out is a buffet resto. Mom always says that 99% of our budget goes to food. Luckily, River and I manage to burn what we eat quickly." Rain rambled on
"I'm sorry but who's River?" Taylor asked
"Oh sorry I rambled on and on about eating hehe. Um, River is my one and only sibling, always demands I call her Ate but she's just older by 15 minutes." Rain explained.
"So you have a twin sister..interesting." Taylor commented
"Obviously, we're fraternal but a lot of our features have similarities. Eyes, eyebrows, head shape, even hairstyle. Her boyfriend swears that when viewing from the back, he's having a hard time telling who's his girlfriend." Rain rolled his eyes while animatedly telling Taylor about River.
Taylor's enjoying looking at Rain as he speaks. Rain has this energy that can influence the mood of the person around him. He's so lively with expressive eyes that's so bright, Taylor suspects, he would be heartbroken to see those eyes lose that brightness.
When the salmon roll arrived, Rain ate them with unrestrained delight in those expressive eyes. Taylor though not a fan of sushi wanted to try one just to taste if it is really that delicious to warrant such joy in Rain's eyes.
***
"Hmmm, that's excellent coffee!" rain hummed in appreciation to which Taylor silently laughed.
They were at a Starbucks outlet on the second floor of the mall. Rain wanted iced coffee and a donut to go in case he needed something to munch on if traffic's heavy while driving home later.
"I'm sorry. I probably look like a pig to you." Rain said.
"No, in fact I like your appreciation of food. I have never seen anybody consume food with such enjoyment." Says Taylor.
"Food is my weakness. I never pass on anything that looks tasty to me. In fact, I once ate a street food of waffle ice cream one late night in the dead of winter. River and I shared it, but she caught a cold the following morning. She was so mad at me that whenever I order something cold, she will always comment on it sarcastically. The first time I saw you in Naeba, I was drinking iced coffee in the snowy summit. I've always liked cold food and drinks even in winter." Rain narrated but caught himself and apologized. "Sorry I was rambling again."
Taylor smiled and pacified Rain. "No, I like listening to you talk. I'm surprised you remembered the first time we saw each other. I was going to ask you about that but kept forgetting about it."
Rain saw Taylor look at his watch when there was a lull in their conversation, so he asked Taylor if he's ready to go home. "So, where can I drop you off?"
"Driver's here to pick me up. Told him to park on the same level where your car's parked since we're going for coffee first." Taylor stated.
"Oh. Let's go then." As they exited the coffee shop, a man who seem to be in his early forties joined them and addressed Taylor as "Sir Taylor."
"Kuya Fred, kanina ka pa po?" (Have you been here long?)
"Hindi naman, kaka park ko lang." (Not really, I just finished parking the car)
Taylor nodded at this. He then led the way to the mall's adjacent parking building.
When they reached Rain's car, Taylor walked with him to the driver's side while he signaled his driver to wait by the aisle.
Rain stood leaning by his car door as he faced Taylor. "I guess this is goodbye for us." Rain pitifully stated.
Taylor looked at Rain and contemplated for a few seconds. He then sighed and said, "May I have your number?"
Taylor watched as Rain's eyes brightened at his question. Taylor handed Rain his phone and Rain dialed his own number before handing back Taylor's phone. Rain showed Taylor his own ringing phone, shaking the phone showing Taylor's number.
Taylor gestured for Rain to unlock the car. Taylor opened the door for Rain and gestured for Rain to sit. Once Rain's seated at the driver seat, Taylor closed the door but leaned on the open window.
"Be careful driving. Do not lose your focus. Text me when you get home." Taylor instructed to which Rain nodded happily.
As Taylor watched Rain driving away, he once again experienced that feeling of inexplicable surrender.
YOU ARE READING
If I Let You Go
Romance"So, Rain, baby, just let me do this." He then pulled Rain to stand. "I told you, you do not have to do anything, you do not even have to move." Taylor then stepped closer and caressed Rain's face as he observes every detail of Rain's face. "Just st...
