Amour Rouge (Red Love)

Chapter 19

May free practice sina Charles ngayon, pinilit niya talaga ako na samahan ko daw siya. For moral support, ganon.

Ang gwapo niya sobra habang nag da-drive sa kaniyang personal car. Ngayon ko lang nakita ang mga details, the last time I rode in this car ay nung nasa Singapore pa at madilim na. May naka embroidered na pirma, guessing it is Charles' signature, sa upuan. Nahagip din ng mga mata ko kanina ang number 16 na naka print sa labas.

"Why 16?" I asked him, referring to his driver number.

"I wanted 7 but it was not available anymore, so 16."

"Huh? Did you just picked it randomly?"

He only hummed, I also asked Carlos yesterday kung bakit 55 yung sakaniya. At least may sense pa na gusto niya ang 5 pero dahil taken, dinoble niya na lang making it 55.

"If you wanted 7, why not 77?"

He glared at me, parang may sinabi ako na masama.

"You need to stop befriending Carlos."

"Why? What did he do wrong?"

"Because I'm jealous. You know more about him." He faced me for a while before returning his attention to the road. "I wanted 7 because it is the sum when you add the numbers of my birthldate, October 16... 1 plus 6... it's 7."

Oh edi sinabi niya agad! Charles is such a random person, kaya hindi na ako mabibigla if pati driver number niya ay random din niya na kinuha.

"What about you? When's your birthday?"

"January 6," I answered. I saw his lips form into a huge smile.

"1 and 6... 16 huh? I'm glad I picked the right number." He muttered. Hindi ko na lang pinansin dahil namumula na naman ako!

"Remember the kid that you met last time? You gave her a bracelet," Ah! Yung little girl!

"You made it? The bracelet?" He asked me. Tumango lang ako at pinakita din sa kaniya ang bracelet na suot ko. Nakalagay lang doon na 'Forza Red', mula sa famous na 'Forza Ferrari' kung kaya't tinawanan lang ito ni Ferrari boy.

"Make me one too," request niya.

"I don't have my beads with me, nasa Pinas."

"I'll buy you beads then. For now, I'll take yours." Sabi niya habang kinukuha na ang bracelet na nasa left wrist ko.

"Hey! You can't, I have my name on it!"

"I like Red better than Ferrari," he winked at me.

Sabi mo 'yan ah! Sige nga, pag matapang ka nga Charles iwan mo na ang Ferrari!

"I'll see you later," he was about to kiss my cheek pero natigilan siya. Instead, he gave me a quick hug before he left.

Nang makauwi ako ay nadatnan ko si Tío na nasa labas ng bahay nila.

"Rosa! Tu papá no está en casa, ¿quieres quedarte con nosotros mientras tanto?" (*Rosa! Your dad is not at home, do you want to stay with us for the meantime?)

Natatakot din ako na mapag-isa sa bahay namin kung kaya't tumango na lang ako at sumabay kay Tío papasok sa bahay nila.

They are currently having their siesta so I also went inside the guestroom to rest.

Nagising ako ng may kumatok sa pintuan.

"Rose, tienes un paquete" (*Rose, you have a parcel.)

Kumunot ang noo ko, I didn't order anything. At mas lalong wala namang magpapadala sa akin dito sa Spain.

"Tío, is it addressed here?"

"No, it was your home address but I saw the deliveryman and intercepted the parcel for you."

Nagpasalamat lang ako at kinuha ang box mula sa kaniya. Medyo malaki ito pero hindi naman mabigat 

"What the," Nung buksan ko ay may 5 box organizer na punong puno ng beads! Charles tangina ano 'to? Mag-oopen ba ako ng business ko dito? Aanhin ko ang mga 'to?

"Charles! You bought so many!" Bungad ko sa tawag niya.

"You're welcome," I can hear him laughing! Rich kid masyado!!!!!

"Aanhin ko ang mga 'to?!" Pagalit na tanong ko. Kahit naman na marami siyang pera ay ayaw ko talaga na gumagastos siya ng malaki. Sayang lang eh!

"I'm guessing you're asking me why I bought so many?"

"Close, but I'm also curious about that."

"I don't know which colors you need so I bought every color available in the shop."

"Dios mío Charles!"

"Enough now, Red. That's only loose coins for me. Bye now," he ended the call abruptly before I could scold him.