Conquering Territories: Completed

21

"What brought you here?" I asked. Irvin gave me a high-five before plastering a smile on his lips once again. As he smiled, his eyes became narrower, which made him adorable. Chinese talaga.

"I just want to ask if you're free. Let's have some lunch together?"

I couldn't help but to smile as I heard those words from him. Good thing that I already expected that thing from him. Yesterday, on the phone, he was talking about a certain Chinese restaurant on the other side of the island.

"Let me guess, the Chinese restaurant?"

Irvin looked at me before moving his eyebrows. I should have known better. Irvin's childish actions really surprised me every time he acted that way.

"So, are you free?" Irvin asked before shyly scratching his nape. He was embarrassed to ask me for a lunch? Hindi kapani-paniwala.

I stayed silent for a while. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung sasamahan ko siya. After all, we only became really close this past few days.

"So, how are we going to get there?" I just found myself asking him. A smile was formed on his lips, making his eyes disappear once again.

Irvin held my hand and guided me towards a Honda VFR-600, which somehow made my lips "o." When my father was still alive, he was a huge fan of motorbikes, which somehow passed down to me.

"That was yours?" I asked out of surprised. Irvin just smiled at me before passing me a helmet.

"Of course. It's mine."

The next thing I knew, the two of us were now on our way towards the restaurant. Irvin's monochromatic palette somehow contradicted my light yellow shirt. It really distracted me.

The wind brushed through my skin as we travelled to the place. I tried to rest my hands on the backside of the vehicle but, the road was quite bumpy.

"Put your hands around my waist, you might fall."

My thoughts were interrupted after I heard Irvin's voice. I really don't want to do what he said but, we passed by a big bump, making me hug him from behind.

My cheeks instantly heated up after that. Hindi ko alam ngunit biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso. It felt like it was about to break my rib cage.

After half an hour, the two of us arrived at our destination. The place still looked like a normal neighborhood but, something stood beside one of the houses. A traditional Chinese set-up welcomed us. It looks like one of those royal houses from a drama. I don't know that a place like this existed.

"Wow." That was the only thing that came out of my mouth. Cat really caught my tongue.

Irvin smiled at me before offering his hand. "Let's go, I'll tour you to my hometown."

"Sige po. Babalik na po kami sa susunod na araw."

A smiled at the security guard before I glanced at Irvin. The owner closed the Chinese Restaurant for some personal reasons. Gusto raw kasi nitong alalahanin ang kapanganakan ng anak nito. Siguro ay babalik na lang kami ni Irvin sa ibang araw. Though I clearly think that Irvin won't agree to leave.

Speaking of Irvin, the man was now having some minor tantrums. Clear disappointment was now visible on his face. His hands were now fidgeting a pen he borrowed from me. Gusto muna siguro niyang libangin ang sarili niya. He was really hoping for this day yet, disappointment was the only thing we found.

"So, any plans?" I asked him. Irvin looked at me before pouting his lips. He looked like a child who's candy was being taken away. I couldn't help but to chuckle because of his actions. Kapansin-pansin na mas naging komportable na siya sa akin. His actions were free. It was genuine.

"Don't make that face. You looked like a duck," I said, causing Irvin to cross his arms in front of his chest. He was really having some tantrums. Hindi ko naman inaasahan na sa laki niyang tao, kaya pa rin pala talaga niyang mag-isip bata.

"They should have told me that they'll close their restaurant," he mumbled. I bet he was really excited about this day yet, nothing happened. Halata na sa mukha niya ang pagkadismaya.

"Let's just eat somewhere," I told him before patting his shoulder. "I know a place."

I thought it would be hard to convince Irvin but, it wasn't. Nagulat na lang ako nang bigla siyang tumango. It looks like the decision was now on me. I just smiled at him.

The two of us went back to his motorbike before we travelled our way towards the place. Itinuro ko na lang sa kanya ang daan kung saan ba kami pupunta. He followed my instructions, making it a smooth ride.

"We're here."

Isang maliit na karinderya ang bumungad sa aming dalawa. Halos kakaunti na lang ang tao dahil pasado ala-una na rin. The two of us already spent time traveling.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Irvin leaned on my side before whispering such thing. I couldn't help but to chuckle because of his question. Nawala kasi sa isip ko na lumaki nga pala 'to sa ibang bansa. Maybe some rich kid' s problem.

"Of course," I said before I dragged him inside. Almost everyone turned on our direction. Sino ba naman ang hindi mapapatingin sa kasama ko. Porenjer ba naman.

"Hay, wats yor order handsam?"

A girl around our age approached the two of us. It's my first time to see her here, even though I'm a regular customer. At sa unang tingin pa lang, mukhang hindi maganda ang nasasagap ko sa kanya.

Irvin looked at me. I guess the girl's presence somehow startled him.

"Dalawang kanin po, isang order ng kare-kare, at isang malaking softdrink." I grabbed the girls attention by interrupting. It looks like she won't pay me some attention if I didn't talk.

The girl glanced on my direction before she returned her gaze at Irvin, who was now anxious because of the way she stare." Haw abawt yu pogi?"

I mentally facepalmed myself. Ako na ang nahihiya para sa ginagawa ng babaeng nasa harapan namin. It was obvious that she really want Irving's attention. Hindi yata niya napapansin na nakakailang na ang ginagawa niya.

"He's with me," I butted in.

She looked at me before she turned around. Sigurado akong hindi niya ugali na magbenta sa mga customer dahil mabilis niyang ibinigay ang papel ng order namin sa isang kasamahan niya bago bumalik sa lugar kung nasaan ang mga kababaihang sa tingin ko ay mga kaibigan niya. Their group looked at Irvin before whispering something.

"It is awkward," Irvin said as the both of us took a seat. Pinili naming maupo sa lugar kung saan medyo malayo kami sa kumuha ng order namin kanina. Kahit ako mismo ay naiilang dahil sa kanya.

"It's my first time seeing her here. I won't bring you here if I knew that thing," I said.