CLOSER 2U (REGINARDA/DARLENTINA FIC)

Chapter 3 : September

REGINA's POV

"Ali." I called out to him after I dropped my morning phone call. Ali glanced at me at the rearview mirror.

"Ma'am Regina?" He was smiling widely and it's nice naman.

"Next time, wag ka na mag-pretend na kaya mo magluto. Alam ko hanggang prito lang best mo." I told him in flat voice. "I already asked De Leon to bring food so don't bother to order lunch later."

Gusto ko na matawa when I saw his eyes widened in surprise. Na-gets naman na nya siguro.

"Okay lang sayo?"

"Yung luto mo minsan, hindi." I said in my lazy voice and chuckled when he scratched his head in annoyance.

"Grabe sya oh. Bodyguard, driver tapos suma-sideline na nga akong chef mo minsan choosy ka pa. Sya nga pala. Paano nyo nalaman?"

"Kaya nga malaki sahod mo di ba?" Pagtataray ko sakanya but it's common jest between us.

"Got her home at midnight and met with her Lola who told me about it." Sagot ko nalang and I don't feel like sharing more.

For some reason it felt too personal for me. De Leon and her Lola are so humble, parang nakikita ko na din why De Leon is just the way she is. Hindi ko mapaliwanag, something's really about her.
Alam ko nag-eexpect pa si Ali ng kwento but my silence was all he got so he just shrugged. Paka-chismoso talaga minsan nito. I noticed him glancing at me every minute or so, so I just ignored him.

"Good morning morning mga Vadengs! Mga Bakla! Happy September! Now start the month with loveeee loveeee. Here's our first song for this first day of SEPTEMBER!"

The DJ greeted energetically.

I heard a familiar song playing from the car's radio tuned to some station Ali usually listens to. I tapped my hands along the beat of the song.

"In the key that our souls were singing
As we danced in the night
Remember how the stars stole the night away

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in September
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy da -"

"What?"

I gave Ali a pointed look cause he is looking at me na parang I did something wrong.

"WHAT?"

Nakakainis na ah. Kanina pa sya tingin ng tingin sakin. Does he want me stab his eyes?

"Like is there something on my face ba? O may nakikita ka bang di ko nakikita Ali?" My tone super annoyed.

He was grinning when he answered.

"Sorry naman ito na sasagot na sasagot na! Napansin ko kasi kanina pa may kakaiba sayo. Nakatulog ka ba ng maayos?"

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "Of course I am. Is that a problem?"

"2 AM ka na kasi nakauwi kanina and wala pang three hours tulog mo. Tapos kanina pa tayong nasa trapik pero di ka nagwawala unlike the usual. Ngayon, kumakanta ka pa like there's never a cloudy day ah. Ba dunda, ba dum..." Sinabayan pa nya kanta sa radio while dancing like a vadeng. Lol.

Wait.

What the fuck?

I feel offended sa sinabi nyang nagwawala. Ano ako? Baliw?
Baka sya baliw nagsasayaw habang nagda-drive!

Saka ko lang din napansin na stuck pala kami sa traffic and it's almost seven.

"ALI! Stop Dancing NOW! Why didn't you say so! Bakit ba traffic agang aga? Baka ma-move morning appointment ko! Aliii!"