Dandelions in the Wind

27

Mabilis na bumabagtas ang isang Ferrari sa kahabaan ng highway, swabeng lumihis sa itim na kotse na nasa unahan, pumasok sa lane, at nilampasan ang eight-wheeler na trak.

Napahinga ng malalim si Dionne at napakapit sa seatbelt. "When I said you can rule the world, I didn't say you should rule the highway as well." Pinunasan niya ang pinagpapawisang palad gamit ang tissue. "Hey, could you not audition for the next 'Fast and Furious' while I'm in the car? You're driving like an idiot!" kabadong turan niya.

Lumingon lang si Charlotte at ngumiti. "You never complain when you're in San Mateo. I thought you enjoyed a little thrill. Besides, 'idiot' is such a strong word. I prefer 'enthusiastically optimistic about green lights.'"

Napaikot ng mata si Dionne. "San Mateo is full of rice fields; it's safer there. If we crash, we'll be swimming in mud. Unlike here, they'll end up picking up our pieces!" Napangiwi siya sa naisip na kumalat ang kanilang katawan. "Enthusiastically optimistic? That's one way to put it. I was thinking more along the lines of 'recklessly disregarding the laws of physics,'" sarkastikong wika niya.

Humarurot na naman ang Ferrari, nilampasan ang bus na nasa unahan at agad din pumasok sa lane.

"Oh my god!" Naramdaman ni Dionne na ilang segundong umalpas ang kanyang kaluluwa sa katawan. Kulang na lang ay magkaroon ng flashback video clips ng kanyang buhay sa paningin.

Lumingon pa si Charlotte habang nagmamaneho. "Laws of physics? Come on. We both know if I was truly defying those, we'd be flying. This is merely...bending them slightly," katwiran niya at nakatingin pa sa katabi.

"Eyes on the road! For god's sake! We're not in a movie where the driver can talk for hours without looking at the road!" tarantang saad ni Dionne, sabay hinawakan ang pisngi ni Charlotte at marahang ibinaling sa unahan. "Bending them? More like breaking them in half. My heart skipped a beat back there. And not in a good way!" kunsumidong pahayag niya.

Tumawa lang si Charlotte, siya lang yata ang naaaliw habang inaatake na sa puso ang katabi niya. "Ah, come on, Dee. Admit it. Deep down, you love the adrenaline rush. Besides, I've got everything under control."

"Everything under control? You're invoking the silent prayers of your passenger. Please, can you slow down? I don't want my life flashing before my eyes at your every swerve and turn," namumutlang pakiusap ni Dionne.

Napabuntonghininga si Charlotte. "Okay fine, we'll take it slow." Marahan niyang inapakan ang preno at naging mabagal na rin ang takbo.

Mabilis pa rin ang mabagal kay Charlotte dahil nilampasan pa ang dyip na nasa unahan. Hindi na lang nagreklamo si Dionne dahil binagalan ulit ni Charlotte ang kotse. "Thank you, Charlie. But I was thinking, maybe next time we could take a route less... thrilling? My nerves would eternally appreciate it," kabadong pakiusap niya.

"You're so funny." Natatawang wika ni Charlotte.

Napaikot na lang ang mata ni Dionne. "And I'm the funny one for giving me a heart attack." Inis na napakumpas ng kamay at itinuro ang sarili. Ilang minuto rin ang lumipas ay bumalik na rin sa normal ang pakiramdam niya. "Please tell me you have a personal driver? You're the cheapest billionaire I know if you don't have one," interesadong tanong niya kay Charlotte.

Nakangiting inirapan siya ni Charlotte. "I have one, it just happens that today is his day off."

"Thank god," bulong ni Dionne, tila nabunutan ng tinik sa narinig at nakahinga ng maluwag.

"Hey, I heard that!" Umangat lang ang gilid ng labi ni Charlotte.

Nakarating na sila sa bahay ni Charlotte. Tumigil ang kotse sa harapan ng gate at awtomatikong bumukas. Pinagmasdan ni Dionne ang paligid, matatanaw ang ilang bundok, may malalaking bahay din na ilang kilometro ang layo at ilang palm trees sa palibot. Humarurot ang kotse nang makapasok sa gate.