Promise Ring

2. Fancy

Daniel: So ano? I'll pick you up at 4 pm?

I reread the text message. Hindi naman sa nagkakasecond thoughts ako. Pero ewan. Sinabi ko naman sakanya na hindi ako na-awkward nung kinonfess niya saakin na gusto niya ko. Dahil hindi naman talaga ako na-awkward eh.

I guess I'm just somewhat anxious on how this date is going to turn out. I mean, this is a good first date for me. A movie date. Feeling ko maawkward lang ako kung dinner date 'to o kung ano pa. Mabuti na 'to. We can just sit there, watch the movie, and enjoy each other's company.

Kathryn: Oo :) uy The Fault In Our Stars ang papanoorin natin ha!

Daniel: Gusto mo ba dalhan kita ng tissue?

Kathryn: Para saan naman?

Daniel: Edi siyempre pag umiyak ka! Balita ko, and daming babaeng napaiyak nitong pelikulang 'to. O makisali ka na rin.

Kathryn: Ulol. Sige na! I'll see you at 4!

Sa tingin ko I probably took about one whole hour getting ready. Hindi kasi ako mapakali sa suot ko. I mean, ano ma kasi ang dapat na suotin pag magdedate ka?

Sa mga pelikula, nakikita ko na nagsusuot yung mga babae ng magagandang dress. Pero movie date lang naman ang pupuntahan ko. Parang ewan naman na ako kung nagdress ako sa sinehan.

I sighed. Come on Kath. Just think of it like this, you're going to watch a movie with a friend. Stop overthinking it too much.

I finally decided on a black shirt and white shorts. Summer naman so hindi ako giginawin habang nanunuod. Yata. Sana. Ewan. Bahala na.

I was just putting the finishing touches to my makeup nung biglang narinig ko yung doorbell. Andito na siya. Nagmadali akong suotin yung black and white Vans ko and went up to open the door. "Ready?" I was greeted with a smiling Daniel.

Tumigil ako saglit. I took a quick glance at him to look at what he was wearing. A simple plain white shirt, with denim jeans, and a pair of white Vans on his feet. He looked good.

"Ah.. O-oo. Tara?" He stepped aside so I can walk out of my door. I locked it before turning back to face Daniel.

Inilapad niya agad ang kamay niya sa bewang ko nung nagsimula na kaming maglakad patungo sa kotse niya kaya napatingin ako sakanya. "Inaalalayan lang kita. Gentleman kaya ako." He quickly opened the door to the backseat and I climbed inside. 

"Hello." Bumati saakin ang isang lalaki na nakasakay sa driver's seat. "Ako nga pala si Jason. Ama ako ni Daniel. Nice to finally meet the girl my son cannot stop talking about." That made me blush. Pinaguusapan nila ako ng tatay niya? Nginitian ko nalang si Mr. Jason sa rearview mirror at sumakay narin sa passenger seat si Daniel.

I leaned back on my seat and I felt something hit my foot as Mr. Jason started driving. Crutches? Bakit may crutches dito? Sinong naaksidente?

Nakarating na rin kami sa sinehan pagkatapos ng sampong minutong awkward silence sa sasakyan. "Nice meeting you again Kath." "Nice meeting you din po Mr. Jason. Salamat po sa pagsundo." He smiled at me and then drove off.

"Ano ba ulit yung gusto mong panoorin? Fault in Our Stars ba yun?" Tanong ni Daniel habang naghihintay kami sa pilahan. "Opo. Ayun oh nagsimula na twenty minutes ago. Ang tagal mo kasing dumating sa bahay ko." Nagpout nalang ako.

"Hoy kasalanan ko bang ang hirap magnavigate dun sa village ninyo? Halos lahat ng mga bahay magkakaparehas ng itsura." 

We finally bought our tickets and I basically dragged Daniel inside the theater, rushing not to miss any more of the movie. We sat in the very middle of the theater and started watching the movie right away. The movie got to the point where Hazel Grace was reading the eulogy na pinasulat ni Gus para sakanya. Doon na talaga ako sobrang naiyak. Hindi ko na kinaya. Daniel noticed na humahagulhol na ko kaya naman hinila niya agad ako at niyakap.