Incompatibility

8

Auria

Rafael texted me earlier na nag-aaya raw si Adeline mag-dinner outside.

Right after finishing my work load for today, I touched up a little before heading down to the parking lot.

After getting off the elevator, Rafael's bright, smiley face greeted me.

"Oh? What are you doing here? Akala ko ikaw ang susundo kay Adeline?" naguguluhang tanong ko.

"She told me na siya na lang daw ang didiretso doon from school. Mauna na raw tayo," sabi niya.

I played with the car keys in my hand. "Well, I'm gonna have to leave my car here kung gano'n?"

He smiled then nodded slightly. "Tara na?"

He offered his arm to me, but I froze, overthinking whether I should accept it or not.

"Hey? Ano? Tara na?"

Binaba niya ang braso niya at lalo akong naistatwa sa kinatatayuan ko dahil kinuha niya ang kamay ko at pinagsalikop ang mga daliri namin.

Why is he holding my hand?

Why the hell is he holding my hand?!

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay namin saka dahan dahang umakyat para magtagpo ang mga mata namin.

"You still have soft hands," he whispered while staring at my eyes.

My breathing hitched as I felt his fingers interlocking more with mine.

"Our reservation's at 7, we might miss it, come on."

I let him drag me to his car, while my mind is wandering off because of what just happened.

***

"I thought you texted her? Nasaan na raw siya?" tanong ko kay Rafael.

Aba, it's been almost 20 minutes since we arrived, and still, Adeline is not here.

"Hindi nga sumasagot eh. Nag-aalala na rin ako," he answered while tapping his phone screen.

In the middle of the silence, my phone rang with Adeline's caller ID flashing on the screen.

"Nak! Where are you?"

["Aaahh! Mom, I'm so sorry!"] She sounded distressed, making me more worried.

"What's wrong, huh? Nasaan ka na?"

["Tsk! Still at school, Mom. Our project deadline has been moved 1 week earlier, kailangan na naming tapusin today which means...err-- I can't join you, guys."]

Raf was mouthing, "Ano? Ano raw?" but I'm signalling him to wait until I finish the call.

"Oh, if you need to be there then be there. We'll be fine here."

["Are you sure? Ugh! I feel so bad, it's supposed to be a family dinner."]

I smiled, "It's okay, baby. There's always next time. Kumain ka na rin dyan ha, at mag-iingat ka pag-uwi, okay? If you need someone to fetch you, you call Dad or ako, alright?"

["Thank you, Mommy! Pakisabi na lang rin po kay Dad. I love you both! I'll make it up to you!"]

After bidding goodbyes, I faced Rafael and explained what her daughter and I just talked about. Naiintindihan naman namin si Adeline kaya ayos lang.

"It'll just be the two of us lang pala?" he chuckled.

"Seems so. Gutom na ako, pakitawag na 'yung staff," I requested while reaching for the menu.