Chapter 16 <> Prelude to Romance
July 9
Tsk. I should have headed straight to her haven. Akala ko naman kasi nasa bahay nila siya dahil Sunday ngayon and I thought nagpapahinga siya dahil technically, rest day ang lingo. Oh well, there’s still time dahil I’m sure magtatagal din iyon doon.
Pumasok na ako sa entrane ng National Bookstore. Hmm . . . let’s see baka nasa pocketbooks siya.
. . . and bingo, andito nga siya. How did I know? Marie loves to read books. Specifically, stories with happy endings. Ironically, she doesn’t believe in them but she loves reading one.
“Marie, bawal magbasa dito,” bulong ko sa kaniya. She didn’t flinch though.
“Wait, 3 pages na lang,” she replied without glancing at me.
“Baka mahuli ka,” warning ko sa kaniya.
“Don’t worry, sanay na sila sa akin,” sabi niya habang kinukuha iyong tatlong pocketbook na naka-pile sa tabi kasama nang binabasa niya. I wonder why that didn’t shocked me.
“Tapos mo na lahat yan?” tanong ko sa kaniya.
“Yep,” she said proud to herself. Have I mention that she’s a fast reader?
“Akala ko ba tapos mo na iyan, bakit bibilhin mo pa?” tanong ko sa kaniya habang nakapila kami sa cashier.
“For collecction’s purposes, I want to read it again sometime. Anyway, alis na tayo rito. Gutom na ako sobra, kanina pa kasi ako dito,” she said smiling and tugging my hand towards the door.
“Let’s eat here. Ang alam ko may bago sila dito and I want to try it,” deklara niya when we stopped in front of KFC.
“Fine by me, gutom na rin kasi ako eh,” agree ko sa kaniya since hindi naman ako choosy sa pagkain.
Um-order na si Marie at naghanap naman ako ng mauupuan namin. Dumating na si Marie with our food at binigay niya na iyong sa akin.
“So, bakit mo pala ako hinahanap? You could have called, you know?” sabi niya sa akin while focused on her food.
“I did call but you weren’t answering,” sabi ko sa kanya.
“Ay shit, naka-off nga pala iyong phone ko!” she exclaimed.
“Marie, ginagamit ang phone hindi dini-display,” I said sighing.
“I just forgot to turn it on,” she said sheepishly.
“Narinig ko na iyan and anyway kahit naka-vibrate mode iyang phone mo, hindi mo pa rin nasasagot,” kontra ko sa kaniya.
“Change topic, please. I’m sure hindi iyan ang dahilan kung bakit mo ako hinanap,” sabi niya evading the topic.
“Alam mo naman kung bakit hinahanap kita, right? Besides the design for the café, of course,” I said pointedly.
“Well, I have a lot of crimes which one am I being judge for?” she said grinning.
“I’m talking about the café design with Ryuu,” I said accusing her.
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BINABASA MO ANG
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