SaiLem Three {DANGER: I'm Falling For You}

26. Totally Unexpected

Cyann

I’ve been here at Starbucks for more than an hour now for a meet-up. Sana pala I should have dropped by the unit to check on Clementine muna. I worry about her too much. She has a technique in talking her way out just to get what she wants. Baka matakasan niya si Manang Ofelia whom I asked to look after her while I’m at school or at practice. That’s why I find the need to call or text her every once in a while para makasigurong nasa bahay pa rin siya. Then again, she doesn’t answer immediately and I become even more anxious.

Tulad ngayon. I texted her thirty minutes ago but I haven’t gotten any reply from her yet. It’s annoying. Hindi ko alam if she’s ignoring me or she’s resting that’s why she couldn’t hear her phone.

“Natutulog si Clementine sa sala. Nakatulugan siguro yung pagbabasa,” Manang Ofelia immediately reports after answering my call.

“Ahh…I see, thanks po Manang,” I say. “Did she eat na po?”

“Kanina pa, ‘nak. Pinaubos ko na rin ‘yung melon sa kanya,” she adds in her gentle voice that has become a bit raspy over time. I owe a lot to her. Siya na kasi ‘yung nag-alaga sa’kin for as long as I can remember.

“That’s good to hear. How about her meds po? Nainom na niya?” I inquire as I mildly scratch on the napkin that I haven’t used yet.

My nanny laughs a little. “Masyado kang nag-aalala sa kanya. Nasa’n ka ba? Para ikaw nalang ang magbantay sa labidabs mo, ayieee,” she says in a teasing voice.

I give her a short laugh. “I’ll be there in less than an hour. Thanks po, Manang.”

Looking at my watch now, I blow out a puff of air out of boredom. And more than wallow on the fact that I’m wasting time, my memory traces back a day ago at the Emergency Room.

…Even if you don’t want to admit it, I know. You’re in love…

My Mom’s words echo in head and my eyebrows meet on impulse. It couldn’t be, right? I couldn’t be in love with Clementine, could I? Pa’no ko ba i-e-explain? I like her. A lot. But I don’t think I’ve breached that point yet. But how would I know for sure? I don’t have any experience to compare it with. Argh!

My thoughts dissolve when finally, she arrives. “Nathalie.” I stand up and greet her with a smile.

“Hi sweetie,” she greets back and tiptoes a little for a kiss.

Muntik ko na siyang napagbigyan but on the last moment, I look away and her lips touch my cheek in the end. Choosing to ignore the slight shock on her face, I motion for her to sit. “Anything you want?”

Nathalie bats her eyes at me. “The usual.”

I cock my head to the side and wrinkle my nose. “Which is? I’m sorry. It’s been a long time since we last met,” I tell her and she tries hard to hide the distaste in her reaction. It’s not that I want to piss her off or anything. There have been a lot of women after her, which was way back in high school. She shouldn’t expect me to remember all the unnecessary deets about her. Besides, one week lang kaming nag-date noon.

In the end, I just got her something with non-fat milk, no whip. Ang naaalala ko lang kasi, she’s too much of a health conscious. Everything should be non-fat.

Comfortably, I sit back on my chair. “How’s Tita Amyselle?”

“Mommy’s ill, but she’s doing well. Sasabihan ko nalang na kinakamusta mo siya. She’d be glad.” Nathalie looks at me and deliberately licks her lips before taking a sip on her drink. If it was an ordinary day, it would’ve been a huge turn on for me. Well, the fact that she’s wearing a very thin polo with the top three buttons freed and I can already see through it should have been a huge turn on. Pero wala nang effect ngayon. All the other girls I went out with after her had the same tastes anyways.