Man in the Rain

Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Mint, Cigarette and Whiskey

"You don't like the food?" Dean asked. Marahil ay napansin niya na halos hindi ko pa nagagalaw ang pagkain na inorder ko.

I shifted on my seat and then gave him a tight smile. "Masarap 'yong pagkain. I really like it. Huwag mo na lang akong masyadong pansinin. Hindi lang talaga ako malakas kumain," I said then I followed it with a horrible fake laugh.

I was telling the truth about the food, masarap naman talaga .But how can I eat well if I feel like I am being watched? Hindi ko alam kung nagiging paranoid lang ako o talagang akin pa rin nakatingin si Luke. I wanted to look at their table again to make sure but I fought against it. Baka mapansin ni Dean kapag lumingon ako kina Luke. Mukhang nakalimutan na niya kasi na nandito din sa loob ng restaurant sina or pwede rin na hindi lang siya bothered about our boss' presence.

Dean was eyeing me skeptically. Alam kong hindi ko siya nakumbinsi sa sinabi ko so I took a spoonful of food and chewed.  I smiled at him again. Napailing na lang siya bago siya nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

He tried to engage me into a conversation. Dean's always funny. He's also smart, may sense kausap. Hindi nagtagal, I finally manage to shake off the uncomfortable feeling.  Lahat ng atensyon ko ay kay Dean na nakatuon lalo ng nang magsimula siyang magkwento sa mga lugar na napuntahan niya. He loves to travel pala. Parang katulad ko lang noon.

"You know, traveling gives me an unexplainable kind of satisfaction.  I get to meet people, experience different cultures and taste both great and not so great foods. I know I may sound wierd, but after every trips, I feel like I'm a smarter  and I wiser person," he said with a grin. "Okay, you're free to call me wierd, Shan."

"You're not wierd," I told him.

What he just said made a lot of sense. May mga tao naglalakbay at pumupunta sa ibang lugar para makadiskubre at matuto. Isa sa kanila si Dean.

I also traveled many places in the world. I've been to the most beautiful cities, slept in the most luxurious hotels and villas and dine in fancy restaurants. But after hearing Dean's story, I realized that mine were hollow journeys. I have no stories to tell. Bakit nga ba ako nagpunta sa iba't ibang lugar noon? Oh yes, to splurge money, to take photos  to upload on my social media accounts. I traveled to make everyone envious of me.

"How about you, Shan? Do you travel?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Noon."

"Really? Anong lugar na ang mga napuntahan mo?"

"Huwag na. Baka hindi ka maniwala."

"I'll believe you, c'mon tell me."

"Well... Kung tama ang pagkakatanda ko, I've been to more than twenty countries."

Dean whistled. "Wow."

Bahagya akong natawa. "I knew it. Hindi ka naniniwala, no?"

"I believe you, of course but—"

"My father's a businessman. I'm an only child." I explained. " Dad loved me dearly. I was his princess. He practically spoiled me. Kahit anong gusto ko ibinibigay niya at kahit saan ko gustong pumunta pwede."

This time his brows furrowed. "If that's the case, where's your dad now? What did he say when Sir Luke demoted you? He allowed his princess to work as a secretary?"

"He died." I said quietly.

Shock registered on his face. "Oh. I'm sorry, Shan."

Inabot niya ang kamay ko na nakapatong sa lamesa marahan niyang pinisil.