The Second Time (Inspired by SueNie)

The Second Time Chapter Twenty-seven : Lunch date

"Saan tayo pupunta?" Tanong ko kay Daniel habang nasa loob kami ng kotse magkatabi.

"Ikaw. Saan mo gusto?" I love that, yung tinatanong ako kung ano ang gusto ko. Sino ba naman ang hindi diba? I can feel my cheeks burning. "Basta may peperoni pizza." I said, trying to hide the smile on my face.

"So dun nalang tayo sa restaurant ko."

Lumaki ang mga mata ko at tumingin sa kanya. "May restaurant ka?"

"Yeah, Italian restaurant. Kung gusto mo lang na-"

"I LOVE TO!" I bit my lip. Excited much Denise? Ngumiti lang si Daniel.

We talked about movies, sports at tourist spots sa New York. At halos hindi ko namalayan na nandito na pala kami sa Chef Italian restaurant.

What can I say, ang ganda at nakakagutom. Pagpasok mo palang, maamoy muna ang masasarap na Italian pizza, fries, lasagna, Italian carbonara- I know, nakakagutom talaga. The staffs are greeting him and calling him "Boss". Ang sarap siguro sa feeling.

"Denise?" He turned to me and flashed his beautiful smile. Naka position ang mga kamay niya sa isang chair, and he gestured to me dun. Nahiya ako. Sa tagal kong tulala, hindi ko namalayan na uupo na pala kami sa table. I sat down and the waiter took our order.

Hindi naman masyadong marami ang gusto kong kainin. Large fries, one large size peperoni pizza, isang lasagna at ice cream lang naman.

"So," Daniel started, "Mind telling me kung ano ang nangyari sa inyo ni Jason?" That is one question I'm not prepared to answer. Pero si Daniel to. Okay lang basta totoo. Sabi ko, "He asked me a question then he left."

"Anong tanong?"

I can't. For God's sake, hindi ko pwedeng sabihin sa kanya na siya ang dahilan. "Doesn't matter." Mabuti nalang nakaisip ako ng ibang topic. "How about kayo ng pinsan ko?"

"Fine," I can see no spark sa mata niya. "Ganun pa rin."

"Anong ganun pa rin?"

"Pabebe pa rin si Claire" I laughed so hard. Totoo naman, medyo pabebe talaga si Claire. "Pero Denise, hindi ka naman iiwan ni Jason nang ganun lang diba? There must be something." Ayaw talaga tantanan eh.

Buti nalang dumating ang waiter. "Here's your pizza and fries sir Daniel at mam," He smiled. Bigla nag ring ang phone ko. Gosh I almost forgot. Si Joanna iniwan ko pala sa park! "Hello Joanna?"

"Yes, bestie. It's 2:30 pm at wala pa rin si Joe."

"Okay lang," sabi ko, "salamat bestie. Huwag ka ng maghintay diyan. Pasensya na."

"It's alright basta ka date mo ngayon si Daniel." She giggled.

I said in a soft voice, moving my mouth closer to the phone, "Hindi to date."

"Eh ano tawag diyan?"

"Lunch"

"Sige na. Hindi ko na kayo istorbuhin. Bye bestie!" At binaba na niya ang phone. "Ano sabi ni Joanna?" Daniel asked me.

"Wala daw si Joe." Daniel did not say anything. After sa napakasarap at busog na kainan, hinatid ako ni Daniel sa bahay. When we got there he said to me before I open the door, "Disappointed ka?"

I stared at him and smirked, "Why would I?"

"Because Joe didn't show up."

"Of course not and you don't have to ask why." Kasi nakasama kita.

He just stared at me and I got out of the car. I waved goodbye at him before entering the house. At bago pa ako makahiga sa kama ko, may nakita akong message sa phone ko: "Look at your window."

When I saw the name of the sender, I almost dropped my jaw. It was from Joe.