Have I Told You (PUBLISHED BY POP FICTION)

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty One

Eisley doesn't know how a romantic relationship works, but he's better than what I expected. I underestimated him. Akala ko nga noong una, wala siyang gagawin. But, when I found out he asked for Bev's number and texted her for help, I couldn't help, but laugh. I was so relieved.

Like Eisley, wala rin naman akong experience, but growing up with a bunch of hopeless romantics, I could say I've had enough knowledge.

All of them show their love differently. My dad's the silent type. He's impatient, but since he loves my mom, he just chooses to keep quiet. My mom, on the other hand, is really showy. She kisses and hugs us in front of other people.

Hindi naman sila nagkakalayo ni ahia, but unlike my mom, he does it to tease his wife who hates PDA. Achi Zeah's the most complicated and different.

Nahihiya lang siguro siya, pero hindi naman sila magkakaroon ng apat-soon-to-be-five-children kung hindi sila sweet at hindi nila mahal ang isa't isa, 'di ba? Dinaig pa nila sila Mama't Papa na sobrang clingy kahit ang tatanda na.

Kinuha ko yung planner na binigay ni Eisley sa'kin at tiningnan mga kailangan kong gawin this month. Pag December talaga, ang daming parties at reunions. Sa lahat ng 'yun, kasama ko si Eisley.

Hindi ko naman siya pinipilit sumama. Tinatanong niya kasi lagi sa akin kung may gagawin ako, anong oras out ko, o kung may pupuntahan ako. For short, alam niya schedule ko at alam ko rin yung sa kanya. Pag inaya ko siya, sumasama siya. Hanggang 5 PM lang naman daw siya sa office. Buti na lang, puro gabi lakad ko.

May isang event lang kaming inattendan na parehas kaming invited. It was Aunt Teri's solo exhibition at her new café. I was wearing a blush pink cocktail dress and a pair of white stiletto pumps. Sile did my crown braid.

Walang magawa si Sile that day kaya maaga siyang pumunta sa bahay. Sabay na raw kaming pumunta sa café.

Paglabas namin, napahinto ako dahil nakaupo si Eisley sa porch na may dalang bulaklak. He was wearing a gray long sleeve polo shirt and black trousers, his hair styled upwards.

Tiningnan ko si Sile. Tumango lang siya at nag sign na mauuna na siya sa kotse. Tumango lang ako.

Pumunta ako sa harap ni Eisley. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Isn't this what I supposed to do?" he asked innocently. Tumayo siya at binigay yung bulaklak. "Here." When he smiled, I tried not to smile. Deadma lang, Tyrese. Magpakipot ka kahit konti.

"Eisley, you don't have to give me flowers. 'Di ba ikaw na ang nag sabi, 'buy what you need, not what you want'. I appreciate this, but do I need this? No. Thanks for the effort, though."

Not that I'm being harsh, pero ang dami niyang pangarap at pinag-iipunan. Knowing him, alam kong bawat barya sa kanya, mahalaga. Every penny counts. Hindi ko naman kailangan ng bulaklak.

"Noted." He stared at me like I was the prettiest woman he had ever seen.

"Bakit ganyan ka tumingin?" I gave him a weird look.

"You're really beautiful."

I must not react. "Bakit hindi mo pala sinabing pupunta ka dito?"

"Surprise?"

I must not smile. "Ah, okay. Let's go?"

He took my hand, locking it in his arm, just above the elbow. Where did he learn that? Oh, right. He watches too much dramas. "Am I doing it right?" he asked. I couldn't help, but look at him admiringly.