Moments

Friendly Date

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9.6.16 AMACon3 Drabble Challenge

Friendly Date

"Hi, Ate Maine!"

Natawa siya. "Hoy! Kung maka-ate ka naman dyan, Ynigo" pinalo niya ang braso ng binata.

"Nakakahiya kasi, despite of your busy schedule napaunlakan mo pa rin ako"

"Wala yun. Sunday naman at off ko" inilibot niya ang tingin sa paligid.

They are in Ynigo's family restaurant at the upper floor, in the VIP room. It's located in Antipolo, overlooking the Metro's city lights.

Ynigo's mom, a family friend and is one of the most supportive non-relative Maine have met since her school days. Kaya naman, when the lady asked Maine to have a short talk with her son, Ynigo, she said yes once her schedule permits her.

"So, ano nga pala ang gusto mong malaman?" Maine asked. The food is being served on their table once both of them are seated.

Ynigo grinned. The man has a child like face. He's younger than her and just finished college. "Actually, ang sabi sa akin ni mommy, I should ask you for some career advice daw. Since, I don't know what's my next move after graduating" napasuklay ito sa buhok nito at nahihiyang tumingin sa kanya, "Ang simple lang ng problem ko no?"

Maine smile. She knows Ynigo graduated with the same course as her...and just like her a year ago, the guy is now lost on what to do. This is me, a year ago. Umiling siya. "Don't worry. I used to feel like that just last year. Iyong di mo alam kung ano ba talaga ang susunod mong gagawin"

"Yes, ganoon nga."

"Hhmmm...Actually, ikaw lang din talaga ang nakakaalam kung ano ba talaga ang gusto mong gawin. Okay lang na maghintay...pero kung mapapayuhan ko ang sarili ko na nasa posisyon mo last year, I'll tell her. Do what your heart wants you to do. Find your passion. Look for what you love and try...no, DO it. Don't be afraid. Let everything just fall into their rightful places in your life." Ngumiti siya at kumindat dito bago uminom ng ice tea.

Ilang saglit na nakatingin lang sa kanya si Ynigo tila natulala.

She raise an eyebrow at kumaway sa harapan ng mukha nito. "Hoy! Anong nangyari sa iyo?"

"Ha?! Ah eh...I'll think about your advice." Tumango-tango ito at pinamumulahan na ng mukha.

Napahalakhak siya. "Ikaw ha! Crush mo na ata ako eh!" Tukso niya sa binata.

"Ate naman eh!" Reklamo nito habang nakayuko. Namumula ang tenga nito.

Malapad na ngiti lang ang sinagot ni Maine. Naalala ko tuloy ang baby boy ko.

As if on cue, biglang nag-ring ang phone niya. Nag-excuse siya kay Ynigo at sinagot iyon. "Hello"

"Menggay, nasa labas na ako ng restaurant. Should I go up there or you'll need more time? I can wait naman."

Ngumiti siya. Alden knows her supposed "date" today. He was also there when Ynigo's mom requested this "date", for some reason, his selos radar is not on alert on this date.

"Baby, you can come up na lang here. Nag-dinner ka na ba? Dito na lang tayo mag-dinner" bumaling siya kay Ynigo at nagtaas ng kilay dito bilang signal, "Para ma-meet mo rin si Ynigo"

"Okay, I'll come up there na lang. Baby Girl, I have someone with me pala. I'll explain na lang pagdating dyan"

Nagulat si Maine sa sinabi ni Alden pero sumang-ayon naman siya agad. "Okay, see you" binaba na niya ang cellphone.

Nang tumingin siya kay Ynigo ay nanlalaki ang mata nito. Pinigilan ni Maine ang matawa. Baka kasi ma-offend niya ang binata. "O, ba't ganyan ka makatingin?"

"Ate" he put emphasis on that word and continues, "Ate Maine, nandito ang boyfriend mo? Ang pambansang bae? The Alden Richards?!"

Tumango siya. Pinipigilang ngumiti. "Yes, he knows I'm here. Siya ang susundo sa akin. Okay lang ba dito na rin siya mag-dinner? Sabay-sabay na tayo"

Todo tango naman si Ynigo, "Of course, pwedeng-pwede. Pero...."

Nagtaas siya ng kilay at hinintay ang susunod na sasabihin ng binata.

"Pero, alam nya na friendly dinner ito, di po ba? I mean, you're lovable and I admit I have a crush on you but I'll never go against The Pambansang Bae"

Maine can't help the grin that comes out from her lips. Ynigo's flushed face looks adorable, with his mestiso features, he looks a bit like Alden during his younger days.

Noon naman dumating si Alden. "Glad to know that" lumapit ito kay Maine. He greets her with a quick peck on her lips. She holds his hand and smile. "I told you, he's like a younger brother"

Alden nodded and looked at the man. "More like, my younger brother." Alden offered a handshake. "Hi, Ynigo. Nice to meet you"

Ynigo quickly accepts it. Tumayo ang binata at nakangiting bumati rin. "Hello, Kuya Alden. Welcome po sa restaurant namin" kumuha ito ng upuan upang itabi sa pwesto ni Maine.

Habang si Alden naman ay kumuha rin ng isa pang upuan bago bumulong sa kasintahan. "A family friend's daughter is with me too. Biglaan eh, kaya sinama ko na"

Tumango si Maine. Inilibot ang tingin at nakita ang isang dalaga na tahimik na nakatayo sa likuran ni Alden.

"Maine, I like you to meet, Ghe. She's also a talent of my manager and she's in the entertainment industry too but still waiting for her big break"

"Hi, Ghe. Is that your real name o screen name lang?" Maine asked to make the lady comfortable.

"Real name po" sagot nito at nakipag-kamay sa kanya. "Fan nyo po ako, Ate Maine"

Nagulat siya pero natawa. "Ghe, gusto ko yan"

Tumawa rin ito.

"Uy, matagal na tayong magkakilala pero di mo yan sinabi sa akin" sabi ni Alden

"Hindi mo naman ako fan" Ghe said pouting.

This made Maine laughs out loud and nudges Alden, "Ako, number one fan mo" she said winking.

Alden grinned back and bites his lips. "You're the one that count" Yumakap si Maine sa kasintahan at humilig sa dibdib nito.

Tumikhim naman si Ynigo. Kapwa nagkatinginan si Alden at Maine bago napangiti.

"Ynigo, si Ghe. Aside from aspiring to be an actor like me, she's a family friend's daughter" pakilala ni Alden.

"Ghe, si Ynigo. Graduate din siya ng HRM and a son of a good friend" pakilala ni Maine

Nagkamay ang dalawa at pakilanlan. Naupo si Ghe sa tabi ng upuan ni Ynigo. Katapat ng dalaga si Maine at katapat naman ni Alden si Ynigo.

Ilang saglit na natigilan si Alden at Maine. The two people with them have a bit of a resemblance on their facial features. It was like looking at their younger self. Ang pinagkaiba lang ay si Ynigo ang HRM graduate at si Ghe ang artista.

Absent-mindedly, Maine seeks Alden's hands under the table. He quickly holds it and squeezes it a little. They met each other's gaze and give a silent smile.

They both looked at Ynigo and Ghe, sitting quietly side by side, still unknown to them what their future hold.

"I'm glad I met you" Alden whispered.

Maine winked and smile."Me, too. Always, glad"

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A/N: Thank you for reading! ^_^