Stonehearts 2: Amethyst

Thirteen

Nag-aya mag-Sea Food Island si Cael kinagabihan. Wala naman akong kasama sa bahay kaya sumang-ayon ako. I still have five more days left before Dy arrives. Sometimes, I get stuck thinking as to what he'll say once he knew that I'm working things out with Cael.

Cael held out a chair for me once we're inside the restaurant.

"We used to go here kapag stressed-out ka sa work mo." Nakangiting aniya habang nagtitingin ng i-o-order.

"Miss Amy, Sir Cael, tagal niyong hindi nagpunta dito." Pansin ni Ed, ang regular waiter namin noon.

Napangiti na lang ako, not knowing what to say. Buti na lang sumagot si Cael. "We've been busy. The usual na lang Ed." Sumulat na sa notepad ang waiter saka nagpaalam.

Cael rested his head on his knuckles saka tumitig sa akin. We're sitting side by side habang nakaakbay siya sa upuan ko. "Hi Doc, umm, I think I hurt my hand. Can you check it for me?" Sambit niya.

Natawa ako sabay hampas ng pabiro sa kanya. He laughed too. That was the pick-up line he used when we first met at the hospital.

Sinugod ko kasi si dy noon dahil bigla siyang nahirapan huminga. I was still a GP then so I was wearing a white coat. He was at the hospital that day to get his calpar syndrome checked. I was standing by the ER counter habang nagtetext sa secretary ko noon ng bigla siyang lumapit saka niya sinabi sa'kin 'yon.

"Sorry, but I am not an ER doctor." Sagot ko sa kanya. Telling him the same line I told him before. Mas lalo kaming natawa parehas.

He brought his hand to my cheeks, rubbing it in the process. "Liligawan kita ulit Amy. Ikaw na bahala kung kaya mo pa akong tanggapin o hindi." Bulong niya.

I took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You're such a sweet talker aren't you Climente?"

Napangiti siya at napailing. "You only call me Climente kapag galit ka o kinikilig ka. And I do hope it's the second one." Sagot niya sabay halik sa kamay ko.

"Climente Aldous Esteves Loyzaga."

He looked at me briefly before he smiled and spoke. "Belongs to Amorr Amethyst Orpiala Buendia."

We talked and talked all through the dinner. Catching up sa mga ginawa namin sa mga buwan na wala kaming contact. Kinukwento niya pa nga sa akin na lagi raw umuulan sa London noong nandoon siya. Halos hindi nga daw siya makalabas. Kaya medyo natagalan din siya sa Bridge Project na trinabaho niya doon dahil sa klima.

"I'll just go to the restroom. Be back." He said as he wipe his mouth and kissed me on my temple.

I busied myself checking my emails kung may mga urgent meetings ba ako na kailangang puntahan bukas. Then I heard someone screaming my name.

"Ate Amy!"

It was Cynthia and she's with Chance. Nakasukbit pa nga ang braso nito kay Chancellor. I gulped trying to compose myself as I watched them walk to where I was. Hindi ko naman inakala na magkikita kami dito.

"Cynthia, hi! How are you?" Bati ko sa kanya as she gave me pecks on my cheeks. "Mr. Calderazzo." I said as I nodded. Tahimik lang siya habang hindi nag-aalis ng tingin sa akin.

Cynthia played glances before blurting out, "You knew each other?"

Tumango ako, wary of Chance's reaction. Well, there's no point of hiding now right?

"Yeah, actually he was the one who introduced me to you. I got you two together." Sagot ko sabay ngiti.

Chance's face remained stoic habang nakikinig lang siya sa sinasabi ko. Mukha namang gulat itong si Cyntha but good thing she doesn't look angry.