TIME AFTER TIME (KathBie)

11. TICKLED MOMENTS

“So, bayad na ba ako?” Mara asked Derek in Tagalog.

“Yes.” He agreed. 

Mara called Derek for two purposes, first, for them to bond and to get some information sa first tutorial nito and second, she just needed a driver with a car. Nasa mall sila and they just got their order sa coffeshop. It was Mara’s treat, afterall, she ditched him in the tutorial and let him wait for a couple of hours today. She had to go to the salon kasi to have her hair fixed and hindi na niya gusto patagalin yun. Mara asked about the details of his tutorial, she’s sure na nagustuhan nito ang pumalit.

“So you’re not having a hard time concentrating?” Mara gave a devilishly smile. Derek didn’t suppressed any feeling and he smiled as well. Si Jinjin kasi ang tinawagan ni Mara para magturo ng Filipino kay Derek. Ito na lang kasi ang naiisip nito na pwedeng magturo sa kanya dahil hindi ito part ng play ang she’s not that busy with other things. Agad naman itong pumayag.

“I really hope you’re learning,Derek.” Habol pa ni Mara as she took a sip sa frappe niya. 

“I am, don’t worry. So how’s your play?” tanong ni Derek kay Mara.

“Changing subjects. I like that.” Mara nodded to Derek. Ngumiti lang si Derek. “Same old.” Ang tanging nasabi lang ni Mara. 

“Just drink that in the car,I don’t want you to be late on your date.” Sabi ni Derek na nakangiti habang tumayo. Mara did the same at nagbelat pa ito sa pang-aasar ni Derek.

“Not a date. Please.” Mara begged. 

Umalis na din sila maya maya pa. 

“WOW NAMAN!” Si Patrick said nang makita na papasok sa living room si Mara. “You never fail to surprise me,Mara!” sabi pa nito.

“Ha.Ha.” Mara handed the box of Krispy Kreme to him. 

“Para san ‘to? Aakyat ka ba ng ligaw? Kanino naman?” tanong ni Patrick na nakangiti. I guess the years of braces paid off. His smile can win an award.

“Oo, aakyat ako ng ligaw total mag-gagabi na.” Mara said as she threw herself sa sofa. Parang bahay niya lang kung makakilos siya. 

“Sa akin or kay Christian?” tanong ni Patrick na sinasakyan pa din ang sarili niyang kabaliwan.

“Siyempre sa pinakagwapo sa bahay na ‘to! Sino ba mas gwapo sa inyong dalawa?” Mara crossed her arms on her chest and looked at Patrick to see his response. He gestured as if he is thinking. 

“He’s upstairs.” Tanging sinabi ni Patrick. “Puntahan mo na lang dun kasi tinatamad na akong tawagin siya.” Patuloy nito. 

“Ah.” Mara stood up and untangled her arms. “Your judgement has changed,kuya Patrick.” Mara gave a disappointing sound and Patrick just let out a laugh. Pumunta na si Mara sa taas.

She knocked on Christian’s door pero walang sumasagot. Inisip niya kung tulog ito pero she can feel the bass of the speakers. 

“Christian!” this time she knocked harder. She enveloped her hand sa doorknob ang twisted it slowly. It’s open. Dahan dahan niya tinulak ang pinto and she was surprised to see no Christian in the room. She stood there for a couple of seconds before closing the door slowly again. She roamed her eyes around Christian’s room. Surprisingly, neat. Nagtaka siya. For an athlete like Christian, walang bahid ng worn shirt,used jersey or kung ano ano pa sa kwarto nito. It was as if it was just cleaned. 

A party song blazed through the speakers. Andun din ang iPod Touch ni Christian. Where could he possibly be. Napatingin siya sa door ng nasa loob ng kwarto.