Lovely Chef [KathNiel Completed]

Chapter Four - Too Fast

Andi's POV

LAST SUNDAY WAS OUR 7TH DATE, Angelo and I. And probably the last. Nung sixth date namin, we went to this fine-dining restaurant and had dinner, as we always do. And as usual, hinatid niya ako sa condo.

He's tall, goodlooking, businessman type. Very formal. And mature. He's in his late thirties. Nagkakilala kami sa isang company Christmas party na sa restaurant ginanap. Isa siya sa mga associates ng isang accounting firm.

"Did you enjoy the night?"

Ngumiti lang ako. Kung ang pag-eenjoy ay ang pagkain ng mamahaling pagkain sa isang mamahaling restaurant, at ang pakikinig sa mahabang kuwento, at ang pagtawa sa mga corny jokes, for sure, nag-enjoy ako.

"Thanks for spending time with me," sabi ni Angelo.

"You're welcome. The food was really great," sabi ko.

But at that moment, my mind was not on the food. It was far from that. He was so handsome that night, with his black suit. And he smelled good too. From the condo to the restaurant, then back to the condo, I was thinking how warm his soft lips would feel. I've been thinking about that ever since we started dating, actually.

"Next time uli?" He had the sweetest smile.

"Sure."Then, he held my hand and kissed it. Thank God. After six dates, at last, I got a kiss, on the hand.

"Okay, I'll call you."

Tumango ako. Parang replay lang ito nung nakaraang five dates. And I was right. He intended to do this little by little.

And on this 7th date, we had dinner. Again. We went to Antipolo, overlooking. Romantic. Everything seemed so special. He then held both of my hands, and I looked at him. Just looked at him.

"Andrea."

Hinintay ko lang ang susunod na sasabihin ni Angelo. Okay, honestly, I didn't care whatever he'd say next. I was more interested in what he'd do next.

I've known him for almost three months now. And within that three months, wala akong maipipintas sa kanya. Except for being too gentle. And too slow. Well, his gentleness somehow made him a bit mysterious.

"It has been a year since I last dated. And it's been a long time since I last felt this way."

He was standing so close to me.

"I...I want to do this the right way, Andrea. I've been thinking about this for a long time."

And I could smell his sweet scent.

"I wanted to wait for the right time to do this. Because I don't want to rush things with you."

He's not rushing, all right. But don't you think seven dates are long enough for a kiss? I wanted to stop his speech and go on with the whole thing. But no, I just listened and waited.

"Andrea, I'm sorry if you think I'm going too fast..."

"Angelo, you are not going too fast,"natatawa ko pang sabi, encouraging him to just kiss me. Quick.

At ngumiti lang si Angelo. "Yes, I've waited long enough. If I won't do this now, I might regret it for the rest of my life."

The hell he will. Then, there was a pause. A very long silence. He just looked at me and then...

"Andrea-"

I anticipated the next scene. Is he going to kiss me now?

I thought he'd then hold my shoulder, or my waist and would really give me the kiss I've been waiting for, for three long months. Nakapikit na 'ko no'n, waiting and ready.

One, two, three...four...five...And suddenly, I felt something cold slipping through my finger. I then opened my eyes, saw Angelo's wonderful smile and then, that bright sparkling diamond ring on my finger.

"Andrea, please marry me."

**********

It wasn't a question. It was more of a plead. Ano ba ang nakain niya at biglang naisipang mag-propose? Hindi ko talaga alam. Masyadong nawindang ang utak ko dahil sa unexpected proposal na 'yon ni Angelo nung Linggo kaya hindi ko napansin na parating na si Nixon. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin alam kung totoo nga ba ang nangyari o panaginip lang 'yon.

Naupo si Nixon sa harapan ko, dala ang dalawang baso ng iced tea at nagsimula nang magbasa. Masyado siyang busy sa magazine na hindi niya pansin ang mga babaeng nakatingin at kinikilig dahil sa kanya. Nagsimula na rin akong magbasa, pero malayo do'n ang utak ko.

************

Third Person's POV

From his laptop, Nixon looked at Andrea. Dapat ay nasa bahay na ito ngayon, nagpapahinga, or somewhere else, doing her thing. But she's here now, with him. Isinara niya ang laptop at nagsimula nang magligpit. He has been bothering her all week.

Actually, he thinks he's been a bother to her eversince they met.

"O, bakit, ano'ng ginagawa mo?" nagtatakang tanong ni Andrea nang umpisahan nang magligpit ni Nixon ng mga gamit.

"Come on," sabi ni Nixon at tumayo na ito.

Tiningnan niya lang si Nixon na handa nang umalis.

"Bakit?"

"You need a break."

Natawa siya sa sinabing iyon ni Nixon. "Ako?" At nang hindi pa rin siya kumilos ay ito na mismo ang nagligpit ng mga gamit niya, kinuha iyon at hinila siya para tumayo.

"Teka, sa'n tayo pupunta?"

"Uuwi na tayo."Hatak-hatak pa rin ni Nixon ang kamay ni Andrea. Pinagtitinginan na sila ng mga tao roon, hanggang sa makalabas sila ng coffee shop.

Kumain muna sila ni Nixon sa paborito nilang fastfood bago umuwi. Matagal-tagal na rin nilang hindi nagagawa ang ganoon. Simula nang magbukas ang restaurant, at maging abala na si Nixon sa ibang bagay, at si Andrea sa kinukuha nitong crash course sa culinary school. Pagpasok pa lang, marami nang mata ang nakasunod sa direksyon nila.

Well, it isn't new. Kung noon ay conscious siya at si Nixon, ngayon ay wala na silang pakialam. "Kakaiba talaga ang magnetic charm ni bestfriend." Bulong ni Andrea sa sarili.

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