The Perfect Timing

Chapter 3

"Yeah.. We were schoolmates in high school." I noticed na medyo nag seryoso yung mukha ni Luke. Okay, what's his problem? Reunions with schoolmates are supposed to be happy right?

"Yeah. Uhm. I'm Maurine by the way," She looked uneasy as she offered her hand to me. I took it and I noticed na malamig yung kamay nya. "And this is my... my fiancé, Moses," she gestured to the man who I bumped into.

"Nice to meet you pare," Matagal na tinitigan ni Marco yung Moses bago nya ito kinamayan.

"Luke. And this is my girlfriend, Maxine," I then offered my hand.

"Nice to meet you," Moses and I shook hands. After that, napansin kong medyo awkward na yung situation namin, even when it shouldn't be. I don't know.

"So... It's been a while, kamusta?" Maurine awkwardly smiled at Luke.

"Okay naman," ang tipid naman sumagot ng boyfriend ko ngayon?

Nagsalita si Moses bago pa sumagot si Maurine. "Uhm, sorry, do you guys want to share a table with us? So you guys can catch up and we can know each other more? Medyo awkward kasi dito sa harap ng washroom mag-usap?" I noticed Maurine's figure straightened up, she seemed nervous.

"No, it's fine. Uhm.. actually katatapos lang namin mag dinner, pauwi na din kami," He then looked at me, "We should go now baby, baka malagot tayo sa Kuya mo," I nodded at him. From my peripheral vision, I saw na napaiwas ng tingin samin si Maurine.

"Okay. It was... nice bumping into you guys but we should go," tipid na ngumiti si Luke sa kanila.

"Okay. Uhm, sorry ulit for earlier Maxine. So, we'll see you guys around?" Moses smiled politely at us.

"It's okay, really. We'll see you guys. Have a good night," ako na ang sumagot dahil mukhang wala sa mood makipag-usap tong boyfriend ko.

We walked papuntang parking lot.

"Dala mo na pala yung bag ko babe. Ngayon ko lang napansin. Haha," I held his hand as we were walking. Hindi nya yata ako narinig so I gently squeezed his hands.

"Ha? Ah—oo. Kinuha ko na kanina so we can go na kaya pinuntahan na kita sa CR kanina," he smiled at me. I kissed his cheeks before he helped me climb inside his car.

Five minutes into the car ride back to our house, wala sa aming nagsasalita. This is unusual given that we're both madaldal.

"Hey, are you okay? Ang tahimik mo," I looked at him.

"I'm fine babe. Sorry, baka napagod lang sa work," he reached for my hand and kissed it.

"Aww babe do you wanna go home na lang? Magpahinga ka na lang muna tonight, we can watch tomorrow if you want?" I stared at him worried. Most of the time nakaka-stress daw work nila, sabi ni Kuya.

"No, baby. I'm okay. It's our special day and I don't wanna ruin it by leaving you alone for the night okay?" I smiled at him.

"Thank you, Luke. I love you," Nakarating na din kami sa wakas sa bahay.

Dumiretso kami ni Luke sa kusina. Nag-iinit ako ng popcorn sa microwave. I know kakakain lang namin, pero gutom na naman ako.

"Babe, yung.. Maurine? Matagal na kayo magkakilala?" Sumandal ako sa may counter habang tinitignan sya. He was getting some drinks from the fridge. He seemed taken aback with my question.

"Uh.. yeah. Nung high school pa diba? Kagaya nung sinabi ko kanina," he put the drinks on the counter and tumabi sakin.

"Hindi ba kayo close nun or matagal lang kayong hindi nagkita? You seemed awkward with each other earlier. Para kayong nakakita ng multo," I chuckled. Napansin kong medyo nag iba ang expression ng face niya. Matagal bago sya nakasagot.

"Both," he said. I chuckled.

"Baka naman ex mo yun? Or baka niligawan mo dati? Kaya parang ayaw mo nang makita?" I joked. I just love teasing him. Minsan lang kasi ako nananalo kapag nag-aasaran kami.

Pero hindi sya nakapagsalita. Hanggang sa tumunog na yung sa microwave. Kinuha ko na to and nilagay sa bowl para dalhin sa kwarto. When I turned around, Marco was still standing there staring at nothing with his mouth agape.

"Huy!" I called his attention. And gladly, he snapped out of it. "I was just joking, okay? Nakakatuwa kang panuorin in those awkward situations. Don't worry babe. Malaki ang Manila. I'm sure you won't have any of those awkward encounters with your acquaintance. Now let's go and watch that movie," He followed me into my room immediately.

After I washed up and changed into my pajamas, we set up the TV, plopped ourselves on the sofa bed and wrapped ourselves in my fleece blanket. Marco was still in his blue polo and rugged jeans; he can't stay for the night because he's not allowed to. Strikto sila Dad and Kuya.

Halfway through the movie, I'm halfway done with my popcorn as well. Ako lang kumakain eh, I could tell that Marco's mind was somewhere else. Something's bothering him, I know.

So I put down the bowl of popcorn on the table on my left and moved closer to Marco. I put my head on his chest. His heartbeat somehow calms me.

"I love you babe. Happy anniversary," He pulled me closer and kissed my forehead.

"I love you too. Happy anniversary," I looked up at him and our eyes met. He cupped my chin and kissed my lips. 

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Hi guys! Sorry for the long wait and sorry kasi medyo maiksi lang tong chapter na to. 

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