JEWEL
Chapter Thirty
She took a quick glance of her face through her pressed powder's mirror before getting off her car. She didn't put too much make up on. Just mascarra and matte lipstick in rich ruby shade on her lips.
She's wearing an off shoulder knee length body hugging dress, which sleeves reaches her elbows. Her dress emphasizes her glowing fair skin.
She scan her eyes in front of the establishment which Jigger texted her. Not bad. The design of the café is very eye catchy. It is quite a stand out in the rows of establishments on the area.
It reminds her of the bakeshops she saw in France. She can almost smell the butter and brewed coffees kahit nasa labas pa lang siya ng café.
She walked confidently inside the café. Iginala niya ang paningin sa mga taong nandoon. Sa may dulong parte ay nakita niya ang mga magulang at kapatid na masayang nakikipag-kwentuhan sa taong ayaw na sana niyang makita.
Nang makita siya ng kapatid ay kinawayan siya nito. She took a deep breath and walked towards their direction. Agad siyang lumapit sa mga magulang para halikan ang mga ito sa pisngi.
"I'm sorry, nahuli na yata ako." she said.
"No, princess. You're just in time." her father answered.
Si Arnulfo naman ay tumayo mula sa kinauupuan nito at iginiya siya sa upuan niya. Inalalayan pa siya nitong maupo. She glanced at him before she sits down. His stare is sending some electricity in her system. Gusto niyang panindigan ng balahibo.
"Thanks." she murmured out of politeness.
Nakaupo sila sa harap ng bilog na mesa. Ang mga magulang nila ay magkatabi. Siya naman ay nasa gitna ng kapatid at ni Arnulfo.
Hindi nakaligtas sa paningin niya ang kakaibang ngiti at tingin sa kanya ng kapatid. He's teasing her again. Hindi na lang niya ito pinansin at nagfocus na lang sa center piece na nasa mesa.
She became aware on the presence of the guy sitting on her other side. She can smell his perfume and after shave. It's quite intoxicating. Sa bawat paghinga niya ay nadadala ang amoy nito at tila kumikiliti ito sa ilong niya.
"Dinner will be served any moment from now." Arnie said in his deep and cool voice.
Gusto sana niyang lingunin ito at tingnan sa mukha. Kaso ay nangingibabaw pa din ang inis niya dito. Through her peripheral vision, she can see him taking glances of her. She has to maintain her expression. Ayaw niyang ipahalata na apektado siya sa mga tingin ng binata.
Their dinner was served. Nagpasalamat si Arnie sa dalawang tauhan nito na nagdala ng mga pagkain. She looked around the other customers inside the café. Ang iba ay pasta dishes ang kinakain. Hindi lang pala ito ordinaryong café which serves bread, pastries, coffees, and frappes. There are also other dishes in their menu. Hindi na nakapagtataka dahil mas malaki ang lugar kesa sa mga ordinaryong café lang.
"Everything looks delicious, hijo." her mother said.
"Thank you po. Pinag-aralan ko pong lahat yan sa France." sagot ni Arnulfo at nagsimula na silang magkwentuhan habang kumakain.
Siya naman ay tahimik lang at kumain na lang. Sinikap niyang sa plato na lang tumingin at huwag ng sumali sa usapan. She just want this night to be over just like last week over dinner in their house.
Kung mapapadalas ang dinner nila kasama si Arnulfo ay mananatiling ganito lamang siya. Physically present but mentally absent dahil mas pipiliin na lang niyang manahimik sa kanyang upuan drowning in her own thoughts.
