Nakatingin pa rin ako kay Tim na pinalilibutan ng madaming taong kausap siya. Napangiti nalang ako ng di oras ng marinig ko ang pagtugtog ng orchestra. Can't take my eyes of you ang kanta.
"Margaret? Asan si? Oh well, kamusta ka na?" Napatingin ako sa gilid. Si Kurt. Umupo din siya sa katabi kong bar stool sa bar dito sa hall. Okay, I am not drinking. Just plain, virgin guava juice.
"Good. Ikaw kamusta na?"
"Can you mash up a drink for me? A refreshing one." Sabi niya sa bartender pagkatapos ay tumingin siya sa akin at ngumiti. "Ok naman. Im good. Restless, but good." He looked really fine-looking from his white tuxedo pero halata kong pagod na siya dahil sa mata niya.
"Ka-kayo ba nag-organized nito?" Nakangiti kong tingin sa kanya.
"Oo, medyo. The things you'll do for the love of her." He smiled as he looked at his Mom who was at the other end of the hall and was talking to someone. Napangiti ako. Kurt is such a sweet guy.
"Well, you're a sweet son."
Binaba ng bartender yun drink na ginawa niya for Kurt. Kinuha iyon ni Kurt at tinoss sa hangin habang hinihintay niya na i-clink ko 'yon baso ko for a toss and I didn't disappoint him.
Pareho kaming uminom at nagngitian afterwards.
"And you're such a sweet girl, Margaret. Thank you. Thank you, for being with him, till now." He smiled at me knowingly.
"Weird.." Nasabi ko na lang.
"Weird, why?"
"You and Mrs. Aquino keep on thanking me. Wala naman akong ginagawa kay Tim."
"Being with him means a lot Margaret. I don't know what extent you have put up through but somehow I think maybe Mom's right, you are good for him. Too good for him." Naramdaman ko nalang ang pag-seryoso ng boses ni Kurt sa sinabi niya at dahil doon mas naguluhan ako.
"We.. we are not together, Kurt kung yun ang iniisip niyo. We are not even friends and we are not the benefits kind of thing," tumingin ako sa kanya and he just smiled na palagay ko alam niya yun tinutukoy ko. "We are, what we are. A splinter in each other's eyes."
He smiled again knowingly. Something not's right with Kurt. What's with the intent look?
"May I have this dance?" Nagulat nalang ako ng inabot sakin ni Kurt ang kamay niya at bigla siyang tumayo.
"Oh no, Kurt. I-I don't know how and I don't dance in public."
"It hurts you know. I think you rejected me more than twice and another rejection coming from you will lead to a heart failure." He smiled at me showing his entire set of white teeth and his slanted, smiling eyes.
"Tsk! Kurt..." Napangiti nalang ako sa sinabi niya at sa itsura niya. And I gave my hand for him to lead me on the floor.
BINABASA MO ANG
Old and Unwanted
General Fiction(Sequel of A drive to find the bride. Tim's story) I'm old and a bit insecure. I have never been kissed, held and loved. I am pathetic. Do I hear the clock's ticking? Please I know that this will be the last love ride but could you please wait for m...
