Chasing Love. [Fin]

Page 17

Nang matapos na namin ang project namin kay Mrs. Romero ay nagpunta na ako sa coffee shop kung saan namin napagkasunduan na magkita ni Ara. Nagoffer akong pumunta sa airport para sunduin siya kahapon pero tumanggi siya at sinabing magkita na lamang kami ngayon.

Nauna ako ng may labinglimang minuto sa meeting time namin sa sobrang excitement. Finally!

Habang naghihintay ay tumunog ang cellphone ko, sinagot ko na agad iyon ng hindi tinitignan kung sino.

"Hello."

"May." It's funny how I can fully recognize his low baritone voice even with just a single word. Kahit di naman talaga siya palasalita. I smiled.

"Yes chef?" My voice teasing. Tingin ko ay tumaas ang kilay niya sa sinabi ko. Suplado.

"I miss you." He breathe out. I sucked in air in surprise. I can almost imagine him smiling from the other line. This guy really!

"Well, it's only been almost an hour since we last saw each other. Natututo ka ng mambola ha?" He stiffled a hearty chuckle. It made me smile even more.

Hindi naman talaga siya vocal. For the past few days he'd been constant on bringing me lunch dahil patong patong ang mga scheduled kong gagawin. To think the sem just started. 2 weeks past pero feeling ko nakaisang buwan na ako sa dami ng ginagawa.

Good thing he makes time to see me. Kundi baka aligaga na ako sa pagkamiss ko sa kanya. Minsan feeling ko ang ilegal na ng pakiramdam na ito. Weird, but yeah.

"I think there's nothing wrong with that. I just want to remind you about our trip next week to Zambales. Baka mastarstruck ka masyado kay Ara at makalimutan mo." I laughed. Medyo makakalimutin nga ako. But he's my constant reminder of the things needed to be done.

"Thank you Mr. Alonzo for reminding me. But don't worry. I got my sticky note ready courtesy of my personal chef." I giggled.

"Maybe I should also give you notes about lunch too?" Tumawa siya. "Sige, yun lang naman. Enjoy your meeting with Ara. Goodluck!"

"Thank you Sunflower!" I always call him that. And being called as my sunflower never failed in making him smile. Nakakatuwa.

"I really like it when you call me that, May. Sige na. I gotta go." Hindi na ako sumagot at tinapos na ang tawag na iyon. Baka kasi di ko na mapigilan ang sarili kong kausapin pa siya ng mas matagal.

"You really look fab, May. Nice to finally meet you darling!" Umupo sa tapat ko ang napakagandang si Ara Uchimiya.

"A-Ahm. T-Thank you! Nice meeting y-you Ara." Nauutal kong sagot at marahang kumamot sa noo ko.

"Don't be shy. Ano ka ba?! Di bale isa sa ii-improve natin sa iyo ay ang confidence mo." I pushed my tupperware of cheesecake towards her na agad naman niyang tinanggap.

"O-Okay. Ahm, Ara. I have to t-tell.." Tumikhim ako at huminga ng malalim. She's smiling while looking at me. Her eyes are encouraging me to talk.

"I have to tell you something about my schedule. Since this was something very abrupt, I commited to some school works. Hindi ko na rin kasi maaatrasan since importante po sa school." Kimi at mabilis kong sambit. Phew!

Buti na lang di ako nautal. I laughed on my mind. Hindi pa talaga ako sanay. The fact na babae siya makes me anxious. It felt like she'll lash out on me anytime soon is eating me.

"Naiintindihan ko. May, breathe slowly. You talk fast. Wag kang kabahan o matakot sa akin. I am your friend from now on. Sige, kailan ka ba magiging available for the training. I designed a different one for you." She smiled even more. She looked so bright and happy. It comforted me at some point. Thank God!