MY LOVELY STRANGER

CHAPTER 21: Expectation Vs Reality

After a few minutes, he begin to talk again.

"About the party, I told you, don't be afraid. I just need a companion. Karamihan kasi ng dadalo, mga elderly people. Hindi ko naman kaclose ung iba kong pinsan so I'm worried na baka mabored lang ako." he explained. "If you're there, then I'll enjoy it"

May hatid na kiliti sa puso ang mga sinasabi nya. I feel special somehow.

"I'll ask permission first." naisagot ko kahit nagsusumigaw na ang salbahe kong puso ng yes! yes!

"Yes, do that. Kung pwede nga ako nang magpaalam sa parents mo eh. Kahit ngayon na mismo, pupunta ako sa inyo. Payagan ka lang" his smile never left his lips. And his stare, nakakalusaw.

Ngumiti lang ako. Pilit pinipigilan ang pagbablush pero ramdam kong mainit ang pisngi ko.

"And about Tristan, do you think you can persuade him to come? Importante kasi yun eh. I guess he will listen to you. Maybe you can tell him, if ever payagan ka, na pupunta ka. I'm sure hindi sya magdadalawang isip"  he held my hand.

"Try ko" nasabi ko. "Kakausapin ko sya bukas" I said. He better talk to me, ayaw kong mapahiya kay Zeus.

"Thank you Chelsea. You must be an Angel" he winked at me.

Tama na please. Kinikilig ang puso ko sa kanya.

He looked straight to my eyes. "I know I have said, you won't have to think too much about us, but I can't help it. I want to make it official. "

Nagtataka man, hinayaan ko lang syang magsalita.

"Chelsea, I.. " pinisil nya ang kamay ko. "I want you to be my girlfriend."

Napaawang ang bibig ko.

"I know it sounded too rushed but.. I'm afraid someone else will come and take you away. I'm sure of my feelings for you."

He took a deep breath. "I need an assurance atleast. So that I know where to stand in your life."

"Zeus" I like you too..

But words don't come out. What the hell.. He has no idea how loud my heart screams. I could of marry him right there and then kung may chance lang. Pero hindi ko masabi.. bakit?

Few minutes have passed, nagring ang phone nya. He excused himself. I continued eating while he murmurs to his phone.

I barely heard him.

3 minutes later, he looked at me. Mukang problemado.

"Why?" tanong ko.

"I'm really sorry, something urgent came up and I'm afraid I won't be seeing the movie with you" apologetic na sabi nya.

I was really disappointed.

"I'm so sorry, I'll make it up to you next time." he called the waiter and paid the bills. Ibinigay nya sakin ang tickets ng movie.

"I'll get going now. Kung kakayanin, babalikan kita dito after 1 hour. Hahabol ako sa movie" he assured me.

"Ok lang" sabi ko. "Puntahan mo na yung pupuntahan mo. I can manage." I smiled.

He looked at me. "Sorry talaga. I really wanted to spend this day with you"

There's frustration in his voice and his eyes are even sorrier. How can I get mad?

Tumango ako at tinapik ang kamay nya. "It's alright"

"Thank you. Next time, it won't happen again" He leaned closer and kissed my forehead. "I hope next time we meet, may sagot ka na."

Umalis din sya agad. Naiwan akong mag isa sa mesa at nakatanaw sa kanya.

He's so lovely. I thought while watching his back as he run.

Bumalik ang waiter sa mesa dala ang resibo at ang credit card ni Zeus.

OMG. Kinuha ko yun at nagmamadaling sumunod kay Zeus. Baka maabutan ko pa sya. Naisip kong may dala syang kotse kaya pumunta ako sa parking lot ng mall.

Hindi nga ako nagkamali at natanaw ko sya. Malayo pa ko, sisigaw na sana ako nang makita kong may lumapit sa kanya.

Naisip kong wag nang sumigaw at lumapit nalang. Konti nalang ang distansya ay narinig ko ang pangalan ko.

"Yes tito, nakausap ko na si Chelsea." Zeus said.

Lalaki ang kausap nito. Nasa 40's na.

"Yang Chelsea ba na yan, eh siguradong mapapakinabangan natin?" tanong ng kausap nito.

Bigla akong kinabahan. Mapapakinabangan?

"Yes. I can say na love interest sya ni Tristan. Trust me, isang salita lang nun, susunod na yung pasaway nyong anak." natatawang sabi ni Zeus.

"I should meet that girl" kung hindi ako nagkakamali, ang tinutukoy na anak ay si Tristan at ang lalaking ito ang tatay. OMG.

"She's ordinary" Zeus said.

Ouch!

"I think she likes me. So kahit anong iutos ko na gawin nya para kay Tristan, she does it."

"Come on, don't tell me dalawa kayo ni Tristan may gusto sa batang yun?" sabi ng matanda.

"Don't worry, walang rivalry na nangyayari. Just putting some spice between them. Because Chelsea is a very important factor satin. Sya lang ang nakikita kong paraan to get Tristan back home." casual na sabi ni Zeus. "I need to think of ways how to lure him"

My heart was torn. I can't believe it. How could he?

He sounded and looked very sincere. Little did I know na ganito pala sya. Am I just an instrument for him? Just how dare this guy.

Kaya pala every time na magkasama kami, hindi nawawala si Tristan sa usapan. Tristan was right. He shouldn't be trusted.

I watched as the two guys get on the car. Nagtago ako ng bahagya hanggang sa makaalis sila. Sumandal ako sa pader and let my emotions out. I cried at the realization na ang tanga tanga ko pala.

I walked back to the mall, absentmindedly. I bumped into random people. I just keep on walking until my sandal slipped. Natumba ako sa sahig. I don't mind whoever is looking at me. I just felt like crying. I cried out loud while sitting on the ground.

He's such a jerk.