MY LOVELY STRANGER

CHAPTER 35: One Perfect Slow Dance

"Take a seat, young lady" itinuro nya ang silya sa tapat ng mesa.

Lumapit ako doon at naupo.

"You look nervous. Don't worry, I don't bite" he chuckled.

Bumalik sya sa pagkakaupo.

"You really look more beautiful in person than in pictures." he said. "By any chance, are you related to Esperanza Aguas?"

I looked at him inn disbelief. "Grandmother ko po sya" I said.

"Really? Your mother or father's.. "

"My Mom's Mother po" I replied.

"I see." he looked straight to me. "That's why the resemblance is very clear. You look like her in her young days" he laugh amusedly.

"Excuse me, sir. How did you know her?" tanong ko.

"She was my ex girlfriend" he said straight to the point.

I was mindblown. Tumawa sya sa reaction ko.

I looked down. I remembered nung bata pa ako, nagkukwento si Lola about her past relationship.

"Matagal po nya kayong hinintay" I said. Tiningnan ko sya ulit. Nawala ang ngiti sa labi nya. "Muntik na syang hindi mag asawa dahil umasa sya na babalik po kayo"

"Ganun ba?" there was a hint of sadness in his tone. "Hindi ko alam"

"Matanda na sya nung nakilala nya si Lolo. Bale menopausal baby na ang mama ko. Nung bata pa ako lagi nya kayong kinukwento sa amin."

"Anong kinikwento nya?" tanong nya.

"Na gwapo daw po kayo at mayaman. Pero nagpakasal kayo sa ibang babae at iniwan nyo syang mag isa." I paused. Baka maoffend sya sa mga sinasabi ko.

Tumango tango ang matanda. "It must have been hard for her.."

"I guess first love doesn't always work" Nasabi ko nalang.

Namayani ang katahimikan.

"I loved her. I really did" the old man said. "Don't say that first love doesn't always work. It just happened in the wrong time."

Hindi ako umimik.

He cleared his throat.

"I will ask you. Do you love my grandson?"

I sat straight and looked at his eyes. Before I can open my mouth, the door opened.

Tristan came in, there was anger in his face. He held my hand at pinatayo ako.

"I told you earlier, Get your hand off my girl" he said to his grandpa.

"Tristan.." I said.

"I'm not doing anything to her. I just invited her for a chitchat." Sabi ng matanda. "We are talking about something interesting. How about you hear us out first?"

Naniningkit ang mga mata ni Tristan habang nakatingin sa lolo nya. Maya maya pa ay pumasok din sa room ang Dad ni Tristan, Si Zeus at ang papa nito.

"What's happening here?" tanong ng Daddy nya.

"We're leaving." We head on the door. All eyes looked at us.

"Don't you want to know if Chelsea loves you or not?" pahabol ng lolo ni Tristan. "I asked her but she hasn't answered yet."

Napatigil si Tristan sa pagpihit ng doorknob.

"I bet you want to know" he's obviously teasing his grandson.

I was so nervous. My hands and feet are getting cold. My heart is beating fast and my knee trembles. I want to get out of here. Too much tension in this room.

"Don't you?"

Tristan squeezed my palm and took a deep breath. Humarap sya sa lolo nya.

"You need not to know" he said. "I know her answer anyway" he smirked before he continued opening the door.

We walked out the hotel, to the parking lot.

"I'm sorry" he said as we sat inside his car. "I know you're terrified"

I looked at him.

"I shouldn't have brought you here. Sorry." he kept on apologizing.

I smiled at him.

"Natakot lang ako kasi parang magwawala ka kanina. Nakakatakot ka kasi pag galit" nasabi ko.

"Hmm.. me?" he held my hand. "Oh, sorry I didn't mean to scare you. May ginagawa or sinabi ba sayo si Lolo?"

Umiling ako. Sinabi ko sa kanya yung tungkol sa lolo at lola ko.

"He was such a coward back then" he said.

"Baka wala lang syang choice?" nasabi ko.

Umiling sya. "I will never do the same thing he did. Ipaglalaban kita kahit kanino"

I was surprised by his words. I never thought he love me this much. While I'm confused of my feelings for him.

I don't know. What should I say?

"I love you, Chelsea" he looked at me with sincere eyes. "Please don't leave me. Ikaw lang ang meron ako. I won't need anyone else."

Without a word, I nodded. I don't know why. I just feel like nodding.

He smiled and kissed my forehead.

He started the engine and drive out of the parking lot.

"We didn't get to eat. Do you want something?" he asked.

"Yes" I said. "Gusto ko ng luto mo"

He chuckled. "Alright then."

We head back to the condo and he prepared something for dinner.

He's cooking with his suit on. I giggled while watching him.

"Let's not spoil the night. Let's continue our own party."

Niyaya nya ako sa sala. He played some sweet songs.

"Shall we dance?" inilahad nya ang kamay nya sa harap ko.

Tinanggap ko yun. We walked towards the middle of the living room, he placed my hands on his shoulders, his hands on my waist.

We started to dance to the sweet melody..

He pulled me closer. "You're so beautiful" he whispered in my ear.

I got shivers down my spine.

He was humming while we dance.

"Tristan" I called.

"Hmm?"

"Bakit mo ako binilhan ng mga mahal na damit? Once ko lang naman to masusuot." I said.

"Exactly. Yung mga bagay na nangyayari sa buhay natin once, they are very special. So you have to give it your all" I felt he kissed my head. "I like you better with your hair down"

Hinaplos nya ang buhok ko. "But nevertheless, you're beautiful with both"

Bolero talaga.

I smiled and closed my eyes, enjoying the dance.

"Chelsea.. " I felt he moved slightly backwards.

"Yes?" I asked without opening my eyes.

"How I wish this night would never end"

Nagmulat ako at tumingala ako sa kanya. His lovely eyes are shining.

"Me too" sagot ko.

He smiled.

We stared at each other for a little while.

"May I kiss you?" he asked.

I pulled him down and met his lips. I don't care kung anong iisipin nya, I think it's pretty much a good escape from his mesmerizing stare.

We shared a long passionate kiss.