isay's innocent love

chapter 7: date night :)

     Nakita niya ang isang lamesa pandalawang tao na kompleto na sa kuyertos. Sa tabi nito ay dalawang waiter. May tumutugtog ng violin at piano sa loob ng isang kiosk kung saan may mga nakasabit na Christmas lights to make it look lang it was raining stars over their heads. Not that it mattered much. Around them were trees and bushes of green. On the floor, petals of red roses were scattered just as the sky is full of stars on that night. Lighted scented candles were strategically placed all over the venue to make the place more romantic.

            “The main reason why I chose this place is that it’s romantic. For us.”, David whispered in her ear.

            Nakiliti si Alyssa dahil sa mainit na hininga ng binata. Bukod pa doon ay hindi siya makapagsalita dahil namamangha pa siya sa ganda ng lugar. Hindi rin siya makapaniwala na nagagawa ni David ang mag-effort nang ganito kalaki para lang sa panliligaw sa kanya gayong hindi ito sanay manligaw dahil maraming babae ang nagkakagusto dito without him even lifting a finger. She felt special. “thank you David.”, that was all she was able to muster.

            David smiled at her sweetly. “Don’t thank me yet. Hindi pa nga tayo nakakakain.”, sagot nito at inalalayan siyang maupo. He took has seat and a hearty meal shortly followed. They shared a light conversation during their meal. Alyssa found herself smiling most of the time. David was David. He cracked jokes and kept the conversation going para mag-enjoy sila habang kumakain.

            Nang matapos ang hapunan, ay kapwa sila nakangiti nang pumailanlang ang tugtugin na perhaps love ni John Denver. And she recognized that song kahit intro pa lang ang tinutugtog dahil iyon ang wedding song ng kanyang mga magulang. She could remember her papa, taking her mom onto the center of the living room to dance sa kantang iyon. They were so sweet and she dreams of finding true love just like them. She smiled at the thought. Saka pa niya napansin ang pagtayo ni David sa tabi niya at inilahad ang kamay.

            “Can I have this dance?”, he asked.

            Alyssa bit her lip and then smiled at him. “you can.”, she answered as she took his hand. Naglakad lang sila ng kaunti mula sa kinauupuan at sumayaw. The head lights were suddenly shut down kaya ang mga bituin sa langit, ang Christmas lights sa kiosk at ang mga kandilang nakasindi lang ang nagbibigay ng liwanag sa kanila nang gabing iyon.

            It was so romantic. It was everything one could have asked for a date. Alyssa was impressed.

            “Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm 

It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm and in those times of trouble when you are most alone. The memory of love will bring you home”, a woman from the kiosk sang. Alyssa smiled as she heard that. Hindi masyadong malakas ang tugtog. Just enough for them to hear the lyrics clearly. “Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door. It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more and even if you lose yourself and don't know what to do. The memory of love will see you through” they were dancing under the stars and David cant take his eyes off hers.

            “oh love to some is like a cloud, to some as strong as steel. For some a way of living, for some a way to feel and some say love is holding on and some say letting go, and some say love is everything, and some say they don't know.”, ngayon naman ay isang baritonong tinig na ang kumakanta. Ang duet version pala ang kinakanta ng dalawa. Naalala niya tuloy ang version nito ni jose mari chan. Kahit dati pa, kapag naririnig niya ang awiting iyon ay parang halos gusto niya ring sumayaw dahil sa kantang iyon, wala nga lang siyang partner. Kaya ngayon, ninanamnam niya ang bawat sandaling kasayaw niya ang binata.

            “Perhaps love is like the ocean, full of conflict, full of change

Like a fire when it's cold outside, thunder when it rains. If I should live forever, and all my dreams come true. My memories of love will be of you.”, ngayon ay sabay nang kumakanta ang dalawang mangaawit. Their voices blended off so sweetly. Nang matapos ang dalawa ay patuloy pa rin ang pagtugtog ng violin at piano.

            “if I should live forever. And all my dreams come true. My memories of love would be of you.”, kanta ni David sa mga huling linya ng kanta. Halos maluha si Alyssa nang marinig ang pagkanta ni David. David is not a good singer but he hit the notes. And what mattered is that she saw sincerity in his eyes while he was singing. “I meant that. I love you Alyssa.”, he said, without him taking off his gaze at her. Unti unti ay inilapit ni David ang kanyang labi sa dalaga.

            Here comes the kiss! Her mind warned her. Pero hindi siya makagalaw. Perhaps dahil gusto na rin niyang magpahalik sa binata? Sa laki ng effort ng panliligaw nito sa kanya, maybe he deserves a kiss. But she should know better. Hindi siya ang tipo ng babae na magpapahalik sa labi sa taong hindi niya pa boyfriend.

            Marahil ay nabasa ni David ang pagaalinlangan sa isip ng dalaga kaya sa halip na dumako sa labi nito ang halik, he opted for her right cheek instead.

            Alyssa closed her eyes as she felt David’s lips on her cheek. Oh how considerate. And it warmed her. Not just because his lips were as warm as a freshly baked cookie but because she knew there and then that David respects her and her choices. He was considerate of how she was going to feel kung maghahalikan sila so he settled with a sweet peck. David scored major pogi points. Not that he needed it. He already won her over. Alyssa pulled David in for a tight hug.