A CATena of Kisses

11 Heat

11 HEAT

Now Playing: Thank You for Loving Me by Bon Jovi
🎼I never knew I had a dream
Until that dream was you
When I look into your eyes
The sky's a different blue 🎶

Saktong 6:30 nag-ring ang phone ni Cat.
>>Good evening, love. I'm already here.
<<Yeah. Coming.

At in-end nya ang call. Titig na titig sa kanya si Sebastian paglabas nya ng bahay. Naka-sleeveless na dress sya, color blue na above the knee. at ballet flats na polka brown and white.

"Huy! Ok ka lang?" bati nya kay Sebastian.

"I'm sorry, love. You look gorgeous." Inalalayan nyang sumakay si Cat sa Aventador.

"Thank you."

On the way to their destination, kinausap sya ni Sebastian, "By the way, Gael is going to meet us at Heat."

"Oh. Ok." Though alam na ni Cat beforehand na magkikita sila ni Gael, kinakabahan pa rin sya.

"I hope you don't mind. I really want you two to get along." nakangiting sabi ni Sebastian.

"Yup. Ok lang sakin." nakangiti ring sabi nya. {It's time na rin siguro na mag-meet kami ng hindi nya ko winawarningan.} sa isip ni Cat.

Pina-valet ni Sebastian ang kotse nya. Pagpasok nila sa Heat, andun na si Gael. Naka-navy blue na polo sya, folded half-way din, naka-untuck sa black jeans nya, at sneakers.

{Wow. Pareho ng style ang dalawa a. } sa isip ni Cat. Tapos napansin nya ang hawak na wine glass ni Gael {Gwapo sana to. Ang takaw lang sa alcohol}.

Nakita sila ni Gael. Nag-wave si Gael sa kanila. Pero nakatitig ito kay Cat. Sabay lagok sa wine.

"Gael, I would like you to meet Cat. Cat, this is Gael." pagpapakilala ni Sebastian paglapit nila sa table.

"Hi, Gael. Nice meeting you." in-extend ni Cat ang kamay nya.

Inabot naman iyon ni Gael. Pero sa halip na i-shake, hinalikan nya ang likod ng kamay ni Cat. Nabigla si Cat. Nahila nya paatras ang kamay nya. Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Gael. Tinignan sya ni Sebastian na parang sinasabing, 'What are you doing, Gael?'

"Sorry. That was rude of me. Nabigla lang ako." agad nag-apologize si Cat.

"No. Cat. No need to apologize. Gael can be a little archaic sometimes." bawi naman ni Sebastian. Umiwas lang ng tingin si Gael.

"Please have a seat." in-assist ni Sebastian si Cat.

---

Dinner was going smoothly. Nagkwento si Sebastian ng past adventures nila ni Gael kay Cat. Natatawa lang si Cat. Paminsan-minsan nagko-comment si Gael. Pero most of the time sinusulyapan nya lang si Cat sabay inom ng wine.

"Haven't you had enough already, Gael?" biglang tanong ni Cat.

Napatingin ang magpinsan sa kanya.

"It's just wine." sabi ni Gael.

"Don't worry about him. He can handle his alcohol. I've never even seen him drunk." paliwanag ni Sebastian.

"Oh. Ok." parang napahiyang sabi ni Cat.

Biglang nag-ring ang phone ni Sebastian. His father was calling. "Excuse me. I need to take this call."

Lumayo sya sa table para kausapin ang dad nya. Napatingin si Cat kay Gael. Nakatingin din ito sa kanya.

"It's probably important. He doesn't take a call when he's on a date." sabi ni Gael sabay inom ng wine.

"I see." ganun lang ang nasabi ni Cat. Medyo naiilang pa rin sya kay Gael.

Tahimik lang sila hanggang makabalik si Sebastian.

"Cat, Gael. I'm sorry but I really have to go. Family emergency. Gael, handle the bill and please take Cat home. Cat, I'll call you later." nagmamadaling sabi ni Sebastian.

"It's ok. I can take a taxi." sabi ni Cat.

"I will take you home." sabi ni Gael.

"Thanks, Gael. I owe you one." sabi ni Sebastian kay Gael.

Bumulong sya kay Cat, "Talk to you later, love." sabay ngiti.

"Ok. Take care." sabi ni Cat.

Naiwan sila Cat at Gael na nakaupo sa table.