A CATena of Kisses

12 Reventon

12 REVENTON

Now playing: Say (All I Need) by One Republic
🎼Whenever the end is
Do you think you can see it?
Well, until you get there
Go on, go ahead and scream it
Just say it🎶

Nagpatuloy sa dinner sila Cat at Gael.

"Ok lang ba si Sebastian?" tanong ni Cat.

"Just finish your meal. He said he'll call you later." sabi naman ni Gael.

"Ok." {Weird naman nito. Parang di man lang nag-aalala.}

Pagkatapos ng dinner, Gael settled the bill. Lumabas na sila ng restaurant at naglakad papunta sa parking.

"Gael, I'll take a taxi. You don't..."

"I said I'll take you home, didn't I?" sabi ni Gael.

"Baka kasi sobrang abala na sa yo."

"It's not." sabi ni Gael.

Tumigil sila sa likod ng isang puting Reventon. Napahinga ng malalim si Cat. "Wow. A Reventon. And a white one! Hindi naman kayo masyadong fan ng Lamborghini no?"

{Sebastian's right. She knows cars.} "Just get in." sabi ni Gael.

Sumakay na sila. Tahimik lang. Napatitig si Cat kay Gael. {Ang gwapo naman nito. Kaya lang masyadong masungit at seryoso.}

Naputol ang pag-iisip nya ng magtanong si Gael, "What are you thinking?"

Tumingin si Cat sa harap. Syempre hindi nya pwedeng aminin kung ano talagang iniisip niya kaya naman iba ang kanyang sinabi, "Hindi ka pa talaga nalasing ever?"

"So, you were thinking about my alcohol tolerance while you were staring at me. Anyway, the answer is 'no.'"

"Ok." Nahiya bigla si Cat. Mentally, pinapagalitan nya ang sarili nya, {Ang dami naman kasing pwedeng itanong e. Ba't ba yun ang lumabas sa bibig mo, Catalina? So lame.}

"Can you turn on the radio?" tanong na lang ni Cat kasi sobrang awkward na ng atmosphere, ma-traffic at medyo malayo pa sila. In-on naman ito ni Gael.

After a few songs, may isang familiar na kantang tumugtog sa radyo. Unconsciously, sinabayan ito ni Cat habang nakatingin sya sa labas.

"I'll sing it one last time for you..."

Napatingin si Gael sa kanya, {It's the same song she sang at the party}.

"Louder, louder. And we'll run for our lives. I can hardly speak, I understand..." kanta lang si Cat. Di nya napapansing tinititigan na pala sya ni Gael; parang pinag-aaralan ang buong feature nya.

Biglang may bumusina sa likod. Go na pala. Mabilis na binalik ni Gael ang atensyon nya sa pagmamaneho.

Nung natapos ang kanta, tumahimik si Cat. Si Gael naman ang nagsimula ng conversation, "When did you start playing the piano?"

"Huh?" Napatingin si Cat sa kanya. "Around 5 years old, I think. My grandfather taught me the basics. Tapos I started playing by ear. Ikaw? Anong instrument ang tinutugtog mo?"

"I play the piano, as well."

{Did he smile?} Hindi sure ni Cat kasi medyo madilim. Nahiya naman syang magtanong kasi baka magka-ilangan nanaman sila. Ipinagpatuloy na lang nya ang conversation, "Wow. Pareho pala tayo." Hindi na sumagot si Gael.

Nagtanong naman si Cat. "So, are you an only child?"

"No. I have a younger brother."

"How old is he?"

"Thirteen."

"Wow. Your age gap is quite big."

"Yeah."

"What's his name?"

"Mikael. How about you? You have siblings?"

"Nope. Only child. My mom died during delivery. And my father, well I never met him." casual na sabi ni Cat.

"So, who's taking care of you?" curious si Gael.

"My grandpa. But I call him 'tatay'."

"Ok."

Nagulat si Cat sa sunod na tanong ni Gael, "Do you like Seb?"

"I-I do. He's a good guy."

"He loves you."

"A...yun lang. I don't think andun na ko sa level na yun. For now, all I can offer is my friendship." honest na sabi ni Cat.

Tumahimik lang si Gael.

"Do you hate me more now?" tanong ni Cat.

"No. You're still young. I think Seb's just going through a puppy love stage. I'm hoping he gets over that stage soon."

"What do you mean?"

"It's the first time I've seen him act like this. It bothers me. I guess I'm not used to it." pag-amin ni Gael.

"So, you've never been in love before?" tanong ni Cat.

"No."

"Maybe you'll understand Sebastian when you find the right woman for you." sabi ni Cat.

Hindi sumagot si Gael.

May naalala bigla si Cat, "Gael." Nag-stammer sya, "I-I just want to thank you for catching me that day. If you weren't there malamang nagkabangas-bangas na ang mukha ko. And sorry rin for the same reason."

"It wasn't like I tried to save you. I did it out of reflex." walang kagatol-gatol na sabi ni Gael.

Parang na-disappoint si Cat pero di nya pinahalata, {So, reflex lang pala talaga ang lahat. Reflex lang ang first kiss ko.} "It doesn't matter whether it's intentional or not. Thank you pa rin." pilit na nginitian ni Cat si Gael. Umiwas lang ng tingin si Gael.

Tahimik na sila buong byahe hanggang makarating sa bahay nila Cat. Bumaba na si Cat, "Thanks, Gael. It was nice talking to you."

"Good night." sabi ni Gael. Pumasok na sa bahay si Cat at umalis na si Gael.