Kick-Start

Dates

Some good news! Ella was awarded the space in a gas station at the South Luzon Expressway. She and James were again bidding for that prime location and she thanked heavens she got it.

"Congratulations!"

Ella looked up to see John, standing by her doorway. "Uy, nandiyan ka pala."

John is a friend she had known in high school, who she bumped into again at a get together over a year ago. They had a great time catching up and since then, John had been asking her out.

"Let's celebrate. Dinner?"

"John. I told you many times already, I'm not interested in dating, di ba?"

John smiled. "I know. And I told you, I'm okay to go out as friends until one day you're ready to date. I'll be the first one in line when that happens."

"Hay. Okay, dinner. Dutch. And I'll go home on my own."

At the Spanish restaurant nearby, they settled at a corner table for some privacy. Only another table across them could be seen from that space.

Of course, that table was occupied by James.

"Hi, Neighbor!" He greeted, cheerfully, but threw cautious looks at John.

Ella introduced the two men. "John, this is James, owner nung ilang restaurant na katabi or katapat namin - most recently Jabug Sta. Monica."

"Well, not exactly. I work for the Holding Company that owns them. Simpleng manggagawa lang ako," James corrected.

"You're alone? Why don't you join us?" John offered.

"God no," Ella said. "Ayoko nga. Kung gusto niyo kayo magdinner."

"Uy, possessive yata sayo si Ms. Santamaria. Sige kayo nalang. Okay na ako dito," James said, then took his seat.

"Ikaw nalang mag-order for us," Ella said to John.

"Nako! Huwag ka maniniwala sa ganyan. Sasabihin niya ikaw na tapos magagalit kapag namili ka. Or aayawan lahat ng piliin mo," James commented.

Ella narrowed her eyes at him.

James held up his hand in surrender. "Oops. Sorry. Hehe."

"I'll get calamares -" John started.

"NAKOOOOOWWWWWW! Allergic siya diyan."

Ella's eyes widened. "Kung sumama ka nalang kaya dito kung makikialam ka lang?"

"Hmmm sige na nga." James was about to pull his table closer, but Ella stopped him.

"Seriously?!?"

"Sabi mo sumama nalang ako?"

"Baliw ka ba?"

"Bakit ang labo mo?"

Ella turned to John. "Sa iba nalang tayo kumain."

"Uy, huwag. Joke lang naman kasi. I'll be quiet na. Sorry," James apologized. Dropping his voice, he whispered to John, "Favorite niya itong special paella dito."

Ella heard. She would've protested at James' continued interruption, but she really did favor that paella.

When their respective dinners were served, it was Ella's turn to butt in. "Stop don't eat that."

James looked at the sardines he was about to consume.

"That's too spicy for you. Mahihirapan ka na naman huminga," she said.