At Her 18th | ✓

Thirteenth🌹

"Where are we going this time?" He was focused on the road but his right hand was holding my left.

"I was planning to go bowling with you, if you are fine with that." He kissed the back of my hand, "But if it's not your cup of tea, then I can find some place to your liking."

"Wala naman akong problema sa bowling." I didn't want to ruin his plans at tsaka marunong rin naman ako mag-bowl kasi mahilig sina Nathan—my cousin from the Hidalgo's—maglaro nun.

We traveled for about 20 mins until we reached Eastwood. Maraming tao sa mall pero at least we could just blend in with the crowd. Hindi rin naman ito isa sa mga usual spots namin kaya malabong may makakita sa aming mga kakilala ko.

"What time is your curfew?" Tanong niya nang isara niya ang pinto pagkalabas ko ng sasakyan.

"Abby said she'd cover for me, so Mom will probably allow me to be home by 9 at most." Abigail has been telling my mom that I'd been hanging out with the girls the past few days tuwing may sumusundo sa akin na kaibigan ni Arch, and I don't know why but I feel so relieved that she's doing this for me. If it was me before, I would have never thought of being grateful to her for covering for me just so I could go out like this.

"That's good enough for me." Ngiti niya, "We can have dinner then."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at sabay kaming pumunta sa bowling alley dito sa citywalk. 

"Abby said you went to tita Eleanor's boutique yesterday." Nasabi na kasi ni Abby sa kapatid niya ang last minute changes sa lineup ng 18 roses para sa debut ko.

Hindi ko naman kasi natuloy ang pagtawag sa kaniya sa gabi nung nag-desisyon si mommy kasi nga late na kami natulog dahil kay Ari. I just texted him and was about to explain the next day pero naunahan na pala ako ni Abby. 

Tumango ito, "She was a handful pero wala namang naging problema. You'd drool once you see me in the suit."

I scoffed at his conceitedness. "As if."

"As if you're not already drooling for me kahit nakaganito lang ako." 

"Ang kapal!" His deep voice made his laugh sound a little provocative in a kinky way. 

I've been seeing his every move differently lately. Baka dahil maharot 'tong gagong 'to kaya nahawaan na ako sa pagiging manyak niya.

"You're imagining it, aren't you?" He smirked at me which made me roll my eyes.

"Just shut up and walk."

"Aye aye, my little island." Nakangiti akong napailing habang nagtungo kami sa alley.

"What size are you?" Tanong niya nang makarating kami sa hiraman ng sapatos.

"Seven." Tumango ito at siya na ang kumausap sa nagbabantay.

Pumasok na kami pagkapalit namin ng sapatos at humiran na rin siya ng gloves para sa'kin kahit hindi naman kailangan.

"What? I like how smooth your hands are when I'm holding them."

Napataas naman ako ng kilay, "Hindi naman magkakakalyo 'yung mga palad ko nang dahil lang sa isang araw ng pagbo-bowling."

"Kahit na." Umiling siya ng nakapikit. He's acting like a child again, minsan napapa-isip ako kung sino 'yung mas matanda sa'min eh.

We stationed ourselves in one of the vacant lanes, "Winner gets to ask the other something as a prize?"

I squinted my eyes at him, "You sure love your games." 

"I was a party king." He answered as if it was the only answer I needed, "What's a party without games?"

I clicked my tongue, he's probably planning something. Who cares anyway? I'm already caught in one of his games, what worse could one more do?