In The Arms Of An Angel (ON HOLD)

CHAPTER 73

"Bes, hindi ba masyadong loud ang red off -shoulder dress for a simple dinner?" Dei asked her friend awkwardly while eyeing herself in the mirror.

"Girl, walang simple sa dinner na ito! Remember, future ng lovelife mo ang nakataya dito. Kailangan mong mag-invest hindi lang ng emotion kundi effort dito. Dapat matulala si Sir RJ pagkakita nya s'yo!" Val answered emphatically while checking Dei's hair that she styled.

"Grabe! Isa lang tanong ko ang dami nang sinabi. Kinakabahan lang naman ako. Baka mamaya overdressed ako for the dinner na pinrepare ni RJ..." She answered with a hint of trepidation.

"Bes, wag mag-overthink! This is your first date na emotionally invested ka sa kasama mo. Paano kayo magpoprogress kung puro kaba at doubts ang paiiralin mo?" Val admonished her. She sighed.

"So ano dapat ang gawin ko?" She asked her friend reluctantly.

"Ienjoy mo ang moments nyo at ang experience na 'to. Kung di man magprogress into a real romance ang relationship nyo then at least you gained a true friend in RJ. Mukha namang masaya syang kasama at nakocomplement ang personalities nyo. Iba din ang glow ng eyes mo pag nandyan sya." Val said giddily.

Dei fell silent contemplating on what Val said.

"Tama naman si Val dun. I should seize the day. Hindi ko dapat sayangin ang chance na mas makilala sya dahil lang takot akong masaktan at iwan. Masyado lang talaga akong advance mag-isip!" She pouted.

"Okey! I'm done! Tayo ka and let's see my handy work. Ikot ka bes sa harap ng salamin dali!" Val gushed. She did as was told and she admit she does look pretty nice tonight.

"Wow! Iba talaga ang magic touch mo, bes! Feeling ang ganda ko tonight!" She exclaimed, laughing.

"O, sige na girl go ka na at naghihintay na si RJ sa meeting place nyo. Sure ka daw ba na ayaw mong sunduin ka na lang nya dito sa room?" Dei shook her head no.

"Ikaw ang bahala, naghihintay na daw sya dun at ready na ang pasabog nyang dinner for you! Ahiii, kinikilig ka, bes!" Val teased her that made her blush to the roots of her curled hair.

Dei walled carefully towards the pathway that RJ described to her earlier when he called her to confirm their dinner. The pathway was lit by small lanterns lined up in intervals on the ground. She followed the lanterns and it lead to a tree-lined area of the beach that she has not seen before in the day time.

"Nakakakaba naman ang lugar na'to. Paano kung hindi pala si RJ ang nandito pagdating ko sa dulo?!   Ang shunga mo talaga, Dei! Dapat nagpasundo ka na lang. May nalalaman ka pa kasing independent woman chuchu nagvolunteer na ngang sunduin ka! Baka may multo dit...wow!" Her internal monologue was cut short when she saw the view at the end of the pathway. She now stands at the top of low stone steps that leads to a secluded area by the beach and in the middle of the clearing is a picnic-like set up complete with a low table, mattress with plump pillows and lanterns. She heard a low clearing of throat and when she looked down at the end of the stairs, she found herself in a staring match with RJ. He is wearing a  loose long-sleeved, white shirt with khaki pants and sandals that made him look ethereal especially in the flickering lights of the lanterns. She slowly went down the stairs without breaking their eye contact. When she was on the last step, she did not notice the uneven step and: