Caressing My Perplexed Stella [HS #3]

CHAPTER 6

"Dale, you're here..."

Ngumiti rin ako dahil sa kanyang bati. Tumayo ito at marahang lumapit, I tiptoed to reached his level. We greeted each other with a beso-beso, ito na ang nakagawian pag-bati ng mga Pilipino. Marahan ko pang tinapik ang kanyang balikat at muli siyang tinanaw bago tuluyang umupo.

"As if naman hindi ako tumutupad sa usapan, Kuya?" Ani ko kaya mahina itong natawa. "It's nice to see you again, Kuya Lennon. The last time we talked, akala ko ay hindi na tayo mag-aabot..." I continued.

"I thought so too, maybe there was a change of plans in Meteo's schedule. But nevertheless, I'm delighted to see you today too." His voice is quite deep, lahat ng lumalabas sa bibig ay mukhang mabuting pinag-isipan. I want him to drop to formality, but I just can't. "Kailan kayo nakauwi? Kagabi?" Pagtatanong niya.

"Kanina lang," Sa gilid ng aking mata ay nakita ko ang paglapit ng isang waitress kaya naman hindi namin naituloy ang pinag-uusapan.

She asked us for our order, Kuya Lennon let me order first and so I did. Grande Chocolate Cream Chip Frappuccino and Chocolate & Raspberry Vegan Cake, iyon lang ang gusto ni tiyan ko. I closed the menu as I looked at Kuya Lennon.

"That's it?" He asked, kaagad naman akong tumango. "Alright, make it two. I'll take her order too." Aniya kasabay anng pagbaling sa waitress, she wrote it in a paper as Kuya handed his card.

"Hala, no. I'll pay." Singit ko ngunit tuluyan na iyong naabot ng waitress. "Take this..." Wika ko pa at akmang ilalabas ang card sa pitaka ngunit kaagad na nagsalita ang aking kaharap.

"If you want to pay for these, at least pay with your own money." He whispered, huminga ako nang malalim at pinanood na lang na umalis ang babae. Napatingin ako kay Kuya Lennon, he is like Kuya Meteo and Aster combined. He's soft then one second, he is Aster.

"You're still harsh," Bati ko. He laugh again and nodded, I giggled too because it didnt offend me. "But you are real, and people doesn't like a real ass." Umayos ako ng upo at sandaling tumingin sa labas.

"Ang sabi mo, kanina lang kayo umuwi?" Lumipad sa kanya ang tingin ko at walang ano-ano naman akong tumango. "Kalalapag mo lang, you didn't rest." It's a statement, not a question. Yet, it needs an assurance.

"I did..." Maiksi kong sabi. "Don't worry, I am totally fine. Sa eroplano ako nagpahinga, Kuya. And by the way, I got you this..." Inilabas ko mula sa paperbag ang binili kong regalo para sa kanya, he lean forward to see it closer. "A scarf and and marinière... It's cold in Korea. You should wear those there." I added.

"Ah, you're too thoughtful. I appreciate it." Aniya habang ipinapakita ko iyon. Scarf are famous there, kinaainggitan ang mga scarf na gawa roon dahil makakapal ang tela. Marinière, on the other hand, is a long-sleeve, it's a great fashion statement there.

"I was thinking of giving you a beret, actually." Narinig ko na naman ang kanyang pagtawa nang sabihin ko iyon, he knows that I was only kidding. "It won't suit the korean style you got."

"Ah, whatever it is, Dale. Whatever it is it that you give, bakit naman hindi? Thank you so much" Ibinalik ko na iyon sa paperbag at ibinigay na sa kanya. Ngumiti ako at ngumiti, ilang sandali lang ay dumating na ang aming order, kaya ibinaba niya na ang aking ibinigay.

Humigop ako sa aking inumin at diretsong tumingin sa kanya. "Kuya, how's Celestine?" Panimula ko, this is why I am here. To reconcile, ngunit kahit magkaayos kaming apat kung hindi magkakaayos ang aming mga kapatid, wala rin.

"Getting better, how about Comet?" Mabilis niyang sagot.

"Getting better, I guess? Or no. I don't know, he has no plans of getting over it. Kilala mo naman iyon, hindi ba? Tatak sa kanya 'yan hanggang hindi naayos." Nakita ko siyang sumubo ng kapiraso sa cake, he seems to like it.