Pagkakataon (Kanaway Book 5)

X

"I HAD a great evening."

"Me, too."

They were staring into each other's eyes just outside the establishment where they had their dinner. Kung pinipigil ni Yanno ang paghinga ay may hinala siya na ganoon din ang ginagawa ni Angie.

Pagkatapos ng munting cruise nila ay tumuloy sila sa isang restaurant upang doon maghapunan. At pagsapit ng alas nueve ay nagpaalam na ito na aalis na dahil baka hinahanap na ng mga kasama nito.

"Thank you for this evening," usal ni Angie bago humakbang ng isa paatras. It didn't really make much difference. Tila hindi ito halos humakbang. Maybe she's feeling what he's feeling. Ang kagustuhang manatili.

"So... where are you staying? Ihahatid na kita," alok ni Yanno. It was raining a bit. He doesn't mind getting wet basta huwag lamang maputol ang pagkakasama nila ng dalaga.

"No, no, you don't have to," kagyat na tanggi ni Angie. "Malapit lang naman iyon dito."

Yanno's heart was sinking. That's it? She's going, he's going? They had a good time, thank you, it's over?

"You should at least give me your number," hindi na nakatiis na wika ni Yanno.

May bahagyang panghihinayang na gumiti sa mukha ni Angie. "I don't have a cellhpone. At hindi ko rin memoryado ang number sa bahay."

Goodness! This is crazy. His going crazy over a fucking number. Or anything. Basta't kailangan niya ng mapanghahawakan para matiyak na hindi ito ang huling pagkikita nilang dalawa.

"This is not... fair," hindi mapigil na usal ni Yanno. Nahagod niya ang kanyang buhok.

At ng tumingin siya kay Angie ay nakita niya ang munting ngiti sa mga labi nito habang tila nagsusulat sa salaming dingding ng restaurant kung saan sila nag-dinner.

"What are you doing?"

Saglit siya nitong tinapunan ng tingin. "I'm writing."

Kunot-noong sinipat ni Yanno ang isinulat nito sa nagpapawis na dingding. "Lovely?"

She smiled. "Yes," her eyes were sparkling. "I think you're lovely when you're frustrated."

Lovely isn't an adjective a potent male like him would love to hear. He suggest a few appropriate words. Masculine. Handsome. Incredible. Yeah, like the hulk. Subalit talagang frustrated siya para isatinig pa ang mga iyon. May iba siyang mas mahalagang concern. "I want to know you more."

"What do you want to know about me?"

He inhaled deeply. "Like where do you live? What are your hobbies... your favorite food...?" he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"I can eat anything as long as it's edible."

"Alright. Favorite movie?"

"Magkapatid for local films. A Walk to Remember for foreign."

He had never seen any of those. But he smiled. "Favorite flower?"

"Well, iba-iba. Minsan gusto ko ang roses, minsan naman ay wala akong ibang gustong tingnan kundi orchids. But I have a great penchant for daisies so..."

His heart was warming up. "Somehow, I thought you'd say that. Because you're unpredictable."

"So what's next? Itatanong mo naman kung ano ang paborito kong kulay? Or favorite song?"

Inalis niya ang mga kamay mula sa bulsa. Gusto niyang abutin ang mga kamay ng dalaga. Subalit nagpigil siya. "Angie, I've had a great time with you."

"Me too," she was smiling.

"So you see when you had a great time with a cute and handsome and lovely stranger. A very incredible and brilliant one if I may add," she chuckled at that. He was grinning as he continued. "You don't let the chance slip away. You'll make sure you get to see that stranger again."

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti ni Angie. Humakbang pa ito palapit kay Yanno at ginawaran siya ng matunog na halik sa pisngi. "You're absolutely right," subalit sa pagkakataong iyon ay tuluyan na itong humakbang paatras. Hanggang sa tuluyan na itong pumihit at lumakad palayo.

Yanno's heart sank deeply. "Angie!"

Pabiglang humarap si Angie. There was a huge grin on her face. "Let's meet here again tomorrow at seven o'clock in the evening."

Tila unti-unting bumalik ang hangin sa baga ni Yanno. Napangiti na rin siya bago humakbang palapit kay Angie. Habang papalapit siya rito ay tinatanggal niya ang kwintas na kanyang suot.

Brilyanteng krus ang pendant ng kanyang kwintas. Regalo pa iyon sa kanya ng kanyang nasirang lola. He never let it part from him. Subalit ngayon ay gusto niyang ibigay iyon kay Angie. He wants to give her something that was a part of him.

"Hey, anong ginagawa mo?" tanong ni Angie ng pihitin niya ito at kanyang isuot rito ang kwintas.

"Shh, I need to do this for me."

Nang iharap na ito ni Yanno at pakatitigan ay may uncertainty sa mga mata nito. Bagaman hawak ng mga daliri nito ang pendant.

"Hindi ko matatanggap ito, Yanno."

"Kung hindi mo pa rin gustong tanggapin hanggang bukas na magkita ulit ta'yo ay tatanggapin ko," he was drowning into her beautiful eyes. "But for the meantime..." he can't finish his words. His face was inching towards hers until their lips touch.

Her lips were made for him, he decided.