I fell in love

Chapter 17

We agreed to watch a movie first before heading out for dinner and a few drinks.

She was the one who picked the bar, said she had it all planned out and insisted she'd cover everything.

I refused, of course, tried to reason with her, but knowing her, the stubborn girl that she is, she didn't even let me pay for the drinks later on. Not even one.

After the movie, we walked out into the warm night, both still half-laughing about the awkward ending that didn't really make sense.

Sabay kaming umuwi sa unit ko to get ready for our dinner and night out. 

"You done?" She asked when I went out of the room. "Oh, yes! You're still not!" She exaggeratedly exclaimed.

"Sandali na lang, yung buhok ko kasi." Ngumiwi ako.

"Itali mo na lang, Mariz." She suggested.

Oo nga, ano? Bakit hindi ko naisip 'yon?

I tied my hair up into a high, sleek ponytail, making sure it stayed tight and polished no matter how much I moved later.

I really put thought into how I looked tonight. I wore my black long-sleeved off-shoulder top, paired with fitted black pants that had a subtle slit on the left knee.

My makeup turned out exactly the way I wanted. I made the lipstick a little bolder to match the smokey eyes I spent extra time on.  

I can already imagine how it will unfold, with good food, a few drinks, and easy conversations.

Tonight could be the best time for us to talk about our relationship. Though I do understand how she wants to take things slow, considering how rushed we started, we agreed to make things right by taking things slowly. 

"Let's go," I said.

Things went smoothly. We ate our dinner at a Filipino restaurant in BGC. Nagpapahinga lang kami saglit at nagpapababa ng kinain para mamaya, hindi kami masyadong busog bago uminom ng alak.

Tumayo kami at tumambay muna sa labas ng bar.

Kita namin ang mga taong naglalabasan at pumapasok sa loob. May mga tao rin dito sa labas. Ang iba, nag uusap ang iba, naninigarilyo pero karamihan, gumagamit ng kani-kanilang telepono.

"Stop staring..." mahina kong saad nang mapansin ang malalim niyang titig. Ngayon lang ako bumaling ulit sa kanya dahil sa pag iwas ko ng tingin sa isang couple na naghahalikan.

"Sorry," hinawakan niya ang siko ko. "I can't." She said before pulling me closer.

The moment Althea pulled me closer, I caught the soft wave of her scent. It was fresh and light, like jasmine with a hint of something sweeter that I couldn't quite name.

It wasn't overwhelming, but it stayed with me, lingered in the space between us, and something about it made my brain light up.

It was strange how a single breath of her could unlock so many things all at once. Familiar warmth, quiet moments, and all good things. 

My entire system cracked the second I realized how close she was. I could feel the tension in my chest, the way my hands almost trembled even though I tried to keep still.

My heart was loud. My thoughts blurred out like background noise. She didn't even have to say anything.

Just being near her, feeling the warmth of her skin and breathing her in, ruined every effort I made to stay composed. I wasn't okay, not even close.

"Damn!" She silently cursed. "I missed you..." bulong niya sa akin.

Mas lalong hindi ko malaman ang mararamdaman doon. She whispered on my ear with such low voice. It was as if she wanted me to hear her words and  know what she means.