Remember (MaiDen Fanfiction) | Wattys 2019 Winner

Chapter XIII

"WHAT? RJ Reyes?"

Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa sinabi nito. If he's not using that name, bakit iyon ang binigay nito sa kanya?

"Then why did you use that Faulkerson name in my resto?" Naguguluhan pa rin niyang tanong.

He sighed. Parang ayaw nitong pag-usapan ang bagay na 'yon. And she can totally understand that. It's too personal anyway.

"It's okay if you won't answer. Masyado na ata akong maraming tanong." And that's awkward.

Like really awkward.

"It's fine," maya-maya ay wika nito. "I thought someone will recognize me if I'll use my real name. But guess what?"

Tiningnan niya ang binata. She saw a faint hint of sadness in his eyes. Agad din naman iyong nawala nang mapansin na nakatingin siya.

"She didn't recognize you?" hindi siguradong tanong niya.

He nodded. "Not at all."

Para na naman silang ewan na parehong natahimik. They just sat there. No one dared to move. No one wanted to go. Basta nandoon lang sila. Nagpapakiramdaman. Well, that's on her part. Pinapakiramdaman niya ang binata. That question might be too sensitive for him.

She shifted on her seat. Napansin niya na tiningnan siya ng binata. It was really awkward having him around. Nakakapanibago lang.

"Can I ask you a question too?"

Napalingon siya dito. "Yeah, sure." Mabilis na sagot niya kasabay ng mabilis na tibok ng puso.

There's really something in his eyes that makes her feel uncomfortable. The way he looked at her was too familiar. Or maybe he's just getting used to it. Or not. Really not.

"Why did they tell me you're not in the resto that night?" Seryoso ang tingin nito sa kanya. That look was telling her not to lie or else she'll be going to jail.

"Well, I was supposed to go home to my province that day. It was scheduled, kaso nga lang Nanay Lolit, my best chef, got sick. So I had no choice but to stay." Paliwanag niya. "It was my instruction to them not to tell anyone that I'm actually there. Marami kasing ginagawa and I don't want to be distracted and bothered by anyone."

Hindi niya alam kung bakit kailangan niyang magpaliwanag dito. And she even told him every single thing. Like she owe the explanation to him.

"I see." Tumango ito.

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag. Akala niya wala ng follow up question pero meron pa pala.

"So, the chocolate mousse, ikaw ang gumawa?"

Umiling siya. "No, I'm too tired to make one. I asked one of my chefs to do it for me."

"Kaya pala iba ang lasa," he whispered.

"Excuse me?" Napakunot siya ng noo.

"Iba ang lasa nung mousse. I bought one before and your staff told me that you made it yourself. But apparently, you're not around the first time I went there," he said.

"Ah. I must be in the office."

"Maybe." He said, close to a whisper but enough for her to hear.

Then no one dared to speak again after. That awkward silence will probably be her best friend. It keeps on happening with him around. Kapag wala na silang mapag-usapan ay talagang susulpot iyon. Para iyong palaman at silang dalawa ang bun.

Nagulat siya nang paglingon ay sobrang lapit ng mukha nila sa isa't isa. Tila nanigas ang katawan niya dahil doon. Hindi niya magawang lumayo dito.