The Next Stage (COMPLETED)

FORTY FOUR: Date

Julia

Pagkababa ko ng hagdan, my mouth went agape. Is this even real?

"Gwapo ko ba?" Tanong niya sakin. Natawa ako. Feel na feel naman.

I swear, akala mo aattend ng prom.  He's wearing a white fitted long sleeves with a black slacks and shoes. I've never seen him wearing formal outfit.

"Never thought that this night would be so formal? Sana sinabi mo." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Bakit? Okay naman suot mo ah?" I looked at myself. I am wearing a black tube dress na pinatungan ko ng brown jacket.

Still, I'm not satisfied.

"Okay, okay. Let's go na? Gutom na 'ko eh." Sabi ko. Nakakagutom pala after mong matulog ng mahabang oras.

"Okay. Tara?" Then he lend me his arms, na kaagad kong kinapitan. Ang formal talaga, ha.

Binitawan ko rin agad 'yun ng makalabas na kami. He already finished securing our place while waiting for me a while ago.

"So, how will I be able to ride this one?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Ang arte mo. Tara na." Nauna na siyang pumasok sa loob ng tricycle na tinawag niya ata kanina sa kanto.

Kaagad akong sumunod sa kanya while I'm laughing. We don't have a choice kundi mag commute. We don't have a car, and kung meron, CJ's still a minor. So hindi pa pwede.

After a few minutes, nakarating na kami sa isang restaurant malapit samin. It's fancy, and mukhang kaka-open lang.

"Table for two, ma'am and sir?" The receptionist asked ng makapasok na kami sa loob.

"We actually reserved a seat for us, from Mrs. Montenegro." sabi ni CJ. Lakas maka mayaman.

"Okay sir, you may now proceed to your table po. Enjoy your night." Then the waiter assited us to our table.

"So, why is this happening? This date, the reservation, all these stuffs?" I asked. Kanina pa 'ko pinapatay ng curiousity ko. And now's the right time to ask for it.

"Actually, mama planned this for you. We both know that your heart's not in good conditon. So...that's it." I smiled, teary-eyed.

One person left, but I know that these two will never leave me. I'm so blessed to have both of them in my life.

So, in order for me to express my gratitude to them, I will enjoy this night. I will make heart okay, and I will spend my time with CJ full of happiness.

"So it means, napilitan ka lang din?" Asar ko sa kaniya.

"Ate, can you be nice to me kahit ngayong gabi lang? Kanina ka pang umaga, ah." Sabi niya, shaking his head.

Actually, I felt guilty dahil parang naibuhos ko lahat ng frustrations ko sa kaniya kaninang umaga. I know myself that what I did is not right.

"Gusto ka lang namin maging masaya. Sorry for being chismoso, pero I heard you crying kanina. And sorry for being sumbongero, pero sinabi ko kay mama na umiiyak ka kanina, that's why we decided to plan this dinner." I smiled. Hay, CJ.

"Mama can't make it because she has a lot of things to do pa. And she said na it's better to spend our time with each other, as siblings. Kadiri man pakinggan pero, I agreed."

Umiling ako. "Mama talaga, oh. Pero, thank you. You don't know how much impact you caused me. It's a good impact, though. Thank you for being there for me, kadiri mang sabihin." Then we both laughed. This night is going to be a blast, hopefully.