Vee and Vince (V series #3) (#Wattys2019) - COMPLETED

19 - The First Veera

Veera's POV

"I think you need this."

Tumingin ako sa katabi ko na nag-aabot sa akin ng hankie niya. My eyes widened when I realize kung sinong nag-o-offer sa akin ng hankie. He's. . . He's that cute guy na nag-aaply sa The Villamor Hotel.

He smiled encouragingly. "Come on, you can use it. 'Wag ka nang mahiya."

In the end, kinuha ko na lang yung hankie na ino-offer niya. Kanina pa rin kasi akong parang tanga na umiiyak dito, ayoko namang mas magmukha pang tanga na naka-titig sa kanya.

I wiped the tears off my face. I put on a light make-up a while ago, kaya ayun, nagkaroon ng make-up stain ang white hankie niya.

"T-Thank you for this." I said when I finally found my voice. I also forced myself to smile just to be polite. "And I'm sorry. Nadumihan ko 'yung hankie mo."

He smiled back to me. "That's fine. You can use it as long as you need it."

I just nodded and thanked him again. Medyo nahihirapan kasi akong magsalita 'cause I keep on sobbing.

"You've been crying hard simula kanina. Looks like you would really miss kung sinoman 'yung hinatid mo." He commented kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

Well, I guess mami-miss ko rin talaga ng si Liam.

"Yeah, I think so." I answered. "Eh ikaw? May sasalubungin ka siguro kaya you look happy."

"No. Actually, hinatid ko ang Mama ko. But she'll a have a two-month vacation lang sa Cebu with our relatives so no need to get sad about it." Kwento niya sa akin. Have I already mentioned before na ang cute niya? Hindi pa naman yata 'no? Kasi ang cute niya talaga.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Ang daldal ko talaga." He said and let out a chuckle. Shit naman. Bakit pati tawa niya ang cute? "Ikaw sinong hinatid mo?"

Iniisip ko kung sasagutin ko ba ang tanong niya or not. Well we're practically strangers and I heard mas okay na mag-kwento sa strangers kasi they won't judge me.

I sighed before I answered. "My ex. . . Hinatid ko lang ex ko."

He looked at me with disbelief but he chuckled. "Wow. . . That was. . . That was weird."

"I know, right." It's my turn to laugh at myself. "We've both been weird simula nung maging kami and I guess, hindi nagbago 'yon even after we broke up."

Natatawa ako. Ang weird nga naman kasi but just like what I said, lagi naman kaming weird ni Liam. Nothing new.

"So, you still love him?" He inquired. "Oh, sorry, I shouldn't have asked. You wouldn't cry that hard if you already moved on."

I mentally counted kung ilang araw na ba kaming break ni Liam before I answered. Halos magwa-one month na rin pala.

"Well, it's been a few weeks pa lang after we broke up so, yeah, I guess you can say that I still love him." I confessed.

"Whoa, I-I'm sorry to hear that." He apologized. Ayan na naman yung stutter niya. Ang cute. "Wanna talk about it over coffee?"

A smile automatically made its way to my lips when he mentioned 'coffee'.

"Yeah, let's have coffee." Pagpayag ko. "But I think it's better if we'll talk about something else rather than my ex." I added with a chuckle.

He flashed me a humorous smile once again. "Sure thing."

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He ordered affogato for the both of us when we reached the café near the airport. I don't really order affogato often but now I just realized that it is actually good. Ngayon ko lang siya na-appreciate.

"Nakakahiyang itanong but, what's your name again?" I started. Nakalimutan ko kasi talaga ang name niya. "Sorry, I forgot your name but I'm certain that it starts with 'K', right?"

Natawa siya. "Yes, you remember it right. It's Ken Daniel." He introduced.

Ah ayun, I remembered.

"So, what do you want me to call you? Ken or Daniel?" I asked.

"People actually call me Ken Daniel." Natatawang sagot niya which made me laugh too kasi nga ang cute niya.

"Kailangan talaga buo?"

"Kenneth Daniel pa nga 'yon when I was younger. Dad wants ko call me Kenneth while si Mom naman, Daniel." Kwento niya sa akin. "Walang gustong magpa-talo eh, kaya ayun. . . Ah, sorry, ang daldal ko na naman."

He scratched the back of his head and smiled apologetically after saying that.

Gods! That was so adorable, I have to stop myself to pinch his cheeks.

"It's okay. At least we have something to talk about."

"Eh how about you? What's your given name? I only know you as Ms. Tuazon."

"'Ms. Tuazon' sounds too formal. Parang hindi bagay sa akin." I chuckled. "You can call me Veera."

"Veera." He repeated. "I like it. Your name's unique. You're the first Veera na nakilala ko." Naka-ngiti niyang kwento sa akin.

"Wait, really? I didn't know that my name's that unique."

He nodded. "Yeah, I know a lot of Andrea, Katherine, Lisa, Joanne pero ngayon lang ako may nakilalang 'Veera'."

Napa-ngiti ako when I noticed something.

"Hindi ka yata nag-stutter ngayon?" I said, changing the subject. "No offense ha? But I just can't help but notice it."

"Well, hindi naman kasi ako kinakabahan." He answered. Buti naman at hindi siya na-offend. "That only happens when I'm nervous or scared. Sometimes, it even happens when I'm mad. Bad trip." Natawa na naman siya.

Could this guy be more adorable?

"Wait, seriously? You stutter when you're mad?" Natatawang sabi ko. I just can't keep myself from laughing at that fact. "Grabe naman. That's the worst."

I was still in the middle of laughing when I noticed that he is staring at me. Damn! Ayan na, na-offend na talaga yata.

"Oops, sorry. I didn't mean to laugh at you." I apologized.

"No, it's okay." He smiled. Hindi naman siguro siya na-offend. Sana. "And oh, I'm sorry for staring. I just noticed something."

I raised my eye brow, gesturing him to continue what he was saying.

"Your smile looks genuine now." He said, wearing a smile too. "Hindi katulad kanina, you're wearing a sad smile."

Napa-ngiti din ako. I just realized na medyo gumaan nga ang pakiramdam ko. I mean, i still feel a bit sad but I feel lighter.

"Well. . . Thanks to you." I said.

We finished our drinks before we decided to call it a night. He offered na ihatid ako but I declined. Nakakahiya din naman kasi. We just met each other tapos ang dami ko na yatang favor. He even payed for my drink.

"I hope this won't be the last time that I'll see you, Veera. You seem like an interesting girl." He said while opening the cab for me.

"I'm sure that this won't be the last time." I answered bago ako pumasok sa cab.

He waved at me bago pa umandar ang cab and I did the same.

I know that this won't be the last time that I'll see him. I don't know why but I got this feeling that he will be a part of my life.

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A/N: Next Friday ulit 😉