Pink Skies

Neun.

Ramses woke up being snuggled and cuddled up by Rae. Nakasiksik ang muka nito sa may leeg niya at nakayapos ito sa katawan niya.

Why does this feels so good?

He hugged her tight. Mas lalo pa itong sumiksik sa kanya. He could smell her floral scent shampoo. Pati na rin ang shower gel na ginamit nito kagabi. Laughtrip silang dalawa kagabi dahil sa kakulitan nito. He didn't know that Rae could be that annoyingly cute.

Hindi kasi nito matanggal ang pagkakatali ng gladiator sandals nito. Kaya tinulungan niya itong tanggalin yon. Muntik pa nga itong makatulog. If he didn't tapped her exposed knee, she could literally dozed off to sleep. E hindi pa naman ito nakakapagpalit ng suot nitong gown. Plus, she still had make up.

"Babe, you want to change na?" He asked.

Tumango ito. "Yea, and I'm sleepy." Then yawned.

Tinulungan niya itong tumayo at samahan papuntang banyo. Ang merlat, nakapikit na. Jusku.

"Go ahead and take a shower." Tumango naman ito saka dahan dahang sinara ang pinto. Maya maya lang ay narinig niya ang lagaslas ng tubig mula sa shower. Good thing his coat is already removed. Nilagay niya kasi yon kay Rae kanina. Dahil baka nilalamig na ito sa suot nitong off shoulder.

"Ramses!" Rinig niyang tawag nito sa kanya.

He knocked at the door. Sumilip doon si Rae. Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. Ngumuso ito sa kanya. "Wala pala kong pampalit."

"I'll get some clothes."

"Thank you.." Rae pauses. "Babe. Hehe." Saad nito saka tinalpak ang pinto ng banyo nito.

He was stunned. That's the first time Rae called him 'babe'.

Hindi siya makaget over sa pagtawag niya ng 'Babe' kay Ramses. Minsan talaga, pahamak ang bibig niya kapag nakakainom. Napa-facepalm na lamg tuloy siya.

She kept herself busy. Hindi niya namalayang magla-lunch na pala nang tawagan siya ni Ramses sa phone niya. Telling her that it's already 12 noon and he's just around.

He's nearby?!

Lately, she's getting shocked from how fast her heart beat is whenever Ramses is around. Pa-check up na kaya siya? Jusko naman. Nasa may counter siya at nagche-check siya ng mga baked goods niya. Nag-cr kasi ang cashier niya, kaya siya muna ang tumayo doon. Saktong tumunog ang bell ng pintuan ng Danke kaya tumayo siya at hinarap ang dumating na customer.

"Hi, good afternoon—" Natigilan siya nang marealize niya na ang nasa harap pala niya ay si Ramses. He was wearing a black shirt tucked in at gray slacks and white kicks. Balik na uli sa kulay violet ang buhok nito. He doesn't have his usual ponytailed hair. Nakalugay ang buhok nito saka naka-tucked in sa left ear ang isang part.

"Babe." He said then smiled at her.

Dug dug. Napahawak siya sa may puso niya.

She cleared her throat and smiled back. "Hi. Didn't know you'll be here already."

"Told you I'm just around. So, can I take you out for lunch?" Tanong nito sa kanya.

Sasagot pa sana siya nang maramdaman niyang may humawak sa balikat niya. "Ay, oo naman sir. Take out niyo na si Ma'am Rae. Kahit hanggang inyo pa. Hehe." It was Mary, one of Danke's cashiers. Marahan siyang tinulak nito palabas ng counter.

"Kami na bahala dito, Ma'am. Andito naman si Zy. Enjoy your date po!" Saad pa nito saka nagpaalam sa kanila. Ramses automatically intertwines his hand to hers.

Yung puso niya, nagwawala. Jusko.

"San tayo kakain?" She asked when they're already inside his car.

"22nd Ave. Or do you have somewhere else in mind?"

Umiling siya. "Wala, I was about to suggest 22nd Ave."

"Good. I already have reservation there."

"Ha?"

"Yeah, the owner's grandson is one of my friends. That's why."

Muntik na siyang mapanganga. Oo nga pala. No wonder they'll be at the same circle. Kasi pare-parehas silang anak ng mga business people.

Sumalubong na agad sa kanila ang mababangong putahe ng restaurant. One of the waiters led them to their table. Beside a glass window. Napansin niyang trip ni Ramses ang laging nasa may glass window. Pag kasi nagpupunta ito sa shop, laging andun yon nakaupo sa may malapit sa glass window.

"Hey, babe?"

Napatunghay siya nang tawagin siya nito. Nagbabasa kasi siya ng menu. "Mmm?"

"Can I borrow your hair tie? I forgot mine at my condo. I used rubber band, but it hurts kase. Kaya ko tinanggal." Sagot nito.

She tends to have her hair tie on her right wrist. Para kasi hindi na siya maghahagilap kung kelan kelangan niya mag-ipit ng buhok. Eversince she's been with Ramses, there's always a two hair tie on her right wrist. Since Ramses has long hair.

"Yea, sure." Sagot niya. Inabot niya rito ang hair tie nito. She don't see him how he ties her hair. Pero sa lagay niya, mukhang sanay na sanay na ito. Some of his hair strands falls out on the corner of his face. Napatingin na rin dito ang ibang customer. Lakas kasi maka-attract ng buhok nitong violet.

Alam niyo yung mga character na lalake sa RPG na may mahabang buhok pero bagay kasi ang gwapo nila tingnan tapos pag umikli ang buhok mas gwapo? Ganun, ganun si Ramses. Minsan akala niya nananaginip lang siya.

"You have an order na?" He asked.

"Ah, oo. Seafood paella then cucumber lemonade." Sagot niya.

"You want salad?" He asked.

"Sama na tayo?" She asked. Hindi niya kasi kayang makaubos ng salad na siya lang.

"Yea. You want salad too?"

Tumango siya.

*

She was supposed to ask why he was just around. Turns he was in a meeting just around the corner. Balak na pala talaga siya nitong puntahan. He told her na siya ang pina-attend ng dalawa niyang kapatid, dahil may meeting ang dalawa sa mga potential investors.

"Babe, I'm sorry. I have to go. I just really wanted to take you out for lunch. Kaso, may meeting pa kong sunod." Saad nito sa kanya.

"It's fine. Di ba sabi mo kanina, baka busy ka today?" She said. Nagpaalam kasi si Ramses sa kanya through iMesagge na he'll be a bit busy today.

"Yea, sorry." Sagot nito. "But I'll still fetch you later, okay?"

Tumango siya. Sinabi naman kasi niya na if he can't fetch her at dinner, okay lang din sa kanya. "Text me na lang. Bye." Hinatid siya nito hanggang counter.

He was pouting his lips. Which she just raised her brow in return. "Come on, babe. I'm waiting?"

She rolled her eyes but she blushed. She tiptoed and gave him a quick kiss. "Ingat ka."

"See you later. Thanks for the dessert." Saad nito. He winked at her.

Saglet? Anong dessert? Wala naman silang kinain na dessert?

——

Nadaan sa babe. Magaling.