My Boyfriend is a Freak (Published under Pop Fiction)

38: Vren

I'd like to tell you that the place Mira chose for our impromptu date was somewhere private, a secret hideaway where we could be a bit... intimate. Surely, after our misunderstanding, my girlfriend would want to have some time alone with me — her alluring boyfriend — to make up for the bad times. Right?

Wrong.

Mira chose to go to a park. A freaking park.

The moment my girlfriend told me the exact location that she wished to go to, I felt a stab of frustration. Pero wala naman akong magagawa, dahil sinabi ko sa kanya na siya ang masusunod kung saan kami pupunta. So, I just acted enthusiastic and said something along the lines of, "Oh, a park? Yeah, that'll be great."

Really, what is with with Mira and parks? I most certainly haven't forgotten about the Enchanted Kingdom incident.

As soon as we reached our destination, Mira — excited as she was — had stepped out of the car without even waiting for me to open the door for her. I followed suit, suppressing a smile.

"Na-miss ko ang lugar na 'to!" She scanned the area, beaming. Ginaya ko naman siya at tiningnan din ang kabuuan ng park.

It was just a good old neighborhood park, with nothing really special that might suggest why Mira wanted to go here, of all places. A water fountain served as its main attraction, and as far as parks go, this one had lush flora. Flowers of all colors dotted its perimeter, growing on bushes that looked well-maintained. A bench could be found under the shade of every tree.

The park was pretty crowded when we arrived — a group of kids were chasing each other around the fountain, couples occupied the benches, and a few families were having midday picnics on the lawn.

"How'd you know of this place?" I asked.

"Malapit dito ang dati kong apartment — 'yong tinirhan ko bago ako lumipat sa inuupahan ko ngayon," she explained. "Hindi ko nga rin alam kung bakit ang lugar na 'to ang unang pumasok sa isip ko nang sabihin mong pupunta tayo sa kahit saan ko gusto."

"Oh. What are we going to do here, then?"

Mira shrugged. "Wala lang. Magre-relax."

"Alright. But honestly? I prefer going to Enchanted Kingdom. At least, there, we can keep ourselves busy with the rides," I told her with a smirk.

Tumawa naman siya. "Ang dami mo pang sinasabi. Tara nang humanap ng pwede nating maupuan."

****

"Never ka pang nakatikim ng dirty ice cream?" Mira stared at me in disbelief. "Seryoso ba 'yan?"

"I told you, Mom wouldn't allow us to have one," I replied, chuckling at her reaction. "She prefers store-bought brands. Have you heard of Carmen's Best? That's the one we stock at home. I believe it's the most expensive local ice cream."

Umiling-iling si Mira. "Kayo talagang mga mayayaman, tsk. Hindi naman nakamamatay ang dirty ice cream!"

"Why is it called dirty, then?" I countered her, grinning.

"FYI, Mr. Rich Kid, ginamit lang 'yan ng mga magulang noon bilang panakot sa mga anak nila, para hindi magpabili nang magpabili ng sorbetes ang mga bata." My girlfriend giggled. "Alam mo, hindi ka isang ganap na Pinoy kung hindi ka pa nakakatikim ng dirty ice cream. Come on, it's time for you to taste it."

She dragged me by the arm, causing me to almost trip as we headed towards a nearby ice cream cart.

"Dalawa nga po, kuya," Mira requested from the elderly ice cream vendor. I, meanwhile, stared like an idiot as we waited for our order.