THE GYPSY WHO STOLE MY HEART [COMPLETED]

One

"HI, Kit!"

Nag-angat ng ulo si Kit mula sa binabasaang magazine kung saan special feature ang pagmamay-aring car business. A drop-dead gorgeous babe flashes in his vision. Ilang sandali niyang kinilala ang mukha nito bago mapangiti.

"Hey there, Diana," tumindig siya mula sa kinauupuang beach chair at nilapitan ito. "It's good to see you!"

He was about to give her a peck on the cheeks but Diana turned her face towards him. Sa halip tuloy na sa pisngi ay ang mga labi nila ang nagtagpo. He was a bit shocked but the woman didn't seem to mind at all.

"I prefer you saying you missed me rather than being casual at all," kagat-labing sabi nito sa kaniya na hinawakan pa ang collar ng kaniyang Hawaiian polo. "Kamusta ka na?"

Kit was stunned. Nakilala niya ang babae sa isang party sa isang bar. Isa ito sa mga naging hook-ups niya noong patapon at wala pang direksyon ang kaniyang buhay.

"I, um, I'm doing great. I was running this car business and it's doing great, also. How about you?" aniya na pasimpleng inalis ang kamay nito na patuloy sa pagkalantari sa kaniyang collar. "Kumusta ka na?"

"Well, there's nothing new about me. I'm still on the runway. Oh, but I'm gonna be on the cover of this particular magazine next month," ngumisi ito nang makahulugan. "It's gonna be centerfold so you better check it out."

Napalunok si Kit. He's starting to get really uncomfortable due to the aggressiveness of this woman. He better find his way out.

"Sure, why not," aniyang napangiti nang alanganin dito. "Listen, um, I'm actually heading back. My business partner is waiting for me. But, it's really nice running into you, Diana."

"It would be nicer if we actually spend some time together," nang-aakit na sabi nito bago isinaksak sa bulsa ng kaniyang polo ang isang card. "If you ever get bored, give me a call, okay?"

Diana gave him another peck on the lips before she moves away. Natutulalang inihatid ito ng tanaw ni Kit. An expression on his face says unbelievable. Pagkuwan ay napapailing na nagtungo na siya sa bar kung saan naghihintay sa kaniya si Christian—kaibigan at business partner niya.

"Holy kamoly, bro!" nanlalaki ang matang bungad nito sa kaniya pagdating niya sa bar. "Who was that hot chick?"

"Oh, Diana?" balewalang sagot niya bago naupo sa isang stool. Nag-order siya ng vodka. "She's just an acquaintance."

"Acquaintance, huh?" nakangising sabi nito saka naupo sa kaniyang tabi. "By acquaintance, you mean, one of the girls you slept with, right?"

Kibit-balikat lamang ang itinugon niya kay Christian. Yes, indeed. Diana is one of those girls but it's not important to him anymore.

"Well, whatever. That chick looks like she really wants to be reunited with you. Bakit mo siya tinakasan?"

Naiwan sa ere ang baso ng vodka na hawak ni Kit nang marinig iyon. Sa isang iglap ay tila napawi ang kaniyang pagkauhaw. Ibinaba niya uli ang baso sa bar at nagbuntong-hininga. How will he even begin to explain everything to Christian?

"Uh-oh, this can't be good," ani Christian nang hindi niya agad magawang tumugon. Kinuha nito ang kaniyang baso at ito ang sumaid ng laman niyon. Pinakatitigan siya nito pagkatapos. "This has something to do with that gypsy-like woman you met two years ago, right?"

Hindi uli nagsalita si Kit. Sinalinan niya uli ng vodka ang kaniyang baso at ininom iyon. He felt a familiar void as the heat of vodka spread through his stomach like a wildfire. Kasabay din niyon ang muling pagsariwa ng imahe ng isang babae sa kaniyang gunita.

"Come on, bro. Not being father-like or whatever pero two years na. Two long fucking years, bro!" sabi nito sa kaniya. "Kung babalik siya sa lugar na iyon, babalik siya. But she didn't. Until now."

Nagbuga ng hangin si Kit. Kung ilang beses na yatang inulit-ulit sa kaniya ng kaibigan ang linyang iyon. Papasok lamang sa isang tenga ngunit lalabas din agad sa kaliwa.

"Two years is just a short period of time when you love someone, Chris." makahulugang pahayag niya. "No matter how long it takes, I'm going to wait for her."