The time I spent with Nel was so precious that I didn't want it to end.
We took our time ordering our food and it took us even longer to finish it.
Pinili ko na umupo kami sa booth so we could sit together.
Under the table, I took her hand in mine at pinaglaruan ang hinlalaki niya.
Ngumingiti lang siya and she seemed to enjoy it.
The restaurant was packed but it felt like kami lang ang tao doon.
We talked about all the days na magkahiwalay kami.
I asked her about the weather, ang mga katrabaho niya, si Jackie at si Maricar.
She asked about my mother, kung nakapag-adjust na ako sa work at kung okay naman ako mentally.
I told her about the good and bad days.
How overwhelming it was to go to the lawyer's office and to provide documentation just to get my freedom back.
"Come to Canada. Be with me."
Muntik ko ng mabitawan ang wine glass.
"What?"
"You're an accountant, you have work experience and I can help you."
"But Nel," Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin sa kanya.
This thing with Dan and the lawyer is already big enough.
"It's only a suggestion. We don't have to do this right away."
Inakbayan niya ako.
"I'm sorry, babe." She kissed my forehead, "I didn't mean to pressure you."
I dissolved into her chest and heard the fast beating of her heart.
"Yun din naman ang gusto ko, Nel. Ang makasama ka."
"I know. Kaya nga sinabi ko na sa'yo ngayon pa lang bago ako mawalan ng lakas ng loob."
I sat up straight and met her ardent gaze.
"We will get there, babe. Right now, isa-isa lang muna dahil mahina ang kalaban." I gave her a weak smile.
"Hihintayin kita kahit gaano katagal abutin ang process ng separation mo."
"Are you sure? Paano kung mainip ka?"
"Then I will tell you kapag naiinip na ako."
"Does it mean you're going to give up on me? On us?"
"Of course not. Didn't I promise that I'm staying this time?"
"You did and I'm holding on to that promise."
Dumating na ang waiter dala ang malaking tray ng orders namin.
May California rolls, shrimp tempura, wagyu hambur steak, teppan seafood with prawn, squid and scallop, miso soup, pan-fried oysters, edamame and mixed pickles.
Nang magtanong ang waiter kung meron pa kaming kailangan, I had to suppress my laughter.
Pagkaalis ng lalake, nagtawanan kami ni Nel.
"Can we finish all of these?"
She unwrapped the chopstick then broke it in two.
"Let's see."
Kukunin niya na sana ang soy sauce para ihalo sa wasabi pero pinigil ko siya.
"Let me serve you."
"Okay."
When she was away at nakikita ko kung ano ang kinakain niya, I told myself na pag-uwi niya, aalagaan ko siya.
Kung pwede ko nga lang siyang subuan, gagawin ko.
I don't know how Nel would feel about that lalo na at maraming tao and I didn't want to go overboard kaya pinupunasan ko na lang ang labi niya kung may tumulong sauce.
She's still a messy eater.
Kulang na lang magsuot siya ng bib to catch the crumbs na galing sa tempura.
Once in a while, her hand would be on the small of my back.
She would absentmindedly draw circles and it had a sensual effect on me.
I leaned closer to whisper na kung ipagpapatuloy niya ang ginagawa niya, we may not be able to finish dinner.
Lalo namang ginanahan si Nel dahil she moved her hand from my back to my thigh.
I wore a skirt that day dahil naubusan ako ng pantalon.
"You're hopeless." Sabi ko.
Natawa lang siya.
When I finished the glass of wine, she asked if I wanted more.
I declined dahil one glass is my limit.
Besides, I still have to work tomorrow.
Gusto ko ding maging sober lalo na at magkasama kami.
We stayed bago magclose ang restaurant at ten-thirty.
Nel didn't want me to pay kahit pa I insisted that I foot half of the bill.
"You're my girlfriend. What would I let you pay?"
"Because you know I'm not that kind of girlfriend."
"While I'm here, why don't I take care of these things?"
"How about ako naman ang taya next time?"
Mangangatwiran pa sana siya pero I placed my finger on her lips.
Nagulat tuloy ang waiter sa ginawa ko bago kinuha ang billfold.
Madilim na at konti na lang ang mga sasakyan paglabas namin ng restaurant.
We walked hand-in-hand papunta sa parking lot.
"Let me take you home. Baka nag-aalala na ang mama mo."
Bigla ko siyang niyakap.
I felt her strong arms around my waist.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero naiyak na lang ako.
"Lise, what's wrong?" Inangat niya ang ulo ko.
"I don't want you to go."
BINABASA MO ANG
6ix Days (Lesbian Story)
Roman d'amourSix Days. That's all it took for the past to catch up with Chanel. But unlike her nineteen-year-old gullible self, she knew she had to turn her back on the past if she wanted a better future. Along came Maricar--a newcomer to Canada whose presence i...
