[COMPLETED] My Sister's Keeper

Book 2 - Chapter 3

Picture: Credits to the owner

"Do you believe in destiny?"

She chuckled at his cheesy question. He wasn't trying to impress her. It was an innocent question two days after their first fateful meeting. He thought he would never see her again after the exhibit. He was determined not to see her again.

He told himself that he will never Google her just to make sure that she wasn't lying. Ngunit nabigo siya. Pagkadating niya sa hotel ay hinanap niya agad ang dalaga sa internet. Is she married? Is she in a relationship with someone?

Cassandra is the only daughter of Tokyo national artist Jun Minamoto who passed away ten years ago. She started as a child star in a kid's show and grew up to be a fashion icon in Japan. There were so many pictures of her ever since she was nine years old. She's the darling of the media--charming and accommodating which is contrary to the seemingly private lives of most high-profile celebrities in Japan. She's like the Japanese version of Paris Hilton without the sex scandals. The resemblance with Shar was uncanny. Para silang pinagbiyak na bunga ng dating nobya. How could someone from another country look like his ex-girlfriend? The worst thing about it is, she's definitely not Sharlene. The pictures proved that she's a different person.

May parte sa kanya na gustong maniwalang si Sharlene ito na nagpapanggap ng ibang katauhan. He was torn between the idea of leaving her alone and following her around. He chose the first. He managed to convince his delusional self that she is not his first love. Simply a similar face.

Naisip niya ang blind date na hinihiling ng ina. Dapat ito na lang ang pagtuunan niya ng pansin. He contacted her and they agreed to meet in Cafe La Boheme in Shinjuku. His blind date is the daughter of her roommate when she lived in Japan for a short while. Ngayon lang niya napag-alaman na tumira pala ang ina sa Tokyo nong ito'y dalaga pa.

She's full Filipino but she lived all her life in Tokyo. Belle. Even her name sounds sweet. He didn't get her last name kasi baka daw i-Google niya ito at mapangitan ito sa kanya kaya at hindi na ito pumayag makipagkita sa kanya. She even has a sense of humor. Maganda ang takbo ng naging pag-uusap nila sa telepono. She's working as a bank manager. Dahil sobrang busy nito they agreed to have coffee/dessert instead.

"I'll see you tomorrow Donny."

He arrived one hour earlier than his date. He doesn't like being late. Maganda ang cafe na napili ng dalaga. The place was very quiet and serene and the interiors are European-style. It has a great view of the Shinjuku Gyoen National Park.

While scanning their menu for something light, he heard a scuffle among the servers and the diners. It seemed like a celebrity entered the cafe. Out of curiosity ay nakiusyoso na din siya kung sino ang pumasok. Laking gulat niya nang makita si Cassandra na papalapit sa table niya kasama ang waiter.

Walang sabi-sabing tinanggal ng dalaga ang kanyang shades at inilapag ito sa table niya pati na din ang bag nito.
"I think you're occupying my table, Mr. Cojuangco." She greeted him crisply. She mumbled something in Japanese to the poor waiter. He couldn't speak a word of Japanese but he could tell by her expression that she was not pleased. Tinatarayan nito ang kawawang waiter na panay ang pag-bow sa kanya.

"I just told the waiter that this table is reserved for me always. He's obviously new so he didn't know and gave you this table." She smirked. Tumaas ang kilay nito. She motioned her fingers as if telling him to leave her precious table.

"I'm sorry Miss Minamoto but there are other tables available here. Where are your manners?" Naiinis siya sa pagiging spoiled brat nito. "What difference would a table make?"

She glared at him and stooped closely so she can whisper in his ear. "Listen Mr. Cojuangco, you don't want to see me lose my cool. Just get your butt out of my goddamn table." Pinisil nito nang madiin ang balikat niya.

Hindi niya ito inurungan. "You can cause a scene if you want but I am staying here." Alam niyang hindi ito gagawa ng eksena.

Pinandilatan siya nito. For a split second, he thought he was seeing Sharlene. "Try me. I can kick you out of this cafe anytime I want."

Hindi niya maintindihan ang nararamdaman sa dalaga. He hated her for diva attitude but at the same time he liked her guts. Or maybe because he reminded him so much of Shar.

"You can sit here with me if you want to." Paghahamon niya dito. Naisip niyang baka maging komplikado ito pagdating ng kanyang blind date. Ngunit nangibabaw ang kagustuhan niyang makasama ang dalaga. "You seemed to be alone and I am alone right now."

"Fine." She sighed and settled herself on the opposite side. "I'm here to relax and read so I would appreciate it if you would hush hush."

She ordered tea. Nag-earphones ang dalaga at nilabas ang librong babasahin. The book partially covered her pretty face. He glanced at the title at napaawang ang bibig nang makita ang title.

Love Story by Erich Segal. It's Sharlene's favorite book. How could he not remember? Umiyak si Shar noon nang mabuhusan niya ng kape ang pinakamamahal nitong libro kaya wala siyang nagawa kundi palitan ito.

"Can I also tell you to stop staring at me like you will devour me any minute?" Ibinaba nito ang librong binabasa.

"I just remembered something, okay?" He replied defensively. "That's her favorite book."

"What an interesting coincidence." She replied sarcastically. "If I wouldn't know better, I would think you were in love with your sister. Ugh. There's an anime for that. You can spend your time ogling on it instead."

"Do you believe in destiny?"

And this was the moment when he asked that stupid question.

"Only childish, idealistic people believe in those things Mr. Cojuangco. We choose the lives we want to lead."

"What are the odds that we would meet again in this cafe out of all places?" He challenged her.

"The chances are very high since Tokyo is a small but densed city. And the odds are even higher if you are actually stalking me, Mr. Cojuangco." She replied nonchalantly.

"And why would I stalk you?" He was irked by her accusation that he was following her around.

"You just told me a while ago. I look like your goddamn dead sister with whom you had an incenstuous relationship."

He caught her arm in anger. "You don't know anything about me and Shar. You don't have any right. You are nothing like her." He hissed and released her arm.

Nahimasmasan siya nang may tumawag sa cellphone niya. It was Belle.

"Hello Donny. Sorry, raincheck. Napa-overtime ako. Can we reschedule tomorrow?"

"Oh." He sighed in disappointment. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Your date bailed out on you?" Hindi pa ito nakuntento at ininis na siya agad ng dalaga pagkababang pagkababa niya ng telepono.

"Tell me, Cassandra. Why do you hate me?" From the very first time they met, wala na itong ginawa kundi utusan siya o inisin siya.

"I don't actually hate you. In fact, I find you attractive. And if you didn't tell me that I'm a dead ringer of your sister, we could have been in bed right now, making love." Napatda siya sa mga salitang namutawi sa bibig ng dalaga. He was speechless.

"Cat got your tongue Mr. Cojuangco? Women here in Tokyo are straightforward unlike the innocent girls you met in Manila. If we like someone, we tell them."

It took him seconds to recover. "Do you like me?"

"Do I need to repeat myself, Mr. Cojuangco? I find you interesting and attractive."

"Let's get out of here. By the way, it's Donny. Call me Donny."