Let me
“Good evening, sir!” All smiles kaming sinalubong ng isa sa receptionist dito sa restaurant na pinagdalhan sa akin ni Carl.
I look around to check if may nakakakilala sa akin dito, pero mukhang safe naman. I didn't know them so I guess, di rin naman nila ako kilala. Kung nakatingin man sila sa akin maybe that's because of Carl and his oozing charisma.
“Uh yes, I have a reservation under the name of Carl Manalad.”
Reservation? He planned this date thingy. Akala ko pa naman ay biglaan lang niyang naisip pero planado na yata dahil nakapagpareserve na siya.
“This way sir, ma'am..”
“Thank you,”
“Your orders will be served after ten minutes, sir.” Anito bago kami tuluyang iwanan dito sa table namin.
“Mr. Manalad, anong kalokohan 'to ha?” Inis kong tanong sa kanya. The whole ride papunta dito ay hindi niya ako kinikibo. Not that I want to talk to him, pero kasi gusto kong maliwanagan. I deserves an explanation naman siguro, diba?
But instead of answering my question, he just smirked.
Nanggigil na talaga ako sa kanya at malapit ko nang hilahin yang nguso niya. Wala namang pakinabang, di makausap ng matino.
“If you don't have any plans to talk, aalis na lang ako.” I was about to stand up when he immediately grabs my wrist. “What?”
“Sit down. We're not done yet. Hindi pa nga tayo nagsisimula eh.”
Kumunot ang noo ko. What is this? A business meeting?
“Why are we here? Bakit mo ko dinala dito?” And this is the nth time I asked him the same question.
And this is the nth time too that he answered me with a smirk.
Mabuti na lang at dumating na yung mga waiter at nagserve na ng pagkain sa amin kaya napigilan ako sa tangkang paghampas kay Carl.
“I'm sorry, I had to order in advance. Ayoko kasing masayang yung oras natin. But still, I hope you like the food.” Salita ni Carl.
Hindi nga nasayang ang oras namin sa pag-order ng pagkain, pero mukhang masasayang naman ang oras namin dahil sa inis ko sa lalaking 'to.
“Eat up.” He even cut the steak for me. “Alam kong di ka gaanong nakakain kanina. So, now, eat well.”
Sino ba naman kasi ang makakakain ng maayos sa sitwasyon ko kanina?
“Just answer me, Carl. What are we doing here?” I'm so pissed.
He lick his lower lip, “Kapag ba sinagot ko 'yan, kakain ka na?”
“Carl, don't start with me.”
“I told you not to come on our dinner party. But you still came and presented yourself as Ryan's girlfriend.” And he's starting with the issue again. “Pinareserve ko 'to for the two of us, kasi umasa ako na hindi ka sasama kay Ryan. Umasa lang naman ako na makakasama kita. I wish to spend the night with you, pero you chose to be with Ryan and to be his girlfriend. You chose him over me.”
Chose Ryan over him? Kung makapagsalita siya ay parang gustong-gusto ko na magpanggap sa harap ng pamilya niya. It's hard for me but I felt like I have no other choice than to grant my best friend's wish.
“Carl, you're not a kid anymore. Stop acting like this is a big deal.”
Nakita kong kumunot ang kanyang noo. Gwapo siya kahit na seryoso lagi ang mukha niya, iba rin naman ang aura niya kapag nakikita ko siyang nakangiti at tumatawa. But seeing him with a creased forehead is different. It looks so hot and sexy.
