Since Childhood

18: The Woman that Night

[Timothy's Point of View]

From Hirro and my spot, we could see a spectacular view of the city. We are in a restaurant that is located at the sixth floor of a building. The height was enough to offer the clients a breathtaking view. From the inside, you won't hear anything coming from the city but you can see them in detailed. The lights, the cars, the roads, the people, almost everything. At the balcony, there are at least six tables but all of them are already occupied. Doon sana ang pipiliin naming spot ni Hirro kaso walang bakante. Our table wasn't bad tho.

Niyaya ko sina Gael, Davien at si Hirro na magkita-kita pero hindi pupwede yung dalawa. Gael is having an overtime at the hospital, si Davien naman he said he have an appointment with his wife. So here we are, Hirro and I, having an intimate date.

It is a restaurant but we didn't order any dish. What we requested was a wine and any snack they can offer.

"What's up with you, Tim? Bat bigla kang nag-aya?" Hirro asked as he open the wine. He poured it on his glass then to mine.

Iniabot nya sa akin yung wineglass then we bumped each other's glass before taking it bottoms up.

"Wala. I just needed to get out for a while. Para magrelax." I asnwered him.

They served us with Nachos snack along with a dip. Meron ding fried and sliced steaks and grilled beef. Perfect na pulutan.

"What is it?"

Napataas ang kilay ko kay Hirro sabay tanong, "what? Why what is it?"

"Problemado ka no? Tell me. What's up with that brain of yours?"

"Hindi ah. Kailangan ko lang talaga na lumabas and have a social life. Recently nadadalas yung pag-iisa ko." I answered him truthfully but he wasn't satisfied with my answer.

"Mag-isa? Ikaw? Oh come on, man. As if hindi ko alam na madami kang babae. You can fool a businessman but not me tho. I've known you for so long."

"Do you really knew me?" It came out of my mouth automatically.

Hirro gave me a confused look. After observing me, he spoke again. "Babae ba?"

Bumuntong hininga ako tapos ay nagsalin ulit ng wine sa baso. I took a shot then I continued our conversation.

"Hirro, can I ask you something sensitive?"

"You can ask me anything, man. Pero mejo pinapakaba mo ako sa salitang 'sensitive'. Can I trust you?" Tanong ni Hirro.

"Just tell me, can I?"

"Spill the tea." He said after a huge gulp of his wine.

"Anong nararamdaman mo tuwing nakikita mo si Melanie kasama si Noah?"

Nakita ko ang pagbago ng facial expression ni Hirro. His jaw flexes and he become serious. Melanie is still a sensitive topic for him up to this date. Hindi naman kasi ganon kadali ang makalimot especially when the root of the love was deep.

"You wanna know?" He smiled bitterly. "You know what, Tim. Every time I'm seeing Melanie with her husband, Noah, the strongest emotion I'm feeling was regret." Pinaglaruan ni Hirro ang Nachos. He dip it into the sauce over and over again. He abandoned the chips on the sauce and then he raised his head. "Parati akong nagsisisi, Timothy. I could have been her husband. Kung hindi lang sana agad ako sumuko. Kung hinintay ko sya. She's been with me, she's in love with me and I am to her. But you know what? I called her boring. Nasanay na kasi ako na mabilis makuha ang babae. And I applied my technique to Melanie but it never worked. The moment I lost her, I finally see her worth. I'm stupid, right?" Hirro's voice is full of regret. Every words reflect to his expression.