Ephemeral (On Going)

Chapter 22 - The Date

Reagan's POV*

Kabado akong pumunta sa hotel room nina Molly. My knees are trembling and I'm sweating.

I knock on the door and wait for her to open it. Pagbukas niya ng pinto, tumambad sa'kin 'yung magandang itsura ni Molly. She looks so pretty in her red dress that compliments her freshly tanned skin.

"You look beautiful," I said while waiting for the elevator.

"I'm glad we swam earlier today. I love my skin," she said still looking at her reflection.

"I love y— your look tonight." Stupid! You're so stupid, Reagan. Muntik na!

I am denying it to myself when clearly, I already have feelings for Molly. I realize that a day isn't complete without seeing her. I want to have more adventures with her lalo na kapag free time. I need a companion. I need someone to cheer me up. It is Molly that is always there to excite me and she doesn't even know it.

"Thank you," she said smiling at me.

The restaurant is fancy enough for our outfits that night. We sit down on the fanciest area of the restaurant. I want to bring her somewhere silent and relaxing but we I'm able to do so. Okay na 'to. The important thing is that we are together.

"Remember, I'll pay din ha," she reminded me. I nod at her at pasimpleng pinagmasdan siya habang tumitingin sa menu.

"What? Did my lipstick smudge?" she asked nang mahuli akong nakatingin sa kanya.

"No, inaantay ko lang 'yung order mo," palusot ko. Great, Reagan. She's probably thinking na minamadali mo siya. Great! Hindi ka talaga nag-iisip.

"Oh I'm sorry. Matagal ba?"

"N-no. Take your time. Basta, Molly. Don't mind me please lang." Mas lalo akong kinabahan. Napapahiya na 'ko sa harap ni Molly!

"Relax ka lang, Reags. Ako lang 'to oh. Hindi naman kita ijajudge," she said holding my hand on the table. I smiled at her and assured her that I am going to be relaxed na. Umorder na kaming dalawa.

"So, what's a great conversation starter?" I asked.

"I have a question." Ang sinagot niya sa'kin.

"That's fast. Anyway, okay go."

"Permanent na ba 'yung ganyan ka ka-approachable?" tanong niya.

"I hope so," sagot ko.

"I like this version of you. I'm not hesitating to ask you or to talk to you unlike nu'ng nasa New York tayo. I was kind of scared kaya," kwento niya. I chuckled and raised my brow hoping to hear more.

"Ibang iba ka sa nakilala ko sa Italy saka New York. Paano kaya kapag nasa Pilipinas tayo?"

"I'm sorry I confused and uhh scared you. I promise I'll be like this as much as possible," sagot ko sa kanya. I turned on my camera and asked if I can take photos of her.

"Maybe you can take photos of me as if we're dating? Alam mo 'yun, hold my hand and stuff." Request niya. I wished it was real though. I imagine myself being her boyfriend tonight. The photos are perfect not only because she's the subject. Everything looks real kahit na mostly kamay ko lang ang kita sa photos. Just like before, I invited her to go with me sa rooftop ng pinagsstayan namin.

I let Molly use my coat to cover up her shoulders. It is a cold night. We're just staring at the city view.

"Ang ganda 'no?" Panimula ko. Molly smiled.

"It's so calm. I'm not ready to go back to work yet. Don't get me wrong ha. I love modelling and I love being here. But I feel like something's missing. I feel like I need something," she said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I don't know. Some nights naiisip ko pa rin si Kervin. It's just that we had so many memories. Hindi madaling kalimutan," sagot niya. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaunting kirot sa dibdib ko.

"Do you want him back?" I asked.

"I don't know. It's unfair na hindi ko siya makalimutan kahit na sinaktan niya 'ko. But I promised na hindi ko na siya iisipin o kakausapin 'di ba? Kaya don't worry I won't hurt myself anymore."

Nakatingin nalang din ako sa kawalan. Inaantay kong magsalita siya ulit at magsabi ng kahit anong ikagagaan ng loob ko.

"Thank you for making this night memorable. Akala ko most memorable night na 'yung nasa rooftop tayo sa New York. This one's better kasi mas close na tayo," she said smiling at me. She faced me, held my hand, and said "Babawi ako someday. Promise ko 'yan."

Niyaya ko siya magswim uli. Syempre pumayag siya. Nagpalit muna kaming dalawa sa rooms saka pumunta sa pool area. This time, she's not wearing her cover up. Dear Lord! Mas lalo kong naramdaman 'yung tibok ng puso ko. In fact, parang naririnig ko na siyang tumitibok.

"Bakit parang hindi ka komportable?" She asked.

"Ha? Relax na relax kaya ako dito," pagsisinungaling ko. Mabuti nalang eh naniwala si Molly sa'kin.

"Since close naman na tayo. Did you really see me..uh..naked?" she asked. I don't want to answer it kasi naiilang ako. It isn't right and I wish it never happened.

"Y-yes. But I quickly went out to respect your privacy. To be fair I didn't see all of it. Buti nalang," I answered. Molly laughed. It was okay for her. Honestly, aksidente naman talaga ang nangyari.

"Thank you for taking me out tonight. Inom tayo? Sagot ko."

"Gabi na Molly. Balik nalang tayo sa hotel."

"Reags, minsan lang 'to oh. Malay ba natin kung forever ka nang ganyan o magiging masungit ka uli."

"Okay pero kaunti lang ha? Myca's going to kill me," I said handing her the towel.

"Of course. Isa pa, don't worry about Myca. She's marupok when it comes to me," she said and winked at me.

Pumunta kami sa hotel room namin ni Greg. As usual, wala nanaman siya dito. He's probably out there flirting or drinking. I'm sure hindi niya palalagpasin ang Los Angeles.

Dumating na 'yung champagne na inorder namin. Molly paid for it. Naupo siya sa kama ni Greg at ako naman eh nasa kama ko. Nanood kami ng TV at saka nagkwentuhan habang umiinom.

"I'm bored. Let's do something fun," sabi niya sabay patay ng TV.

"What do you mean have fun?" I asked.

"Games. Download tayo app na masaya. C'mon." Nag dowload ako ng app na nagbibigay ng dare for two people. Rock, Paper, Scissors lang nilalaro namin pero kung sino ang matalo eh kailangan gawin ang dare sa phone.

Kiss the person next to you for ten seconds.

Without hesitations, Molly kissed me right on the lips. It is more than ten seconds. We started making out until realization hit her head.

"I'm sorry," she said wiping her mouth.

"Maybe I should go back to my room."

"I think so too," sagot ko sa kanya. Hindi na siya nagpahatid sa kwarto nila. Naupo ako sa kama nang makaalis si Molly. I didn't know kung tama ba ang ginagawa ko. I should've stopped myself. Baka dahil du'n eh iwasan niya na 'ko.
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