Melpomene

[9] All That Glitters Is Not Gold (Part 1)

GOD DEL VALLE
[9]

This is not a date. This is an investigation. I thought to myself. We're already sitting inside the pizza parlor in the shopping district. The interior resembles a 70s dash diner with arcade-like decorations and a red-blue-white color scheme. Remember: you're here to make sure if Antonio is cheating on you.

May pumuntang waitress sa table namin at nagbigay ng dalawang menus. Based on her facial features, she is around 20 years old. "Good evening! I'm Sasha and I'll be your waitress for tonight. Tawagin niyo na lang po ako if mayroon na kayong order," magalang na sabi niya sa amin bago umalis.

"What pizza do you want, God? Are you a pepperoni kind of guy?" tanong sa akin ni Antonio habang nilalaro ang table number namin sa lamesa. He always do this every time we're on a date. Akala ko kasi kinakabahan siya kapag kasama ako (I mean, who doesn't? I'm intimidating). Pero ngayon, feeling ko it's just his mannerisms. I thought to myself.

"I'm actually a cheese pizza fanatic," I responded to him. To which he replied, "That's a good flavor, too! I mean, who doesn't love cheese?"

Tinawag namin si Sasha at binigay ang mga order namin. My order is cheese pizza while Antonio's order is meat pizza and spaghetti. Nag-order din si Antonio ng bottomless iced tea habang ako naman bottomless lemonade.

Gaya ng ibang restaurants, mas nauunang dumating ang drinks namin. "So, God, why did you choose to study in Melpomene?" Antonio randomly asked. To which I replied, "I want to be one of the best artists in the world and where can I live that reality if not in Melpomene Academy for Theatre Arts?"

Uminom muna ng iced tea si Antonio at sinabi, "Alam mo, you sound just like your sister. Ganyan na ganyan ang sinagot niya sa akin dati."

Fuck. I thought to myself. Antonio is not a stupid man kaya naman nagustuhan ko siya pero ayaw ko pa malaman niya ang tunay kong katauhan. If this happened sooner, then I'll gladly confess my true identity. Pero ngayon, dapat ko muna ma-sure kung nagche-cheat ba siya o hindi.

"Uhmm... I guess you could say so. I mean, nakita mo naman kung gaano strict si mommy 'di ba? She's pressuring us to be the best versions of ourselves," I said. To which he replied, "Yeah. She visited during last year's play, right? But I don't recall seeing you."

'Di ba dapat ako 'yung nag-iimbestiga? Why do I feel like I'm being interrogated by Antonio? I thought to myself. Ngumiti na lang ako at nag-isip ng isasagot. Two can play that game, sweetie.

Ininom ko muna ang lemonade ko bago sumagot, "I'm not feeling well that day pero sinabihan ko naman si Goddess na 'di ako makakapunta. Since 'di ko siya napanuod, what do you think of her acting skills? Is it really as good as what the rumors are saying?"

May dumating na waiter para i-refill ang parehas naming baso, iced tea kay Antonio at lemonade sa akin. "I can't remember the play exactly pero I'm pretty sure your sister is one of Melpomene's prime actresses," tugon niya.