Musketeers

23

Marilag Park is big enough to hold a playground with a slide, three swings, several benches under the shades of narra and mango trees. There is also a basketball court where volleyball and badminton games are also held. Some streetfood vendors are situated along one side of the park. Sometimes, chess games are held on the bench with a table near these vendors' area. It is a simple place, but a very popular hang out place among the town residents.

Sunday afternoons are particularly busy for Marilag Park. There are many people spending time with their families and friends, eating ice cream from Korner Kones, having food trips, or just playing the guitar and singing out loud.

I was able to find a vacant bench at the farthest area of the park. This is near the infamous apartment complex where the landlord often stands by the gate and glare at the children playing. This is why park visitors avoid this area as much as possible. It's nearly easy to get indigestion to see some potty old man glare at you and murmur inaudibly. Lucky I am though because the landlord is nowhere to be seen today. He might be having an extra time of his afternoon nap. I sat down on the bench and slurped on the vanilla ice cream on cone that I bought from Korner Kones. There were many kids playing as usual, and I can't help but miss the good old days when I only worry about petty things like the limited edition glazed donuts that I used to buy when I was in grade 4.

I have already finished my ice cream but Kiko is not yet here. I checked my phone and was about to type a message when a red Ducati motorbike arrived. Everybody's gaze followed the expensive-looking vehicle as its driver who wears an equally costly-looking helmet and gear manuervered the bike towards me--

WAIT. Towards me??? Who in the world do I know could have owned such an expensive motorbike?

I think I know...

I blinked as the motorbike stopped in front of me, and when the driver removed his helmet, a few persons gasped. Me included.

It's Kiko.

♪♪ Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?♪♪

I secretly questioned the heavens about how on earth could somebody look so good while removing their helmet?! Kiko oozed with appeal, and I wanted to slap my face for gaping at him open-mouthed with Bohemian Rhapsody's intro playing in my head.

He smiled slightly as he hang the helmet on the throttle. He removed his jacket and sat down beside me. When people slightly dispersed, I nudged him.

"Is that yours?"

"Yes. I decided to use this because I kinda wanted to show off," he smirked.

I stared at him. He shook his head, "I was only joking. I'm sorry I was late. What time did you get home yesterday?"

I suddenly had the impression that Koki had not told him about what happened. So I decided that I would not too. Anyway, I have this feeling that I want that to be something between us two only.

"Rose?" Kiko asked and I was slightly surprised. He was frowning slightly when I glanced at him.

"You were saying something?" I said, looking at the motorbike.

"I was asking...if there was something you need to tell me?"

Kiko was looking at his motorbike too. His face looks serious, like he is thinking deeply about something.

I was not able to speak. I mean, hell yes! I have so many things to tell him. But why do I get the impression that he means something more serious, something deeper...

He looked at me and I was nonplussed at the strange look in his eyes. It was the first time I saw that in him. It's like... he's in pain?

"Are you alright?" I asked him, I suddenly became worried.