Before The Last Sunset [Before Trilogy #1]

30

"This is crazy. Absolutely bonkers."

I chuckled, keeping my hands on the wheel. "Your accent is showing, little miss British." 

"Yes because I'm utterly confused on why I agreed to this!" she exclaimed. "I leave tomorrow morning for goodness' sake!"

"As do I. But hey, why not do something fun for the last time?" I looked at her before returning my gaze on the road. "Ibabalik naman kita sa inyo ng buo mamayang gabi. 'Wag kang mag-alala, wala akong balak i-kidnap ka." 

She let out a huff of annoyance. "Kapag ako talaga nahuli sa flight ko bukas, lagot ka sa'kin." 

Of course I won't let that happen. Plane tickets were expensive as hell. I had no intentions to make this trip last that long as tempting as it may seem. Kailangan ko rin naman umalis bukas kaya hindi talaga kami pwedeng abutin ng umaga.

"Loosen up," I laughed lightly. "Sinusumpong ka nanaman ng espiritu ng kamalditahan. Buksan mo nga 'yung radyo para magkaroon ka ng good vibes." 

"Good vibes mo mukha mo," masungit niyang sinabi at binuksan ang radyo.

I smiled. Classic grumpy Summer. The music flowed into the car as I saw her lean further back into the car seat. I occasionally took glances at her direction, amusing myself by my sleepy companion. Her eyes drooped downwards slightly, but I saw how she fought to keep herself awake. 

Ang cute niya talaga. 

"Babe," I called out. 

She jerked her head upwards, eyes still closed. "Hmm?"

"Do you want to get coffee?" her eyes opened and suddenly lit up. "I'll take that as a yes," I chuckled. 

Hindi nagtagal ay nakarating na kami sa tapat ng coffee shop. Paglingon ko sa tabi ko ay nakita kong tulog na si Summer. Hindi na rin niya natiis ang antok niya. Kinunan ko muna siya ng picture bago umalis. Sayang naman kung 'di ko kunan, nakakanganga pa naman siya. Hindi ko nalang siya ginising at bumaba ng kotse para bumili. 

Maikli lang ang pila kaya mabilis rin akong nakabalik. Pagbukas ko ng pinto ay agad-agad na kinuha ni Summer ang baso niya. Uminom siya habang gumagamit ng cellphone, hindi ako pinapansin. 

"Wow. You're welcome nga pala," sarkastiko kong sinabi.

Kumunot ang noo niya at tumingin siya sa label ng kanyang iniinuman na kape. "Ito 'yung shop nung—"

"Doon tayo nagkita bago tayo pumunta sa simbahan," tinuloy ko para sa kanya. "Buti naalala mo pa." 

"How could I? You almost gave me a heart attack that morning," her lips curved upwards at the memory. "Ano 'to, trip down to memory lane?"

She caught on so early. Isang lugar pa lang ang napupuntahan namin ay nahulaan niya na agad ang plano ko. I gave her a small smile and shrugged my shoulders. 

"You could say that." 

"Really?" she quirked up like a little kid. Her eyes danced in excitement. "Can we eat fishballs later? Please? Ilang araw na akong nagkakaroon ng cravings!" 

I nodded obediently. "Your wish is my command, babe."

"Thank you," she chirped cutely. She took a sip of her coffee again. "By the way, what's with the endearments? Hindi mo naman ako tinatawag na babe." 

"Bakit? Bawal ko ba tawaging babe 'yung girlfriend ko?" tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. 

Muntik niya nang mabuga ang iniinom niya sa gulat. Napa-ubo niya at napahawak sa dibdib niya. Inabutan ko siya ng tissue habang tumatawa.