Bitter Sweet and Strange

Chapter 16

Beleza

"Cion's Selections?" agad kong tanong nang iparada ni Marvin ang kotse sa parking space ng Cion's. Hindi ko inaasahang dito niya ako dadalhin. Inaya niya kasi akong mag-lunch date. Bihira lang kaming magkita dahil sa trabaho niya kaya naman ay hindi na ako nakatanggi pa.

"Is there something wrong? I heard this is a great restaurant."

"Wala naman. Baka mamahalan ka kasi sa pagkain dito." Napatawa siya nang bahagya.

"The Beleza Quirino I always knew, the matipid and kuripot." Marahan ko siyang hinampas dahil sa kanyang komento tungkol sa akin.

"Grabe ka naman. I'm just budget-wise. Alam mo namang marami akong gastusin."

"Fine. Anyways, let's go."

Nauna siyang lumabas ng kotse upang pagbuksan ako. Dahil halos dalawang taon na kaming magkakilala, kabisado ko na ang kanyang mga kilos. He's a gentleman in his own ways.

He is Marvin Mendoza, my brother's bestfriend. Tulad ni kuya ay isa rin siyang seaman. In fact, sa trabaho sila nagkakilala.

Pumasok na kami at nang makahanap kami ng puwesto ay umupo kami agad. Nilapitan kami ng isang waiter upang alamin ang aming order.

"Your order will be served within 10 minutes. While waiting, you can indluge yourselves with our very own low-carb muffins and lemonade," pag-iimporma sa amin ng waiter at umalis na pars asikasuhin ang aming order.

"Unang beses mo ba rito?" Napalunok ako ng hangin dahil sa tanong ni Marvin.

"Second time. I ate here lately."

"That's nice."

Hindi ko maiwasang maalala ang unang beses kong kumain dito kasama si Sir Buendavid. Kamusta na kaya siya? Nakahanap na ba siya ng bagong personal assistant niya?

Allerick have been asking me about him since yesterday. Mukhang nagustuhan niya nang husto si sir. Speaking of my son, nagpa-iwan muna siya kay Jade. Hindi na siya sumama sa amin dahil masyado siyang na-excite sa mga dalang laruan ni Marvin para sa kanya.

Nagulat ako nang biglang hawakan ni Marvin ang aking kamay na nakapatong sa mesa.

"Bel, I've been bringing this up a couple of times already. You know, matagal na akong seaman, nakapag-ipon na rin ako. It's not that huge amount, but I can say that it's already enough to sustain us for many years to come. Start anew, Bel. Let's start again together."

Bahagya akong napatingala at napapikit. Marahan kong binawi ang aking kamay.

Marvin is so good to me, all the time. He's sincere and honest. But, I don't want to give him false hope. I can't sugarcoat what I feel for him. He's a great friend, and until now, he remains in that level.

"Marvin- -"

"You don't have to explain. Alam ko na ang sagot mo. I'm sorry. Maybe next time, it'll be different already." Napatingin ako sa kanya. Pain and sadness crossed his eyes. He gave me a reassuring smile, but it didn't help.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Marv. You're a great man. Huwag mong igugol ang oras mo sa akin. There are many women out there, and one of them is the right one for you."

"Ang honest mo talaga, noh?"

"Alam mo namang ayaw kong magsinungaling pagdating dito. Ayaw kong umasa ka."

"Well then, let's just be honest with our feelings. I'll continue what I already started no matter how hard you decline me."

"But, it's hurting you. I'm hurting you, Marv."