Welcome, Love

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Fleur!"

Nagising ako sa pag-iisip ng marinig ko ang boses ni Lauren. I almost forgot that we are on our way to the coffee shop. This is a day, the day that I am going to see the chosen man.

"What happened to you!? Damn! Kanina pa kita tinatawag hindi ka man lang sumasagot." she said, annoyed.

"I'm sorry. May naisip lang."

Last night I was preoccupied thinking about some other stuff. Hindi na bago sa akin ang mag-isip ng kung ano-ano sapagkat gabi-gabi ay malayo ang nararating ng isipan ko. It makes me frustrated but I can't stop thinking about it.

"C'mon Fleur, stop thinking about others. My god! You're ruining your day. Tsk." she said, looking furious.

Her gaze is still on the road. Siya ang nagmaneho ng sasakyan at nagvolunteer na hihahatid ako bago siya umalis kung saan man. She doesn't want to join me. Sabi niya, may pupuntahan daw siyang importante.

"Ayaw mo ba talagang samahan ako? Don't you want to meet him too personally?" I asked after a while.

"No, I don't want to disturb you."

"You're not others. You can join me. Besides, you're the one who chose him. I think it's better if we'll face him together." I said.

She looked seriously while driving. Hindi man lang nag abala na tapunan ako ng tingin.

"Please..." I begged.

Saglit niyang itinigil ang sasakyan sa gilid ng kalsada at tiningnan ako.

"Don't you ever mention me to him, okay?" she said seriously.

"But-"

"Fleur, sa tingin mo ano mararamdaman niya kapag hindi naman talaga ikaw ang pumili sa kaniya o may gusto nito? Do you think he will continue to do the challenge with you?" she asked. Pilit na ipinapaintindi sa akin ang punto niya.

I understand her point. Pero hindi naman siguro didibdibin ng lalaking iyon ang totoo?

"Fleur, last warning. Don't. You. Ever. Mention. Me. To. Him." she firmly said.

I sighed heavily. Ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ko?

"Fine..."

After the talked between us, she started to maneuver the car. Silence filled between us. She just looking at road blankly while I decided to look outside.

After a few minutes, we reached the coffee shop. Itinabi niyang muli ang sasakyan sa gilid ng kalsada at binalingan ako.

"We're here. You already know what to do, Fleur. Just enjoy this day and have fun." she smiled.

I nodded. "Thank you. Call or text me later. Take care, Lauren." I said then kissed her cheek.

Bumaba ako ng kotse at mag-isang pumasok ng shop. I got immediately conscious of myself. I'm just wearing a blue and white vintage tie-dye tee, pair with light wash high rise jeans. I also wore low-heeled sandals for my bottoms. I let my straight hair down just enough for my looks.

Huminga ako ng malalim at hinanap ang nasabing lalaki. Lauren told me that the man is wearing a black v-neck shirt and denim jeans. Inilibot ko ang tingin sa bawat pwesto at bigo akong makita siya. The shop is not crowded. Bilang lamang ang narito.

Umupo ako saglit sa may gilid at napagdesisyunan na hintayin na lamang siya. Maybe he's not yet around. I should wait for him then.

I scrolled on my Instagram account to avert boredom. Hindi ko namalayan na inabot na pala ng labing limang minuto ang paghihintay kaya naisipan kong tumayo. I am now pissed. He was too late. Alam ba niyang magkikita kami ngayon? The heck! Baka mamaya ay pinaglalaruan lamang ako nun.