———
CONTINUATION
"What do you mean quits?" I asked her but she chose not to answer me. Instead, she bit her bottom lip and showed a little smile.
But since I did not get what she said, I secretly pulled her from the dance floor and left the venue. Dennise withdrew her arm on mine and faced me.
"Anong quits?" I repeated.
"Ewan." she sparingly answered once and looked away. "Tara, balik na tayo sa loob. It's getting cold in here, Capt." Dennise took my hand and slowly intertwined it with her.
"Sige. Pero...bakit ikaw ang unang humawak ng kamay ko? Alam mo ang labo mo rin, Dok, eh. Alam mo namang kikiligin ako sa ginagawa mo, mas lalo mo pang gagawin."
Dennise let go of my hand and pushed me slightly, "Huy! Ang arte mo a. Ayaw mo ba?"
"H-Hindi! Never. I mean, bakit? Eh 'di ba ayaw mong ginaganun ka? Nilalambing ka.." then I started scratching my nape. Ang labo talaga!
"Is there a problem? Mali bang hawakan ko ang kamay ng boyfriend ko?"
Boyfriend?!
My whole system seemed to heat up when I heard what she said. I don't know if that's true or just an illusion, but Dennise held my hand even tighter.
"W-What? Anong sabi mo?"
"Wala."
"Narinig ko. Pero gusto kong ulitin mo..."
Dennise let out a soft giggle, "Eh narinig mo naman pala e. Magsasayang pa ba ako ng laway ulit?"
"Pambihira ka naman o! Pakilinawan naman." I complained.
"Boyfriend." she said.
"Boyfriend. You mean...ako? Boyfriend mo? Tapos ikaw, girlfriend na kita? Ano—Ano ba?"
Para akong tangang hindi maipaliwanag ang mga galaw na gagawin ko. Mukha akong nawawalang bata sa harapan niya. Mukha akong tanga. Sigurl labis labis lang yung saya na nararamdaman ko.
Dennise nods,"Oo nga. Why? Is it too fast? Dapat ba naging hard-to-get muna ako? Shall I take it back?"
I held both of her arms and breathes heavily," Wait. No, I mean..I'm still in shock. Hindi ko inasahan, Dok. Para akong matutunaw any moment."
She laughs contagiously before slightly and playfully slap my face. "Ang cute mo—pero you know what? Ako rin naman, hindi ko inexpect. Nung una inis na inis ako sa'yo kasi mahangin ka at feeling guapo. Yun pala sa'yo rin ang bagsak ko."
"Oh my...Sorry, I c-can't process any words right now."
"I know. But I am sure that you are a good person, Joaquin. Ipinagkakatiwala ko na sa'yo ngayon ang puso ko,"
I am no longer hesitant so I wrapped her in my arms. So amazing how it fit her body. From now on I will take care of you, and I will treat you as I take care of the lives of the passengers I ride.
