Two Strangers

Chapter 10

RHOME AND JULIETTE stayed at the park for more than an hour, they talked about things, teased each other and then ate street food because that was the only thing Rhome could afford that Juliette secretly enjoyed even it’s was her first time to try and ate it.

They were about to go home because it was already passed five pm. They were holding hands, Rhome was eating his last piece of betamax while Juliette finish her palamig na talagang gustong-gusto nya.

It’s even better than I used to drink. – Juliette thought.

It’s just a simple date yet memorable for both of them. This is already enough for Juliette cause it’s not the money that counts.

Juliette glanced at him and smiled genuinely. “Masaya ka ba?” She asked suddenly.

Rhome first throw the stick at the garbage bag on their way and automatically grin when he looked at her. “Sobra pa sa sobra.”

Juliette chuckled and poke him in the cheek. “Mabuti naman, masaya ka na. Hindi ka na galit sa nagawa ko?”

Rhome pout. “Konti na lang, may hindi ka pa kasi nagagawa eh.” He looked away shyly, while his cheeks are burning.

Juliette stopped walking and faced him.
“Ano naman iyon? Sabihin mo na.”

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Rhome bago humarap sa kanya.

“I-Isang halik…” Bulong nito pero hindi ito masyado narinig ni Juliette dahil sa mga rumaragasang mga sasakyan sa paligid kaya’t lumapit sya rito at iginawi ang bandang tainga sa bibig ng binata.

“Ha?!”

Napakagat sa ibabang labi si Rhome pero ng sasabihin na nya muli ang mga katagang iyon, Juliette’s phone rang disturbing their moment.

They looked at each other but Rhome looked away again. “Sagutin mo muna yan.” He said.

Juliette nod and took her phone in her sling bag, she saw it was Paul again. Juliette didn’t answer it because she didn’t want Rhome to think badly, even though he confessed his feelings to her.

She respects Rhome’s feelings, even though she has no answer yet.

“Tara na, gagabihin na tayo.” She said and grabbed him towards where the tricycles are. Tahimik lang si Rhome na nagpagiya sa hatak ng dalaga, nagtataka sya kung bakit hindi nito sinagot ang tawag kanina.

Hindi nya tuloy maiwasan na alamin kung sino iyon. Mabuti at nakasakay sila agad, si Juliette ang nagbayad ng pamasahe na ikinagulat nya.

“Dapat ako ang nagbayad, bakit ikaw?” Kunwaring naiinis na tanong ng binata.

Juliette just smiled. “Hindi lang naman ikaw ang nandito, ako rin at hindi rin naman porket ikaw ang lalaki, ikaw na ang magbabayad sa lahat. Naniniwala akong dapat pantay lang.”

He grin. “Ang swerte ko naman…”

“Bakit?”

“Dahil isang babaeng simpleng tulad mo ang nagustuhan ko.” He said honestly and seriously.

Juliette smiled shyly and shook her head.

“Bolero.”

Natawa si Rhome tsaka inakbayan ang dalaga. “Bolero na kung bolero, basta totoo.”

“Sus…”

Napailing na lang si Rhome habang nakaakbay parin dito, naging tahimik ang mga sandali hanggang sa makababa na sila sa harap ng resort.

Nagulat si Juliette ng makita si Rhyme sa labas habang si Rhome ay bumalatay na naman ang pagka-inis sa mukha.

“Ano na naman?” Asik ni Rhome.