#LGS1LumpiangShanghai #LGS1chapter13 #LaGrilla1

***

MOST of the afternoon was spent querying one dance studio after another to be offered dance workshops in return. There were a few dance schools but if not limited to ballet classes, they only welcomed child and teenage enrollees. Hanggang sa nakarating na sina Leo at Imee sa pinakamalayo sa mga pinagpipilian nilang dance studio.

Imee excused herself after they inquired the dance studio staff, leaving Leo to wrap the conversation.

Inabot ng naka-highponytail na babaeng staff na may suot na mahabang black tights, yellow doll shoes, pink T-shirt, at rainbow sweatband ang brochure kay Leo.

“Kapag nakapag-decide na kayo, sir, tawagan n’yo lang kami sa number na nandito sa brochure for registration. Puwede rin naman po ang walk-in,” nakangiting saad ng babae.

Leo scanned the brochure for the summer dance workshop. Maganda ang timing nila ng paghahanap ng dance classes dahil marami pala nito tuwing summer season! He concealed his reaction and remained civil in front of the staff as he raised his eyes on her.

“Thank you. Do you accept bank transfer for payments?”

Nahihiyang natawa ang babae. “Naku, sir, nakikita n’yo naman po, bago lang ’tong dance studio namin. Sa ngayon po, cash only kami.”

Leo nodded. “Gusto ko lang i-clarify, separate ang charge ninyo para sa workshop at para sa studio rent, tama?”

“Private studio? Yes, sir.”

“Pagkatapos ng dance workshop kasi, baka dito na lang regular na mag-practice ng sayaw ang girlfri—I mean, kasama ko. Kung puwede sana, after the workshop ay ipare-reserve na rin sana namin para sa kan’ya ang isa sa mga private studio n’yo tuwing Sabado ng umaga. Open ba kayo sa gano’ng klase ng setup?”

Tumalikod saglit ang babae para magpaabot ng panibagong brochure sa kahera na receptionist din ng dance studio. “Opo naman, sir! Puwede naman po siguro i-schedule ’yan. Ito po ang pricelist at mga klase ng private studio kung sakali po na ia-avail ninyo ang services namin.”

When Leo got the new brochure, he saw a pricelist.

“Okay. Got it.” He said, glancing briefly to his left when he felt a presence there before returning his eyes to the staff. “I asked because I’m not really familiar with dance studios and such—” Natigilan siya dahil huli na naproseso ng kaniyang isip kung sino ang nahagip ng kaniyang paningin kanina.

Leo immediately turned once more and finally took the time to take in what he was seeing. Of course, he would take the time because everything suddenly slowed down when he saw Imee approaching him.

This time, she was already wearing the yellow sun dress that he bought for her. It fitted her body perfectly just as he envisioned. The pretty, tiny, white frills that ran along the neckline wavered slightly to follow the roundness of her breasts and the depth between them. The thin shoulder straps lightly clung between her smooth shoulders and defined collar bones. The dress’ tight hug on Imee’s waists and hips made him want his arm to take its place; the ends of the skirt that brushed her thighs in her every step made his lips jealous.

Imee still had her green headband over her pixie-cut hair, the front strands of her hair became curtain bangs that hang on both sides of her sweet, delicate face that had a wet, glossy touch of watermelon tint on her lips and soft strokes of pinkish blush were on her cheeks.

When she neared him, she adjusted the shoulder strap of her brown, leather square bag, swinging it to cover her lap.

“Hi,” ngiti sa kaniya ng dalaga, pagkatapos ay nginitian din nito ang staff na kausap niya.

When Imee returned her eyes on him, he was still speechless, soaking in her heavenly presence. He was beyond just pleased, he was breath-taken.

“Dressed to kill?” he said breathlessly.

“Oo.” Imee swung her body a little, probably to show him the beautiful swing of her dress’ flowy skirt. “So, ano sa tingin mo? Napatay na ba kita?”

Nabahala siya. “Napatay?”

“Patay na patay ka na ba sa akin?”

Napahalakhak siya sa sinabi nito. ‘Damn! Kinikilig ba ako?’

Nahihiyang nag-iwas ng tingin si Leo habang natatawa pa rin na hindi niya maunawaan. There was nothing funny with Imee’s pick-up line, pero bakit tumatawa siya?

“We’re going, miss,” paalam niya sa staff para mapagtakpan ang sariling reaksiyon na hindi niya maunawaan. “Tatawag na lang kami kapag nakapag-decide na si Imee. Thanks for these,” he said, waving the brochures before he turned his back on the staff and offered his other hand to Imee.

He was expecting her to place her elbow on his hand, for him to assist her, but no. She slipped her fingers across the lines of his palm until they smoothly glided between each of his own fingers. Leo inhaled inwardly, sharply, as the tingling sensation of her skin sliding against his’ brought in waves of inexplicable emotions in his chest and thousands of sensual imaginations at the back of his mind.

They immediately headed to the mini cooper, parked in front of the dance studio itself. Leo opened the door for Imee and handed her brochures before he closed that door and took his place in the driver’s seat.

Habang nagmamaneho patungo sa seafood and grill restaurant ay tahimik na binasa ni Imee ang mga brochure. Samantala, panakaw-nakaw naman siya ng tingin sa dalaga. He just could not help it! Nagulat tuloy siya nang tumikhim ang dalaga. Napa-focus tuloy uli siya ng tingin sa daan.

“Ilegal ’yang ginagawa mo,” seryoso nitong saad.

“Ilegal?” nababahala niyang tanong habang nagsisimula na siyang alalahanin ang libo-libong artikulo mula sa revised penal code. ‘May mali ba sa pagmamaneho ko?’

“Oo,” baba ni Imee sa hawak na brochures sa kandungan nito. “Ilegal ang pagnanakaw.”

Gumusot ang mukha niya dahil sa labis na pagtataka. ‘May ninakaw ba ako?’

“Panay ang nakaw mo ng tingin, e.”

Hindi niya inasahan na pagtawa ang una niyang magiging reaksiyon doon.

‘Tanga ka! Ano’ng nakakatawa? Bakit ka natatawa, Leo? Para kang tanga?!’ sermon niya sa sarili habang hirap na hirap pigilan ang pagtawa niya.

“Kanina mo pa ako pinagtatawanan, a? Baka mautas ka n’yan sa katatawa,” nangingiting paniningkit ng mga mata ni Imee sa kaniya.

“I am not laughing at you, okay?” He smiled so widely he felt like a fool. “N-Na . . . Nagulat lang ako.”

“Gulat ka sa mga banat ko, no?” may himig ng pagmamalaki na saad ni Imee.

“So, bumabanat ka nga sa ’kin?” nakangising ganti niya rito.

“Bakit hindi? Nagde-date naman tayo, hindi ligawan. Ibig sabihin, hindi pa time para magpakipot ako. Pareho pa tayong puwedeng mag-pick-up lines.”

“So, does that mean you’re ‘picking me’ na?” nanunubok niyang saad habang hindi maalis-alis ang pagkakangisi ng mga labi.

“Ano? Pick-achu?” ani Imee na sinundan nito ng nang-aalaskang tawa.

Natawa naman siya. ‘Why the fuck are you laughing, Leo? That’s not even a funny joke or a freaking pick-up line! Pinagti-trip-an ka na niya!’

***

“SIGURADO ka? Restaurant ’yan?” namimilog ang mga mata na tanong ni Imee. Sinisilip pa rin niya mula sa windshield ng mini cooper ang restaurant.

Leo had already parked the car when she asked him that question. He only managed to answer her when he was done turning off the car engine.

“Siyempre naman.” Nag-aalalang nilingon siya nito. “Why? Don’t you like it?”

Nagpipigil ng ngiti na nilingon niya ito. “Sira ka ba? Siyempre, gusto ko! Hindi lang ako makapaniwala na restaurant ’yan kasi tingnan mo naman! Parang mansiyon!”

Natatawang napailing ito. “Stay here. Ipagbubukas kita ng pinto.”

Imee nodded. When Leo opened the door for her, she immediately grabbed her square bag.

“Leave it.”

Naguguluhang napatingala siya rito. “Itong bag?”

“Oo.”

“Hindi, no! Baka manakaw!”

He smiled softly. “It’ll be safe inside my car. I just don’t want you to be hassled by carrying that in the restaurant. Alam kong medyo mabigat ’yan dahil nandiyan ang mga damit mo.”

Napatitig si Imee sa kaniyang bag.

“Besides, you won’t need your wallet, too. Ako ang magbabayad, so just bring your cell phone.”

Imee gave it a thought before she agreed with Leo. Kinuha niya ang cell phone mula sa bag at sumama sa lalaki papasok sa restaurant.

Nilunok ni Imee ang labis na pagkamangha para manatiling poised. Sa entrada pa lang kasi ng restaurant ay sinalubong na sila ng water fountain nito na gawa sa puting bato. Pagkalagpas dito ay inakyat nila ang isang front porch na may kabilaang antique wooden benches na halatang prineserbang mabuti para magmukhang makinis at bago kahit makaluma ang disenyo.

The main restaurant may look like a one-story mansion from the outside, but it was actually an open-walled Filipino cuisine restaurant with solid posts and one private dining area hidden by huge sliding brown panelled doors, probably only reserved for booked events. Wooden table sets scattered everywhere along with its buzzing customers and waiters that seemed to slither with efficiency on the floor from table to table.

A waiter approached them before leading them to a wooden hut that lined up along the narrow yard of the area with other huts of its kind. Leo and Imee seated inside the hut with its huge open-windows that helped them see the flowering plants potted around the hut and part of the interior of the main restaurant. They sat facing each other, only a wooden table in between them. The umbrella light overhead glowed softly in a sunset hue, giving Leo’s yellow hair a golden touch. The very sight of him, looking serious while busily explaining that most of the menu were Filipino dishes, made Imee smile.

Another waiter served them a cold pitcher of water and a pitcher of iced mango juice. He gave one tall glass of each drink for each of them before taking their orders.

As they waited for their early evening dinner, they took turns in the lavatory to wash their hands. Then, they discussed about the dance workshops.

There were a lot of times when Imee would catch herself staring at Leo. She should not be too obvious, she knew, but she just could not help it! Kahit wala masyadong alam ang binata sa kalakaran sa mga dance workshop ay nakikita niya ang pag-e-effort nito na unawain ang mga nakalap nilang impormasyon sa queries na kanilang ginawa sa buong maghapon. He shared some suggestions too, to help her choose which dance workshop to register to.

Naudlot lang ang pag-uusap nila nang i-serve ang kanilang appetizer—labin-dalawang rolyo ng lumpiang shanghai! The golden yellow coat of the freshly cooked spring rolls seemed to shine against the mellow lighting of the hut. Nakatatakam!

Leo laid out a hand to gesture at the spring rolls. “Dig in, Imee.”

Walang pagdadalawang-isip na kumuha siya ng isang piraso. There were two dips to choose from and she chose the sweet chili sauce. Isang malutong na pag-crunch agad ang bumungad sa kaniya sa unang kagat pa lang ng lumpiang shanghai. Namilog tuloy ang mga mata niya. Napangiti pa siya habang nginunguya ang pagkain.

“Masarap ga?” ngiti ng binata habang kumukuha na rin ito ng lumpia.

Lumunok siya bago sumagot. “Siyempre! Kailan ga hindi naging masarap ang lumpia?”

“Kapag mali ang pagkakaluto? I don’t know,” he murmured nonchalantly. Then he dipped his spring roll in the saucer for the vinegar. “Pero sabi ng iba, hindi raw masarap kapag masyadong malaki o mahaba . . . o mataba.”

Napatigil si Imee sa kalagitnaan ng pagkagat sa lumpiang shanghai. Inalis niya ito sa bibig at inirapan si Leo.

“Anong kabastusan na naman ’yan, Leo? Bakit pati sa harap ng pagkain?”

Gulat na pinandilatan siya nito. “Ano’ng . . .” His shock was replaced with worry. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Imee. May nasabi ba akong offensive?”

“Pa-inosente ka pa! Hoy, kahit province girl ako, mabilis pa rin ako maka-pick up ng mga double meaning, no! Ang hihilig n’yong mang-stereotype!”

“Ano’ng double me—” His eyes widened in horrified realization, then in a twinkling, his mood shifted. He pulled out a playful, teasing smirk. “Ahh . . . Ganyan tayo, e, pagkain ang pinag-uusapan pero ibang pagkain ang nasa isip mo . . .”

“Ano’ng—Hoy, bakit pinapalabas mo yata na ako ang green minded sa atin? E, ikaw ’tong palikero!”

He shook his head and just kept grinning. “No. I am just talking here about a literal lumpia, tapos kung saan-saan na pala napapadpad ang imagination mo!” He cocked his head to the side and ignited his eyes with hers. “Tell me, Imee, what do you imagine about me? Or . . . my lumpia?”

Itinapat niya ang mukha at mga mata rito sabay mariin na depensa. “Tse! Wala akong ini-imagine na gay’an! Ikaw ’tong may nalalaman kasi r’yan na hindi masarap kapag malaki, mahaba . . . mataba!” Pakiramdam niya ay pinamumulahan na siya ng mukha dahil sa huling mga sinabi. “Aminin mo na lang, sumisimple ka na naman ng banat ng green jokes mo!”

He was obviously suppressing his chuckle. “Bakit? Totoo naman ’yon, a? Kapag masyadong malaki ang lumpia, mamantika . . . nakakaumay. Kapag masyado namang maliit, nakakabitin. Kapag masyadong mataba—punit agad.”

“Damuho ka! Ano’ng mapupunit?!”

“’Yong wrapper, Imee. Focus,” mariin nitong sambit pero nangingiti.

Napahiya siya roon kaya napalunok siya at natahimik. He took a slow bite of his spring roll while his eyes were giving her that teasing gaze. Ginantihan niya tuloy ito ng irap habang pagalit na inuubos ang hawak niyang lumpiang shanghai.

In just two bites, he was done with his piece of spring roll.

“Kapag masyado namang mahaba,” patuloy ni Leo, “Mahirap din kainin—”

“Kasi hindi kasya sa bibig—”

“Kasi luluwa ’yong fillings kapag pakonti-konti ang kagat mo. Kaya ang ideal na lumpia, dapat ubos mo na sa dalawa o tatlong kagat!” nagmamadaling pagtatapos ni Leo. “Grabe ka makapag-akusa na green minded ako, e, mas green minded ka pa sa akin, e! At anong hindi kasya sa bibig ang lumpia? Kailan ka pa kumain ng lumpia nang isahang subuan lang?”

“Kapag maliliit ang mga lumpia . . .” nahihiya niyang depensa sa maliit na boses sabay simple ng tanaw ng restaurant. ‘Nasaan na ’yong waiter? Sana dumating na siya bago pa ako lumubog sa lupa sa sobrang kahihiyan.’

He became defensive. “Really? E, kahit maliit ’yong lumpia, kakagatin mo muna ’yon kasi hindi mo masusubo nang buo ’yon! Mabibilaukan ka!”

Imee waved her hand. “E! Tama na nga! Oo na lang!”

Ginawaran siya ng binata ng nanunuksong tingin at titig. “My, my, my, Imee. Appetizer pa lang ’to. Paano na lang kapag nasa main course na tayo? Baka magkatalsikan na.”

Naeeskandalong pinandilatan niya ito. “Leo, ’yang bunganga mo! Ngayon, totoo na talaga! Sinasadya mo—” turo niya rito, “—talagang haluan ng green ang usapan natin!”

“O bakit? Magkakatalsikan naman talaga ng laway! Baka pati pagkain mo tumalsik mula sa bunganga mo sa sarap ng kuwentuhan natin!”

Inambahan lang niya ito ng palo. Natatawa namang umatras si Leo kaya napasandal ito sa kinauupuan.

“Pasalamat ka, hindi kita abot!”

Binawi niya agad ang mamamalo niya sana na kamay. Dumating na kasi ang waiter dala ang isang malaking seafood platter, ang kanilang main course.

Napanganga si Imee sa tuwa at inisa-isa ang mga nasa platter na inilapag sa mesa nila ng waiter. On a plate covered with coconut leaves, there was a sauce bowl garnished with different bright-colored slices of fruits and spices at the center, surrounded by bright orange fried shrimps and crabs, grilled squids, Tilapia, and cheesy mussels, and of course, some Relyenong Alimasag!

***

COME HERE
La Grilla Series #1
Copyright Registered: 2024
R-18, General Fiction, Sexy Romance, Drama
First publish on Wattpad: December 2016

Facebook Page: ANAtheCowgirl
Wattpad: ANAtheCowgirl
Twitter: anathecowgirlwp
Instagram/Threads: anathecowgirl
Email: [email protected]