Chapter Four

Believe In Love

I prepared myself for the day of our meeting. I wore my most expensive clothes, put on my most expensive perfume, got my hair cut, shaved my stubble, and be as pleasing as I can be. I really did prepare for it and I never did this for any girl before, kahit iyong mga naging ka-relasyon ko. Ni hindi ko ma-imagine na gagawin ko rin ito lalo na para sa babaeng 'yon.

I dismissed Vlasta's comment when he saw me. I dismissed every word he might say because I know I did extra today even though I don't know what will happen with the meeting.

I contemplated with her invitation all night. Hati pa rin ang opinyon ko sa gagawin hanggang sa mga oras ng aming pagkikita pero may kung ano sa akin ang gustong mag-expect na magiging maayos ang lahat ng pag-uusap namin ngayon.

I will not lie. Imara was a gorgeous woman. She came from wealthy and powerful family. Nirerespeto ng mga nasa hanay namin ang kanilang pamilya at siguro kung hindi lang ako na-turn off noong unang beses at hindi gano'n ang ugali niya ay baka sana nag-work kami. Maybe we're actually dating by now if I didn't find her personality off.

"Are you hundred percent now boss? I can still turn the car around if you like." Vlasta said, now smiling from ear to ear as he glance at me through the rearview mirror.

I just shook my head and dismissed him again. Natawa lang ito at hindi na ako kinulit pa. I got off my car. Diretso akong pumasok sa fire palace. Staff were greeting me. Someone ushered me inside the restaurant and told me my date wasn't there yet. I thanked him and got on my seat after ordering some bourbon.

Fifteen minutes passed, I was still alone. Naka-dalawang baso na ako ay wala pa ang babae. I stopped myself from texting her dahil baka magmukha akong excited kaya hinayaan ko lang. I texted my sister instead.

Ako:

Where you at? You're still not home, right?

Nia:

Yes, why? What are you up to Eux? And why are you texting me? Don't tell me your phone got stolen? This isn't you right?

I continued replying to my sister. Hindi lang dahil bored ako kung hindi dahil siya ang back-up plan ko kung sakaling pinag-trip-an lang pala ako ng babae at walang balak na siputin.

Why didn't I think of that before agreeing to meet her? Damn.

Ako:

It is me. Just asking. Ano nga? Are you still out? do you wanna hang or something?

Nia:

I just called Soms. Wala ka raw sa bahay? Where are you?

Ako:

Just out. Ano nga? Are you up? My treat.

Nia:

Of course it's your treat! Unfortunately, I'm busy right now so not unless you tell me what are you up to or give me a valid reason why are you suddenly asking me out then I might say pass.

I heave a sigh and ask for another glass of bourbon. I closed my sister's text to see if there's text from Imara, but that just caused me to curse again when I saw none. I was about to give up and tell my sister the whole story regardless of shaming myself, but all of that was put to halt when a woman's shadow hover me.

My hands automatically let go of my phone as my eyes run up to this gorgeous woman who was now in front of me. Wala sa sarili't lutang akong napatayo matapos tuluyang itigil ang mga mata sa kanya.

Her eyes were beaming. The pastel pink dress she was wearing was making her whole beauty and aura glow so much. And when her lips finally curved, I totally lost it. Tuluyan na akong natulala sa kanya as if my whole world suddenly stop revolving and all I could do was swallow the bile on my throat as I try to remain my eyes locked on her and sanity intact.

This was nothing like the first time we met. She was beautiful that night, but it was nothing compared to her presence right now. Para bang may nakaalalay sa kanyang mga anghel ngayon para maging ganito ang reaksiyon ko't pagkamangha sa kanya.

Compared to our first meeting, her make up wasn't that heavy, too, and it was such a game changer. Parang ibang tao ang kaharap ko ngayon at ito pa lang ang una naming pagkikita.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Na-traffic kasi kami. I'm really sorry!" sa paglinaw ng kanyang malambing at banayad na boses sa aking tainga ay saka lang ako binalikan ng katinuan.

"I-it's fine. Kararating ko lang din so don't think about it." I lied.

Inalalayan ko siyang makaupo. I got back on my seat after doing it. Hindi pa rin nawala ang pagkamangha sa akin habang muli siyang tinititigan.

She has a fair complexion. A pair of perfectly arched and well-maintained eyebrows were complimenting her long natural eyelashes. Her brown eyes were beaming as if they were stars dancing in a dark sky. Her cute button nose was elegant, her set of heavenly-white teeth gleamed as she speak and heart shaped lips was already making me drool. Everything right now was mesmerizing me and I couldn't stop myself from praising each and every part of her face.

"I-I'm sorry! Am I talking too much? Sorry I'm being talkative when I'm nervous. You can stop me anytime. I'm sorry."

"No please, don't be. I like hearing your voice."

The instant blush on her cheeks because of my words became too obvious. Napangiti na rin ako ng wala sa oras.

Damn, she's cute.

But wait, did she bumped her head or something? Bangag ba siya no'ng una kaming magkita? Because clearly, she never became this talkative. Iba ang paraan ng pakikipag-usap niya sa akin at mukhang wala itong balak na sigawan ako't sungitan ngayon gaya noong huli.

Why is she being nice all of a sudden? And why does it feel like she already forgot about me and our past interaction? And lastly... why and how did she became instantly beautiful in my eyes?

Hindi natigil ang mga mata ko sa pagtitig sa kanya habang nagpapatuloy siyang magsalita upang iwasang mamula lalo na dahil sa mga titig ko. I continued smiling and watching her as if she was a very important lesson I shouldn't miss.

My mind couldn't stop praising her in each second. Parang noong nakaraan lang ay isinusuka ko ang kabuuan niya, ngayon ay walang tigil ko na itong sinasamba.

The food was served and we ate in peace. Patuloy pa rin kami sa mga kaswal na pag-uusap. She asked about my parents and my family and I did the same. Though we already knew the background of our families, naging maayos pa rin ang mga unang topic tungkol doon at sa kung anong mga kanya-kanya naming pinagkakaabalahan hanggang sa mapunta na ang usapan sa una naming pagkikita.

"I'm sorry I was rude the last time. Kaya ko gustong hingin ang pagkakataong 'to dahil gusto ko talagang humingi ng paumanhin sa inasta ko't mga nasabi ng gabing 'yon. I'm sorry I was rude to you."

"No, it's fine. I was rude to you too."

Mas tumamis ang mga ngiti niya sa aking sagot.

"So, why are you really single? I mean, I heard your name and how great you are before we even met the first time. May mga nakilala rin akong gustong-gusto kang makilala at sobra pa and I guess that's just few of them so why? Is this a personal choice? Like career muna bago love life?"

Sa hindi malamang dahilan, nagawa kong maging totoo at sagutin ang kanyang tanong ng mga nararapat at walang filter na sagot.

"It wasn't my choice. In fact, I want to have a relationship now. I'm searching for it. I realized spending time in the office will not make me happy in the long run and I really need a wife so there's that. I was never close-minded when it comes to having a relationship, but I set that aside the past years I was thriving at work. Ngayon ko na lang ulit napagtuonan ng pansin. That explains my parents, especially my mom setting us up."

"Yeah! I totally get it. It is your mom."

I nodded. "How about you? Are you really single o napipilitan ka lang or pressured dahil gusto rin ng parents mong mag-click tayo? You don't have to force yourself if you are not comfortable with this—"

"No! I really want to know you more. Hindi naman siguro masama since we're technically both single? Besides, we really came off the wrong foot and I want us to give another chance... I mean, if that's okay with you?"

"Of course. I'm glad to hear you ask me out."

She giggled. "I'm pretty sure hindi naman na bago 'yon sa 'yo?"

I shook my head. "Not really."

"I reckon."

I asked her about her work. She told me she was working with her father run their hotel chains. Hindi pa raw siya magaling, but she was getting the hang of it.

"So you're like his successor?"

"Yes. That's why I'm always grumpy and a bit rude all the time. Siguro dahil na rin nga sa pressure. Bukod sa trabaho kasi gusto na rin nila akong mag-asawa. They tried setting me up with almost everyone available, but it never worked. Kaya sorry talaga kung hindi naging maganda ang pagkikita natin noon. I'm really sorry."

"Stop apologizing now. I totally get it. We're basically on the same side so I understand the pressure."

"Thank you. Back to the question, since naghahanap ka na, wala pa rin ba? Are you choosy or something?"

"Call me romantic, but I still wish that I'll marry a woman whom my heart really wants and not just a random rich girl my parents approved."

Doon nawala ang kanyang mga ngiti. Tila ba ang paglalim ng aking mga salita ay hindi niya inakala.

"So you're not into flings and stuff anymore? Like gusto mo kapag nagkaro'n ka ng bagong ka-relasyon iyong sa taong mapapangasawa mo na? At mahal mo?"

"Yes."

"But you know love is not easy to find nowadays. What if it'll make you wait? Hanggang kailan mo kayang maghintay para do'n?"

Nagkibit ako ng balikat. Napainom din ng alak dahil hindi ko inasahang magiging interesado siya sa topic tungkol sa love. I was trying to turn her off, but I don't think it will happen. Hindi gaya noon, ang babaeng kaharap ko ngayon ay mukhang gusto at handang makinig sa lahat.

"I believe love is not just a feeling. You should also work on it to happen. Kailangang mag-adjust or even maghintay. If I know it was the love I want for myself then I'll wait no matter how long."

She was speechless to that.

"Don't you believe in love?"

She was still on pause. Nag-iisip. Sa muli niyang pagngiti ay nabanaag ko ang lungkot sa kanyang mga mata.

"I want to, but I don't think it's possible especially for people like us na walang choice kung hindi arrange marriage madalas. Wala masyadong freedom sa pagpili ng taong mamahalin. I sometimes think love is only to those who were lucky at hindi 'yon para sa lahat."

I just looked at her, still charmed by her presence. Sa hindi ko malamang dahilan ay nagawa kong lumapit sa lamesa at walang sabing inabot ang kanyang kamay. She gasped when her eyes darted on me, muli ay namula ang kanyang magkabilang pisngi.

I slowly run my thumb on her hand and smiled genuinely at her, "Is that so? Do you want me to make you believe in love? Gusto mo bang subukan natin?"

~~~~~~~~~~~

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