One Lost Summer (Brave Series #2)

Chapter 26: Majarlika

“You know you don’t have to drive me, Grale,” Majarlika told him. “Kaya ko naman ng ako na lang.”

He sighed. “I already feel bad that I can’t be with you during this vacation, Maj. So, please just let me do this for you, okay.”

“Pero sa susunod na araw na ang road tour niyo. Mapapagod ka niyan.”

He squinted his eyes. “Are you underestimating my muscles, Miss De Luna? I do workouts, just so you know.”

“Wala akong sinasabing ganon,” mabilis niyang iling.

Grale went to her and gave her a quick kiss on the lip. “Then just shut up, babe, and buckle up.”

She blinked her eyes, still half stunned by that quick kiss. Napabuntong hininga na lang siya at nag suot na ng seatbelt. Nagsimula nang umandar ang sasakyan na isang Honda Civic. Sa apat na buwan na relasyon nila ni Grale ito na yata ang pang limang sasakyan nito na nasakyan niya.

He also mentioned to her that one of his hobbies is collecting cars. That’s why she won’t be surprised if she’ll be meeting more of his babies in the future.

“Saan pala ang start ng road tour niyo?” Tanong ni majarlika habang binabagtas na nila ang expressway.

“Well, like usual we will begin in the metro. Pagkatapos lalabas na kami para sa central naman, which I think sa Pampanga gaganapin. Then we’ll go north, dunno yet which provinces. And then Cebu and Davao,” he replied.

“Tuloy-tuloy ‘yon?”

“We stop over and check-in into hotels. However, when other actors have prior commitments they usually travel back to Manila and then just return as fast as they could.”

“That’s tiring.”

Grale gave her a side glance to smile. Majarlika just returned it. 

It’s almost six in the morning at pasikat na ang araw. They’ve been on the road for nearly two hours now.

“Gutom ka na ba?” Tanong ni Majarlika.

“Ikaw ba?”

She nodded.

“Let’s have a stop over then. Saan mo gustong kumain?”

“I want iced-coffee sweet black and cheesy eggdesal. Okay lang ba sayo sa Mcdo?”

“Anything you want, Angel,” he replied, smiling. “Let’s settle for the nearest one.”

Nag park sila sa harap nang nakita nilang pinakamalapit na Mcdo. 

Isang puting t-shirt na may logo ng Channel ang suot niya na naka tuck-in sa itim na pleated skirt na umabot lampas tuhod. Pinaresan niya rin itong ng puting sneakers. Habang si Grale naman ay naka itim na cotton shirt at faded pants. 

Bumaba na silang dalawa at hinintay siya ni Grale bago sila pumasok ng glass door nang magkahawak ang kamay. Hindi na rin nagabala si Grale na magsuot ng sumbrero at mask dahil wala pa namang gaanong tao sa loob.

Wala pang kiosk ang store kaya lumapit silang dalawa sa counter para makapag order. Pero ang unang napansin ni Majarlika ay ang dalawang babaeng cashiers at isang manager na pare-parehong natigilan. Their jaws are dropping wide and their eyes are twinkling in full admiration for the guy standing beside her, holding her hand.

“Good morning,” Grale greeted the lady on the counter.

“G-Good morning po! Hala jusko hindi ako ready!”

Nagkatingan silang dalawa ni Grale at parehong natawa sa reaksyong natanggap nila. Grale let go of her hand, but it transferred to her back. His palm was gently kneading her back while reciting their order.