Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

31

"I'm ready to go!"

I exited the room, jumping a little. I'll be fully honest and say that I'm looking forward to tonight. I don't really mind kung saan kami.

"What? Pangit ba?" Pinlantsa ko ang ruched dress na suot ko gamit ang isang kamay nang napansin na titig na titig si Marco sa akin habang nakasandal sa sofa.

"Gwapaha ay, ga." A hint of a smile was plastered on his lips while surveying me.

I immediately groaned "Translate. I don't speak bisaya," I reminded.

Ngumisi siya bago tumayo. "Sabi ko ang tagal mo."

"Sorry naman!" I followed him out of the house, pouting. I didn't bring any bag. My phone wouldn't get lost since may wrist strap siya. Iyong cash ko, siniksik ko lang sa bra dahil tamad na 'ko magdala ng wallet.

Pinapili niya ako kung ano'ng gusto kong sakyan since naka-dress ako. I pointed his motorcycle because I wanted to experience the breeze. Also for a change since we are always trapped in a car in the city.

"Bango mo. Pumoporma." Just as I sat on the motor, I teased him because I was able to smell his scent properly due to our closeness. He smelled like the perfume I used to buy for him.

"Lagi naman akong nagpapabango, ah," he defended.

"No, you usually smell like alcohol. Amoy hospital," I told him the truth in a teasing tone to annoy him.

"Sorry po," he joked. "Okay ka lang diyan? Kapit ka. Pwede ka rin dito sa harap para 'di ka mahulog." I scoffed with his suggestion, causing him to smirk. "Ayaw mo noon? Yakap kita. Sweet ng datingan. Old times."

I flashed him a phony smile through the side mirror. "Ulol, Marquenzo."

"Couple vibes," pagpapatuloy pa niya. Binatukan ko siya at sinabihang magmaneho na.

I grew ecstatic when we entered the venue. It had several stalls, such as street food, shawarma, smoothies, tacos, delicacies, etcetera. In the center, there's a person playing guitar, purple and yellow lights flashed the area, and lots of banting banner hanging. Buhangin lang ang tinatapakan namin.

"Ang ganda! It looks so lively here!"

"Welcome to Mercato." Marco draped an arm around my shoulder.

"Huwag mo nga akong akbayan," inis na sabi ko. Ang bigat, eh!

"Oh?" Ngumisi siya at hinawakan ang kamay ko bago siya tumakbo. Napasinghap ako at napasama sa kaniya, gulat.

"Bwisit ka, Marquenzo!" Hinampas ko siya sa dibdib bago nilagay ang dalawang kamay sa tuhod noong tumigil, hinihingal.

"Matagal ko na alam iyan. Daily reminder mo." He raised his index finger, nodding while laughing at me. "Hingal na hingal naman. Ganiyan talaga kapag matanda na, 'no?" Ginago pa niya ako.

"Excuse me! Wala pang isang tanda ang taon ko sa 'yo!" singhal ko sabay duro sa kaniya. "Old ka rin!"

"Uy, baby face 'to!" Hinimas niya ang pisngi niya, pakunwari na-offend. He then smirked at me in a flirtatious manner. "Don't worry. I stand by my words... I prefer a woman older than me."

"Landi ka." Inirapan ko siya.

"When I say older woman, I specifically mean you," he flirted more, leaning his face near mine.

Tinulak ko ang mukha niya palayo sa akin bago naglakad paalis, kagat ang loob ng pisngi ko. Landiin mo pa 'ko, shet! Hindi ko lang kayang sabayan dahil kinikilig kaagad ako! Oh my gosh! Ganito ba kapag walang landi for years?!