AFTER THE MOVIE

Chapter 29: Nakakaramdam din pala ang bato

"Come with me." Napatingala si Regina mula sa pagsoscroll sa phone habang nakadapa sa kama ng inabot sa kanya ni Narda ang dalawang concert tickets.

"Eraserheads? Hmmm... sayang. I have work, Narda. Ibigay mo nalang sa iba."

Pilit n'yang ibinalik sa kamay nito ang mga ticket.

"You signed a contract with NC production right?"

Nangunot ang noo n'ya. "Ano naman ang kinalaman ng concert tickets na 'yan sa pinirmahan kong kontrata, Narda?"

"Ghad, Regina! We're doing a GL movie. Let that sink in!"

Tinaasan n'ya ito ng kilay. "Right! Publicity stunt. But a concert? Pwede namang kumain lang tayo sa labas, take a picture together and let our pr team do it's job."

"Okay. I get it. Ayaw mo lang talagang sumama sa akin. Love, naman. Date din naman tayo minsan." Napapalatak  na sabi nito.

She smirked. "Ginamit mo pa talaga ang trabaho para makuha ang gusto mo. You can tell me straight, Narda."

"Bakit? If I ask you out on a date will you say yes?"

"No."

"Exactly! After my proposal you were so aloof. It was not a business proposal, Regina. It is a marriage proposal for christsake! We are trying to build a relationship and a family here."

"Dada, stop shouting. I can hear you over here." Sabi ni Dare mula sa sala.

Natampal nalang nito ang noo. "Sorry, bud. You're mommy is making me angry."

"Nah! Mommy is the angry one, dada. You didn't come home for days that's why."

"Dare!"

Bumungisngis ang bata. "Sorry, mom. You were acting weird and keeps on asking if dada came home for days now and if I answer no, you will get annoyed after."

Natatawang humiga ito sa tabi n'ya.

"Don't listen to that kid. He's lying."

"Kids don't lie, love. Namiss lang pala ako kaya pala nagkakaganyan. I was so busy. Finafinalize na namin 'yong script and then we'll assign the roles to the artists na. We'll do the script reading next week. But you should have called me when you wanted to see me pala."

Inirapan n'ya ito. "As if I wanted to see you that bad. No. I'll never do that. And I don't miss you. I just feel bad for Dare. S'ya 'yong naghahanap sa'yo for days now."

"Ayaw mo lang aminin na namimiss mo ako."

"Hindi nga kita namimiss, Narda. 'Wag ka ngang conceited."

Naiiling nalang nitong hinawakan ang kamay n'ya.

"I miss you, love." Kinintalan pa nito ng halik ang kamay n'ya.

Napahinga s'ya ng malalim at umayos sa pagkakahiga sa tabi nito.

"Take your responsibilities seriously, Narda. It's you who wanted to be a part of our lives. Don't make me tell you what to do."

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just busy and I know it's not an excuse. But i'm here now. Go out on a concert date with me, miss Vanguardia. Please let me make it up to you."

Bumuntong-hininga muna s'ya. "Alright. Sasabihan ko lang si Aling Tess na alagaan si Dare habang wala tayo. Mga anong oras ba tayo makakauwi?"

Nginisihan s'ya nito. "I don't know. Maybe tomorrow pa?"

"Narda!?"

"Concert date or sexy time?"

"So unserious!" She rolled her eyes.