On Finding Chance

Part 2 - Chapter 20

Coldplay's "Fix You" is playing on the radio. Dylan and I are on our way to dinner in one of his favorite off-the-wall restaurants and the traffic is pretty bad. At first, I was determined to reject him and accept Ethan's invitation but his persistence got me. By 6pm, I was in front of our building waiting for him. Five minutes later, a metallic blue convertible BMW caught my attention and everyone else around me. It is not every day that we see a luxurious car on this side of the city. It stopped in front of me and the owner, who is as sharp as his ride, stepped out. I know he is rich but not THIS rich. Some people are too damn fortunate to be born not only with a silver spoon but also with gorgeous looks.

Eyes glared at me like bullets when Dylan opened the door for me. Truth be told, I felt pride in this. I was Cinderella in her elegant pumpkin carriage with Prince Charming as my chauffeur. My fantasy is broken because apparently, he is not in the best mood right now. We have not talked after the obligatory "Hi and Hello" but I do not mind because his playlist is great. "Sorry", he says. "Nakakainis lang talaga mga motorista dito. (The motorists here are freaking annoying)" WOOOW! He can speak Tagalog! It is my first time hearing him and it is amazing how he does not seem to have an accent. My lips form a smirk.

"You know how to speak Tagalog?" I utter.

"Of course. I'm half." he replied, smiling.

"I've never heard you speak the language before"

"I'm used to conversing in English. I'm not that confident in my Tagalog."

"It is quite good. Your accent is not ----"

BEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

A bus almost hits my side of the car. Uh oh! This is bad. I need to take control of the situation before he ends up in a fight.

"Hey! Chill. Don't let it ruin your night."

"BUT HE ALMOST HIT YOU"

Ugh! If he loves his car so much, he should not drive it in this city where traffic is terrible! "Remind me not to ride with you in your precious car again." I say.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to piss you off. I will try to relax. Can you talk about something else to keep my mind distracted?"

I cannot think of an interesting topic so I go for the interview game which is also lame but it is better than nothing. "Tell me about yourself," I say.

"Just ask me questions" he responds, his eyes completely on the road.

Should I go straight to the point? Is this the right time to ask about the accident? I look at him. He looks annoyed. Handsome but definitely pissed. Ok. I will try my luck next time. For now, I will calm him down so we can both enjoy the night.

"Uhm. Ok. What's your full name?"

He glances at me, eyes teasing with the shallowness of my question, and answers, "Dylan Sebastian Lim Taylor, born April 07, 1986. My mom is originally from Cebu. She is half Chinese, half Pinoy. My dad is from Australia. I lived in Manila for 4 years and moved to Melbourne after. We visit Cebu from time to time but we usually stay in our house in Quezon City during the holidays. I have two siblings – one girl (biological) and one boy (adopted). There."

"O-kay. Hmmm...if your family is in Australia then why are you here?"

"Because it's more fun in the Philippines"

I frown at the silliness of his joke.

"Lighten up. I'm kidding! Truth is, my previous mentor offered me the job and it seems like a good opportunity so I grabbed it. You see, there are plenty of great doctors in Australia while only a few are left here. I think more patients need me here. Don't you?"

I nod. The more he answers my questions, the more amazed I get by his character. He does not seem like a douche. On the contrary, he appears to be a kindhearted, family-oriented, loving guy. Oh no! I should not let myself be fooled. I think of another question. "Uhm, does your girlfriend know you are with me?" This is a very stupid question but he it is valid. I need to find out if we have a chance. Wait! No no! Erase!

He is taking a long time to respond but a smile, already like a grin, forms in his face. He turns the car and parks it on the side of the road.

"We're here", exclaims Dylan.

I look out the window and what's in front of me is astonishing. Across us is a chain of small restaurants with specialties ranging from Mediterranean to Italian to Western to Japanese to Korean. There is also a pastry shop and an ice cream parlor. The place looks foreign to me. It is like I am seeing the world in one long street. It is no mystery why he loves going here.

He opens the door and leans on me. "Yes, my girlfriend knows.", he whispers.

My heart sank. Of course he has a girlfriend. With his looks and character, girls will certainly queue up for him. He is attractive, charming, successful and kind. He was mine. Stop! I should not be thinking about this! Why am I even feeling this way? I barely know him. This is not true. I am merely getting carried away. I do not feel sick. I am not on the verge of crying. I am not mad.

BEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPP! The sound of the red Sudan lingers in my ears. Dylan grabbed me just in time. Damn it! I almost got hit again. Why am I such an accident magnet today? I turned to him. His face spells fear. His hands, tightly gripping the side of my shoulders, are trembling.

"ARE YOU OKAY? ARE YOU HURT?", he says as he inspects my entire body.

I stare at him in total shock. He stops inspecting and instantly locks me in his embrace, "I thought I'll lose you again." I want to object but his voice is shaking, begging. Thus, I say the two words he wishes to hear, "I'm okay."

His head is bowed down but I notice tears falling on his cheeks. He wipes them instantly and stares at me with an expression as innocent as a child. I see myself reflected in his eyes. At this exact moment, I swear, a picture of us flashes before me. Next thing I know, his cold, sweaty palms are on my face and his lips are on my forehead.