Ludic Selcouth #1: Cracked Beat

Hit #26

Naging okay kami ni Tase ng araw na iyon. I am so relieved that we settled it. Kinahapunan ay agad din siyang bumalik sa Las Vegas dahil mahaba ang biyahe at may concert sila kinabukasan.

It was already fine, but I think the faith doesnʼt really want us to be together.

Months have passed after that issue, we— I mean, just I, had a problem again. Itʼs already the month of my board exam and Iʼm preparing for it really hard. Araw-araw na akong nagrereview at nagsasagot ng mga pre-test para wala akong makaligtaan pagdating ng araw ng mismong exam.

I just went out of the review center when I saw a man, leaning on his car. Hindi ko naman dapat papansinin at didiretso na sa dala kong sasakyan pero tinawag niya ako. “Zemira.” automatic akong napalingon dahil sa pagtawag niya. He was looking at me seriously as he played with the car keys on his hand. He is tall and decent. Bahagya akong lumapit at pinagmasdan siya. Itinuro ko ang sarili at tumango naman ang lalaki.

“Uh yes? Do I know you?” heʼs not familiar. I donʼt think I already saw him before. Umayos siya ng tayo at tiningnan ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Iʼm just wearing a black long sleeve blouse, I tucked it in on a black pencil skirt and Iʼm wearing my black high cut converse.

“Youʼre Zemira Devlin, right?” aniya sa malalim na boses. Dahan-dahan naman akong tumango at mahigpit na hinawakan ang shoulder bag.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?” my forehead creased.

“May I know why? I donʼt think I know you,” sabi ko at bahagyang umatras.

He shrugged. “Iʼm not a criminal. We can talk inside a coffee shop or in a restaurant so there would be people around us and you wouldnʼt feel uncomfortable.”

“Why do we need to talk?” seryoso niya akong tiningnan at kalaunaʼy bahagyang ngumisi.

“About Tase Mortell and Dalla Estevan.” agad akong natigilan. What about it again? I know Dallaʼs still not done on pursuing Tase. But he is careful this time, hindi na siya gumawa pa ng ikakaduda ko.

“What about them? Iʼm sorry but if youʼre just going to spread nonsense rumors about them, Iʼm not interested,” sabi ko at tumalikod na.

“Okay. Then you wouldnʼt know that your boyfriend is still secretly going out with her.” I frozed again. What did he just say? Secretly going out with Dalla?

“What are you talking about? I know Dalla is desperate but Tase wonʼt do anything to ruin us.” tumiim ang bagang niya sa sinabi ko, tila hindi nagustuhan ang lumabas na salita mula sa 'kin.

“You wouldnʼt know if youʼre not open to talk to me on a well...more formal and quiet place,” sabi niya at madilim akong tiningnan. Maingat akong nag-isip. Should I come with this man? I donʼt even know him. Malay ko ba kung may hidden agenda siya? Perhaps kidnap and torture me? Tapos itatapon ako sa ilog?

But he doesnʼt look like a criminal either. He looks rich and decent.

“Do you have a car with you? We can convoy if you donʼt trust me enough, and if you donʼt want to ride with me.”

Sa huli ay napapayag niya akong sumama sa kaniya. Nag convoy kami at nakasunod lang ako sa sasakyan niya. We stopped in front of a fancy restaurant. Nakita kong bumaba na siya kaya bumaba na rin ako at pinagmasdan ang restau na nasa harap namin. Elegant and big.

Nakapamulsa siyang lumapit sa 'kin. “Letʼs go?” Iʼm still having a second thoughts but I eventually tailed behind him. Iginiya kami ng isang waiter sa isang table at nag-abot ng menu. Hindi ko iyon tiningnan dahil wala akong balak um-order.