Once upon a Time

CHAPTER FIFTY: Go the Distance

Yumi

I can't relax! I keep on moving around my seat. I look at my jittery hands.

"Mayumi? Okay ka lang ba?"

Napaigtad ako sa upuan ko ng magsalita si Azrael. We are on our way to Kimberly and...

He has no idea.

Yun ang dahilan kung bakit di ako mapakali kanina pa sa upuan ko. Naisip Ko kasi ito ang pinakamadaling way para magkita silang dalawa.

Pero paano kapag nagalit si Azrael sa akin?

"Mayumi?" Azrael called once again. I look at his worried face.

"I'm fine. Kinakabahan lang." I said laughing.

"Kanino ka ba makikipagkita at parang kabado ka yata?"

"Sa sa old friend ko." I lied. "Pasensya ka na sa istorbo ha. Medyo malayo kasi yung lugar kaya nagpasama ako sayo."

"It's fine. Mas magagalit ako kung pupunta ka mag-isa. Ang layo kaya ng meeting place nyo."

When we reached the bar lalo akong kinabahan. What if everything didn't go exactly as I thought it would go?

I silently prayed na tama ang naging desisyon ko.

Pagpasok namin sa loob may ilang tao na sa bar kahit hapon pa lang. I scan the whole place trying to find Kim pero mukhang wala pa sya.

"Is your friend here already?" Azrael asks me.

Umiling ako then when sat on a vacant table. I look at my watch. Napaaga pala kami ng dating.

"Do you want any drink?" Azrael asks me.

"Iced tea na lang siguro." I said while looking at the door.

"Okay." Azrael said then I watch as he goes to the bar tender.

Tama naman itong ginagawa mo Yumi diba?

Napalingon ako pabalik sa pinto and then she came in.

Azrael

"Thanks." I said to the bartender after he gave me the drink. When I turned around I almost dropped the drinks on my hand when I saw her walking in the bar.

What is she doing here? I thought she is still in France.

Our eyes finally met. Kimberly smiled at me then she continues to walk towards me. I was frozen on the floor. I can't even move one single muscle of my body.

I stared at Kim's smiling face like a dumb when she finally got near me.

"So we meet again?" She said. She looks behind me.

"Where's Yumi?" She asks.

Si Mayumi? Magkakilala ba sila ni Mayumi?

I look at where I left Mayumi and she just gave me a weak smile.

Si Kim ba ang katatagpuin nya dito sa bar? Then why didn't she tell me?

"She asked me a favor. She wants us to talk." Kim said then she waves at Mayumi.

So this rendezvous was really meant for me after all.

Naupo kami ni Kim sa may bar. Hindi parin ako makapaniwalang nasa harapan ko sya muli ngayon.

"You've changed." I said to her as I look at her attire. She looks very confident now.

"Is it good or not?" She asks she cocks her head on one side.