Chapter 28: First Date
Cinyla’s POV
I slowly stretched my hands and noticed something strange on my bed. It’s spacious and it seems like there’s no one next to me. I don’t know where he is, all I know now is that I’m watching as if I’m looking for someone.
Where is he?
I just fixed the bed and ignored what was on my mind. It’s not good if I think about him. I just made my bed when I heard a knock on the door.
“Wait, let’s get out!” I shouted after arranging the pillows in front of me.
“I need to go home, Cinyla. But I will come here in the afternoon.” I raised my eyebrows when I heard BenChua’s voice. I couldn’t help but open the door and see his healthy abs again.
“Can you please wear your t-shirt!” I ordered him while covering my eyes with my hand.
“Oh sorry, I don’t know. Okay, I will leave. I just woke you up.” He wears his blue t-shirt in front of me. I don’t know if his answer meant anything or if he was just trying to seduce me. He was still in the middle of my door as if he wanted me to see his eight-pack abs.
“You know, if you’re going to leave, leave. You’re not like that, you’re s-so, ugh! Get out now!” I shouted.
“Huh? What?” He came closer as if he wanted to do something more. I actually pushed it so that it completely moved to its nearby door, which is in the guest room.
“You are so strong. Alright, I’m really leaving Cinyla. I will pick you up this afternoon. I don’t know the exact time but I’ll pick you up.” His aura is now serious because of his full voice and direct gaze. Sometimes I really don’t know what kind of man he is. Most of the time he is more like other girls that can change the mood instantly.
“Why do you want me to pick you up, later?” I asked while looking into his speaking eyes. His pure brown eyes tell me something and the curves of his lips are really awesome because of their natural redness.
“Just be with me, I’ll take care of you. Wait, is there something wrong with my face?” he asked suddenly and grabbed his face because he thought it had dirt on it. But the truth is, I don’t even know why I’m staring at him like this. I was amazed by his perfect face.
“Hey! Are you still with me?”
“Cinyla.”
Until I realized that he is still here when he called my name. I don’t know why I stare at him for so long. “Y-yeah, I am here. S-sorry. Okay, go ahead, BenChua. Just text me if you’re going or not.” I speak as better as I can and gave him a serious aura. It’s embarrassing for what I did earlier, he might even think that I’m fantasizing about him.
It’s a big NO!
He said goodbye and finally, I was able to breathe properly; because honestly, my chest was pounding too hard when he changed hours.
Then, a few minutes past I decided to go down my eyes looked for my mommy, but I didn’t see her shadow. Where is she?
*****
@Faith Restaurant
We are currently here at a 5-star restaurant known in Laguna. I don’t know why we are here and I just noticed that there are few people. I also wore something simple because I didn’t expect such an event. I am just wearing a red dress and 2 inches of black sandals.
The surroundings are golden and the plants surrounding the restaurant are varied. Before we could go inside there were two guards at the entrance. We went straight and BenChua just handed two small papers to a guard on the right.
“What are we going to do here?” I asked as we were about to go inside.”
“I’m dating you.” He whisper into my right ear which caused me to be shocked.
He took me to a VIP place because of the big wall that have written “VIP ONLY” there at the bottom of the table. Its shape is curved and in the middle of the table, there is a long candle and roses around it. It also only has two seats and the angle is front. He allow me to sit first and said, “Calm down, Cinyla. It’s just a simple date, okay? Don’t you like it?”I was surprised by what he mentioned and I feel pressure to answer him. Because he didn’t even tell me earlier because he just followed me and I let him. But honestly, I also want to be with him. Self, what are you doing? Speak now!
I tried to calm down and focus. “I am so sorry, sir. I’m just surprised that you didn’t say this earlier. Do we have a meeting here or it is just two of us, I mean a date with me?”
“Stop calling me, sir. It’s okay to be a babe.” He even winked, causing me to raise an eyebrow at him.
“Oh calm down, Cinyla. The surprise was what I thought and I didn’t regret it because you also prepared.” I was almost speechless at his answer. Am I really prepared? Couldn’t this really be what I’m wearing?
I deny it. “Of course not, I just thought we had an important meeting. Stop assuming, Ben Chua. Let’s just eat, I’m hungry.” I’m going to change the conversation because I feel that the answer between the two of us will be long.
He just grinned and called a waitress and just then a woman came to us and took our order. BenChua spoke to the woman who stared at him intensely. I don’t know if I will be annoyed or laugh at what is happening because it is also strange for me, still gossiping and this woman is laughing constantly and right in front of me.
“Miss, did you get all our orders? Can you please get ready?” I seriously asked the woman who was also stopped because of the tone of my speech. Who wouldn’t be annoyed? For almost a few minutes he kept asking questions about what BenChua and I were going to eat. This guy next to me, still grinning. I just raised my eyebrows as the woman just nodded and left. He must have been ashamed of the scene he made.
“Are you really hungry? Or are you jealous of that girl?” he said that causing me to look at him and raise my eyebrow. What? Me? Will be jealous of that waitress? Of course not! I am just mad because of his actions.
“What are you saying? I’m hungry, okay?! You’ll just say our order because you’re still flirting. I hope he’s the one you brought here!” I said annoyed and looked away. I don’t understand how I feel now because honestly, I feel heavy. Am I really jealous or maybe I am hungry?
A few minutes passed and silence prevailed around us. There weren’t too many people in this restaurant because our seat was VIP.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
“Aren’t you really jealous?” he asked again because I should avoid him and wait for the food. I didn’t think about what he was saying because I didn’t want to think about my true feelings.
After a while, our food arrived. It’s not too much but the waiter also brought two trays and I didn’t recognize them because just by looking at them you’ll be hungry.
“Thanks, bro.” He handed over a white envelope causing me to wonder what he was doing. I let the waiter leave before asking him. The man smiled so I wondered what he was reaching for.
“What did you give to him?
” A tip.”
“Why? What for?”
“I can only give money for a trip. Go ahead and eat, maybe it will cool down and your head will warm up again.”
I just took a bite of food because it’s bad to wait for food. But I laughed at the last thing he said that he just wanted to give money. In fact, he is well-known and has a lot of money, so that’s what he thinks.
“What else are you thinking about? Talk to me.”
I stopped chewing pasta because of what he said. I don’t know if he has powers or if he really feels what I’m really thinking.
“Nothing,” I said curtly and pissed him off because I ate again and let him. Just look at how far he’s come!
“Cinyla? Do you still love me?” I almost threw up the pasta because of his question. What’s up I’m always shocked every time he asks simple things.
I stopped what I was eating and even what I drink too. I calm down first and took a deep breath that he wouldn’t notice.
A few minutes passed and I spoke. “I don’t know. My situation is messy, our situation is.”
It seemed as if I felt a storm at the speed of its changing hours. The previously goofy and soft voice became serious.
“I understand. I am so sorry for asking you this kind of question. But let me remind you, I still want to court you… I still love you.”
I was stopped by the last line he said. Are his feelings for me really true? Maybe he’s just doing it because he hasn’t seen another woman yet, but if it goes on he’ll get bored.
“I am not like your ex who is crazy to hurt you. I know this is the first time I will love it. But I know in myself that I am true for you, Cinyla.”
“You’re the first woman I bring here, not anyone even my mom. I am serious, Cinyla.” I stopped completely when he said that he only brought me here. I don’t understand… I don’t understand anything. Every word that I heard is just like a problem that cannot function in my mind.
“Yeah, I know that you think so. But that is true, Cinyla. That’s why in every action I admit I’m impulsive but I’m serious with you. I just don’t know if you, do you like me too or are you just letting me do these things to you.” As people pass by outside where I can see through the window, I don’t know what I should say to him now. In fact, he was the only man who brought me to this restaurant. The real surprise was unplanned, unsaid, and unsolicited.
“I am sorry, I am really sorry BenChua,” I said. I finally had the strength to tell him. Honestly, I want to explain, but I prefer to hold back what I have to say because I don’t know where our conversation will end. This day should be our date, but it seems like it was a simple meeting that was all about saying bad feelings. He doesn’t deserve this.
He holds my hand which makes me feel something like there is electricity in his soft hand. I try to hold it, even literally I am shaking because of the nervousness and after a while, he kissed my right hand which makes me feel surprised. Until he speaks, “Stop saying that. I’m not asking and hoping that you love me back too. I’ll just wait for you to be ready. But take this day as our simple date. Many more days to be with you. That’s enough for me, Cinyla.” The last thing he did was a forced smile, he straightened himself up and let go of my hand.
He take some food and tried to pretend that nothing happened. I just fixed myself and took the water next to my food. Actually, water is enough for me every time I eat whether heavy meals or not.
“I’m really sorry BenChua, I really don’t know what to say now. But thank you for this date, this simple date that you prepared. You don’t have to do this. Although you already confessed and explained, all I can say now is thank you and sorry,” I sadly explained to him while stabbing the pasta.
“It’s okay Cinyla. I understand it was a mistake to enter your life. Also, stop doing it. Your delicious pasta will beg for you, don’t hurt them like that, just eat them.”
After what he said, I stopped what I am doing. It is embarrassing so I stop and fix myself. I look at him and explain, ” I’m sorry because I was thinking too much and I don’t know what I am doing,”
“S-sorry. Anyway, I am done eating. You? Are you still going to eat?”
“No. I am almost full. Do you want us to walk or go somewhere?” he asked, which caused a strange pounding in my chest. I don’t know why I feel this way but even though it was just a simple question, I felt happy and excited about where we were going.
“I know you want to go somewhere, let’s go! I will buy you something.” He pulled my hand to make me stand up. He left the payment first and we hurried out as if the mall was about to close.
“Let me introduce myself to you by doing these things. Let me love you by giving you gifts and bringing you to unforgettable places,” he said with joy and we crossed to new streets and the left side where I saw a familiar person.
A man wearing a black cap with a red hood. He is looking at our ways… He looks so familiar. Wait… He is my dad.