Dosage of Serotonin

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

When Friday came, I texted Liam about our dinner date. I didn't want to come, but I told him I would, and I didn't want to break my promise.

For the past few days, Calix and I had been calling and texting each other. I really missed having him around. Hindi ko naman na pinagnilay-nilayan ang sinabi ni Mark dahil kahit ano ang gawin ni Liam, hindi ko siya magugustuhan gaya ng pagkagusto ko kay Calix.

Calix also informed me that the transaction with the client and the buyer went smoothly. It would take some time for them to process all the necessary documents, but it was a done deal.

Katatapos lang ng trabaho ko at nasa bahay na ako ngayon para mag-ayos. Calix and I were talking on the phone while I got dressed. Hindi ko na rin binanggit sa kanya ang dinner namin ni Liam dahil ayokong mag-isip siya. After this date, I would never have to deal with Liam again.

Halos maghapon ko siyang hindi nakausap dahil sobrang abala siya, at ngayon namang hindi na siya busy, ako naman ang may kailangang gawin.

"Let's video call, Vina..." Narinig kong saad niya habang naglalagay ako ng blush on.

I pursed my lips. "I can't. Paalis ako. Nag-aayos ako ngayon."

"Huh? Saan ka pupunta?"

Napatigil ako sa ginagawa ko dahil hindi ko alam ang isasagot sa kanya. I purposely didn't tell him about Liam because I didn't want to give him the impression that I liked the guy.

"Sa hotel. Dinner," nagdadalawang-isip na sagot ko. Tahimik kong ipinagdasal na sana ay huwag na niyang tanungin kung sino ang kasama ko dahil alam kong hindi ako magsisinungaling sa kanya.

"Talaga? Sa iba ka pala mag-di-dinner... Anong oras ka uuwi?" tanong ulit niya.

I heaved a sigh of relief. "Siguro before 9 p.m. ay nasa bahay na ako."

Unlike our previous phone calls, mabilis lang natapos ang isang iyon dahil kinailangan ko nang umalis. Sinabi niya lang na mag-ingat ako. Maybe he thought I was with Yesha or Mark. Pagbalik niya bukas ay saka ko sasabihin ang nangyari.

I entered the five-star hotel that Liam had booked for us. I was clothed in a red dress and a pair of high heels. When I got to the entrance, I instantly noticed him sitting on a chair at a large table.

Napakunot ang noo ko. Ang laki naman masyado ng mesa para sa aming dalawa. He was talking to a waitress, as if he was instructing her what to do. Naglakad ako patungo sa direksyon niya at tahimik na naupo sa katapat niyang upuan.

"Vina!" he exclaimed. "You're five minutes early."

"You should've picked a smaller table." I chuckled. "But that's okay. Shall we order now?"

He grinned. "Not so fast."

I faked a smile. I wanted to go home and talk to Calix. Kaya ko nga inagahan para matapos kami agad... tapos tatagalan niya pa?

I let him do whatever he pleased. Italian and Mexican cuisines were served at the table. I didn't know why I had a bad feeling about this. The serving was just too much for the two of us. And, goodness, I'm not in the mood for those dishes right now! He should've waited until I arrived! I could place my own order.

"There they are," saad niya bago tumayo. He waved his hand to whoever it was.

Tiningnan ko ang kinakawayan niya at hindi ko naitago ang gulat ko nang makita sina Mama, Kuya Rexter at Ate Sidney na naglalakad patungo sa mesa namin. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang panlalamig ng mga kamay ko sa labis na taranta. I hadn't seen them in weeks! And we didn't part on good terms! For the love of fuck!