Basted

CHAPTER 2: JACOB'S SURPRISE

The waiter escorted Jacob and Mia to their dinner table. It was the best spot in the restaurant. It was by the window, overlooking the city skyline. Mia thought it was rather romantic.

Mia: Wow, super hirap makakuha ng reservation dito ha.

Jacob (while pulling Mia's chair for her): October last year pa lang nagpalista na ako.

Mia: OA ka!

Jacob just smiled and winked at the waiter, and the waiter set off. He came back after a minute holding a bouquet of pink flowers. He handed it to Jacob.

Jacob (while giving the flowers to Mia): Happy Valentine sa pinaka masungit kong cubemate.

If only Jacob was good-looking, kikiligin na sana si Mia.

Mia: Hahaha. Salamat naman. Masungit pala ko. Ganda nito ha. Thanks again.

Mia didn't want to admit it to herself but she was actually enjoying their dinner. The food was very satisfying and Jacob has been a perfect date the whole time. Surprisingly, they never had an awkward moment (yet) in the restaurant. They never ran out of things to talk about. Mia thought their being office cubemates for two years helped. But she was not so certain.

Jacob: Mia, I wanna tell you something.

Mia panicked inside. She thought, "Nakupo, eto na ang dreaded moment." If Jacob confesses his feelings for her, she might react inappropriately. Or hurtfully. So, inunahan na nya si Jacob.

Mia: Wait! Can I go first?

Jacob (grinning): Yeah, sure. May nakahanda ka ring sasabihin sakin?

Mia: Uhmmm...meron nga e, hindi ko lang masyadong napraktis. Hehe. Ah, ano kasi e, Jacob. You're a really nice guy. Mabuti kang tao. Well, at least that's how I see you in the past two years that we've know each other. Pero...ano kasi e. Wala akong maibibigay sayo ngayon kundi friendship. Ok naman tayo as friends diba? Ok tayo sa office. Ok tayo na ganito, lalabas labas occasionally, kain, coffee, ganun. Ok naman yun diba? I'm just afraid that if we go beyond being friends, baka minsan hindi tayo ok. Alam mo na, may awayan, tampuhan, ganun. Sorry ha. Gusto ko lang kasi talaga ok tayo palagi.

Long silence.

Mia: Yun lang.

Long silence again. Jacob was still looking down at his empty dinner plate. Mia could not make of what was going on in his mind.

Mia: May sasabihin ka ba?

Jacob (lifted his gaze to Mia): Yup. Uhmmm...I actually asked you out tonight because I wanted to have a memorable day with you before I leave.

Mia: Leave?!

Jacob: I have a job offer in New York. It's too good to let it pass. And besides, it's near where my mom lives. Baka chance na rin namin to na magkita ulit.

Long silence.

Mia had mixed feelings. First, she was embarrassed. Kasi binasted nya si Jacob e hindi naman pala nanliligaw. She was worried that she hurt his feelings. Then she was also saddened about Jacob leaving, but at the same time happy for his good career opportunity.

Jacob: May sasabihin ka ba?

Mia: Sad naman nyan. Wala na kong mabait na cubemate sa office.

Jacob: Mabait lang?!

Mia: Tsaka helpful. Tsaka...hindi namboboso ng cleavage. Although wala naman talaga akong cleavage. Hahaha.

Jacob: Hahaha. Meron naman ah. Konti nga lang.

Mia: Whaaat??? Loko loko ka. Simpleng manyak ka rin pala ha. Hahaha. Nilait mo pa tong cleavage ko. Hahaha.

Jacob: Hahaha. Ikaw kaya ang nauna. Hahaha. Seriously though, I will miss you. Your laughter, your chinita eyes... everything about you.

Jacob's gaze was piercing. Mia felt awkward. But there was a tiny flutter in her stomach. Kinilig din naman sya ng slight. Kung gwapo lang talaga si Jacob, tuloy tuloy na sana ang kilig nya. Kaso nga kinapos ng konti sa Gwap-O-Meter.

Mia: Mamimiss din kita. Sana nga magkita kayo ng mommy mo pag nandun ka na. When did you last see her nga?

Jacob: I was fifteen. That was 10 years ago.

Mia: Haaaa??? Grabe naman. So you mean, 25 ka lang ngayon??? Di nga? Hahaha.

Jacob: Alam mo ikaw, may araw ka rin sakin! Nag dadrama na ako dito, inaasar mo pa ako.

Mia: Hahaha. I just want to lighten things up. Hindi bagay sayo ang malungkot e. Pero wish ko talaga maging happy at successful ka dun sa New York. Pagyaman ko bibisitahin kita dun. Libre mo ko ng Broadway play ha.

Jacob: Oo ba. Wag mo lang itapat na Valentines Day ha kasi malamang may date kami ng girfriend ko dun.

Mia: Yabang! Kagwapuhan??? Hahaha.

Jacob: Yun na nga e. Itong appeal na to ang hinahanap ng mga amerikana no! Exotic appeal! Hahaha. Pero...Mia, thanks for going out with me tonight ha. I won't forget this.

Mia smiled.

And they both knew they will miss each other.