ECHOES OF THE WILD

3 - Le film parfait (The Perfect Movie)

Limang minuto na lang ay ikadalawang oras na. She was still lying in bed wearing only her black ripped jeans and a plain sleeveless white squared necked shirt. Malalim pa ring pinag-iisipan ni Myrtel kung itutuloy niya ang pakikipagkita kay Dante o hindi na. Normally, sa lahat ng lakad niya ay naka-todo pustura siya kaya inaabot siya ng mahigit dalawang oras sa paghahanda. Full make-up with false eye lashes, face countouring at minsan kapag trip niya, naglalagay pa siya ng hair extensions para magmukhang mahaba ang shoulder length niyang buhok. But she felt tired of all the fuss. Hindi naman niya gustong magpa-impress sa hambog na doktor na ‘yon at wala rin siyang balak na makipagmabutihan dito. Naglagay lang siya ng sunblock, BB cream at lipbalm na Cherry flavored at nagsuklay. Mas masaya pala ang mabilisang pag-aayos dahil nakakahiga pa at nakakapag-senti.

When she heard the knock on the door, she groaned in protest. Kakamuni-muni niya tungkol sa buhay niya, she was not even able to think about where to take her charge for the day. Saan ba niya ipapasyal si Dante? Wala namang pasyalan sa Cavanah Valley bukod sa mga Rancho at wala siyang alam tungkol doon. City girl siya in flesh and blood. Naka-apat na katok na si Dante nang bumangon si Myr. Isinuot na niya ang white sneakers niya then decided against it. Naka-white sneakers si Dante at ayaw naman niyang mag-terno sila. She wore a black Sanuk instead.

“Hindi makapaghintay?” She opened the door and she was surprised to see a bouquet of yellow roses. Kung tama ang estimate niya ay dalawang dosena ito. Natatakpan ng bulaklak ang mukha ng may dala.

“These are for you as I offer peace and friendship.” She had to smile at the gesture. Pinag-isipan pa kung anong kulay ng bulaklak na ibibigay sa kanya.

“Optimism daw talaga ang meaning ng yellow roses.” She was still smiling when he removed the flowers. Kung mukha siyang gwapo at fresh noong paggising ni Myrtel ay parang mas gumwapo pa ito dahil nakangiti sa kanya.

“Does that apply to us?” She was surprised when he leaned and gave her a peck in the cheeks.

“Ha?” Napatulala na naman siya.

“Nevermind. Tinatanggap mo na po ba ang alay ko aking kamahalan?” He kneeled on one knee and raised the flowers for her to accept.

“Ang dami mong pa-effect! Pasok ka muna. I’ll get my bag.” She took the flowers and moved aside so he could get inside her room. Tumayo naman ito kaagad at sumunod sa kanya.

Inilapag ni Myrtel ang bulaklak sa ibabaw ng kama. She remembered that there was a flower vase at the bathroom with fake flowers in it. Nagtungo siya ng banyo at marahang inalis ang mga pekeng bulaklak at nilagyan ng tubig ang vase. Sino naman ang magkakagusto sa peke kung mayroon ka ng tunay? When she went back in the room, nakatayo pa rin si Dante sa may pintuan.

“O, bakit hindi ka naupo?”

“I didn’t mean to impose.” Tinitigan niya ito at tinaasan ng kilay.

“Arte mo. Kairita ka. Bumeso ka na nga sa’kin kanina nag-aaarte ka pa ngayon.” He laughed and then propped on her bed without removing his shoes. Nasa ibabaw naman ng comforter kaya’t hindi na sinaway ni Myrtel habang inaalis niya ang balot ng bulaklak at inilalagay ang buong bouquet sa vase na may tubig.

“You look beautiful, by the way. Mas gumanda ka without your make up.”

She was caught off guard by his compliment but she did not let him notice. She looked up from what she was doing and smiled.

“Ang comparison mo kasi kaninang umaga paggising. Syempre mas maayos na ‘ko ngayon.” Sakto namang nailapag na niya sa side table ang vase. She admired the flowers and smiled. Naamoy rin niya ang bango ng mga ito.

“I meant how you look right now compared to when I met you last night. Mas maganda rin kapag nakangiti, parang ngayon.” She looked at him and his gaze was intense. Nag-iwas ng tingin si Myrtel.

“Echosero ka. Tara na nga.” She took her small sling bag with her key card, phone, tissue, alcohol and hand cream inside. Hindi na siya nagdala ng makeup o kahit anong kolorete sa mukha gaya ng usual niyang ginagawa. Mabilis lang naman ang pamamasyal nila dahil may kasalan pa silang dadaluhan.

Nauna na siya sa pintuan. When she was about to open the door, a hand enclosed hers.

“Ako na.” He gently pulled her aside and opened the door for her. Napailing na lang si Myrtel.

“Kaya ko naman magbukas ng pintuan.”

“I know, but I want to do it for you. It’s our first date after all.” Kumindat pa ito sa kanya bago umakbay.

“Hindi ‘to date. Mamasyal lang tayo. Ang presko mo talaga.”

“Whatever you say. Presko means fresh right? Is that a compliment? Thanks, then.” Napatitig lang si Myrtel sa kanya. “So, where are you taking me on this is not a date pasyal thing?” She snorted and rolled her eyes. Natawa lang si Dante na nakatingin pa rin sa kanya.

“Actually, I don’t really know. Where do you want to go?”

“Sa puso at isip mo.” She looked at him and there was a glint of mischief in his eyes. She breathed a sigh of relief. Joke lang naman pala. Thank heavens!

“Bwisit. Baduy.” Natawa sila parehas per napaisip si Myrtel kung biro ba talaga ito o seryoso.

“Boring ba kung sa museum tayo pupunta?” He asked when he opened the door for her to get in. She’s starting to like the gentlemanly moves that he does. Consistent naman. They continued their banter at the elevator and up to the parking lot where his white sedan was parked. Wala pang plaka ang kotse.

“Oo.” He laughed at her response.

“Grabe. Diretsong diretso ang sagot.”

“Prangka kong tao.”

“I figured. Sa library, trip mo?” He looked at her as she fastened her seat belt. Once she’s buckled up, he did the same.

“Nerd.” Natawa na naman si Dante.

“Okay, maybe. But, please do note that I am a basketball player varsity type of nerd. So, tell me, where do you want to go?”

“Kahit saan.” Napalingon siya sa basketball player. Iyon ang mga tipo niya noon. Dati pa nga ay nangarap siyang makapangasawa ng taga NBA.

“Kahit saan pero hindi sa museum at library?”

“Yes. Ang galing ng deduction skills mo.”

“You’ll be surprised na hindi lang ‘yon ang skills na magaling ako.” His voice became serious and she had to revert it back to their playful banter.

“Swabe moves 101.” She smirked at him as he eyebrows lifted as if challenging him. She waited for him to smile. She was glad it worked, showing his perfectly white teeth.

“I would want to watch a movie with you kaso sarado pa.” He steered the car and reversed out of the parking slot and into the slightly busy street.

“That’s where you’re wrong. Bukas na sila ng 9 am. I know the place. Hindi ko lang alam kung ano ang palabas.”

“Any place na hindi library at museum will do, so let’s go. Show me the way.”

With her instructions, they reached the movie theater in no time. Mabilis magpatakbo ng kotse si Dante dahil hindi niya kailangan mag-adjust. Parehong sa right side of the road ang pagmamaneho sa Pilipinas at France.

“Wow. Horror movie?” His voice was a mere whisper.

“Mukhang maganda. The Curse of The Wooden Rosary. Intriguing! Wow! Kilala ko pa ang writer. I watched one of his movies before, Beasts of Prey. Super ganda as in mapapasigaw ka at kapit ng upuan! You’ll never expect the next scene hindi gaya ng ibang movies na predictable.” She was almost at the ticket booth when she realized he was not following her. She looked back and he was just staring at the poster. Nilapitan niya itong muli. “O bakit parang namumutla ka?”

“Ha? Hindi. Tara na ba?” Napalunok pa si Dante at may butil butil na pawis sa noo nito. She realized what the problem was at hindi napigilan ni Myrtel na mapangisi.

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid? You’re not a fan of horror movies?”

“Wala ba ditong Marvel movies or kahit ano? Kahit Romance papatusin ko...pero horror...”

“Sa mall meron pero rito wala. They feature only local films here. So, ano? To go or not to go?” She crossed her arms, tapped her right feet and raised an eyebrow at him. She’s challenging him. She figured that it would be fun to make him squirm. Susulitin niya ang bawat sandali.

“Will you hold my hand while we watch?” He looked at her slyly as he offered her his hand. Mukhang may binabalak pa ang mokong.

“Fine! Come on.” She pulled him to the booth where he paid for the tickets. He even bought one big box of popcorn and bottled water.

Sakto lang ang dating nila dahil kakasimula lang ng pelikula. Myrtel led him to the center of the cinema. Silang dalawa lang ang tao dahil kakabukas lamang nito. Once they were seated, he raised the arm rest para magkatabi sila sa upuan. She tried to tune out everything and focus on the movie. She tried to ignore the fact na nakayakap na sa kanya si Dante at nakasiksik sa leeg niya. Nahulog pa ang popcorn at tumapon sa sahig sa isang eksena dahil nagulat silang dalawa. Hindi nito binitiwan ang kamay niya. Noong una, his arms were also on her shoulders to keep her warm because of wearing a sleeveless shirt. Pero nang kalaunan, she was leaning on his chest while his arms were around her and covering her arms with his and still holding her hands. Gustong matawa at mainis ni Myrtel na tuwing magugulat si Dante ay halos mapatalon ito sa upuan. He also cursed a few times. Kung hindi lang gusto ni Myrtel ang palabas ay kay Dante na lang siya titingin just so she could make fun of him.

“Salamat naman tapos na.” He sighed and relaxed on his seat. Hindi pa rin nakaalis sa pagkakahawak sa kamay ni Myrtel at sa pagkayakap. When the lights turned on, she saw their position and she blushed. Halos nakakandong na pala siya sa lalaking katabi. He was literally hugging her from behind. Kung nasa kama sila, it would look like they were spooning. She gently eased her way out of his hold. He resisted at first but after the second try, he let her go.

“Congrats, naka-survive ka ng hindi tumatakbo papalabas ng sinehan.” She stood up and fixed her shirt. Nalukot na ito at bumaba, dahil sa pagkakahila noong magkayakap sila.

“Ang ganda ng pwesto ko. Bakit pa ‘ko tatakbo palabas. Let’s go have lunch. Nagutom ako. By the way, that was a perfect movie to be with the perfect companion...” he paused and looked into her eyes. “which is me of course.” He stood up, smirked and winked at her. Bumalik na ang kayabangan dahil tapos na ang kinatatakutan. Or was he really scared in the first place?