Lunar Cursed

KABANATA 8

                    TINIGNAN ni Nerrie ang folder na ibinigay sa kaniya ng Director.

"It's your new mission, Agent Nerrie, and it's confidential." Seryosong saad ng Director.

Nerrie nodded. "Yes, Director."

"See what's inside the folder and tell me what you think."

Binuklat ni Nerrie ang folder. Profile ito ng isang negosyanteng lalaki. Kung base sa larawan nito, tantiya niya ay sixty edad na ang matanda.

"Name, Leandro Montenegro. Owner of Montenegro Industry," Nerrie looked at her Director. "Montenegro Industry, sa pagkaaalam ko, Director, ang mga Montenegro ang isa sa mga mayamang pamilya sa bansa natin. Sikat sila sa paggawa ng mga masasarap na wines."

Director R nodded. "Yes, everything you said is true, Nerrie. But don't be fooled by it. According from the CIA, Leandro Montenegro is part of a big time syndicate here in the country." May inilapag na larawan ang Director sa mesa. "She is Layla Montenegro, the daugther of Leandro. She's a spoiled brat."

"And somewhat their family is link to Mrs. Anderson." Naglapag ang Director ng isa pang larawan sa mesa. "She is Mrs. Anderson and I heard that Layla and Mrs. Anderson's son, his name is Dimitri, is somewhat engaged. I don't know if it's true or not."

Nerrie felt a pang in her chest.

Engaged?

"All the informatiom is in the folder you are holding. Study them."

"What I need to do, Director?" Nerrie asked. Bigla siyang nawalan ng gana.

"The government asked favor to us. We need to help them to take down this syndicate."

She nod her head and stood. "I'll study this, Director."

"Okay. And this afternoon, we have a meeting for our plan."

"Yes, Director. I'll take now my leave."

Director R nodded.

Lumabas si Nerrie sa opisina ng Director. Nagtungo siya sa kaniyang table at pinag-aralan ang mga nasa folder na ibinigay ni Director R.

Ang nakakuha talaga ng atensiyon niya, ang ina ni Dimitri na nakalink kay Leandro Montenegro.

Tinignan niya ang laman ng maliit na brown envelope na nakaattach sa folder. Mga larawan ito. Mga mga larawan si Mrs. Anderson at Montenegro sa isang restaurant at nag-uusap.

Mayroon ding larawan si Layla Montenegro at Mrs. Anderson na magkasama.

May picture din si Leandro Montenegro na may mga kausap na mga negosyante.

Marami pang mga pictures at halos ang tatlo lang ang nakikita niya. But one picture caught her attention.

Mrs. Anderson, Leandro and Layla Montenegro was in a well-fined reastaurant. Kumunot ang nuo ni Nerrie. Para silang isang pamilya.

Tinitigan ni Nerrie ng mabuti ang larawan.

I think I know where I will start.

Dahil nakapokus ang atensiyon ni Nerrie sa larawan. Napaigtad siya ng biglang tumunog ang cellphone niya.

Kumunot ang nuo niya dahil hindi nakaregister ang number na tumatawag.

But somewhat her instinct telling her to answer the call so she did. She picked her phone and answered the call.

"Hello."

"Nerrie." The other line said her name.

Kumunot ang nuo ni Nerrie dahil pamilyar ang boses ng nagsalita. Bumilis din ang t***k ng kaniyang puso. Alam ni Nerrie ang dahilan kung bakit mabilis ang t***k ng kaniyang puso at kilala niya kung sino lang ang nakakagawa ng ganito sa kaniya.

"Dimitri."

"I'm glad you know my voice." Dimitri's sounded happy.

"Ahmm ... yeah. How did you get my number, anyway?" She asked.

"Renesmee." Dimitri answered and Nerrie could feel that Dimitri was nervous by the sound of his voice.

"Okay. Why did you call?"

Narinig ni Nerrie ang paglunok ng nasa kabilang linya na para bang humuhugot ng lakas.

"I know this is fast but can we have dinner?"

"What's the occassion?" Nerrie asked.

"Wala naman. I just want to have dinner with you since the last time we're together, we didn't enjoy it." Dimitri on the other line was really nervous. He's hoping na sana papayag ang dalaga.

Kung papayag man ito, this is the start para magkalapit silang dalawa.

Hindi alam ni Dimitri pero may kakaiba talaga sa dalaga. At parang may kung anong humahatak sa kaniya para lapitan si Nerrie.

Habang si Nerrie naman ay nag-iisip kung pupunta ba o hindi sa dinner na sinasabi ni Dimitri. She's happy na inaaya siya nito sa isang dinner. Hoping it's a date. At baka ito na rin ang simula para magkalapiy silang dalawa ni Dimitri.

Nerrie smiled. "Sure. Just text me the address and I'll go."

"No." Dimitri quickly said. "Tell me the address of your house and I'll fetch you."

Lumapad ang pagkangiti ng prinsesa. "This is just a dinner, right?"

Nawalan ng imik ang kabilang linya. Nerrie laughed. "I'm just asking, D. I don't have any other meaning of that—"

"It's a dinner date so text me the address and I'm going to fetch you. Bye. I have patient to check." Dimitri ended the call.

Napailing naman si Nerrie habang nakangiti. Halata sa boses ni Dimitri habang sinasabi ang 'dinner date' kanina. Hindi tuloy mapigilan ni Nerrie ang matawa.

Buong maghapon na nakangiti si Nerrie. At ng matapos ang meeting nila sa bagong kaso na hawak ng agency, nakatanggap siya ng text mula kay Dimitri.

'I'll fetch you at 6.'

'okay.' she replied and she also text her address.

She went home by 5. Hindi naman siya nag-aalala na baka mahuli siya sa oras dahil mabilis naman siya kumilos.

Pagdating niya sa condo, naligo siya at nag-ayos ng sarili.

She wore her violet dress just above the knee, may leather violet braided belt rin ito na bumagay sa damit. Pinaresan niya ito ng violet flat sandals.

Humarap siya sa salamin at inilugay ang mahaba niyang buhok.

Napatingin siya sa kaniyang kanang pulsuhan. Nasanay na rin siyang hindi suot ang bracelet niya.

Exactly 6,umilaw ang phone niya. There's a text from Dimitri.

'I'm here.'

Nakaramdam ng kaunting kaba si Nerrie. This is her first time. She breath deeply. Kinuha niya ang purse at phone bago lumabas ng condo.

Pagkalabas niya ng condominium, nakita niya agad si Dimitri na nakasandal sa bumper ng sasakyan at mukhang hindi siya nito napansin.

Nerrie smiled. Simple lang ang suot ng binata. Nakapolo ito mg puti, black jeans and paired with white shoes.

Nakapamulsa ito at nakayuko kaya hindi siya nito nakita.

"Dimitri." Tawag niya sa binata ng makalapit siya rito.

Agad itong nag-angat ng tingin.

Nagulat si Dimitri ng makita si Nerrie. Damn, man! She's so beautiful. That he can't get off his sight to her.

Bagay na bagay dito ang suot nitong dress na kapareho ng kulay ng mata ng dalaga.

"You're so beautiful." He blurted.

Nerrie blushed. "Thanks. Shall we?"

"Sure."

Pinagbuksan niya ng pinto ng kotse si Nerrie.

"Thanks, D."

Dimitri smiled and gently closed the car's door. Umikot siya papuntang driver seat at pinaandar ang kotse. Pero pasulyap-sulyap siya kay Nerrie.

Habang si Nerrie naman nagpapanggap na hindi niya napapansin ang sulyap sa kaniya ni Dimitri. Ewan ba niya. Kinakabahan siya na naeexcite. Mabilis rin ang t***k ng puso niya.

"Before I forgot, seatbelt, please." Sabi ni Dimitri.

Ngumiti si Nerrie at isinuot ang seatbelt.

"Okay. Let's go."

Habang humaharurot ang sasakyan. Nagsalita si Dimitri.

"Can I ask something?"

"Sure." Nerrie answered.

"Is it okay to ask you if you have boyfriend before?" Dimitri asked it. It came from him but it doesn't sit well to him.

Nerrie chuckled. "I neven been into a romantic relationship."

Dimitri glanced at Nerrie. "May I ask why?"

Nerrie smiled mysteriously. "I'll tell you but not now. How about you? Girlfriend?"

Umiling ang binata. "Never been into a serious relationship."

"Oh."

"Pero sa tingin ko ngayon lang ako magseseryoso." Sabi ni Dimitri habang nakatutok ang mata sa daan.

Tumango na lang si Nerrie dahil hindi niya alam kung ano ang dapat niyang isagot sa sinabi ni Dimitri. She's not dumb para hindi makuha ang ibig sabihin nito.

But then she wanted to ask something to Dimitri.

"Dimitri?"

"Hmm?"

She breath deeppy before asking, "do you believe in supernatural?"

Ngumiti lang si Dimitri at hindi nagsalita. Nagpatuloy ito sa pagmamaneho.

Habang si Nerrie ay tumingin sa labas ng bintana at pinapanood ang mga nadadaana nila. She expected Dimitri to answer her question but he didn't. Nagtaka si Nerrie, alam niyang kapag ganun ang tanong ay sumasagot agad ang mga tao pero si Dimitri, ngumiti lang ito.

Does he know something?   

"We're here." Anunsiyo ni Dimitri na pumukaw sa pag-iisip ni Nerrie.

Tinignan niya kung nasaan sila. Napakurap ang dalaga ng makita ang ligar at ang restaurant na kaharp nila.

Dayne's restaurant.

"Let's go." Ani Dimitri.

Bababa na sana si Nerrie ngunit pinigilan ito ni Dimitri. "Wait. Let me."

Nagtaka naman ang dalaga ng bumaba ng kotse si Dimitri at umikot papunta sa tabi ng shot gun seat.

Ngumiti si Nerrie  ng pagbuksan siya ni Dimitri ng pinto ng kotse.

"Thanks." Nerrie said and stepped out from the car.

"Your welcome."

It was Dimitri's nature to be gentlemen, so he hold Nerrie's elbow to guide her. Napatingin naman si Nerrie sa kamay ni Dimitri na nakahawak sa kaniyang siko.

Ngumiti na lang si Nerrie sa pag-alalay sa kaniya ng binata habang papasok sila sa restaurant. Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya dahil siguradong makikita sila ni Dayne, ito ang may-ari ng restaurant, eh.

"This is my restaurant here in town. It's not my routine to eat breakfast in our house everytime I'm there." Sabi ni Dimitri at itinulak ang sliding door.

Dimitri loves this place. And he promised to himself na dito sila unang magdedate ng babaeng magugustuhan niya...wait! Magugustuhan? He looked at Nerrie who have a happy smile on her face.

He sighed.

"You okay?" Nerrie asked.

He sighed. "Yeah, let's go, Nagpareserve ako ng table natin sa rooftop."

"Okay."

Nakaalalay pa rin siya sa dalaga kahit paakyat sila ng hagdan. Dayne's restaurant have two floors and rooftop. Salamin ang dingding nito at may mga wooden furnitures sa loob na nakadisensyo. Even the staircase is glass. It was a beautiful and romantic place for lovers.

Dimitri cleared his throat at that thought. Kung anu-ano ang pumapasok sa kaniyang isipan at hindi talaga maganda. Pero siya na rin ang nmagsabi na dinner date nila ito ng dalaga.

Oh well, he will just enjoy this night. And maybe this is start for them.

"Welcome to Dayne's Restaurant, Sir, Ma'am." Pagbati sa kanila ng isang waiter ng makarating sila sa rooftop.

Ngumiti si Nerrie. "Thank you."

Tinanguan naman ni Dimitri ang waiter.

There are ten sets of table in the rooftop weith two chairs in every table. The tables are designed with beautiful skirting and at the center of the table, may nakalagay na vase at may iba't-ibang uri ng bulaklak ang nakalagay. Alam kaagad ni Nerrie kung kanino ang mga bulaklak na nakalagay sa mga plorera. Kay Phyllis, ang kaibigan niyang diwata na may malawak na flower plantation.

Dimitri choose the table beside the railing. Maganda kasi doon lalo na kapag gabi dahil makikita mo ang mga nagkikislapang ilaw sa paligid.

Napangiti si Nerrie ng ipinaghugot siya ni Dimitri ng upuan.

"Thank you."

Dimitri smiled. "Welcome." At umupo siya sa tapat ni Nerrie.

"Here's the menu, Ma'am, Sir."

Binigyan sila ng waiter ng menu.

"Give us, Chicken and Mushroom pie, Marrakesh Vegeterian Curry," Dimitri said and he looked at her, "how about you?"

Tumingin siya sa waiter. "Pareho na lang sa inorder ni Dimitri at pagdagdag ng Roast Beef with vegetables." She said.

"Iyon lang po ba, Sir, Ma'am? How about wine?" Tanong ng waiter.

"Yes, give us also wine." Dimitri said.

"Okay, sir. Wait for your order." Sabi ng waiter at umalis.

"So why did you invite me for a dinner?" Nerrie asked.

Hindi kaagad nakasagot si Dimitri at namula. Hindi napigilan ni Nerrie ang ngiti ng makitang namumula ang tenga ni Dimitri.

"Namumula ang tenga mo, Dimitri." Sabi ni Nerrie at lalo pang namula ang binata.

Tinakpan ni Dimitri ang mukha at hindi siya makatingin ng deretso kay Nerrie.

I didn't thought that I will be shy like this. He said to himself.

"Okay. Okay." Sabi ni Nerrie. "It was  harmless question, D." She smiled. "But if you're..."

"I just wanna have dinner with you. Nahiya kasi ako kanina sa restaurant." Sabi ni Dimitri at iwas pa rin ang mata sa dalaga.

"Ah, about that ... it's okay. But, anyway," Nerrie smiled. "I like this place."

"Salamat at nagustuhan mo. Stanley, my friend, also love this place so do I." Dimitri looked into Nerrie's eyes. "And I love your violet eyes."

Nerrie blushed. She didn't thought she will be like this. In Arwood, the world where they came from, she's cold to everyone but now look at her, she's different. Ito siguro ang epekto kapag nakikihalubilo ka sa mga tao.

"It's one of the rare eye color." Dimitri added.

Ngumiti lang si Nerrie at uminom ng tubig na nasa tapat niya.

"Even if it's just your back, my friend, I know it's you."

Natawa si Nerrie sa sinabi ng taong nasa likuran niya. Nilingon niya ang kaibigan na siyang naghatid ng order nila. May tulak itong trolley at doon nakalagay ang mga pagkain.

"Good evening for the both of you." Bati ni Dayne sa dalawa.

"Good evening, Chef Dayne." Bati ni Dimitri sa may-ari ng restaurant.

Tinanguan naman ito ni Dayne bago tumingin sa kaibigan. So this man is the one that Nerrie was talking about.

Nerrie smiled to her friend before looking at Dimitri. "D, meet my friend, Dayne. Dayne, meet Dimitri." Pakilala ni Nerrie sa dalawa.

"I know him. He's one of Dayne's Restaurant loyal customer." Dayne said.

"I didn't know that she's your friend." Dimitri said to Nerrie and he glanced at Dayne. "Nice to meet you."

"Same here." Dayne said and grinned at her friend. "This place is very nice for lovers." She teased her friend while transferring the food in the table.

"We're not lovers." Sabi kaagad ni Nerrie.

Hearing those words, Dimitri felt pain in his heart.

What was that?

"Really, huh?" Dayne wanted to tease more her friend but opt not to.

Ayaw niyang masira ang dinner date ng dalawa. Aasarin niya na lang ang kaibigan kapag silang dalawa na lang.

"I'm the one who cooked for your food. I hope you will like it. Enjoy your dinner. If you need anything, just call me." Dayne said and slightly bowed her head and then she leave.

Nang makaalis si Dayne, nagtinginan si Dimitri at Nerrie at sabay ding natawa.

"Let's eat."

Nerrie put a napkin on her lap and looked at Dimitri who put some food on her plate.

"It's one of my favorite, Chicken and Mushroom pie. Taste it."

"Thanks."

Nerrie enjoyed Dimitri's company. While eating, they talk a lot about their life.

"So your mom was arranging you for fixed marriage." Nerrie said and sip her wine.

"Yeah,"Dimitri answered. "and I hate it. I always decline and say no everytime she arranged me in a blind date or arrange marriage. My mom's controlling me. Pero matigas ang ulo ko kaya hanggang ngayon ay walang nangyayari sa mga pinapablind date niya sa akin."

Of course, she knows that. Sinabi nga ng boss niya na engaged ito kay Layla Montenegro, anak ni Leandro Montenegro na bago niyang misyon.

"Don't want to meddle but are you engaged?" Nerrie asked, she maybe smiling but deep inside, she's feeling hurt.

Do I have the right to feel that emotion? Dimitri and I is not into a romantic relationship.

Nerrie sighed and looked at Dimitri who were looking at her...

"Well?" Pukaw ng dalaga kay Dimitri na nakatitig  lang ito kay Nerrie.

"I'm not engaged. Like I said, matigas ang ulo ko." Dimitri chuckled. "But I admit that my mom wanted me to marry someone,"umiling ito. "Hindi pa rin ako papayag."

That makes Nerrie smile. "Okay."

Dimitri sip his wine. "How about you?"

Nerrie shrugged. "Never been into a romantic relationship but,"she sighed. "They wanted me to marry someone I don't love."

Kumunot ang nuo ni Dimitri. I thought her parents are dead. Is she talking about her foster parents? Dimitri shrugged. Maybe.

"Pareho lang pala tayo." Aniya.

Tumango si Nerrie at tumingin sa binata. Napako ang tingin niya sa suot nitong bracelet. Lihim na napangiti si Nerrie at tumingin sa kalangitan.

Nakalitaw ang buwan. Maliit pa lang ito. Wala naman siyang dapat ikabahala dahil malayo pa ang sumpa na dadanasin na naman niya.

Napabuntong-hininga si Nerrie. Hanggang kailan ba niya dadanasin ang sumpa ni Erosho?