some good things 4 (re-edit)

(Had to. Again, have pressed 'Save' twice, & gotta do this during Flag ceremony. My manhood stood at attention as I reminisce. Hehe.!)

There only a few of us left nearing the jeep's destination. I have to wake Dedeth up.

'Hey! Deth, wake up. We have passed our house.' I whispered to her ears.

'Ha? Sorry.' She glanced in front. 'Mama, Pakipara po sa may gasolinahan!' She said to the driver.

I exited first and extended my hand as I stepped on the ground. She took it and I guided her down.

But I didn't let go of her hand. She should get used to it. I think she liked it, too. Pretty soon, I will propose to her.

'Thanks, Mr. De Guzman. It's been a wonderful time with you. I will not invite you in because it's late and you still have work tomorrow.' She opened the gate to her house, but turned back to me. 'By Friday night, are you free? Can we do this again?' Her eyes were pleading.

'Friday night is okay, Deth. Where will we meet?' I sounded obviously excited.

'The same where you fetched me, if it's okay with you…' She came back to me, like about to whisper something.

I held her hand and she kissed my cheek. I did'nt move out of respect. There's always a first time.

'Hmmm. Nice. What's that for?' I asked her when she maintained distance, or closeness, not moving my hand in her waist.

'For being a gentleman.' She said cooingly.

I kissed her back. In the forehead. 'I return the favor.' I smiled sheepishly.

She turned and ran inside, as if about to pee.

- + -

I was lighthearted the entire day. I didn't complain about anything. I hummed while I wrote memos and other business correspondence. I skipped coffee breaks to take 'recharging' naps.

My office mate, Obet, saw my mood and remarked, 'Hey Rolly, looked like you swallowed a whole canary! Why is that?'

'Hah! Why so?'

'You are in love, old chap?' He continued to ask.

'Thereabouts, mate! Am I showy?'

'Naahh! But it showed! Like a boa which took an anvil… Hahaha! Who's the lucky one?' Obet persisted.

'The high school teacher!' I confessed.

Obet was an old friend who has no 'loose lips.' We were both an open-book to each other. Some said we have our intestines entwined. He was my bosom-buddy.

'You got me there, pal! You're exact opposites… ' Then he exclaimed wide-eyed, 'Unlike poles attract?'

I grinned and arched my brows.

'Lucky old fool! I'm happy for you. Her sister's abroad, right? Can we double-date when Vicky arrive?' He was pestering me.

'You bloody double-timing blackmailer! You sounded aloof the first time she was here… Now you're eating your words! Have you got any chivalry left?' I was returning the pestering to him. I think he enjoyed that, too.

'It's called Reverse Psychology, old chap!' He was grinning ear-to-ear. 'We have communicated, too!'

'In that case, Mr.Redondo, I'm calling your bluff.. I will see to that.' I assented.

- + -

I timed-out early from work and caught the express-van to the city. I must be early, or face the consequences.

Soon, she came out of the university's gate. She was not in her school uniform. That explained her backpack. Her curves showed in pencil-cut trousers and plaid T-shirts. I hurried off to meet her.

'Good afternoon, Ms. Pardillo. You look good today. Can I take your bag?' I started to take the burden off her left shoulder.

'Oh, thank you, Mr. De Guzman. Have you waited long?' She was smiling.

'Not much, thank you. Ready to go?' I smiled back and offered my hand, which she took cheerfully.

'Have you visited the beach? It's a short ride away.' She was trying to lead me off, I grew accustomed to the halo-halo confection. Maybe it's a different taste? Or scenery?

'Okay. Just lead the way.'

Hand in hand, we walked off to the jeepney terminal which was a good 150-meter walk.

She was bouncy. I was affected.

She kept close that I smelt her womanliness. I felt my animality hype up as she kept close.

She kept blabbering inside the jeepney. (I grew familiar with our place in any vehicle we rode.)

I just inhaled her sweetness, and just nodded with whatever things she said, happily contented in her presence, with my eagerness on the up -and up.

Then, she stopped the driver when she saw nipa huts. We alighted hand-in-hand, and entered the hut.

'Announcing the arrival of the newly-weds!' Somebody shouted, and everybody in the room clapped.

It was then that I realized I was still holding Dedeth's hand. She, in turn, shook her hand off but transferred it to my waist. She was elated.

Her co-teachers and classmates seeing thus, clinked their dinnerwares on the drinking glasses. 'Kiss! Kiss! Kisses!'

They chimed in unison.

Dedeth was blushing. She motioned them to stop by placing her hands in front palms down.

'We are comfortable with each other. Perhaps we are coming to that. But you will know when we become special to each other.'

I placed my hand on her shoulders as we sought out a vacant place in the bedlam. There were seven couples, I think, and several unescorted ladies.

'Guys, this Rolly.' She introduced me to them. 'Miriam Garmi is the one cuter than Miriam Cantillo, who is taller and sexier.' Deth pointed to the two girls with the same name. She was sincere with what she said. Miss Cartillo offered her cheek to be bussed, which I did so because she was near, while I waved to Miss Garmi, who was across the table.

I pulled out a chair for Dedeth, and we sat close together.

A girl came near us with drinking glasses and a pitcher of punch.

'Hello, Dedeth and Rolly. Care for a screwdriver?' Her cheeks were reddish, and she was wearing a white loose shirt with one-piece swimsuit beneath.

'Do you drink, Deth?' She nodded. 'I think not. And I will take just a couple of shots. Thank you, Miss!'

'Ciara.' The girl offered her hand.

'Rolly. A couple of shots. And no more.' I took the pitcher and poured below the half-mark. I appreciated the figure in front of me even as I poured. The girl even offered her body by showing off her bosom, taunting me.

'Can I have a glass of water please?' I told Ciara.

'Pat, please pass that mineral water.' She pointed to a liter in a plastic container, and Pat gave it without emotion.

'Rolly, excuse me for a moment. I'm going to change.' Deth took her backpack.

'Okay. Don't be long.' I replied.

'We eat men as fingerfood!' The girl called Pat said to her.

Ciara laughed. So did the two Miriams. And the others.

'Hmm. Just leave me something to hold on, ladies!' Deth said impishly before going off to the restroom.