CHAPTER 32: FIRST DATE
THE GIRL WHO CAN’T DATE
By Eleventh
CHAPTER 32: FIRST DATE
“Those almond eyes. They carry something deep, too deep that it was indistinguishable, too deep that when you see right through it, you’ll get lost in the moment. Oh, how a few seconds felt like forever was a mystery to me!” - Ira P.
She was in a rage, full of emotions but in a snap, she was caught inside two icy cold hands.
Ira froze when she got caught in his eyes for they carry tranquility that it was too impossible to stay impetuous. It was hypnotizing that Ira forgot how this man used to be so obnoxious, cold, and rude.
As if a spell was cast on her, Ira closed her eyes and rested her cheek cupped inside Skye's hands. It was cold but warm, a bewildering moment but peaceful. It was only for a few seconds but it seemed forever.
“IRA!” Maggie called from afar.
The moment was broken. Ira was awoken. Feeling embarrassed by the scene, she scuffled from his touch and stepped back.
“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”
“I… I was just…” Skye was lost for words. He scratched his head unable to give her an answer.
Then Maggie came, clasped Ira’s hand, and excitedly pulled her inside the Faculty Room.
“Ira! You gotta see this! Come on!”
She was snatched away leaving the gentleman feeling embarrassed with himself.
Everyone’s eyes were on Ira when the ladies stepped into the room, greeting her with smiles and teases.
"Wow! Ira. We didn’t know you finally had a boyfriend. Must be a good catch, huh?” Paul supposed as he passed by Ira with a teasing smile.
Ira quickly shook her head.
“I don't know what you're talking about. No, I don’t have one,” Ira mumbled so faintly that Paul did not hear her.
“Ira! The flowers are really beautiful.” Dessa remarked with awe in her yes which Ira responded with a strained smile.
“Maggie! What are they talking about?” she whispered.
As she walked slowly toward her table, she was mesmerized, drop-jaw by the bouquet of sunflowers. They were very delicately beautiful and elegant to look at that it brought a smile to Ira’s face. No wonder it's getting everyone’s attention.
Maggie poked her head into Ira’s shoulder and teased her with a smile.
"They were delivered minutes ago.” She said.
Ira took the card attached to the bouquet and read the message written on it.
[Your smile is as beautiful as the sun. I hope you’re having a great day. - Adrielle]
"This guy is so extra,” Ira muttered smilingly.
“Extra but sweet,” Maggie added.
Ira grabbed her phone and immediately took a photo of the bouquet. He sent it to the sender with a message,
[These flowers are unnecessary you know. But, thank you!]
Seconds later, Adrielle replied.
[Just appreciating you. That’s all! You have to get used to it.]
After reading his message, Ira sighed and whispered to herself, “I don’t think I’ll get used to this.”
She slumped on her chair and as she reads the message again, she can’t help but smile.
“Girl! This Adrielle guy is a real deal.” Maggie, sitting across from Ira, remarked.
“I'm not sure about that yet,” she replied. "Anyway, I can’t take these flowers home.”
“Why not?”
Ira did not reply. For a second, she stared at Maggie with puppy eyes and her friend understood the message right away.
“Right! Your brothers. But hey, don't you think you should be telling them already? I'm sure they'll get excited if they found out their only sister is finally dating.”
“True that it’ll excite them, but it’s too early to tell. We haven't even gone out on a date yet.”
Maggie shrugged her shoulders and pressed her lips. “Fine! So what do you wanna do with the flowers?”
“Wanna take it?”
“No, of course not. Their yours. I don’t wanna walk around and carry someone else’s flowers.”
Ira scoffed. “You’ve got some pride too, huh. Mmm… I have an idea.”
She grabbed the flowers and hurried out. On her way, she met Skye leaning on the wall, arms crossed and staring at the flowers with a scornful look.
“And what’s with that face, Twerp?”
“Just. I didn’t know you like cheesy things!” he said with a mocking smile.
“Mind your own life, will you? If I know! You won’t understand anything like this because you have zero romance in your body.”
Skye flinched. Provoked by Ira’s words, he stepped closer to Ira and leaned forward, his face was only an inch away from hers. His eyes were seducing and with a sexy voice, he said “Really? What do you know about romance, Pardilla?”
Ira could feel the heat in her body rising to her face. She quickly pushed the gentleman and left without saying anything.
[What’s wrong with that guy? Sheesh!]
She stood in front of the door next to the Faculty Room and knocked. Since it was left ajar, she invited herself in.
“Gela? Are you in here?”
Ira searched for Gela inside the cramped room filled with large cabinets that contained students’ projects – jars of preserved fruits, landscape dioramas, flower vases, pencil holders, and baskets made of newspapers, cans, and plastic bottles.
“I'm here, Ira!” a petite woman wearing a gentle, smiling face behind the rimmed eyeglasses poked behind another cabinet and waved at Ira.
"What are you doing?” Ira probed as dirty pots and pans lying messily on the sink caught her attention.
“Cleaning,” Gela answered. She stopped arranging the kitchen utensils and faced her visitor. “So, what brought you here in the TLE Room?”
“Tadaa!” Ira exclaimed as she presented her the bouquet.
“Wow! These are beautiful.”
“Somebody gave it to me but I’m not really into flowers and I was thinking of throwing them away…”
“Throw them away???” Gela all so worked up snatched the flowers from Ira’s hands. “What a waste, girl! I'll take it!”
Ira sniggered. “That’s why I’m here. I know you love flowers so much and I know you can make them live for another week.”
“I’d be delighted to accept them. They will look good on my glass flower vase.”
Ira clapped her hands. “You're the greatest, Gela!”
Gela went to take care of the flowers while Ira was minding her phone, reading a message she just received from Adrielle.
[Free for our first date on Friday?]
“Gosh! He’s really serious about this.” Ira whispered.
“Huh? Who’s serious about what?” Gela probed while arranging the sunflowers in the glass slender vase.
“Nothing.”
[Where to?]
[How about a movie?]
[OK.]
---------
Friday came by so quickly for Ira. And for the first time in six years, she wore a dress at school. It surprised her colleagues except of course Maggie and Skye who both know where she’s heading after work.
When the time clocked, it took a long argument between two friends before Ira was convinced to go on a date without Maggie as a third wheel.
On her way to the theatre, her mind went wild with so many thoughts that made her feel so uneasy, nervous, and uncomfortable.
[Are you sure about this, Ira Micole? You’re going to the movies… with a guy! It’s dark in there, you know! But you’re just going to watch a movie! Hellooo! What else could happen other than watching a movie? What if… What if he suddenly holds your hand? Or touch your legs? What if… what if he kisses you? Aaaaah!!! You can still cancel this! Let’s back out! Tell Adrielle that you had a bad stomach. Come on! Message him now!]
Before Ira could even reach her phone, a familiar face waved at her carrying some popcorn in his arm.
[I guess it’s too late to cancel now!]
Ira waved back with an awkward smile.
“Did you wait long?” Ira greeted.
Adrielle softly shook his head. “I bought some popcorn. I don’t know what flavor you like so I got a tub of sour cream and a tub of cheese.”
“I like cheese.”
“I like sour cream.”
And they exchanged smiles.
“So, what movie are we watching?”
“I didn’t buy the tickets yet because I can’t decide what movie to watch.”
The two checked the posters and Ira was a little dismayed to see that most of the showing movies are romance.
She scratched her neck and asked, “Aren’t there any Marvel movies showing tonight?”
Adrielle sighed. “Uhm, I guess none. Aren’t you a fan of romantic movies?”
“Not so.”
Adrielle went to check the poster of a beautiful woman eating a bowl of noodles in front of a not-so-good-looking guy. Finding it interesting, he called Ira.
“I heard from a friend that this movie is a blockbuster. It must be good. What do you think?”
Ira came to stare at the poster and recognized the actors.
“Kita Kita? I See You?” she whispered. “I know Alessandra de Rossi. She’s a good actress.”
“Yes, she is. Most of her movies are indie films. I guess this is her first rom-com movie where she gets the lead role.”
Ira nodded her head in agreement. “With Empoy Marquez, this movie must be funny.”
“Agree. So, shall we watch this movie? I'll go and buy the tickets.”
The two agreed to watch “Kita Kita” or I see you in English and both entered the cinema as soon as Adrielle bought the tickets.
The pathway was pitch dark because the screen hasn’t shown any advertisements yet. Afraid that she might stumble while walking, Ira held tightly onto Adrielle’s jacket. He was quick to notice her agitation so he transferred the popcorns on his other arm so he can hold her hands trembling with cold and led the way to their seat.
It made her heart skip a beat.
When the movie began, Ira looked around and noticed that most of the audience were couples linking arms, whispering to one another, and exchanging smiles.
The movie was funny and moving. It filled the cinema with laughter and awe.
“Hey, take my coat!” Adrielle put on his coat around Ira when he noticed that she has been embracing herself.
“Th-thanks!” she replied.
At the end of the movie, the protagonist died that which made everyone cry including Ira. She didn’t expect such a funny movie to have a sad ending. Even when the lights turned on, she was still sobbing. She couldn’t help but feel sad about how it ended.
“Hey, it’s just a movie.” He laughed looking at her face wet with tears.
“Whoever wrote this story is cruel. Why end it like that?” she cried wiping her tear with the back of her hand.
“Come here!”
Adrielle cupped Ira’s face and turned it to face his. Then gently, he wiped her tears away. He took a long gaze upon her face, first to her eyes, round and unblinking, going down to her nose, and then down to her soft, heart-shaped lips. There he paused and gulped. And slowly he tilted his head, closed his eyes, and moved closer and closer to her face.