Albert woke up early to prepare. He took a bath and wore his blue long sleeves polo and his
denim jeans. He rolled the sleeves up to his elbow. When he was done fixing his look, he went
downstairs. His mother was already cooking breakfast.
"You're early today, son. Where are you going?" she asked when she noticed him.
He went to his mother and planted a kiss on her cheeks.
"I"ll pick Diana at their house ma. I'll take her to ST. Claire." He said.
His mother smiled.
"Aren't you going to eat breakfast first?" she asked.
"I"ll eat when I get back ma. Bye." He said and went outside.
He checked his wristwatch. It's still early. Diana would still be at home. He rode his motorbike and
drove off. When he was about to reach Diana's house, he came across Diana's father.
"Good morning, uncle!" he greeted the old man and stopped to asked for Diana.
"Good morning Albert. Where are you going this early?" he asked him.
"I was about to pick Diana at your house. ls she still there, uncle?"
"Yes. She's already preparing to go. If you go now, you could still catch her there.
"Thanks uncle. I'll go ahead." He smiled at the old man.
The old man nodded and continued on his way to the farm. Albert went on, too. When he arrived
there, the door was still closed. He waited. After a few minutes, the door opened. He looked up and smiled as soon as he met Diana's gaze.
"Good morning! I thought you went already. Good thing I saw your father while I was on my way
here and he told me your still here." he greeted her.
"Uhhhmmm... What are you doing here? I thought you were mad at me last night?" she asked,
puzzled.
He picked the helmet and handed it to her. But she remained standing on the porch.
"Me? Mad? Last night? I'm not mad. I was just silent. That doesn't mean I'm mad, But I'm sorry if
you thought that I was mad. Actually I am picking you up. I will take you to St. Claire. So, let's go?" he asked.
She walked towards him and got the helmet from him. She put it on. He rode the motorbike and
started its engines.
"If you're really sorry, then you're forgiven. But why are you picking me up here? It's too early."
She said as she sat behind him on the motorbike.
"Well, the seminar will start early and I thought you might be late again so, I thought of picking
you up, preventing you to attend the seminar late." He said and he started the motorbike.
She hit him on his shoulder. He laughed.
"What? You're a professional late comer back in high school! You can't blame me for worrying
you might be late again."
"Excuse me, Mister? For your information, I am not a professional late comer anymore. I'm just
professional now." She said and rolled her eyes even though he can't see it.
"Whatever you say. Hold on, ma'am." He said and drove off.
They arrived safely at St. Claire. Diana got off the motorbike, removed the helmet and hit his
stomach with it.
"Thank you for almost not killing me!" She said sarcastically.
"You're exaggerating again. That's just 50kph. Besides, we arrived just in time. You still have time
to register your name and retouch your make-up." He remarked.
"1 don't wear make-up, nitwit. Anyway, thanks for the ride." She said and turned around when he
reached for her hand and held her wrist. She looked at him.
"Can I pick you up later? After the seminar, I mean." He said and let go of her hand.
She nodded.
"It's fine. Why are you asking permission now? You picked me up at our house a while ago, without
permission." She reminded him.
"Yeah... Well I'm asking now because you might go with someone else." He stated.
"Go with someone else? Who will I go with?" she asked, but then she realized. "Oh, you mean...
well, I gave you my word already. You can hold on to that." She said. "1 should go now. Thanks again,
Albert." She said and she walked towards the hall.
Albert followed Diana with his gaze until she reached the seminar hall. When he can't finally see
her, he put on his helmet and rode his motorbike. He sighed. He think he really fell for Diana this time. He
doesn't want to admit it yet but he really thinks so. Yes he like her even before they were still in high
school, but Diana's presence now has more impact to him. Back then, it was just okay if he can't see her.
Back then, he doesn't mind if she snobs her. But now, he longs to see her. A week without even just a glimpse of Diana seemed like a month. It's a struggle for him to go to sleep if she snobs him. And thinking her with other men like Arjay burns something in his chest.
Is he really in love now? Infatuation it is not. He went passed that, for sure. He let go another sigh
before he finally started his motorbike and drove off. He will go to the restaurant to check on his
reservation before he goes home. He will push through with the postponed date tonight and he will make sure that this date is going to work.
When he arrived there, Karen, the owner, immediately smiled when she saw him. He smiled back
and went straight to the counter.
"Good morning Mr. Esguerra!" she greeted him.
"Good morning. Did l come too early? I guess you were just opening the shop. I can come back
later." He said apologetically.
"It is fine, sir. Don't worry about it." She smiled.
"1just came to double check my orders. We'll arrive here probably in between 5:30 to 6 o'clock
in the evening. You think you can prepare everything before that?" he asked.
"Yes sir. We've got it covered. Here's the list you gave me last night sir if you want to recheck your
orders." She said and handed him the list.
APPETIZER: FRIES IN CHEESE DIP
MAIN COURSE: STEAK AND SINANGAG SA ADOBO
DESSERT: A SLICE OF BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE
BEVERAGE: FAMILY PINEAPPLE PUNCH
"This is great. Thanks for taking notes."
"Your date is finally going to happen, sir. I wish you good luck." She smiled.
"Yes. By the way, how about the setting of the dinner table? Can you show me a gallery of
pictures ?" he asked.
"Kyla, kindly give the photo album of our dinner table settings so Mr. Esguerra could choose." She demanded the waitress.
The waitress went to the photo album stand and picked a huge photo album. She went to Albert
and handed him the album.
"You can take your seat sir so you could choose properly." the owner told him.
He smiled and went to the sofa near the counter. He browsed the photo album. It was kind of
overwhelming for him to look at those pictures because it is really his first time to date a lady in a fancy restaurant.
Yes, he had girlfriends before but he admits they just go to fast food chains for a date because, first and foremost, he doesn't really have that much money before. But now, he has the money and Diana
is special, so he really needs to make some efforts.
He browsed some more. He chose four styles: the bohemian, casual Greek, candlelit place setting
with gold accents, and navy and neutrals. He took a photo of each in his phone and compared and
contrasted it. The bohemian style is nice, but it won't match the main course. The casual Greek is simple
and elegant, but Diana is not really fond of pinks. The candlelit place setting is very elegant, and Albert
thought it is a bit much. He checked the navy and neutrals. It would look like they are in a wedding reception. He finally made his mind. He stood up and closed the album. He picked the album and went to the counter. Karen smiled at him.
"Have you chosen a dinner table setting sir?" she asked.
"Yes. I think I will go with the candlelit place setting with gold accents. It looks very fancy but she
deserves it anyway." He said and smiled.
"Great choice, sir! So anything else you want to add, sir, so we could finalize?" she asked.
"Add a bouquet. The same with the one I got yesterday."
"Noted sir. So an overview, dinner will be served at 6 pm. Candlelit place setting with gold accents
for the table setting. Additional bouquet."
He nodded.
"So, will I add additional charges or...?"
"Only for the bouquet, sir, everything was covered with your payment yesterday" She stated.
"How much for the bouquet?" he asked.
"That will be P1,000.00 sir."
He paid the bouquet and waited for the receipt.
"Thank you for trusting Karen's Kusina, sir. We'll be happy to serve you tonight."
Thank you." he said and went ahead.
1 hope Diana would appreciate the dinner date I prepared. He said to himself and drove off.