Matagal akong napatitig sa perdeng papel na nasa ibabaw ng notebook habang hawak ang cellphone. Pagtipa nalang sa number ang kulang pero kinakabahan talaga ako ng sobra.
Nasa kwarto na ako at tanging ang ilaw ko nalang dito ang bukas. Napapikit ako at kumawala ng malalim na paghinga bago itipa at i-dial ang number. Kagat-kagat ko ang labi ko habang naririnig ang pagring niyon."Hello?"Umawang ang labi ko at napakurap-kurap habang nakatingin sa screen ng cellphone. Ang ganda at sobrang lambing ng boses niya! I checked if the number I've dialed was correct."Hello? Sino po 'to?" Ulit niya."Uh, hello po, ikaw po ba si Ate Reive?" Nahihiya kong tanong at bahagyang kinurot ang tuhod. "Si Slaine po 'to, Ate Reive. Ako po iyong mag-aapply sa bilang part-timer sa convenience store.""Ah, ikaw pala, Slaine." Marahan siyang natawa sa kabilang linya. "Matagal ko nang hinihintay ang pagtawag mo, hindi kasi nakuha ni Luigi ang numero mo.""Hindi ka na sana nag-abala pa, Paris." Marahan kong sabi at bumuntong-hininga.He sweetly smiled at me and then pulled over the car in front of our house, "It's okay, Ris. In fact, I like doing this.""I don't want to get a link with you," I frankly said in monotone.I saw how his Adam's apple moved. He lifted his head a bit to meet my gaze. His look became serious, "Why, Ris?"I cleared my throat and looked away. "Do... I need a reason?"Natahimik siya at nagsimulang namuo ang tensiyon sa loob ng kotse. He tilted his head and licked his lips, "Is this because of what happened back in El Paso?""What? No! That is not the reason—""I already resolved the issues between me and Reun. I already apologized to her about my rude behavior—""Paris, tama na..." mahina kong bulong habang nakahawak sa kamay niya. "Ayoko ng ganito.""What do you mean, Ris?""This..." I uttered after heaving a deep breath.
"Welcome to the Buenaconsejo's Enterprise." Hector's deep voice echoed the whole second floor. Tumayo narin ang ibang kasama ko at bumati kami ng magandang umaga sa magkapatid."In case you didn't know us. I'm Hector Janvier Buenaconsejo... and this is my brother Paris Abraham Buenaconsejo."Umangat ako ng tingin at napasinghap nang mahuling nakatingin si Paris sa akin kaya agad akong umiwas. Hector's discussing something in front of us, and I can't follow because I was distracted by Paris' grin."Since you're just doing a work immersion in our enterprise, I won't be strict with the time. I'll let you leave at five." Nervousness crept my system when Kuya Hector laid his eyes on me. "If you have issues or concerns, don't be embarrassed to reach out to my secretary, Paris, or me."Kuya Hector entered the office, and Paris was left here with us. "You can pass your folders including your resume and indigency to her," my jaw dropped when he pointed at
Kapapasok ko pa lang sa convenience store nang mahagip ng mata ko ang pamilyar na hubog ng katawan. Nagtagal ang pagtitig ko sa kaniya at siguro ay naramdaman niya iyon dahil pagbaling niya sa akin.His expression remained blank, but his intense stare made my knees wobbled. Hindi man lang ba siya nagulat nang makita ako? Grabe na talaga 'to.Imbes na dumiretso sa kaniya ay nagtungo agad ako sa staff room para kunin ang vest at tumulong kay Ate Reive. Sulyap ang tanging nagawa ko kay Rafus. He's preoccupied with the book he's reading, but I was alarmed when he stood up, and I couldn't draw near him because I was busy here on the counter.I wanted to call his name, but it's already too late because he already exited the store. Maybe I'll just text him later if I'm not busy anymore."Miss!" When the girl called my attention."Sorry po, miss." Napabalik ako sa reyalidad at mabilis na kumilos. Tinanggap ko ang bayad niya at magalang na inabot
I don't understand why. I'm just doing my job, but I keep on receiving bad feedback. Some say I'm a gold digger, a sucker for the Buenaconsejo's, and after their money and inheritance.How can they say those words without a basis that I'm a kind of that woman?It's easier for them to judge than believe me. It's been a month since this work immersion started. Those four weeks were okay for me until gossip about me ignited.That lunch was actually the last time I interacted with the Buenaconsejo's though they invited me for the next day and to the following days.I kept on refusing them even Paris when he offered a ride the last time because it was raining hard and it's already evening. I'm hours late for my part-time job but I still didn't accept his friendly offer.At first, I didn't mind the baseless talk because I believe that it was all made up by those people who have nothing to do with their lives.To my shock, Clemenseanne and Reun once came to buy goods in the enterprise, then
"I care so much... so much for you, and I don't want you to suffer. Wala akong pakialam kung nadawit ang pangalan namin, ang mahalaga ay ikaw. Ayokong umiba ang tingin ng tao sa'yo dahil dito at hindi ko na mapipigilan ang sarili ko kapag pinasalitaan ka pa nila uli, Ris."I took a step back and stared sharply at him as if throwing daggers. He keeps on reaching my arms, but every time he moves forward, I take a step backward."Why are you doing this to me?! Why?" I sounded desperate. "Fine, if you want to help, then help! But please... spare me! You kept on saying those words even though I've already cleared it between us! You kept on making my mind in turmoil and my feelings confused! Sinabi ko naman sa'yo, 'di ba? Pagkakaibigan nalang ang kaya kong ibigay, na hindi na kita gusto! Why are you doing this, huh? Why? Please respect me, Paris. I don't want to have a connection with you and with your family anymore, and I can't—"Hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko dahil sa pagkabigla. Sumu
Nakatingin ako sa relong pambisig. Kanina pa ang uwian at ako ang nagpaiwan sa barkada rito sa Poblacion. Marami pa namang mga nagkakalat na estudyante sa paligid, karamihan ang mga magboyfriend-girlfriend.Sina Lowell at Dom ay nagmadaling umuwi dahil pupunta sila sa Galapagos para manood ng Game 4 ng basketball at sasama si Jangkit sa kanila.Napabuntong-hininga ako at nagdadalawang isip kung sisipot ba o hindi. Nakatanggap ako kanina ng text mula kay Crisanta na gusto niyang makipagkita sa akin.Napapikit ako bago tuluyang hinawakan ang doorhandle at tuluyang pumasok dahilan ng pagtunog ng bell sa ibabaw."Slaine, here!"Napatingin ako sa kanang direksyon at nakita ko sila. My mouth left open upon seeing Crisanta's raising her hand, and beside her is her group.Ilang akong napangiti habang naglalakad papalapit sa kanila. Ang buong akala ko ay si Crisanta lang ang gustong makipagkita sa akin."Upo ka," sabi ng isa at marahan akong hinila paupo sa tabi niya.Kaswal nila akong kinausa
Tumila na ang ulan at napansin kong madilim na ang paligid dahil siguro sa madilim na ulap. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa matamang mata ni Paris at tumikhim bago maglagay ng distansiya sa pagitan namin.Naiilang ako at hindi alam kung ano ang sasabihin o gagawin. My mind's confused with everything that has happened. I can't even catch up with the feelings, and I'm a mess for not distinguishing when it should have been put in the right place for a long time.I heaved a deep sigh. Hinatid ako ni Paris hanggang sa labas ng convenience store. Itiniklop niya ang payong at tumingin sa akin. "Gamitin mo muna 'yan para hindi ka mabasa baka umulan mamaya.""P-paano ka naman?"He smiled and then brushed his thumb on my cheek. "I can take care of myself, Ris...""O... kay," I hesitantly said.I suddenly took a step back as I saw him trying to put his hoodie on me. I shook my head, trying to tell him that I could manage, but Paris is Paris. Anything he wants will always be in his favor."Ibabalik ko '
Gaya ng nakasanayan ay hindi ko gaano'ng napapansin si Rafus at inaabala ang sarili sa trabaho. Kapag susulyap naman ako sa kanya, nagtatama ang tingin naming dalawa kaya nahihiya ako. Siguro ay dahil ito sa naging isyu sa akin kamakailan at ang kahihiyang nagawa kong pagtulog sa dibdib niya.Natagalan ang usad ng counter na pinupwestuhan ko dahil sa magboyfriend-girlfriend na nagtatalo sa pagbabayad.The girl wants to pay, but the guy won't let her, and he insist to pay instead. Maski ako ay naguguluhan kung kaninong pera ang tatanggapin. Kapag aabutin ko ang pera ng lalaki, nakakamatay na tingin ang iginagawad sa akin ng babae. Kapag pera naman ng babae ang aabutin ko, seryoso at nakakatakot na paaran naman ang pagtingin sa akin ng lalaki.At the end, Ate Reive exchanged places with me and handled the couple who are still arguing. Ang ibang babae sa paligid ng magkasintahan ay nagbubulungan na sweet at cute daw nila. For me, I find it inappropriate. Of all the places, why are they a