The Art Of Hating

Chapter Twenty-six

XXVI. Boyfriend Rights

So. . . he was the representative of the new supplier in Japan.

He's working there. Doon din ba siya nag-continue ng college? As what I've heard from Treyton, sa Singapore sila lumipat ng Mommy niya. I don't know anymore. And what about the. . . girl? The. . . baby. . .?

Napapikit ako ng marrin at gusto kog mapahilot ng sentido ng maalala ang nangyari sa elevator.

Shit. This was fucking awkward. I don't know what to feel and what to do first. Bakit ngayon pa kami nagkita at doon pa talaga sa elevator na kami lang ang nasa loob? That was just a crazy coincidence.

Narinig ko ang tikhim niya habang para akong nagka-stiff neck na hindi lumingon sa kanya. I don't know why it was too familiar even though it's been almost 5 years that we didn't meet. He was my first boyfriend when I entered college. And after what happened. . . just months after that, he left the country with his Mom.

"Good morning. . ." he greeted me with that familiar deep voice.

Nang marinig 'yon ay biglang nanindig ang balahibo ko at gusto kong mapapikit ulit ng mariin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bumabalik ang nararamdaman kong hiya right at the moment. Siguro ay nakatatak na talaga sa 'kin ang ginawa niya na kapag inaalala kong mabuti ay gusto ko na lang mailibing ng buhay sa kahihiyan.

Unti-unting lumalakas ang tibok ng puso ko at nag-iinit ang mga pisngi ko. Feeling ko ay bigla na lang akong naging claustrophobic. I want to get the hell away from him as soon as possible.

Hindi ko na alam ang nangyayari. Hindi ko alam na ganito ang magiging reaksyon ko na parang gusto ko na lang na pareho kaming na-amnesia at hindi kilala ang isa't-isa. He's just. . . too much right at the moment.

It was too awkward that I didn't greet him back!

And as soon as the elevator opened, nagmamadali akong lumabas na parang sasabak sa giyera. I wanted to smack my head because all I know is that I look really stupid.

Hindi ko pa nga naaayos ang mga gamit ko sa mesa ay pinatawag naman ako ni Dad sa kanyang office. And here. . . I see him again, talking seriously with my father.

Shit. Kahit ano 'atang iwas ko ay hindi ako mapagbibigyan.

"Take a seat, Hyacinth." Pormal na pahayag ni Dad.

Nanlalaki pa rin ang mga mata ko at nag-iinit ang mga pisngi. Pero kahit papaano ay kumuha ng upuan malapit sa kanila.

I could feel his eyes on me but Dad called his attention. They continued what they're talking about and that's when I found out about that he's the representative we're all waiting for.

I just don't know why I'm here. . .

Daddy knew him. Kahit na hindi ko siya dinala sa bahay o kahit saang gatherings para ipakilala sa mga magulang ko ay mabilis makarating ang balita sa kanila lalo na kapag kilala ang parehong pamilya. Though they didn't pressure me to introduce Cameron, the scandal that spread on our University reached them.

Nalaman nga ni Lolo, sila pa kaya?

Alam ni Daddy pero inembita niya pa rin ako rito. . .

Huminga ako ng malalim at pilit nag-concentrate sa pinag-uusapan nila. I should be professional. Daddy obviously wants me to hear their conversation. Dahil panigurado ay tatanungin niya ang opinyon ko. And he knew when I'm being biased, honest or just evil.