Loving The Light [Cosmos Series#4]

Kabanata 15

I glanced at Archer's office when it suddenly opened. Nakita kong sumulyap siya sa bakanteng lamesa ni Shea.

"Where's Shea?" He asked.

Hindi ko ba nasabi kanina? "She called me, hindi raw makakapasok, pinapasabi nga pala. Nakalimutan kong sabihin sa'yo."

He slowly nodded his head as he turned his whole attention to me. "Early lunch?" Aya niya ng may ngisi sa mga labi.

Bigla na lang pumasok sa isip ko ang nangyari kagabi. Matapos niya akong ipakilala ay isa-isa naman niyang ipinakilala ang pamilya. The dinner went fine for me, especially when his mother pulled me into a hug while whispering thank you and some things I didn't expect. She told me to call her mom or tita, kung saan daw ako komportable. The way she told me that, it was like she's expecting Archer to marry me. Tila ba ibinibigay na sa akin ang anak. She expressed how grateful she is when she saw Archer entering the restaurant with a woman, which is me.

Tita said, Archer promised that he won't bring anyone in their family dinner except for the one he'll marry. Last night, Tita also confirmed that I am the only one that Archer brought to their family dinner. Kahit ang mga malalapit na kaibigan ay hindi niya dinala dahil sa pangakong ang pakakasalan lang ang hahayaang dumalo.

The dinner went well until a familiar woman came inside the restaurant. Imagine the horror in my face when I saw Adella, the one whom I thought one of Archer's collection, walking at the entrance of the restaurant.

Tila naglaho ang lahat ng aking ilusyon nang makita siya ngunit agad ding bumalik at muling naglaro sa aking isipan nang ipakilala ito na Archer bilang pinsan niya. Adella's father is the Fonacier's eldest, iyon ang lalaking nakaupo sa kabilang dulo ng lamesa.

"Where's the bouquet?" Nawala ang aking iniisip nang makitang sinisipat ni Archer ang aking table.

I glanced at the floor and bit my lower lip. "I-I put it down. Puno kasi 'yung table ko, sorry."

Until now, he's giving me bouquet everyday. I thought he'll stop when I agreed to become his girlfriend. Bahagya ko pang nakumpirma iyon kanina nang pagpasok ay wala akong nakitang bulaklak sa aking table. Wala pang isang minuto nang dumating ako ay lumabas si Archer ng kanyang opisina at personal na ibinigay ang bouquet. That was the first time that he personally gave it. Noon ay lagi niya lang iniiwan sa aking lamesa ngunit ngayon ay gusto raw niyang personal na ibigay iyon.

He shook his head, bahagyang napakunot ang noo nang marinig na humingi ako ng pasensya. "Its okay. Akala ko lang tinapon mo."

I chuckled as I faced him. "Why would I? Of course I won't," sambit ko habang bahagya pang naiiling.

"So, early lunch?" I watched him as wiggled his brows, bahagya pang natatawa sa kanyang ginagawa.

"You still a meeting."

"That can wait."

Naputol ang aming usapan nang bumukas ang elevator. Agad akong pumormal at tumayo upang harapin ang dumating sa pagaakalang iyon na ang kameeting ni Archer.

A very familiar woman walked towards us. Bahagya itong may ngiti sa mga labi. She's wearing a black ensemble and a leather jacket.

Nangatal ang aking tuhod kasabay ng pamimilog ng aking mga mata. I felt like I'll fell on the ground if I'm not holding at the edge of my table. Sa itsura ko, alam kong para akong nakakita ng multo nang tuluyan siyang makalapit sa akin. Tila ba nakaharap ako sa salamin ilang taon ang nakaraan.

"Babe, you alright?"

Agad kong tinanguan si Archer at bahagyang hinilot ang sentido. "Nahilo lang..." I trailed off. Iniwas ko ang aking tingin bago nagpatuloy. "Sa pagkakatayo siguro."