Drawn to His Flame

Kabanata 41

Warmth

I went to work the next day like nothing happened at all. Treyton didn't show up to work and it immediately became the talk of customers and employees alike. They were worrying about him but I, on the other hand, was relieved because of his disappearance.

Marunong din naman pala siyang makinig.

"Regan, may ideya ka ba kung saan na ngayon si Treyton?"

Pangalawang araw na ngayon na hindi pumapasok si Treyton at nagkalakas ng loob na ring magtanong sa akin ang mga kasama namin sa trabaho. That was expected because I was the last person that Treyton talked to before he ghosted everyone.

Namukhaan ko ang kumausap sa akin. She was one of the female employees who pissed me off the other day because they were babbling nonstop about Treyton. "Baka nagresign na. 'Yan narinig ko sa usapan mo ng kaibigan mo noong nakaraan, eh." I didn't even try to sound nice. So what if Treyton's gone? Big deal ba 'yon?

Why can't they focus on working instead? Hindi naman ang lalaking 'yon ang nagpapasuweldo sa kanila, ah!

The girl blinked and shyly lowered her head. May lumapit sa aking isang babae at isang tingin lang sa kanya ay alam ko na siya ang kaibigan no'ng unang nagtanong sa akin. "I know your history. Narinig ko rin ang pagtatalo niyo noong isang araw. Pinilit mo siyang umalis, 'no?" she questioned resentfully.

I sighed loudly. Ayaw na ayaw ko talaga sa mga pakialamera.

Papatulan ko na sana ang babae pero may biglang nagsalita sa tabi ko. "Why don't you ask our manager instead? Kung may tao mang dito na nakakaalam kung ano na ang nangyari sa empleyado niyang absent ng dalawang araw ay siya 'yon."

The girl rolled her eyes at what Hiro said before she pulled her friend with her. "Thanks," I mouthed while giving a small smile to my friend.

"Your last day here should be memorable. Hindi 'yong maaalala mo lang ang araw na 'to dahil naging hanapan ka ng nawawalang tao," reklamo ni Hiro kaya lumubag naman kahit papaano ang loob ko.

"Okay lang. The ending doesn't always matter. The lessons I gained from my experiences in here are more than enough."

"That's so sexy of you, Mr. Cordova," komento ni Hiro kaya nabatukan ko siya. "So pupunta ka bukas?" tanong niya pagkatapos niyang himasin ang parte ng leeg niya na nasapok ko.

Napabuntong-hininga ako dahil araw-araw niya akong kinukulit na manood ng laro niya. Pupunta naman talaga ako. But I just want it to be a surprise so I lied. "Sasama ako kila Mama para manood ng rehearsals nila Katie."

Hiro pouted but it was quickly replaced by a smile. "Nakakalungkot pero okay lang. Basta pupunta ka na sa mga susunod kong laro, ha, Gan?" I laughed when he raised his pinkie at me. Kung alam mo lang ang pinaplano ko Hiro.

"Okay," I said before sealing that with our little fingers entwined.

Dumating na ang Sabado at ngayon ay naglalakad na ako papasok sa kampo kung saan maglalaro si Hiro. Mukhang marami rin ang manonood dahil iilan din ang nakakasabay ko ngayon sa paglalakad. Hiro told me that this was just a friendly match between their team and their toughest rival since junior high school but seeing how many came here made me think that this was an official game.

A city girl even came here so this game must be really something.

"I want to talk to you, Regan," pahayag ni Almira bago ko pa man siya malampasan. Her presence was surely strong because I could recognize her even from a far.

"If you're looking for Treyton, I can't help you. Hindi ko alam kung na sa'n siya."

"I came here to talk to you," madiin niyang litanya. It was the first time I heard that edge in her voice. I didn't even know that she's capable of raising her voice because her image was all demure and dainty.