My Destiny

5

"Your girlfriend's best friend is my sister," deklara ni Katrina.

As usual, wala na naman itong pasabing darating ito. Gabing-gabi na at matutulog na dapat siya. Pero mukhang hindi kayang ipagpabukas ni Katrina ang balitang dala nito.

"Are you serious?" Though she sure looked dead serious.

"KC is my sister," ulit nito.

"You're kidding."

"She came for Charlize's necklace." Ikinwento nito kung paanong bumalik daw sa event place ang bisita ni Alex at hinanap ang nahulog nitong kwintas.

"Baka magkapareho lang ang kwintas n'yo. O baka napulot niya lang."

"It wouldn't mean so much to her if that's the case. I have her mother's name. Help me find out how she adopted Chalize." Determinado si Katrina.

Nahulog sa malalim na pag-iisip si Francis. If KC was Charlize, it would perfectly explain why he felt comfortable with her. Kahit noong una niya itong makita sa bus, iba na ang pakiramdam niya. He felt connected in a way he had no idea how. But he'd never noticed her necklace.

"Will you help me?" Nagmamakaawa si Kat. "I don't want to tell mama unless sure na ako. But I really believe na siya ang kapatid ko."

"Then sino ang inilibing natin?" Nagdududa pa rin siya dahil nakita niya ang sinapit ni Charlize noon. She was literally burned to death that there's no way one could recognize her.

"That's why we'll have it re-investigated, 'di ba? Please, Francis?" Tiningnan niya lang ito, maipapangako ba niya iyon? Baka mabigyan niya ito ng false hope. "Please, kuya?"

"Okay." Bigla siyang napangiti. It was the first time Katrina called him kuya. Kaya naman napapayag siya nang wala sa oras.

"Yes! Thank you!" Mahigpit itong yumakap sa kanya.

*****

For the nth time, missing in action na naman si Alex. Nasa New York na naman ito to see her latest gown.

It was almost a very boring day dahil walang masyadong gawa sa opisina. Malapit na ang uwian nang magkaroon siya nang 'di inaasahang bisita.

She was busy doing a report when suddenly a very handsome visitor came to her desk.

"Hi, KC!" She looked up to see Francis smiling over her.

"Francis!" Nagulat siya. On impulse ay tumingin sa siya sa opisina ni Alex kahit alam niyang wala roon ang kaibigan. "Wala rito si Alex."

"I know. I really came here for you," he said, still smiling.

"Why?" Dinig niya ang tibok ng puso niyang natuwa na namang makita ang binata.

"I'd like to invite you out for dinner," sabi nito making himself comfortable at the visitor's chair across her table.

"Francis -" papayag ba siya o tatanggi? "Alex might -"

"She wouldn't mind." Mabilis na sagot nito.

"Okay then." She glanced at the digital clock on her desk. "It's still an hour and thirty, Francis."

"I'll wait."

"Are you sure?"

"Would you like to wait inside Alex's office?"

"No. I'm perfectly okay here. Don't worry about me."

Hindi komportable si KC. Pinipigilan niyang tumingin sa gawi nito. But everytime she would risk looking, she would catch him looking at her too. She would offer a shy smile and he would nod.