Cruel Summer

ika-40

"Congratulations!" Sigawan ng lahat kasabay ang palakpakan dahil ngayon ang opening ng The Greenopolis by R&L.

It has been more than a year, and our project has been finished. I smiled as I looked at the vast view of this land, and it is fulfilling to see that we have done such an amazing work again. Bryson, of course, was there, cutting the ribbon.

All of us engineers who were in-charge of the construction of this project were asked to come in front with Bryson, and Mr. Rodriguez. I wonder where Ms. Tere is. Nagpakilala kaming lahat, at karamihan naman sa naririto ngayon ay halos mga kakilala na rin dahil sa negosyo.

"It's good to see you again, Georgianna," si Tito Rylan. "It's been years, and after you left R&L, hindi na tayo nagkitang muli."

I flashed a wide smile at him and nodded. "Oo nga po, e. It's good to see you too po, Tito."

Bryson went to us and tapped his fathers back. Tito Rylan chuckled and nodded, then he turned his gaze to me. "Maiwan ko na muna kayo rito, Hija."

Tumingin naman ako sa kaniya at ngumiti sabay tango. Kalaunan ay umalis na rin si Tito para makapag usap sa mga bisita sa kabilang banda. Ngayon ay si Bryson naman ang kausap at kaharap ko.

"Thank you for this wonderful work, Engr. Fontanilla," he said. I nodded and smirked.

"And thank you for your trust and patience, Mr. Rodriguez."

He chuckled, and I chuckled as well. "May afterparty mamaya. Sama ka? Kung gusto mo, isama mo rin si Sebastian."

Napataas ang kilay ko habang nagpipigil ng ngiti. Hindi rin nagtagal at sumilay na ang ngiti sa aking mga labi, dahilan para magtaas siya ng kilay ngunit nanatili ang seryosong mukha nito.

"Sebastian? Really?" natatawa kong sinabi.

"What? Open naman 'to sa lahat, Geo."

"Okay kayo?" natatawa ko pa ring sinabi. He just nodded.

"Tagal na ah," he said and just shook his head because I kept giggling. "I think you're making this a big deal, hmm?"

I shook my head and chuckled. "Gulat lang. He'll be here in any minute. I'll tell him once he's here. Or you may tell him yourself."

He nodded and told me he would entertain his guests first. I nodded and went to my colleagues again to have some conversation while I'm waiting for Sebastian to come.

After a couple of minutes waiting, nakita ko na si Sebastian na naglalakad, mukhang hinahanap ata ako. I waved my hand and he immediately saw me. He smiled and walked faster towards me. He kissed my forehead.

"Hey," he said. I smiled at him and hugged him.

Ang ibang mga engineers ay abala sa pakikipagkuwentuhan sa isa't isa. Ang atensyon ko naman ay naka'y Sebastian.

"Bryson invited us for the afterparty," I said. "He also invited you. What do you think?"

"Hmm," he paused for a few seconds. "Gusto mo ba?"

"I'm fine with anything, ikaw lang naman tinatanong ko."

He smiled and nodded. "Let's go to the afterparty, then."

Nagulat talaga ako dahil noong dati ay parang magkakaroon ng giyera, ngayon naman ay parang sobrang okay na sila na parang walang alitang namagitan sa kanilang dalawa. I really am curious about what they've talked about last year, when I told Bry that I already said yes to Seb.

"Ano ba kasi talaga pinag-usapan ninyong dalawa ni Bryson noon, ha Seb?" kuryoso kong tanong. Natawa na lang siya nang bahagya at umiling.

"Pang lalaki nga lang," he said while giggling. I made a face and he just kept laughing, when Bryson went near to us. Binati nila ang isa't isa gamit ang pagtango at pagngiti. Ang tagal din kasi nilang hindi nagkita, at hindi talaga ako sanay na ganito sila sa isa't isa. It's a good thing, though.