Take me down the road of Sacramento

Fifty

"Si Senior Titus ba ang hanap mo?" Aèm asked.

Wala sa sariling napatango ako. "Nakita mo ba siya?" Kanina pa ako aligaga habang nakatingin sa opisina ni Mc Kenzie. 

Itinuro niya ang isang pinto roon. "Kanina pa siya nakaalis, eh." Parang nanghina ang mga tuhod ko sa narinig. Naramdaman ko na lamang ang butil ng likido na lumandas mula sa aking mga mata.

I found myself lying in between her encouraging hug. "May nasabi akong hindi ko dapat sinabi, A-Aèm."

"Shh," pagtatahan niya. "Kung ano man 'yon, paniguradong alam niyang hindi mo sinasadyang sabihin iyon."

"Ace the venom."

"Grab the chance, Allyssa. Sunggaban mo na 'yan sa Paris, ha? Gayahin mo si Ace. Yung kapatid natin sa law industry na, ahas."

Simula nang umalis sila, hindi ko na rin narinig ang mga bagay na 'yan. Hanggang sa matapos ang program sa L.A ay nanahimik na rin ang kaibigan niya. I admit that those words affects the way I think. The way I see peers, how I see strangers. I really wanna befriend with anyone but like they've said, people could hate you for no reason.

Just—look at me, I was called a venomous snake as if I stole something; which I guess, was never been hers at the first place.

Those daggers they've thrown to torn me in two, I never let it get me down, perhaps I manipulated it, used it as an armor so I could be the queen on my warpath.

Pen versus a scale, would I win the game? I'm not tgat sure so I'm aiming to take the scale too.

Good thing, nakakuha ng scholarship si Aèm mula sa isang sponsor ng event kaya rito niya na tatapusin ang kursong abogasya.

***

"Namumutla ka yata," puna ni Aèm. "Ayos ka lang ba?" tanong niya. Tumango ako saka muling ibinaling ang tingin sa binabasa.

"Magpahinga ka na kaya," mungkahi niya ngunit agad akong napailing. "Ilang oras ka nang tutok d'yan, hindi ka pa kumakain."

"Ayos lang ako, Aèm."

She took the pen out of my hands and replaced it with a cup of coffee.

"Cause of death, overthinking." I blanced at the thought.

"Malapit na ang finals, Aèm. Mag-aral ka rin."

"Yes po, our magna cum laude." I shook my head with that sarcasm.

I was stunned when I felt a warm lips touched against my cheek. "I brought you snacks, soon-to-be my wife." Hindi ko man siya balingan ay batid kong iisang tao lang ang maglalakas loob gawin iyon. I saw a box of donuts on my table, and of course a bouquet of flowers.

"Naks, nangangati ako!" sigaw ni Aèm. "Nagdala ka ba ng langgam, Fauro?"

"Cut it, Aèm." He laughed.

"Thanks," I said.

"Tita said, you didn't ate since last night." Kinuha niya ang isang upuan doon at itinabi sa akin. "Every hardship you've overcome these past few years wouldn't be significant if your body couldn't make it," he said while patting my whole with his anxious eyes.

I shrugged. "Yes, future Architect."

He patted my head and replied, "Good." Our gaze locked. "Kung hindi papalarin, future mo na lang." He wink conspicuously at me.

Mc Kenzie
I need you in my office tomorrow. 7 in the morning, sharp.

Ace
Rogger that!