Always By Your Side

Kabanata 18

I'm wondering what's my big baby doing right now. Nagpaalam itong may aasikasuhin lang at si Wren muna ang papalit sakanya.

I gaze at Wren's direction.

Bagot na bagot ito. Magkasalubong ang mga kilay nito at masama ang timpla ng mukha.

I wish that's Vernon in his place. I'm missing that crybaby. I want to hug him.

Ni hindi man niya sinabi kung saan siya pupunta. Is he still seeing his ex?

"Astrid, are you listening?"

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by a warm, silvery voice. Pinilit ko ang sarili na makinig kay Karina, pinsan ni Alanis.

I smile apologetically and signals Karina to continue what she's saying.

Naiiling na nagpatuloy siya. This time, I gave her my full attention. Seryosong nakatingin at nakikinig lamang ako kay Karina.

She's really pretty. Nakakadistract ang magandang mukha niya. Wala bang hindi maganda o gwapo sa lahi ng mga Salvatici?

Seriously, I'm curious now what was Tavi's reaction meeting her girlfriend's family. I guess she was very nervous and did something embarrassing.

Kay Kyan pa lang ay gano'n na ang reaksyon niya, paano pa kaya sa ibang pinsan ni Alanis?

I really need to stop thinking other things right now. I'm in a meeting at kung saan-saan na umabot ang iniisip ko.

"It's my pleasure."

Karina gives me a timid smile before entering her car, her driver closes the door and slightly bows at my direction.

Pinagmasdan ko muna ang papalayong sasakyan ni Karina bago binalingan ng tingin si Wren na nasa gilid ko lang.

"Where's Ventura?"

"Do you want me to call him?" Okay. Obviously, hindi niya din alam.

"No." I might disturb him. "Let's go."

Binuksan ko ang pintuan sa backseat but I stopped before getting in. Hinagis ko kay Wren ang car key bago pumasok at sinara ang pintuan.

Wren's shaking his head as he start the car. Lumingon ito sa akin.

"Where to, Ms. Avila?"

Saan nga ba? I honestly don't know where to go and what to do while waiting for my next meeting with a potential investor.

Can I answer him that? Yeah, right. Maybe he can suggest something that can kill time. Sa susunod na dalawang oras pa ang susunod na meeting ko.

It's exactly nine in the morning as I check my wristwatch. I'm not hungry dahil nag breakfast ako sa bahay bago pumunta sa pagkikitaan namin ni Ms. Salvatici.

"I don't know."

Kumunot ang noo ni Wren, nagtataka sa sagot ko.

"Saan 'yan?"

Goodness. Nasabi ko na lamang sa aking isipan. I let out an exasperated sigh. Am I dealing with another Tavi right now?

"Just take me anywhere."

"Oh." Mukhang nakuha naman nito ang sagot ko. Nawala ang kunot ng noo niya at napatango sa sarili.

He started driving. I don't know where he's taking me and I didn't bother asking him. Hinayaan ko na lamang siya kung saan niya man ako gustong dalhin pero siguraduhin niyang magugustuhan ko ang lugar kundi iiwan ko siya sa lugar. Bahala siyang umuwi mag-isa.

Tinuon ko ang pansin sa labas. I'm appreciating the beautiful scenery until the car stopped kaya napatingin ako sa harapan. Red light pala kaya binalik ko ang tingin sa labas.