Yours to Hold (Louisiana Series #4)

Kabanata 23

23 – Expect

It was the day before my birthday and everyone was busy preparing for the party tomorrow. Imbis na tumulong ay hinahalughog ko na ang buong kuwarto ko upang mahanap kung nasaan man ang cellphone ko. I am getting more frustrated because I can't seem to find it anywhere. Sa bag ko lang naman iyon inilagay. I have to call Calum. 

"My phone is still missing. Hindi niyo pa rin ba nakikita?" 

"Hindi pa po, e." 

Bumuntong-hininga ako at nilampasan ang iilang mga kasambahay na inutusan kong hanapin iyon. I went to another room and started checking every corners of it. Kahit na hindi naman ako pumasok dito ay baka narito. Ysmael followed me and stayed at the door. 

"How about I buy a new phone, señorita? So that you can contact whoever it is." 

"Hindi ko kabisado ang numero niya." 

"You can make a Facebook account and send a message. Does he have one?" he asked. 

Natigilan ako sa paghahanap. If I make an account named Yoona, then that would make my friend even more frustrated of me. Bumuntong-hininga ako at lumabas upang tumungo sa hallway. 

"Huwag na lang, Ysmael. I'll just use the telephone." 

I borrowed his phone and searched PDL Motors online using my an Ipad. Nang mahanap ang numero nila ay aga ko iyong tinawagan. Malamang ay na sa kompaniya na iyon kanina pa. Nang sumagot ang isang babae ay hindi ko na siya pinatapos. 

"Hi. Can I speak to Calum Ponce de Leon?" 

"May I know your name, ma'am?" 

I bit my lower lip and glanced at Ysmael who's standing not that far from me. Umiwas ako ng tingin at hindi masabi ang totoong pangalan. I don't want to lie in front of people. I don't want to lie anymore. 

"Tell him it's someone important." 

"I have to know your name, ma'am. And Sir Calum is in a meeting right now." 

I shut my eyes and nodded. "Alright. Thanks." 

Agad ko nang pinatay ang tawag dahil hindi ko rin naman siya makakausap. When can I talk to him? When I come back? Hindi ba iyon magagalit na kahit isang beses ay hindi ako tumawag? I sat down the wooden chair beside the circular table where the telephone was. Umangat ang tingin ko kay Ysmael na nakatitig lamang sa akin. 

"Why are you looking at me like that, Ysmael?" 

"I am just waiting for an order if you want me to go to Manila to inform him about you." 

Umiling ako. "No need. I am going back after my birthday." 

I faked a smile and closed my eyes before resting my back on the chair. Mukhang pag-uwi ko pa nga kami makakapag-usap. Sayang at gusto pa naman niyang tumawag ako sa kaniya ngunit hindi ko naman magawa. 

"Mukhang may problema ka." 

Dumilat ako at tinignan muli si Ysmael. I chuckled and stood up. Malaki ang problema ko at hindi lamang iyon isa. But right now, all I think about is Calum and I. Ano bang mangyayari sa aming dalawa matapos kong aminin ang lahat? 

"We're going to sort this out, right?" tanong ko. 

Ysmael nodded to encourage me. Bumuntong-hininga ako at tumango rin upang palakasin ang loob ko. Iniisip ko pa lamang ang magiging reaksiyon niya ay nagwawala na ang dibdib ko. 

"We're going to be okay. He might get shocked but we will be okay.." I assured myself. "We will be okay." 

"If he loves you, he will understand."