Fervent Keeper (FK Series #3)

Kabanata 21

Gusto kong bawiin ang sinabi ko. I was close to breaking down. Naabutan ako ni Daddy na nasa sala. Ngumiti ako tsaka yumuko. I didnt want him to see me crying.

Umiyak ako buong gabi. Alam ko namang part ng pain kapag magmahal. Pero bakit sobrang sakit? Lander was the first ever guy I've been so much attached. I liked him so much and I might be in love already with him.

I checked my phone. What was I expecting? Na mag-te-text pa siya. I deleted his phone number. Pinilit kong pinaalala sa sarili ko na tama lang ang ginawa ko.

Kahit ayaw ko pumasok kinabukasan sa office ay bumangon ako. I looked at myself in the mirror and gasped at my dreadful sight. Mabilis akong nag-ayos tsaka nagpahatid sa driver namin.

"Good news, Monica!" masayang bungad ni Kia nang makapasok ako sa loob.

"Ano 'yon?"

"Na-plot na 'yung schedule, baka by this Sunday daw 'yung interview. Friday naman daw 'yung game nila. Isn't it cool? We got to interview both star players!" She exclaimed.

I smiled a little. "That's nice."

Napansin niya naman siguro na wala ako sa mood.

"What's with you? Look at your eyes," aniya sabay turo sa mata ko. I looked away.

"Hindi ako nakatulog," sabi ko na lamang tsaka umupo.

"Halatang umiyak ka." Lumapit ito sa akin at tumabi. "I know we aren't that closer but if you need an ear, I'm here."

Ngumiti ako. "Thank you, Kia."

"Welcome. Try mo ng mag-isip ng questions and research about Lander. Do you think you can do it? The interview?"

"I can."

"Or ako na lang ang mag-interview then ikaw na lang maglatag ng questions? What do you think?"

The last time I was thrilled to be given this rare opportunity. But now, I didn't think I could do it anymore. Tumango na lang ako.

"Okay. Pero sasamahan mo ako on the day of the interview, ha." She smiled before she made her way on her table.

As what Kia said, I read tons of articles the whole day and researched a lot. I was busy the whole time. Good thing na rin kahit papaano hindi siya masyadong sumasagi sa isip ko.

I messaged Neo and told him I won't be seeing Lander anymore. Hindi ako nag-e-expect ng reply sa kanya. Nagpabili sa akin ng coffee sila Ma'am Jia kaya lumabas ako. After minutes of waiting, bumalik ako sa loob ng office at ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa.

It was already five in the afternoon when I received a call from Neo. Lumunok ako nang mariin bago nagsalita. "Hello."

"Office ka?" His voice now sounded casual kaya pakiramdam ko kahit papaano nabuhayan ako ng tinik.

"Oo. Bakit?"

"D'yan ka lang. Sunduin kita," aniya bago binaba 'yung call.

Kagaya ng sinabi niya hinintay ko siya. When I saw his car, I tugged inside.

"I ended things with him, Neo," sabi ko.

He turned to me. "Nabasa ko nga."

I bit my lower lip. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't apologize, Mon. Let's just eat."

"Where?"

"Somewhere."

I looked at him, confused. "Saan nga?"

"Food trip?"

Napangiti ako. Nasa St. James kami. Mayroon kasi ro'ng sikat na tinitindang kwek kwek. Dinadayo pa 'yon ng mga riders. I smiled at him when we stepped outside of his car. Ang tagal na rin naming hindi nakabalik dito.