Veteris Imperii Diaries: Tiernan

Chapter III: The Floor and Her Apology (Tiernan)

Gosh. Ano ba kasing inisip mo at nagdaldal ka pa, Tiernan? Tanong ko sa sarili ko ng mawala na sa paningin ko ang kotse ni Ms. Velez.

"Ma'am, okay lang ho ba kayo?" Tanong ni Mang Arnold sakin, isa sa mga security guards sa building namin.

"Okay lang ho, Mang Arnold." Nakangiti kong sagot sa kanya.

"Sige po Ma'am. Balik na po ako sa patrol ko. Kung kailangan nyo po ako, pakisabi na lang po sa front desk at ira-radyo na lang nila sa akin." Paalam ni Mang Arnold sabay umalis.

Thinking back to earlier's scene, I guess I became to presumptuous. Porket artista, maluho na? Mali nga siguro ako. Pero kung iisipin mo din, that's an overreaction. Pwede naman niya i-explain sakin ng maayos. Napailing na lang ako as a small smile dawned on my face. Ms. Velez looks cute when she's angry. I rolled my eyes at that, TERNAN, ayusin mo nga buhay mo.

***

Once home, I texted loloangko that I was back home. A second later, nag-ring na yung phone ko.

"Hija, how was it?" Loloangko asked.

"I...It was fine?" I replied.

"Are you asking me or telling me?" I heard loloangko chuckle. I sighed.

"Fine. It was a disaster. I think she hates me now loloangko. Dinala ko siya dun sa Geneve. First unit pa lang nakita namin, umalis na siya. I didn't even get a feedback. Urgh." Buntong-hinga ko ulit dahil sa frustration.

"What happened?"

"I might have insinuated that she's a spoiled actress?" I cringed as I heard loloangko's laugh. "Loloangko it's not funny!"

"When you think about it, it kinda is. Anong nangyari after?" Ito talagang si loloangko tsismoso.

"She went off on me. Saying that I don't know her or her life so I shouldn't assume things. Tapos ayun, nag-walk out. I did say sorry kasi hindi ko naman sinasadyang masaktan siya or ma-offend siya. Pero hindi nya lang ako pinansin." Loloangko's laugh got louder. The nerve of this cute, ancient man.

"Yan kasi, masyado kang 'assumera'. Just talk to her tomorrow. Ask her if she still wants to see the rest of the units. Make sure lang na you don't offend her again." Payo ni loloangko.

"Yes, sir, Mr. President!" Even though it was just a voice call, I put my fingers in a mock salute. "Although, she's a bit a of a drama queen. I guess it comes with the job."

"Tsk, tsk. Yan ka na naman. You're assuming again. Just talk to her tomorrow. I have to go now, little Nan. I'll check on you again tomorrow, okay?" Tumugon ako at nagpaalam na.

Loloangko is Mercusio Ramil. He's the VIV board president. Best friend siya ng Papa ni Mama. My mom always says that loloangko and his family is our second family because they took her in when her parents died. Noong ipinanganak ako, loloangko was always there. Ipinakilala siya sakin ni Mom as "Lolo Uncle" but since I was a kid, all they understood is "Yoyo Angko." That's where loloangko came from. He calls me little Nan. It came from "Little Tiernan" but again, because I was a kid, all I can say sa "lil Nan".

Walang pamilya si loloangko, kami lang. That's why we always make sure that he's okay. We go to dinners if we're available. Or minsan, dun ako umuuwi sa bahay niya. Minsan nga, he's more present for me than my own mother. The thought of my mother dampened my mood. I guess it's time to go to sleep now.

Tomorrow is another day.

***

Kinabukasan, alas-otso palang nasa pintuan na ako ng office ni Ms. Velez. Kahit wala akong klase, sinadya ko pa rin si Ms. Velez para humingi ng paumanhin. Nakataas na ang kanang kamay ko para kumatok. Pero hindi ko maituloy kasi iniisip ko pa kung ano ang sasabihin ko. Naputol naman ang pagmuni-muni ko ng marinig ko ang tunog ng yapak ng mga paang naka-stilettos.

"What are you doing staring at my door Ms. Guevara?" Her cool voice sent shivers to my spine. Her voice sounded right behind me. Dios na mahabagin, tulungan nyo po ako at baka maubos ang hininga ko kaka-inhale exhale dito. The way the 'r' on my last name rolled on her tongue took my breath away.

"U-uhm...I...The...Yesterday..." Pautal-utal kong sagot habang humaharap pa unti-unti sa kanya.

"Contrary to popular belief Ms. Guevara, your words have to make sense for it to be considered a sentence." She replied mockingly while opening her door. Nainis naman ako. Hindi naman ako tanga. Natatameme lang talaga ako dahil sa kanya. Urgh.

"I know this Ma'am. I'm here because I wanted to apologize for last night. It wasn't my intention to do that. It was wrong of me to assume things about you when I don't know you personally. I didn't think clearly when I said those things. And for that, I'm sorry." Sabi ko ng isang hingaan. Nakayuko ako para maiwasang tumingin sa nakakabighani nyang mga mata. Ramdam ko yung titig nya sakin.

"You should breathe Ms. Guevara." I did as I was told. Huminga ako ng malalim. "And I don't think the floor will appreciate your apology." Rinig ko ang pang-aasar sa mga salita nito. Nainis naman ako. Kinuyom ko ang aking kamay at tinignan siya sa mata.

"I'm sorry for last night, Lana. I didn't mean to hurt you." I said seriously. The sincerity bleeding from my voice. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko siya natawag sa pangalan niya pero pakiramdam ko sa oras na yun, tama lang yung ginawa ko. Nanlaki yung mga mata niya bigla at parang nangilid ang luha. Agad siyang umiwas ng tingin at kunwaring may inaayos sa kanyang mesa. Naghintay ako ng ilang segundo, nagbakasakaling may makukuha akong sagot o reaksyon man lang. When I didn't get any, I breathed in deeply and turned to go.

"Ms. Guevara." Rinig ko mula kay Ms. Velez ng buksan ko ang pinto. Tumigil naman ako. "I'll see you later after class for the rest of those units. I think the first one doesn't suit me." Napangiti ako sa mga sinabi niya. Nilingon ko siya at tumango na lang. Tutuloy na sana ako palabas ng marinig ko ulit yung apelyido ko. "Don't ever call me by my name again." Napalunok ako sa malamig niyang boses. Agad akong lumabas sa office niya pagkatapos kong sumang-ayon sa kanya. Paalis na sana ako ng university ng bigla kong naalala. Wala pala akong pasok. Daig pa 'to sa effort ko sa mga ex ko ah. Napailing na lang ako pero ni minsan, hindi sumagi sa utak ko na i-cancel yung usapan namin. I guess maghihintay ako until alas-siete.

A/N: Feedback is welcome. Thank you!