Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

39

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Chapter 39

The flight back to Manila will be in a few hours. Bumalik muna si Iverson para magpaalam kay Kysler. He spent his whole day here at my apartment. Pumunta pa kami ng palengke para bilhan siya ng damit dahil wala naman akong gamit na panlalaki sa bahay.

I knew it was not his first time going to a public market. Pero halata pa rin ang pag-iingat niya na hindi makilala. Well, some of the locals recognized him but no one attempted to get really, really close to him. Noong bumili kami ng shirt at shorts niya kahapon, 'di ko akalain na bibigyan pa kami ng discount.

Iverson declined in getting discounts. Nagbayad pa rin siya ng buo.

Sumunod doon ay nagtungo na kami sa wet section ng public market. He wanted to cook for me. Nahirapan pa kami sa paghahanap ng ingredients dahil mas marami no'n sa Batangas.

I almost lost hope because we couldn't find the exact ingredient he was looking for. Buti na lang at may alternative brand kaming nahanap at pinilit ko na siyang gamitin 'yon sa pagluto ng Batangas lomi.

"All done?" He asked on the other line. Pabalik na raw siya rito pero may driver siyang kasama dahil ibabalik ang kotse kay Kysler.

"Hmm, just rechecking..."

I asked Albert a favor since Iverson plotted a long vacation for me. At buti naman ay 'di na siya nang-usisa kung ano ang nangyayari. Medyo nag-aalala nga ako, e. It might scar my reputation as a new teacher. Masyadong umiral ang koneksyon ng mga Azcona kaya magaan ang trabaho ko at 'di ako nakararanas ng higpit.

"Don't forget your laptop, Zian. Your students might need your quick response regarding their grades."

"Yup, thanks for reminding me."

"No problem, Miss Gozum," he teasingly uttered.

Tama siya roon. Students are allowed to have grade consultations. Maganda ngang school initiative 'yon para aware sila kung saan magbubuhos ng effort.

Hinintay ko na lang ang pagdating ni Iverson sa labas ng apartment complex. Nagpaalam na ako sa pinaka tenant na matagal akong mawawala. I rechecked my things again. Sinigurado kong dala ko ang class record ko para kung may problema ay maaksyunan ko kaagad kahit malayo.

"Maraming salamat, Mang Lito, sa uulitin po," magalang na pagpapaalam ni Iverson sa driver ni Kysler. Hindi pangkaraniwan ang suot niya. He was wearing a formal uniform talagang hindi basta-basta.

"Thank you po!" sabi ko rin.

Ngumiti si Mang Lito sa'min. "Ingat po kayo sa biyahe. Mauuna na ho ako."

We waited for the car to disappear in our sight before we entered the airport. Pangalawang beses ko pa lang makakapasok sa airport rito at manghang-mangha pa rin ako. The structure's unique and the design's totally world-class.

"Let's go, Zian," malambing niyang tawag sa'kin dahil ginagala ko ang mga mata sa disenyo ng airport. Iverson grabbed my small suitcase from me. Dumadausdos ang kamay niya sa'kin at pinagsiklop 'yon.

It warmed my cheeks. I looked at our clasped hands. I bit my inner lip when he slowly brushed his thumb at the back of my hand.

Hindi lang ako makapagsalita dahil may biglang lumapit sa'min. My eyes landed on her ID lace, she's a staff of AeroPacific... and I wonder why she's entertaining us...

"Good afternoon, Sir!"

Ay si Iverson lang pala.

Grabe! Halata bang hindi ako mayaman kaya hindi ako ia-assist?!