Naramdaman ko na lamang na may pumatak na luha mula sa mata ko.
I'm not suppose to be this soft in front of a client. But my grandfather's death is one of the most painful tragedy that stings me the most.
"Lo, will you stop smoking. Sinabi na ng doctor mong masama yan para sa health mo.. " pag-aalala ko sa Lolo ko.
" What-trevor.. !!" Nakakatawang reply ni Lolo..
"Haha. " di yun tawa.. ha-ha lang na literal.
"Apo, lahat tayo mamamatay, and besides.. " sinindihan niya ang pangalawang piraso ng sigarilyo niya bago muling nagsalita
" matanda na ako. Di na ako takot kay kamatayan.. kahit kunin pa niya ako ngayon eh"
Joke yun para sa kanya pero sineryoso ko yun.. I don't want him talking bullshits like that. I'm not gonna lose him.
" Bahala ka nga diyan Lo.. Hindi ka na nakakatuwa eh. "
Pumunta na lamang ako sa beach.. Nagmuni-muni. Iniisip ko ang sabi ni Lolo. It seems absurd pero kahit joke yun, i can't bare to hear it especially when it comes from him.
May natalisod ako dahil masyadong pre-occupied ang isip ko. Plus sinusulyap sulyapan ko si Lolo from where I am.
" Oh no. I'm so sorry m-mis..... Maam .."
Di ko alam ang itatawag ko sa kanya.. mukhang matapang siya..
"Okie lang po mistir Poge, gagawa nalang po kame ni Raffi ng bago, di ba Raffu beby?? " tsaka pinaaabot yung mini shovel at gagawa ulit ng maliit na kastilyo.
" Is there anything I can do?"
"Ah eh. Sigi nalang pu ser. Baka maghistorical pa ako rito" natawa ako sa carabao english niya.. Histerical dapat iyon.
"Well, then. Sorry for the inconvenience. " nginitian ko lang siya.
Pero umakit sa aking mata yung batang alaga niya. Umupu ako para makita ko ang kacute'an niya and I'm quite enthralled by his eyes.. Pareho kami. Dark shade of green. Pareho rin kaming Mestizo.
"Ang cute niya po no ser? Handsoom leyk yu. " literal na ganun ang pagkakasabi niya.
I smiled and the took a glimpse to my grandfather. Di na siya naninigarilyo. Good.
Nakakita ako ng Buko, Bumili ako ng dalawa. Para kay Lolo yung isa.. peace offering ko sa kanya. I was being shallow a while ago.
Iniabot ko sa kanya ng hindi ko siya tinitignan habang humihigop na sa isa.
" What's this for TS?"
" Just get it Lo, walang madaming sat sat."
Inabot naman niya iyon.. I sat beside him.
Bumuntong hininga ako.
" You don't have to say those words, Lo. " bungad ko.
" Alam mo apo, I'm just being dystopian (realistic). Even you, will die someday, it's just a matter of time, and I conclude that the longer the time I had with you, the shorter time that's left. So why sadden ? Just be happy. Understand?"
Hindi ako umimik bagkos ay niyakap ka siya. "Thanks for all your wisdom, Lo."
"Mr. Salvatore? "
I am abrupted at nagising ang ulirat ko.
Wala sa loob ko na pupunasan ko yung mga luha ko pero inabutan ako ng panyo ni Ms. Constantia.
Di ko iyon tinanggihan..
"Don't worry, I'll wash this" habang nagpupunas ako.
"I'm really sorry bout that." Sabi ko.
" It's okay, I'm sorry if things got personal its just because of you Sir. You price Mr. Salvatore is way too low. "
" Well, I think my price will not change until you give me more suited reasons except of PERSONAL things. " may diin yung katagang Personal.
I do black mails of personal things once in a while but only to those greedy businessmen. I didn't like the thought of returning the favor to me.
" And Is that not enough to you Mr. Salvatore, you almost cried an ounce. "
"That doesn't imply Ms. Constantia. After all the rumors and tittle tattles about this resort, do you really think that a simple desaturated photo will hit big time?
I don't believe it can, so what's the point of this. Php. 50 M can be transferred to your account immediately. If you want to?" Matatas kong sabi.
" I don't believe you Mr. Salvatore, if this won't change, I'd rather not close the deal. Now that the resort is 'Not for Sale'. "
I think she meant what she said.
She walked out and after a few steps, there she is, flew..
The deal flew.
________________
There.. 12:15 AM na pala.
