Take Me Back To Life

Chapter 3

Days passed by in a blur, And everytime Tia goes to meet their wedding planner alone or be left behind, she felt sorry for herself. Lukas was as clear as the sky, he wasn't interested in her. It was never his intention to marry her. If only he doesn't feel obligated, surely he will never do these things. He will never forced himself to pick her up, to drive her home, or take her to lunch.

Everything seems pointless to Tia. Sometimes when she is alone she asked herself, why is she still pursuing the wedding? That guy treats her indifferently. Isn't it a sign to give up before it was all too late?

Decided, Tia sent a message to her soon to be father-in-law and ask him to meet her up. By afternoon, she cleared all her schedules.

“Where are you going?” Lukas asked her with a crease in his forehead.

“I’ll go meet our wedding planner.” she lied. “Why? Do you want to come?” Hindi alam ni Tia kung bakit niya ito nasabi. Maybe deep inside her she was hoping. Hoping he would say yes. But to her dismay, he decline.

With a hardened faced, he looked away. He put all his things in his briefcase and said, “I have an appointment this afternoon. Go by yourself.”

Ngumiti lang si Tia dito, ngiting hindi umabot sa mga mata niya. “Okay,” marahan nitong sabi. Tinapunan lang naman ito ng tingin ni Lukas bago ito tuluyang lumabas ng opisina. Nang makalabas ito, ay saka naman sumunod na lumabas si Tia. Imbes na sa parking lot ito pumunta, dumeretso siya sa main door. Hindi kasi nito nadala ang sasakyan niya, kaya magco-commute nalang ito.

Inihinto siya ng taxi sa isang french restaurant. Ito kasi ang napiling meeting place ng matandang Herrera, dahil malapit lang ito sa village kung saan sila nakatira.

As she enters, an employee open the door for her and greeted her with enthusiasm, “Bonjour!” Then, as she step inside, she immediately search for him in the crowd of dining people. To her dismay, she didn't find him.

‘Where could he possibly be?’ tanong nito sa kaniyang sarili kasabay ng paglinga-linga nito sa kaniyang paligid.

Aabutin na sana ito ng ilang minutos sa paghahanap sa matandang lalaki, kung hindi lang may lumapit sa kaniyang isang empleyado na tumulong sa kaniya sa paghahanap.

Regular na kasing customer doon ang matandang Herrera kaya kilala na siya ng ibang mga empleyado doon. Mayroon na nga itong VVIP card sa lugar na iyon kaya nakahiwalay na ang lugar nito sa ibang mga customer.

Dinala siya ng empleyado sa ikalawang palapag kung nasaan nakalagay ang mga designated rooms ng mga private customers nila. Sa isa sa mga kwartong nandoon, naghihintay na ang matandang Herrera sa kaniya. He already ordered foods and wine for them.

Pagkapasok palang niya doon ay hindi na mapigilang mamangha ni Tia sa nakikita. The room scream class and sophistication. Surely, this cost a hundred thousand bucks.

“Iha!” nakangiting salubong nito sa kaniya. “Come, come! Have a seat.” dagdag pa nito. Ipinaghila pa nga siya ng lalaki ng upuan.

Tia worriedly looked at him. She was nervous. In her head, she repeatedly encourage herself that she can do it. Besides, she already practiced what she will say in front of her godfather.

“I got surprised when you suddenly message me.” pag-uumpisa ng matanda sa kanilang usapan. Bakas sa mga mata nito ang kuryosidad. Saglit itong napaisip; nakahawak pa ang kamay nito sa kaniyang baba. “I wonder, did you meet me because of my son?”

Nahihiyang napaiwas naman ng tingin si Tia. Kahit na hindi na ito magsalita, alam na ng matandang lalaki ang sagot. He then laugh humorlessly, it only lasted for a second  before he suddenly turn into serious mode.