"Sometimes, it's easier without saying goodbye."
"HEY." I felt shiver down to my spine the moment I heard his voice.
"Quen! Why did you call?"
"You don't want me to call?" I turn off the stove and made my way to the living room. "It's not like that! You're working and-"
"Babe, I'm the CEO." Damn it, babe.
"You still there?" I spaced out.
"Yesss, what time will you come home?"
"Around 3."
"Okay, I'll cook carbonara for the two of us."
"Mr. Alejo―Oh wait, Kath I'll hang up. Text you later. Love you."
"Okay. I love you too." He hanged up. I showered and changed my clothes.
"TAPOS nadulas ka pa no'n! I remember that! Nakita pa nga kita no'n e." Napagkwentuhan namin ang mga nangyayari nung college pa kami. We've been friends since second year college, and he started courting me then.
"Fvck. Kasalanan nila Caiden at Zeirre 'yun! If they didn't put a powder on the floor, 'di 'yun mangyayari! Tsaka na sa harap pa naman kita no'n. I was so damn embarrassed no'n." Napahawak siya sa forehead niya at tumungo.
"Uh uh, no cussing when eating Mr. Alejo. Pero tawang tawa talaga ako no'n!" Hindi ko na napigilan at tumawa na ako.
He murmured something but I didn't heard it.
"What?" I asked and continue to eat.
"Ang ganda mo at mahal na mahal kita." Napatingin ako sa kanya at nakitang nakangiti siya. I felt my cheeks burn.
"Tumigil ka nga!"
"Are you free tomorrow? Let's go on a date. I could take a leave. Sabihin ko na lang sa secretary ko."
"Quen . . ."
"We're going on a date tomorrow."
"You have work!"
"Bahala na."
"Quen, umayos ka. Ngayong month ata, limang pasok ka pa lang."
"Maayos naman ah?" He reached for my hand across the table.
"Baby, don't worry about my work. You're my priority. I'm doing this for the sake of our future."
"Kasi napapadalas na rin ang pagleave mo. Baka nga tambak na ang paper works mo. Baka naman kasi nakakaabala na ako. Baka magalit din sila Tito and Tita!"
"Katherine, kalma. I'm fine. My work's fine. Everything's fine! Don't worry about it. And you'll never be a bother to me."
"Okay, sabi mo e. Basta kasi 'wag mo 'ko iispoil masyado! Ayoko pa din iasa sa'yo lahat." I looked at him to see his reaction but he just shrugged.
"You're my baby girl and I want to spoil you. I'll do everything just for you. 'Wag ka na magalala, please? We've been having this conversation since last week."
"E kasi ikaw e! Basta pumasok ka ha? Natatandaan ko pa 'yung sinabi ng Tita Celestine no'n. 'Wag daw kalimutan ang work natin dalawa! Since dapat independent na tayo."
"Si Mommy talaga. Baby how about we talk about your work? Enough with mine." We finished eating kaya kinuha ko na ang plate niya at nilagay na sa lababo.
"Fine. Next week pa balik namin. Tapos tumawag si Manager sa'kin, sabi kung pwede daw ako sa isang araw. Quick photoshoot lang daw and off I go! Siguro before lunch tapos na 'yun."
"Sino kasama mo sa photoshoot? Lalaki ba? Anong pangalan? Samahan kaya kita?" Naghugas na ako ng pinggan habang siya ay nakaupo at nararamdaman kong nakatingin sa akin.
"Kasama ko sila Abri and Emmie, baby."
"Ah, samahan kita?"
"'Wag na, kaya ko na 'yun no. Tsaka diretso uwi ako, promise!"
