T O R N

44

"Thank you Engr. Manoban. Are you sure you're not joining us? Minsan lang ako kung magpainom"

I smiled and slightly shook my head.

"Pasensya na Engineer. May prior commitment na ako for today e and it's very important" paalam ko.

He nodded his head and tapped my shoulder.

"Okay. If that so, ingat na lang and enjoy sa lakad mo" nakangiting paalam rin niya.

Tumango ako at ngumiti bilang tugon. Nang makaalis sila Engr. Yoo ay dali dali akong pumunta sa parking lot. I put my things on the backseat and went straight to the driver's seat. I opened my phone and automatically smiled when I read Jennie's message.

"I'll wait for you in our condo. I'll cook our favorite. Happy monthsary again, Love"

I type in my reply and hit send.

"Happy monthsary, Love. After ng meeting ko diretso na ko dun. Mag ingat ka sa pagdadrive ha"

Ang bilis lumipas ng mga araw at sinong mag aakala na pitong buwan na kaming magkasintahan ni Jennie. Sa loob ng pitong buwan na yun ay wala kaming matinding pinag-aawayan coz she's so loving, so caring and so supportive of me. Maski sa relasyon ko kay Irene, I never heard her complain. Kahit na madalas nakakalimutan ko na yung mga lakad namin at madalas I cancel our plans last minute because Irene needs me, andyan pa rin siya at walang sawang iniintindi ako. Nakakakonsensya na nga dahil alam kong hindi lang siya nagsasalita but deep inside mahirap rin para sa kanya 'tong sitwasyon namin. But she's so understanding that she's still choosing to stay with me. Kaya nga I'm doing my best para makabawi sa mga pagkukulang ko sa kanya. That is also why I promise myself and her na hindi ako mawawala ngayong monthsary namin. Ang dami ko nang utang at atraso na dapat kong bayaran. It's time for me to make her feel that I value her so much and that I love her. Yes, I already love her and it's true. Hindi lang siya bugso ng damdamin kundi yun talaga ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya. Hindi kasi siya mahirap mahalin, kaya nga kahit na anong pigil kong mahulog, nahulog pa rin ako. Who wouldn't love Jennie? She's perfect. She loves me, she supports me, she understands me, she gives me all the things I barely get from my girlfriend Irene, the compliment and the support. Don't get me wrong, Irene is not a bad girlfriend at all. It just happened that sometimes, she makes me feel so small. Sa sobrang galing at talino niya kasi pakiramdam ko hindi na kami bagay, pakiramdam ko kailangan ko palaging humabol sa kanya at sa sobrang successful niya, pakiramdam ko ang layo layo niya na. But with Jen, I can be myself. Hindi ko kailangang mapressure to be somebody. With her, lahat magaan.

I was about to start the engine of my car when suddenly someone called me. I took my phone out of my bag and answered the call. It was my dad.

"Dad?" I started.

"Lisa, I need you to go home. We have something very important to talk to" he commanded.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa pag iisip kung anong importanteng bagay kaya ang sasabihin ni Dad. Kapag umuwi ako sa bahay gagabihin na ko sa pagpunta kay Jennie. I already promised her that I wouldn't miss this day.

"But I have a prior commitment already Dad and it's very impor—-" I reasoned out but he didn't even let me finish.

"Cancel whatever it is and come here quick!" Tumaas na ang boses niya at lalong sumeryoso na ang pananalita.

For him to speak this way, this might be very important. I heave and sigh and say okay to my Dad. Bibilisan ko na lang sigurong magpatakbo para mabilis akong makarating sa amin at makabalik papuntang condo ni Jen. I looked at my watch and it seems early pa naman. Aabot pa naman siguro ako sa dinner namin mamaya.