Say Yes

23

Inigo

"Hindi covered ng kumpanya ko kapag nasira yan laptop mo Chiara. Please have mercy on your keyboard." I can't help but laugh. Hindi niya namalayan na kanina ko pa siyang pinapanood sa may pinto. She seriously went here after I kicked her out earlier. Hinanap ko agad siya kay Manang pagkauwi ko galing opisina para mananghalian.

Manang, nasa taas po si Chiara?

Oo anak, nag away ba kayo? Mukhang kakain ng tao.

Natawa ako sa deskripsyon ni Manang.

Akyat lang po ako, kausapin ko lang. Anong ulam Manang?

Sinigang na liempo nak. Sabi mo eto ang lutuin ko. Kaw talaga, paborito ni Chiara toh ah.

Madami po kayong niluto?

Hanggang hapunan na yan, pwede ka pang magpadala pauwi.

Sige po akyatin ko lang saglit.

***

"Bat ngayon kalang? Ang alam ko lampas alas nwebe ako umalis ng opisina mo, at madami na akong naisend na message sayo, seriously ngayon ka lang sumunod? I am not going back to your office, and its final." She closed her laptop and looked at me directly. Her nagging skills haven't changed a bit.

Maligalig pa rin.

"Pinagalitan ko pa sila at sinermunan. Hindi kita pwedeng habulin after I kicked you out earlier, plus hindi nila alam na dito ka dumiretso. It would look weird given boyfriend mo si Charles. Pinagsabihan ko na silang tatlo. That will not happen again."

She made another round of rolling eyes and pouting lip.

"Ganyan ka gentle mo sila pinagsabihan? And wow, daig mo pa may tatlong abogado sa opisina ah. And that Yiseo. May gusto ba siya sayo?"

God, she makes it a hourly habit. Jumping conclusions.

"Chiara, stop assuming. Yiseo is already engaged. At isa pa, hindi lang sila ang pagsasabihan ko. Ikaw din. You were rude to them too." Mahinahon kong paliwanag. "So hindi lang sila ang magsosorry sayo. You will apologize to them also."

"No!!!" Mariin niyang tanggi.

"You were rude to them so yes you will apologize, and I am telling this to you as your employer. I wont tolerate your behaviour."

"Can't you see, pinepersonal nila ako kanina? You think it is acceptable too?" She retorted.

"It is not, pero I cannot always control the way they would react to you. Yes, galit silang tatlo sayo because of the past, I cannot blame them though. You really hurt me before at silang tatlo yung nandun, helping me get back to my feet again. Dapat naiintindihan mo din yun." It was just a slip of a tongue, and her expression softened. Her anger had now a mix of guilt and sadness.

She lowered her gaze to break our eye contact.

"Chiara---

"Napatawad mo na ba talaga ako?" Tanong niya na nakatungo parin. "I am really sorry Inigo. For everything. Maybe we are not in this situation if my stupidity years ago did not kick in. Sorry talaga." Her voice cracked on her last words.

"Come here." Tawag ko sa kanya.

Tumayo siya at hindi nagdalawang isip na lumapit sa akin.

"I really mean it Inigo. I am really sorry for all the pain I've caused you." She whispered softly. Ipinatong ko ang dalawang kamay ko sa balikat niya.