THE PROFESSOR'S MANIPULATION

CHAPTER 21

You love, you get hurt, then you forget everything, but it leaves a scar.

It's like a game. When you give a bet and lost, then play a game again and you win, you'll forget. But when you lost again, you'll remember it again.

It's been 3 years since I left. I am slowly creating my name. I am slowly building my own empire. And through the years that had passed, my self that I lost before because of loving a man who's committed already to someone, came back.

Myself that I almost give up because of what happened before.

The scar on my heart because of what happened 3 years ago vanished completely. I live normally.

Inunat ko ang kamay at tuluyang nagmulat ng mata. I look at my glass window where the ray of the sun reflects.

7AM na. Bumangon ako at nagtungo sa banyo para maghilamos. I went in the kitchen after to make my coffee.

No work as of now. I took a break so I could rest. Isang linggo lang naman.

Nagtungo ako sa malaking salamin ng sala where the perfect view of the city can be seen.

Masyadong maaliwalas ang panahon ngayon. I should think about what am I going to do for today.

While my coffee is with me, I watch the city where people starts to do their daily routine.

I used to be like them before. In order to survive a day, I need to work. The money I have when I left isn't enough.

Sapat lang iyon para makabili ako ng tutuluyan ko. Iyong condo ko na binenta ko rin dahil lumipat ako rito sa bago kong condo. Mas malaki ito kesa sa nauna kong condo. It occupies the whole floor.

I sip on my coffee.

Maybe I'll travel a bit too. Magbabakasyon ako sa New Orleans.

Napatigil ako at napatingin sa wireless telephone ng condo. Someone is calling.

Lumapit ako rito at sinagot ito. The caller must be one of my friends who has access to my telephone number.

Inilapat ko ang telepono sa tenga ko habang hawak pa rin ang tasa ng aking kape.

"Hello?" The caller on the other line said. Napatikhim ako. It's Johann.

"Hey..." Sagot ko at sumimsim sa aking kape.

"Mandy? Is this you?" He ask.

"Hindi mo na kilala ang boses ko?" I ask back.

He laugh.

"Your voice changed. I thought it's a guy. Your voice become deep."

Napahawak ako sa leeg ko. I touch my vocal cords at sinubukang magsalita.

Talagang lumalim ang boses ko. Epekto siguro ng bagong gising.

Ibinaba ko ang aking kape at nakipagtawanan sa kaniya.

"Sorry, kagigising ko lang." I defended.

"I knew it. By the way, ahm... I... Want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

Sumandal ako sa nakahilerang kabinet sa gilid ko. Kinuha ko ang kape ko at tahimik na umiinom at pinakinggan ang sinasabi niya.

"I took a leave on my work. Mommy told me they are somewhere in New Orleans taking a vacation. Pinapasunod niya ako roon. I called you to ask you to come with me? If you're free."

What a great timing.

If you're wondering how it happens Johann's here and we still have connection to each other, it's because I met him in a charity party for childrens way back then. He told me he was looking after me dahil noong umalis ako ay wala rawng nakakaalam. He asked my parents, Presttisiana, and someone who's close to me, but the only answer he got is all the same. They don't know where I am.

He knows what happened. After we met each other again after how many years, we keep in touch again. He become a great engineer.

He become my suitor again.

"Tamang-tama. Wala akong trabaho ngayon. Kani-kanina lang ay napag-isipan ko ring magbakasyon sa New Orleans. So sure, I'll come with you."

"Alright. I'll inform them i'll come there with you." he said.

"Kailan tayo aalis?"

"Bukas, kung pwede ka na."

"I'm free anytime."

"Good. Bukas na lang tayo umalis. May gagawin pa ako ngayon. Susunduin na lang kita bukas."

"Sure. Take care."

"You too. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you."

And then the call ended. Napatingin ako sa ibong dumaan sa harap ng bintana.

I should start packing.

Bago ako nagtungo sa kwarto ko dala-dala ang aking kape ay nakatanggap pa ako ng mensahe galing kay Johann.

From: Johann
Message: Pang usang linggong damit ang dalhin mo.

Napahinga ako.

I spent my whole morning picking the best outfit I could bring with me. I concluded we're going on a beach somewhere in New Orleans that's why I bring some swim wears.

Medyo matagal-tagal na rin mula ng huli akong makapagbasyon. It was when everything are still okay. Bago ako napadpad dito at isa pa lamang batang puro hinge lang ng kapritso sa magulang.

I open my tv and watch local channels. Sumakto sa balita ang pinanood ko kung saan ang interview sa akin noong nakaraang linggo ang laman ng balita.

Tinutukan ko ang title ng balita kong saan ipinapakilala ako bilang pinakabatang successful entrepreneur sa buong mundo.

Naagaw ang attensyon ko sa sunod na balita. Isang litrato namin ni Johann na magkasama sa isang mall.  It was taken from a far. A stolen picture to be exact.

I forgot, paparazzi is everywhere... They'll do anything to captured a new news.

Pero napatigil ako dahil lumagpas na sa katotohanan ang sinasabi sa balita.

"Worlds youngest entrepreneur Mandy Liv Deville was caught dating with her rumored boyfriend. The said guy with the girl is known as an engineer in a well-known company."

Napaawang ang labi ko.

Manliligaw pa lang!

Kung sino man ang source ng balita nila ay peke siya. I was planning pa lang na sagotin siya, kaya hindi pa.

Napailing na lang ako. Inabot ko ang remote at pinatay na lang ang tv at isiniksik ang sarili sa sofa. Ang mga balita ngayon ay wala ng katotohanan. Basta may maibalita lang talaga. Hindi na inaalam kung totoo pa ba o hindi na. Kaya ang mga tao ay nabibigyan ng maling impormasyon.

Badtrip tuloy ako buong maghapon. Imbis na nagplano akong lumabas para gumala-gala sa mall ay hindi natuloy dahil baka magulat na naman ako at nasa balita na naman ang picture ko.

Nagkulong na lang ako buong maghapon sa kwarto ko. Inaliw ko ang sarili sa paglalaro ng online games sa laptop ko. Kapag nabored ako ay kakain at pagkatapos ay magbabasa ng mga online stories.

Hinayaan kong lumipas ang buong araw na wala akong ibang ginawa kun'di ang humiga at maglikot sa loob ng condo.