𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 [TSS #2]

Chapter 34: Closure

Mica's POV

"Attorney, someone's looking for you." Rian said. She's my secretary.

"Who?" tanong ko nang hindi nag-aangat ng tingin mula sa binabasa.

"Your wife daw po." sagot nito.

"Let her in." walang emosyong saad ko.

"Hello, love! How's your day?" malambing na saad nito.

Blangko ang ekspresyon kong nag-angat ng tingin kay Niks.

"Tigilan mo 'ko, Nixen." I said coldly.

"Ang sungit mo! Dinalhan na nga kita ng pagkain oh, luto 'yan ng misis ko. Kawawa ka kasi, wala kang asawa na magluluto para sa'yo." she placed three tupperwear with different foods for each.

"I can cook for myself." sagot ko. I rested my back on the swivel chair and remove my reading glasses.

"Kung nag-thank you ka edi natapos ang usapan?" pamimilosopo n'ya.

"Pakisabi sa misis mo, thank you." I firmly said.

"Ito pala pinunta ko rito." she placed something on my table-a small black card with gold designs on the side. I read what's written on it. Dela Fuente Hotel. "Flip it," utos n'ya kaya ginawa ko, on the back of it, may nakasulat na You are invited!

"What's this?" tanong ko.

"Invitation," obviously.

"I know but what's happening here? A party? Reception? Wedding? Christeni-"

"A party, Mica. Pool party," nauubusan ng pasensyang saad ni Niks.

"Nah, busy ako," tanggi ko sabay tulak ng maliit na card palapit kay Niks. Not interested.

"Pumunta ka na! Kailangan mo mag-unwind." pamimilit ulit n'ya.

"I'm really busy. May kaso pa akong aaralin and I need to meet some clients." tanggi ko naman.

"Mica, ang sungit mo na. Kulang ka sa dilig kaya pumunta ka d'yan para makakilala ka naman ng magpapasaya sa'yo." Niks is really pushy but somehow, there's something from her na napapa-oo ang mga taong kinukumbinsi n'ya.

"Titingnan ko," I said in defeat. Kung hindi ko sasabihin 'yan ay hindi rin ako titigilan ni Niks.

It's not the first time that she came here to invite me over something. Madalas, pero lagi kong tinatanggihan because I just can't find the energy to socialize.

I know at this age, I'm supposed to be enjoying my life. Hindi na ako bata. All my friends are happily married, with kids. But things are better this way. Ayoko na muna, not now..

"We'll expect you there," Niks said with finality, as if she's really expecting me to be there.

"Okay," tumatangong saad ko.

"Babush," paalam ni Niks pero bago s'ya makaalis ay nagsalita ako na pumigil sa kanya.

"Niks.. I want to say thank you," tumayo ako mula sa swivel chair, naglakad palapit sa direksyon n'ya.

"Sa pagkain? Hindi naman ako nagluto n'yan-" she stopped when I hug her. Niyakap ko s'ya nang mahigpit as my way of making her feel how thankful I am.

If it's not because of Niks and our friends, I would've lost my sanity. They keep me sane and I may not show it but I really appreciate them.

"You know what I mean, Niks," bulong ko saka tinapik ang balikat n'ya.

"Fuck you." malutong na mura n'ya saka tumawa at niyakap din ako.