“Why did you cancel the engagement, Acel?” I directly stared at him trying to read his mind in his emotionless face. “I thought you said-”
I contacted Acel last night and asked him if we could meet up. I badly want to ask him about his sudden decision.
“You don't want to marry me, right?” He asked then smirked. “Or you change your mind? You like me better then my brother now?”
“W-what?” Nangunot ang noo ko. “Walang kinalaman si C-caesar dito.”
He stared at me for a moment before he sigh. “Ayaw mong maikasal sa akin at. . .ayaw ko pang ikasal. I called the engagement off because we both know the truth. You like my brother, Ricca.”
Napanguso ako at saka nag-iwas ng tingin.
“And he likes you too.”
Natigilan ako at napabuntunghininga. “A-ano'ng sabi ni tita at tito?” They might get disappointed too. I know how much they want the wedding to push through.
“They were a little. . . disappointed but they understand.” He said. “How about your parents? I haven't talked to them personally.”
Maliit akong ngumiti at saka nagkibit-balikat. “They are very disappointed.” As what I expected. “They even blame me dahil baka daw may ginawa ako na hindi mo nagustuhan.” Tumawa ako para itago ang ang sakit.
Umawang ang labi niya at napatitig sa akin. “R-ricca, i'm sorry-”
Ngumiti ako at umiling. “Wala kang kasalanan, Acel.”
“C-can I help? I can explain to them-”
Umiling ako agad sa sinabi niya. Iyong pag tanggi niya pa lang sa kasal na ito na hindi ko magawa ay malaking tulong na sa akin. Maybe it's time that I should step up for myself now. . .hindi iyong ibang tao ang gumagawa para sa akin.
“Don't worry. I'll deal with it my own. Thanks for the offer though.”
Nang tumango siya ay agad na akong tumayo para mag-paalam. “I'll go ahead, Acel. May gagawin pa rin ako sa opisina.”
Tumitig siya sa akin bago dahan-dahan na tumango.
“Just send my regards to your parents. Thanks for the time, Acel.” Ngumiti ako bago naglakad na paalis ng coffee shop.
Natigil ako sa pagbabasa ng isang case nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko. When I look at it, it was a message from Caesar asking if what time will I be out for work today. Tumaas ang kilay ko at tumitig sa text niya. Pagkatapos niyang hindi magparamdam ng dalawang araw, magti-text siya ngayon? Sana pinanindigan niya na lang na hindi siya nagpakita.
I rolled my eyes and didn't respond to his message. Ipinagpatuloy ko lang ang ginagawang pag-aaral sa case na kasalukuyan kong iniha-handle ngayon. Next week na rin ang first hearing ng kaso kaya kailangan talagang paghandaan.
“Hindi ka pa uuwi, attorney?”
Napatingin ako kay Isabel ng tumayo siya at nag-inat ng kamay. She sigh then raise her brows, waiting for an answer.
I pursed my lips and look at my wrist watch. I cursed silently when I realize that it's already late at night. Hindi ko namalayan ang oras. I close my eyes as I massage my temple. I sighed. Ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng pagod.
“Kung hindi ka pa uuwi, mauuna na ako sa 'yo.”
I nod my head then smile a little. “Okay, take care, attorney Isabel.”
Tumango na siya at ginantihan ako ng ngiti bago inipon ang mga gamit umalis. Inilibot ko ang paningin sa loob ng firm at napanguso ng mapagtanto na ako na lang ang mag-isa na nandito.
