After the Twilight (Iska Series #1)

16

"Bye Celeste!"

Kumaway ako sa mga kasama ko sa internship habang papalabas ako ng building. It's been a few weeks since I started interning and all I can say is that I'm having such a blast. It feels great being with other people who think the same way as you, and who have the same goals. It's also empowering to be given such massive opportunities to learn new things and gain new experiences. 

Mas masaya pa dahil napakabait at welcoming ng mga kasama ko sa trabaho, even the superiors. It's always a great day at work, at kahit bago pa lang ako dito ay parang sobrang close ko na sa kanila. 

From: Guy at the Bar
I'm on my way, Tal. Sorry traffic. 

Napangiti ako, pausing outside just in front of the building entrance. Maaga pa rin naman kasi. It's only 5PM at maliwanag pa naman sa labas. 

To: Guy at the Bar
It's okay, no worries. I'll wait for you at the usual. 

Since I started interning, palaging ganito na ang systema ng mga araw ko. I would wake up early and go to work. After work, most of the time, Enzo picks me up and we'd have dinner or hang out somewhere like my condo or at a cafe. Kapag naman ay wala siya dahil may mga flights, I usually just commute. I actually find it quite therapeutic in some sense. Oo mahirap, pero it gives me time with myself to think. 

I just treasure the time I have alone with myself, being one with my thoughts. 

As I patiently wait for Enzo, my phone begins to ring. Bumuntong hininga ako nang makita ang caller ID. 

"Yes Dad?" sagot ko. 

"Celeste, where are you?" tanong ni Daddy. 

"Just finished work dad."

"I see. Anyways, I just wanted to tell you na pupunta kami ng mommy mo diyan sa Manila next week."

I shift my weight from one foot to another, biting the inside of my cheeks. I nod kahit hindi niya naman nakikita, hanging my head low as I anticipate the next thing he's about to say. I've had phone calls like this from him multiple times now, at halos alam ko na kung ano ang kasunod nito. 

"We will be busy, so hindi ka na yata namin makikita. We'll just be in and out, kaya huwag mo na kaming aalalahanin."

It's always like that. They come to where I am and don't even spare even just a fraction of a second to meet me. At least they let me know, kaysa malaman ko pa sa iba, pero at this point I don't even think it makes a difference anymore. 

"Okay dad," sagot ko. He doesn't even say goodbye, or wait for me to say it, binaba na niya agad ang tawag. 

I can only let out a breath, pursing my lips as I insert my phone back inside my pocket. I cross my arms over my chest, letting out another breath. 

I zone out for a bit until I catch Enzo's car in the distance. I straighten up, trying to brush my ill feelings under a rug. I smile at him when he gets out of the car and meets me in the middle, taking my things and carrying it for me. 

"You alright?" he asks when he kisses my temple, a hand on the small of my back as he ushers me in the direction of his car. I only look at him and force out a wide smile, nodding my head. 

"Of course," I say. 

His stare at me lingers before he lets out a small smile. 

"Will ice cream bring out a real smile?" 

I let out a playful scoff. It really is safe to say na kahit papaano ay kilalang kilala na talaga ako ng lalaking ito. He knows the little things that make my days a little bit better. Konting tingin ay alam niya na kaagad kung may bumabagabag ba sa kalooban ko at kung ano ang maaaring solusyon para dito.