[ 62 ]
It's been two months since Naya worked for Zefran, next month babalik na ulit ang dati nitong secretary na si Kendra kaya naman nag-iisip na si Naya kung saan siya mag-a'apply ulit. Hindi pa naman kasi nila napag-uusapan kung paano magiging set up pero baka hindi na siya kailanganin pa ulit ni Zefran.
For now, they're on their way to Batangas for a film. Dalawa lang sila sa sasakyan, every since naman hindi gusto ni Zefran na may driver. He likes driving for himself.
"Uhm, buksan ko 'yung radio ha? Connect ko sa phone ko, okay lang ba?"
Naya decided to break the silence between them. Wala naman siyang kasalanan at lalong hindi naman sila nag-away kanina kahit pa late siyang nagising at nakalimutan nito ang tungkol sa appointment but for some reasons, the silence is bothering her so much.
"Yup, go ahead," tipid na sagot ni Zefran sa kanya at bahagya siyang nginitian nito. That made Naya at ease somehow.
Napaayos ng upo si Naya at bahagyang tumikhim, napatingin naman si Zefran sa kanya. "Are you okay? Do you need water? I bought water for us," napalingon si Zefran sa gym niya sa back seat. "Just grab that black gym bag."
Naya nodded her head and grabbed the bag. Nakita niya na maliban sa tubig na dala nito at mayroon ring sandwich sa loob, "I also made you your favorite egg sandwich. Baka kasi hindi ka pa kumakain eh."
She smiled and thanked him for the food. Thoughtful as always. Naya thought to herself.
Nakalimutan na niyang kumain kanina sa pagmamadali. Pagkabukas ni Naya at bigla siyang nakaramdam ng gutom. She smiled as she ate her sandwich.
"Ang sarap pa rin talaga ng egg sandwich mo. Na-miss ko nga 'to e," dire-diretso niyang sabi habang inuubos ang pagkain niya.
Zefran laughed at her. "Geez, Naya. Sobrang gutom ka ba? Swallow your food, woman."
Pinunasan naman ni Naya ang bibig niya bago mag-salita. "Ang sarap lang kasi talaga, ang tagal ko rin hindi kumain ng egg sandwich kasi lagi kitang naaalala-" Naya's smiled disappeared as she realized what she was about to say.
She bit her lip as she remembered the good old days she spent with Zefran. How he would take care of her, cook her good food and spoil her. She remembered how he loved her.
Bigla namang napatingin si Zefran sa kanya ng hindi na siya magsalita. "Are you okay? Still hungry? Pwede tayong mag stopover sa may SLEX if you want," he offered but she just shook her head. "'Wala, inantok lang ako bigla."
"Oh, I see. Sige matulog ka na muna, I'll just wake you up once we're there."
Hindi na siya muling sumagot at tumalikod na lang. Naya wiped the tears that she's been holding back. Guilt has been eating her ever since she saw Jandro's Instagram story. She saw how happy Ella is, and how happy Zefran is even if he doesn't know it yet.
Her Ella. Ang anak niyang mahal na mahal niya. She knows that Ella is a happy and smart child. Lagi nitong naiintindihan ang mga dahilan niya although she tries her best to give her all the love and care Ella needs, deep down she knows it's not enough.
"Naya, next month babalik na si Kendra," hindi siya lumingod agad ng magsalita ito. Bahagya pa siyang napairaip habang nagpupunas ng luha. Of course she's aware of that, araw-araw nga niyang iniisip 'yon.
"I was... I was thinking of hiring you again. I mean, you don't have to leave the company. I-I have an offer to propose if you're okay with that."
Napakunot naman ang noo ni Naya. "Anong work naman ang ibibigay mo sakin? 'Di ako pwedeng mag-artista, wala naman akong talent sa ganon." Sunod-sunod niyang sabi rito.
"Be my girlfriend."
Napasigaw si Naya sa gulat kaya naman biglaang napa-preno si Zefran. "What? What's wrong?" Tarantang tanong nito sa kanya. Worry was all over his face.
"Are you out of your mind?!"
"What? What are you talking about?" He scoffed.
"Ikaw! You're asking me to be your girlfriend?! Anong tingin mo sakin? Cheap?!" Sigaw niya ulit, kaya naman naphilot sa sentido niya si Zefran.
"Okay, let's just rephrase everything. I am hiring you to be my girlfriend, you'll be compensated, you can even give your rules if you want." Pagpapaliwanag nito, "you just have to act like my girlfriend, it's not like you'll be doing it for free."
Malakas na pinitik ni Naya ang tenga nito. "Aray, ano ba!"
Naya crossed her arms, "Hoy lalake! 'Di porket may past tayo e basta-basta mo na lang ako ulit makukuha ano!"
"So, what do you want me to do?"
"Ligawan mo ulit ako."
