Kamala Angela Tingson
After we finished eating, we moved on to signing the contract. Di ko alam na pagdating pala sa contract signing, seryoso masyado si Hachiro. I was a little nervous—was he really serious about partnering with me? I didn't want to downplay my own abilities, but I couldn't help but feel like I was just an average chef running an average restaurant, while he was operating on a whole different level.
Hindi padin ako makapaniwala hanggang ngayon. Para kasi siyang maganda panaginip. Ugh. Maybe I should stop thinking like this.
"So, partners?" nakangiting nakipagkamay si Hachiro.
I accepted his handshake, returning his smile. "Yeah. Thank you so much, Hachiro." I smiled.
"We'll be seeing each other a lot," he added with a sly grin. Bigla nalang akong binangga ni Jen sa braso ng mahina pero isinantabi ko muna yung palihim na pang-aasar niya. Mamaya talaga siya sakin.
"Yeah, we have a lot of planning to do," nginitian ko si Hachiro. He chuckled in response.
"Shall I take you home?" he offered.
"Ah, hindi na. Kasabay ko naman si Jen."
"Ay hala sis! Nakalimutan ko, meron pala akong lakad ngayong gabi." napatingin ako kay Jen dahil sa sinabi niya. Ngitian niya ako ng makahulugan. "I'm sorry, sissy pero di kita masasamahan sa pag-uwi neh? Hachiro, pakiingatan yong best friend ko ha? Lalo na dito." tinuro niya yung kaliwang dibdib niya.
Kaagad ko siya hinampas sa braso at pinanlakihan ng mga mata.
What the?! Kelan pa siya nagkaroon ng lakad?? Sabi niya she's free today! Sinasabotahe na naman ako ni Jen. Ugh. At ano yong 'lalo na dito' na sinasabi niya?!!
"Of course. I'm not the kind of guy who would hurt the girl I like." His words made my heart skip a beat, and the intensity in his gaze felt like it had me rooted to the spot.
Wait... the girl he liked? My mind raced, trying to make sense of what he just said. Did he really mean that? Was he talking about me? My thoughts spiraled as I tried to process the possibility.
Could he really mean it? But at the same time, a wave of doubt crashed over me—was this just a casual comment, or did it hold something more?
Feeling ko ang dami na kaagad na pumasok sa utak ko dahil sa mga sinabi niya. Err. Stop it, Kamala. It meant nothing. Syempre obvious naman kung bakit niya ako gusto diba? Kasi business partners na kami ngayon. Meron bang taong makikipagpartnership sa taong hindi niya trip?
"Haha. Sus. Baka si Hachiro yan." I stammered, trying to play it off, but my voice betrayed me. "Of course, you aren't someone who could break someone else's heart. I know that much. I've been your fan since I was in high school." My nerves got the better of me, and I blurted out a secret I'd never intended to reveal.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko saka tumalikod kaagad. "O-oh, yeah. I also have something urgent to do. Bye!" tumakbo ako palabas ng VIP room hanggang sa elevator, nearly tripping over my high heels in my haste to escape. Wah!
"What are you running away for? Pfft." his amused voice from behind sent a shiver down my spine. I slowly turned to face him, kahit awkward pa sa pakiramdam.
"Running away? Ako?" tinuro ko pa sarili ko, trying to look nonchalant, but I knew I looked ridiculous. Oo na! I am running away from you. But I can't exactly say that, can I? Ugh. "Hindi ah. Nagmamadali lang talaga ako." I avoided his gaze, focusing on anything but him.
BINABASA MO ANG
Under The Same Sky (ON-GOING)
Romance--- In two different worlds, they walk separate paths, each carrying the weight of their own heartbreak. Two souls, once whole, now shattered, longing for something they've lost but can't quite name. In their solitude, they gaze at the same sky, a s...
