PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 21

I was zoning out, staring at the dress I made for Lilia. I was looking at it but there was nothing really in my head right now. I'd done a lot of thinking until late last night and now, it was just empty.

After the conversation I shared with Jair last night, I ended the party not talking to him. I wished he wouldn't delve into what I said but I guess it wouldn't be hard since he was indifferent about my feelings.

He would definitely take it as a joke. I mentioned what he did to my friend, so it'd make him think that I just did it because of her. I realized how hurt Brenda was when he dumped her and now, I couldn't imagine how much it was a slumped, not less accusing her of going after his money.

I guess I didn't have to worry enough. The dress was almost done and maybe I'd just have this delivered. Nasa studio lang ako ngayon at naghihintay ng utos ni Ms. Frida sa akin. Halos isang oras na akong naghihintay sa kanya pero hindi pa sya dumadating.

"Wala pa bang message galing kay Ms. Frida?" tanong ko kay Clover nang pumasok ako ng pantry. Bago syang hire dito at magka-edad lang din kami kaya malakas ang loob kong magtanong.

"May dinaanan sa store, Eden," sagot nya.

Kaya pala wala akong natanggap na message. Akala ko ay hindi na sya matutuloy ngayon dahil uuwi nalang sana ako. Linggo ngayon at tatlo lang kaming nandito at walang masyadong ginagawa. Si Clover nga ay nagssnacks lang.

Pagkarating ni Ms. Frida ay napag-utusan akong gumawa ng report sa pinaship nyang products at magsort out ng mga fabric. Sina Clover naman ay naging abala sa mga pina-alter na dresses.

Ayos lang sa akin na gabihin kami ngayon kasi wala na naman kaming classes bukas. Kailangan pa rin naman naming magreport for attendance pero dahil tapos na ang examinations ay nakakahinga na kami ng maluwag.

Inaantok na akong lumabas galing sa office ni Ms. Frida dala ang backpack ko. Sana naman ay may dadaan pang jeep ngayon pauwi. Mag-aalas onse na, dahil sa dami ng sinosort out kong fabrics ay natagalan ako.

I took a step back when I saw Jair at the front desk talking with Clover. If I had not taken one more step, they wouldn't notice me. My anger from last night made its way back.

Maybe I wasn't angry because he was an asshole but because I made a fool out of me and was rejected. I stepped on my pride to try to get a chance, but it wasn't worth it.

"Kanina pa naghihintay si Sir Jair sayo, Eden," nakangiting saad ni Clover na walang kaide-ideya. "Pauwi ka na? Saktong- sakto."

"Oo," nakangiting sagot ko kay Clover. Ayoko namang maging suplada sa kanya nang dahil lang ay nandito si Jair.

"I'll drive you home," offer ni Jair.

Nilagpasan ko lang sya atsaka kinuha ang payong na nasa gilid. Masama ang panahon kanina kaya dala ko ito. Hindi ko alam kung umuulan pa ngayon. Sana naman hindi at ayokong bumaha pa at mahirapan akong makauwi.

"See you, Clover," paalam ko at lumabas na ng studio nang hindi pinapansin si Jair.

"Eden," tawag ni Jair atsaka humabol sa akin. "Are you still not talking to me?"

"Pwede ba? Pagod ako at inaantok. Nakakirita ka," bulyaw ko sabay baling sa kanya.

"Here. For you," aniya na hindi man lang naapektuhan sa inis ko.

Hindi ko pinansin ang paperbag na inabot nya sa akin at pumasok ng elevator nang bumukas ito. Magkaabot ang magkabilang kilay ko at wala na talaga sa mood nang dahil sa kanya.

"I'm sorry about last night. Here's an apology gift. Gusto mo ang matcha diba?" tanong nya.

"Gabi na! Hindi ka ba nag-iisip? Hindi ako makakatulog sa gabi kung iinom ako nyan," nagtitimping sagot ko.