I Am a Woman

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I was never interested in Verra the first time I met her. I want to instill in my mind that she's just pretty and rich. Yun lang. There is nothing to like about her. Una pa lang ay pilit ko ng isinisiksik sa isipan ko na walang espesyal tungkol sa kanya maliban sa pagiging heiress ng mga Normans.

I kept myself away from her. I always found myself running far from her. But when I decided to surrender myself, that's when things went out of plan. I just found myself stuck staring at her sweet smiles and at her brown eyes which sparkle whenever it meets my eyes. I also started appreciating her actions.

Even though I'm pretending as a man, I always know that I'm straight. I had never been so confused with my own feelings before—not until Verra came.

She made me experience those feelings that I wasn't supposed to feel. I'm happy when I make her happy. I can't stand seeing her sad. I'm hurting when she's hurting. I didn't mind those feelings because I was afraid to accept it. Lalo na at pareho kaming babae.

And just yesterday, after much thought, I realized that the madness I feel is not really madness but jealousy.

It's hard for me to admit this, but I think...

I like Verra.

Sinubukan ko itong habulin kahapon, pero mabilis itong nakaalis.

Kaya naman ngayong araw ay balak ko itong puntahan ulit para maka-usap.

Habang inaayos ko ang necktie kong suot ay hindi ko sinasadyang mapasulyap sa balcony ng unit ko. Mula doon ay nakita ko ang mga pananim ko na inaalagaan ko ng ilang taon. Pero ang mas nakakuha ng atensyon ko ay ang isang bulaklak ng rosas.

Sa pagiging lutang ko ng ilang araw ay hindi ko na pala napansin na namulaklak na ito. I've been waiting for that plant to bloom flowers.

Isang ideya ang pumasok sa isip ko habang pinagmamasdan ang bulaklak.

Does Verra like flowers?

Sa ideyang iyon ay dalidali akong kumuha ng gunting at maingat na pinutol ang stem ng rose sa katamtamang haba at tinanggal ang mga tinik nito.

I hope Verra will like this.

I can buy her flowers, but I think it would be more pleasant and genuine if I offered her a flower that I grew myself.

Muli kong hinanda ang sarili para umalis. Matapos kong isara ang aking unit ay dumiretso na ako sa elevator para bumaba sa ground floor kung saan nakapark ang aking kotse.

Marahan kong inilapag sa passenger seat ang dala kong isang rose at siniguradong hindi ito masisira, bago pinaharurot ang kotse papunta sa Norman's company. Doon muna ako dideretso bago pumasok sa Seriantel Corp.

After almost 20 minutes ay naiparada ko na ang kotse ko sa vacant space ng parking lot. Pumasok ako sa loob ng building at tinungo ang elevator.

Habang palapit ng palapit ang floor ng office ni Verra ay saka naman ako biglang kinabahan. I still don't know the exact words to tell her. But one thing I need to do is to apologize again.

The elevator stopped, and I stepped out on the designated floor.

Pero bago ko pa marating ang office ni Verra ay napahinto ako ng makita ito sa hallway papunta sa office niya. Nakatalikod sa akin si Verra, kaya mukhang hindi nito alam ang presensya ko.

I was about to approach her, but I realized that she's not alone.

She's with someone—a man.

That man is holding a beautiful mixed flower bouquet, and I saw him handle it to Verra, na agad naman tinanggap ng isa.