I settled into one of the seats in the dining area, sharing a meal with Scarlett. She took her place opposite me and started delicately cutting into her steak. It was a fine dining experience, with the elegance of her chewing and the champagne she poured into her flute. The atmosphere felt almost romantic, as though it could be a date, lacking only candles and flowers. Siguro kung maaga ko lang natapos ang printing ng documents kanina baka nakapagbonding pa silang dalawa ni Yves.
Ang hirap namang kumain kung alam ko na hindi dapat ako ang nakaupo dito.
"What? Are you just going to watch me eat?" she asked, slicing her steak again.
I cleared my throat, feeling somewhat awkward. "Sorry."
She glared at me, puzzled. "Why are you saying sorry?" Umiling ako at nagsimulang kumain.
Pinili kong tumahimik at kumain dahil iyon din naman ang ginagawa niya. She seemed almost lost in her own world while eating, as if she didn't even have company. But when she cleared her throat and locked her gaze on me, parang nahirapan akong nguyain ang napakalambot na karne, feeling an unusual unease.
"I have to tell you something," her voice barely above a whisper.
Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya. I waited for her to talk and just stare at her. A crease formed between her eyebrows, hinting at some deep concern. Ano bang sasabihin niya at parang sobrang lalim ng pinanghuhugutan niya?
"Ano 'yon?" tanong ko nang hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita.
Umiling siya. "Nevermind," she said saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.
Napakunot ang noo ko. Ano ba 'yon? Na-curious tuloy ako kung anong sasabihin niya. Tungkol saan? Sa trabaho ba, kay August, may request siya?
Gusto ko sana siyang tanungin pero tumahimik na lang ako. Baka kapag pinilit ko, masira ang mood niya. I continued eating, savoring the flavors of the food.
"Ang busy naman pala ni Sir Yves," I said, trying to find a topic for conversation.
She nodded, quickly swallowing her food. "He is," she simply said.
"Mabuti at okay lang kay August na parehas kayong wala," I spoke again.
"She's a happy kid, finds everything interesting. Kaya hindi siya mahirap libangin."
I smiled. "Sayang at tulog na siya," I whispered. Pero okay na rin na tulog siya; hindi ako mahihirapan na umalis. If ever na gising siya, malamang ay ipipilit na naman niya na dito ako matutulog. Hindi ko na uulitin matulog ulit dito dahil ayokong saktan ang sarili ko.
I tried my best to stop smiling nang maalala ang pagyakap ni Scarlett sa akin. That shouldn't happen again. Pamilyadong tao na siya. Kung ako si Yves at nalaman niya na may kayakap na iba si Scarlett sa pagtulog, magagalit ako.
"She's very fond of you," she mumbled, taking a sip of her champagne.
I let out a soft chuckle. "Kaya nga eh."
It had been weeks since I first met August, and as time went on, it seemed like she was gradually wrapping me around her little finger. Minsan ay kailangan ko siyang takasan dahil wala akong matatapos na trabaho kung magpapadala ako sa pagiging cute niya. Isa siyang malaking tukos kagaya ng nanay niya!
"I'm planning to put her to a preschool," she revealed.
"Ha? Hindi ba masy--" hindi ko tinuloy ang sasabihin. Ano bang pakialam niya sa opinyon ko? At sino ako para magbigay ng opinyon. It wasn't my place. "Talaga? That's good," tumango ako.
She nodded. "She is very smart."
"Halata nga," I smiled.
Silence enveloped us again kaya tinapos ko na ang kumain para makaalis na ako at makapagpahinga.
BINABASA MO ANG
Break Fresh Ground
RomanceScarlett and Artemis are two women from vastly different worlds. Scarlett, born into wealth and privilege, has always had everything she's ever wanted handed to her on a silver platter. She lives in the fast-paced city, surrounded by skyscrapers and...
