Break Fresh Ground

53: BENEATH THE SURFACE

"Get out of the car," she demanded, her words cutting through the air with authority. Umiling ako and about to roll up the window nang magsalita siya ulit. "Are you really serious?"

A sigh escaped me, heavy with mixed feelings. "I have to go," I manage to say kahit na gumagaralgal ang boses ko.

She scoffed, disbelief etched across her face. "Talagang aalis ka ng hindi man lang ako binabati? Bakit ka pa pumunta?"

I took a moment, my gaze shifting momentarily before locking onto hers again. "Happy birthday, Architect," I said softly, regret and determination lacing my words. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay."

"No, you're staying. Get out of the car," she commanded.

"Scarlett, I don't have time for this."

"But you have time for leaving?" Her words dripped with accusation, hitting a nerve.

I tighten my grip on the steering wheel as I fixed my eyes in the front. "What do you want?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

Her eyes bore into mine, unwavering. "I've already told you. Step out of the car."

"At ano?" I sighed, feeling the weight of her insistence bearing down on me. "Stop wasting your time on me. Bumalik ka na sa loob dahil maraming naghihintay sa 'yo. August is maybe looking for you."

"I left her with Mom," she retorted, her tone unyielding. "Now, unlock the door and get out of the car," her demand firm.

Hindi ko siya pinansin dahilan para maglakad siya palayo. When I thought na aalis at babalik na siya sa loob, umikot lang pala siya at sa may shotgun seat kumakatok.

"Ayaw mong lumabas? Then, open this door."

I rolled down the window on that side. "Scarlett, please, just head back inside."

"Sienna Artemis, open this goddamn door or babasagin ko ang windshield mo," banta niya dahilan para matigilan ako, lalo na sa pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko. It's always Architect Del Gallego or Del Gallego inside the company ang tawag niya sa akin.

Ang mahal-mahal ng pagpapaayos ng sasakyan kaya nga iniingatan ko ito. Hindi naalis ang tingin ko sa kaniya at nakikita kong talagang gagawin niya ang sinabi niya dahil seryosong-seryoso ang mukha niya. Wala akong nagawa kun'di buksan ang pinto ng sasakyan at panoorin siyang pumasok at naupo doon.

Pagpasok niya ay mabilis na kumalat ang halimuyak ng sampaguita niyang pabango. I waited for her to talk pero hindi siya nagsalita. Napailing tuloy ako sa trip niya.

"Kun--"

"Why are you leaving?" Her vulnerability seeped into her voice, her question a plea for insight.

"Kasi pagod ako. Architect Villegas and I, kakagaling lang namin sa Legazpi City para sa project namin doon," I admitted.

"Really? Not because you sang with me?"

Napalingon ako sa kaniya. "Ha? Hindi. Nagulat ako nang ibigay sa akin ni August ang mic, 'yon lang."

She hummed thoughtfully. "Then, why are you leaving? Kasi kung pagod ka, you could have chosen not to go at ipabigay kay Violet ang regalo mo. Or you could have sent me a message that you're not going."

"Pumunta si Architect Villegas ka--"

"Because of France, that's why she came. Dahil din ba kay France kung bakit ka pumunta?" Hindi ako nakapagsalita agad. Ano bang gusto niyang marinig sa akin?

"I came because you invited everyone in the company," I sighed, my voice calm despite the quickening pace of my heart. It wasn't fear causing this rapid rhythm; it was how she was talking to me, how her gaze remained fixed on me as we conversed.