Chased by El Lewis Vesper Esquivel

Chapter 21

Weeks sailed so smoothly for me. Quite opposite of what I was thinking and expecting after what I had heard with the conversation of Mom and Dad. They did not neither talk nor ask questions about El that much anymore.

Kahit papaano ay napanatag naman na ako. Maybe I just misunderstood their conversation, I didn't know the context of the conversation anyways, so my conclusions may be wrong. I just hope so.

I looked around and saw Joaquin walking towards me with a tray in his hands containing our lunch. Kaagad kong niligpit ang mga gamit kong nasa ibabaw ng lamesa.

"Let's eat!" He exclaimed happily then we both started eating.

"Wala si El ngayon?"

Kaagad akong umiling. "He is busy with the org."

Tumango siya sa sagot ko. El has been busy these past few days because of the end of the school year, and here I am already planning what I should do with my two months vacation.

"Baguio ka ulit?"

"I don't know...maybe?" Tanong ko pabalik.

Joaquin rolled his eyes at me. "Lumabas ka naman ng lungga mo! Try abroad this time...or maybe go abroad with El! I'm sure he'll be happy with it."

Sumama ang tingin ko sa kanya pero nanatili ang ngisi sa labi niya.

"I wanna...I want to try some summer workshops…modelling workshops." Umiwas ako ng tingin ng pumasok sa isipan ko ang ilang araw ng bumabagabag sa akin. "I saw some places and I would like to try it."

I heard him clear his throat, which is why I looked at him again.

The uncertainty in his eyes made my hope crushed. I might not be allowed to do so...pero ngayong summer lang naman. I want to try it at least.

"You know...will your parents allow it?" Hindi niya siguradong tanong.

"What if itago ko na lang? I wanna try it, Joaquin." Determinado kong sagot.

"Pero alam mo naman sina Tito at---"

"It will be a secret...and they barely visited me. And I would create some alibi if ever. Hindi na nila malalaman, it's just a workshop!" I surely stated.

"And it's just for two months...just help me with this one if ever, please." I pleaded.

Still, he still looks so uncertain until he sighs heavily.

"Fine, saan ba yan?"

I automatically smile with his response.

Kaya naman ng matapos ang schedule namin ng araw na iyon ay kaagad kaming pumunta sa sinasabi kong building.

I dragged him towards the entrance and the security guard immediately opened the door for us.

"Good afternoon Ma'am, ano pong kailangan nila."

I smiled at him. "Pwede po bang mag register na ngayon for summer workshops? Modelling workshop po."

The excitement in my tone didn't leave me.

"Ay opo! Pumasok na lang po kayo diyan sa may main office at nagsimula na sila sa registration."

He pointed at the double glass door and we quickly headed toward it. My hands were quite cold because of the excitement that I was feeling and a little bit nervous too.

The place was quite small but it is very clean and I think this is just what it is. Mas mabuti na ring hindi masyadong kilala para mas madaling itago kina Mama at Papa.

Joaqin opened the glass door for me and we quickly got in, it was a decent office and there was an employee who was busy on the phone.

Nang makita na niya kami ay kaagad niyang binaba ang cellphone nito.