Ineffable Euphoria

Kabanata 37

Kabanata 37...
Stalker

With each passing day, Ali became busier and busier. His daily visits to me became less frequent, and now I noticed it's just twice a week. He still messages and updates me nonstop, though.

Isang beses kong nakita ang balita tungkol sa kasong hinahawakan n'ya, at bukod sa mga inilathalang impormasyon doon, wala na 'kong ibang alam pa.

"You can sit down, you know," anas ko habang pinagmamasdan si Rael—ang s'yang nakap'westo para bantayan ako nang malapitan tuwing umaga.

"I'm fine standing here, ma'am."

Umismid ako.

Noong nakaraan ay hindi ko pa nga alam ang pangalan n'ya, pero dahil sa boredom ko ay tinanong ko s'ya at gusto sanang daldalin kung bakit close na close sila ni Ali, pero hindi ko naman makausap ng matino.

He's too professional. Hindi ba sila na-train maging hospitable?

Bless suggested letting him stay in my office instead of outside when she heard the reason why I tightened my security.

Last week, Ali's sister complained that someone might have been following her home. The level of stress he experienced scares me.

Yesterday, I received something strange on my work email. It was completely full of threats and detailed everything someone hurtful intends to do to me. I just don't have the heart to tell anyone yet, especially Ali.

Hindi ko pa s'ya nakikitang grabe mag-alala na hindi talaga s'ya mapakali hanggang hindi n'ya nakikitang ayos ang kapatid n'ya sa kanila.

Until today, and probably not until his client's case ends, most his family members are staying in their province. Secluded from everyone and still under 24/7 security surveillance.

Maybe... Just maybe, it's better to keep it from anyone since it's not doing me any harm. Baka hoax lang at gusto akong praningin ng kung sino...

"After the meeting, you have a scheduled consultation with the releasing team, then after that, I think you're done for today." Bless explains.

Tumango lamang ako.

We're on our way to a meeting.

If this is a normal day, it'll be just Bless and me. Pero dahil mas gugustuhin ko ng tahimik na buhay at walang nagagalit na mga kapatid at manliligaw, kasama namin sa sasakyan si Rael at isa pang kasama nito na s'yang nagda-drive.

"Hey, what's your name again?" Pansin ko sa driver.

Ngumiti ito mula sa rear-view mirror. "Alex, ma'am."

Oh, wow... this one knows how to smile.

"How do you guys know Ali? You just seem pretty close with him," kibit balikat ko.

"Ah, si Aga, ma'am? Magkakababata po kami,"

"Alex," rinig kong untag ni Rael.

"Ano? Ayos lang 'yan. Girlfriend naman ni Aga si Ms. Marjorie," depensa ni Alex at muli akong nginitan.

"Oh, we're not together yet."

"Huh?"

Sa gulat na gulat na biglang tanong ni Bless ay kunot noo akong napatingin sa kan'ya kasabay nang paghawi ko sa buhok ko.

"Is there a problem?"

"N-Nagulat lang ma'am," she forced a smile and acted busy with her tablet.

Mariin ko s'yang tiningnan, pero napanguso na lang at piniling huwag na itong intregahin sa naging reaksyon n'ya. Baka bumalik pa sa'kin ang intriga...