Lips That Lie

CHAPTER 42

"I'll be staying in Cebu for about a week," Antonio said to her while fixing his coat. Kakagaling lang nito sa silid para mag-toothbrush at mag-ayos pagkatapos nilang mananghalian.

Her heart dropped a little at his news but she immediately scolded herself. Antonio offered her friendship, which is more than she ever thought they could be and could ever ask for. Hindi niya dapat binabahiran ng kung ano-ano ang pagkakaibigan na iyon.

"It's for work," he explained without her saying anything.

"May problema ba sa trabaho, Antonio?" she asked. One week is...too long. Ngunit muli ay sinaway niya ang kanyang sarili.

Umiling ito.

"I just need to attend a groundbreaking ceremony and visit some of our sites in Visayas. I will also be meeting some clients."

She nodded in understanding and gave him a faint smile. "Busy ka pala. Mag-iingat ka kung ganoon. K-Kailan pala ang alis mo?"

Sandali siyang tinitigan nito bago nagsalita. "Tomorrow morning. I still have a meeting tonight."

Tumango siyang muli at itinuon na pabalik ang atensiyon sa mga pinggan na hinuhugasan. Hinihintay niya si Antonio na umalis na ngunit nanatili lang itong nakatayo roon.

"Why are you always doing the dishes, Calla? Where are the others?" Antonio asked and went in closer to her.

"Huwag ka nang lumapit. M-Mababasa ka!" agap niya rito. "Ayos lang ako, Antonio. Wala naman akong ibang gagawin dito kung hindi tumulong sa mga gawain."

Agad itong tumigil sa paghakbang palapit. He looked annoyed but when her eyes rose to meet his, he immediately looked away. Pagkatapos ng naging usapan nila noong nakaraang araw patungkol sa naging turing sa kanya ng mga kapatid, pansin niyang mas naging malumanay na si Antonio sa kanya.

"Bumalik ka na sa trabaho mo, Antonio. Baka marami ka pang gagawin."

"Do you...want to come with me?" ibinalik nito ang tingin sa kanya. Nanatili iyon habang hinihintay ni Antonio ang kanyang sagot.

Bahagyang napaawang ang kanyang labi sa pagkagulat dahil sa paanyaya nito. Come with him...in Cebu...for a week? Agad na bumilis ang tibok ng kanyang puso at pinag-initan ng pisngi. She remembered the past. When she would go with him at work and site visits.

It's her turn to look away, afraid to expose her reaction to him.

"H-Hindi na, Antonio. Ikaw na ang nagsabing marami kang gagawin doon. Baka maka-abala lang kung isasama mo ako."

"You're never an inconvenience to me, Calla," he said immediately.

Ngunit umiling lamang siyang muli. Pakiramdam niya'y hindi makakabuti kung sasama siya kay Antonio. It wasn't a question whether the media would cover the event. Bukod sa kalimitang malalaking projects ang nakukuha ng OmegaLand, Engr. Antonio Enriquez is worthwhile news himself. Iba ito sa pinuntahan nilang opening ng restobar sa Angono. Simple at pribado ang event na iyon na nasa tagong lugar pa kaya naman walang media roon.

Hindi makakatulong na makita siyang kasama nito dahil paniguradong magtatanong ang mga tao. When the truth was revealed and Rosanna went into prison, the news about Celine's demise spread like wildfire. What would they say if they see someone who looks exactly like Celine beside Antonio in a huge event? Mabubuksan ang nakaraan. She cannot draw attention to herself. Lalo na at may iba pa siyang pinagtataguan.

The image of a bloody Mayor Fernan Gallego flooded her memory. Bahagya siyang napangiwi at nakadama ng takot. Ngayon lamang niya natanto na matagal na rin nang huli siyang bangungutin. She's been sleeping better these past few weeks. Despite everything, she's feeling...happier. More at peace. Maaaring iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi na niya muling napanaginipan pa ang gabing iyon.