The Ace of Hearts

Chapter 54: Strings Attached

"You don't have to do this, kaya ko naman ang sarili ko," reklamo kong hinarap siya at napasimangot na. Nasa pintuan kami ngayon ng cr ng kwarto niya. And yes, he took me to his mansion. When did I say na hindi na ako ulit babalik dito? He was insisting, hindi niya ako hinayaan na pumasok ulit sa bahay. His happy three friends, bumalik naman sa white house nila.

"No, I insist, Shee," seryoso niyang saad.

"Bakit ba kasi makulit ka? At paano mo ako tutulungan eh mukhang mas kailangan mo pa nga ang tulong ko. Look," itinuro ko ang kaliwang-braso niyang naka-benda, "Your left hand is still not fine."

Napatingin na rin siya rito, "It will be fine sooner. Go inside and fill the tub. You need a hot water," at saka niya ako tinalikuran. May kung ano siyang kinuha sa mga cabinet niya. I just let out a deep sigh at isinara ang pinto without locking it. Wala namang ibang tao rito kundi kami lang so walang mag-aabala na pumasok.

Just like what he said, naupo muna ako sa gilid ng tub at binuksan ang gripo. I adjusted the heater at itinapat ang kamay sa gripo, so I can estimate kung gaano kainit ang kaya ko. After getting the right temperature, hinintay ko na lang itong mapuno. I was just here, sitting and waiting. Nakatingin lang ako rito.

After a few minutes of contemplating, pinatay ko na ang gripo. I let out a deep sigh at tumayo. When I faced my back, I abruptly stopped on my track nang may kung sinong nakatayo sa harapan ko, "Omayg— I thought it was a ghost," agad kong sabi, "Hart naman, bakit ba bigla-bigla kang pumapasok ng walang paalam?" I asked in surprised.

I don't know how I feel right now. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman. As much as I want to ask him questions, I want a peace of mind for a moment.

Itinaas niya ang kamay at nakita kong may hawak siyang mga damit, "Your clothes."

Kinuha ko 'yon at tinignan, "How come meron ka pang damit ko?" as far as I remember, noong pinalayas niya ako ay wala na akong natirang gamit dito.

"I left some of your things here. I didn't include all sa maleta mo," sagot niya. Akala ko bang pinalayas niya ako at ayaw niya na akong bumalik noon? Bakit nagtira pa siya ng gamit ko?

Napatingin ako sa kung saan nang may maalala, "How about yung draft papers for the proposal?" ilang segundo siyang tahimik habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Oh what about that? I was also about to ask you how come you had our ideas for that given that I didn't tell you anything? You presented the initial plan well, Shee. Although I revised it," bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya ngunit ngumiti rin.

"Nasa maleta ko. I assume nailagay mo roon accidentally," I crossed my arms.

"Yes, I think so, I was just reading them on my bed. Maybe, when I carried your clothes out of my bed, naisama ko sila. They were missing."

"Hmm, okay," pagtango ko na lang. Itinuro ko ang pintuan, "Out. Maliligo na ako," isinabit ko muna ang mga pampalit na damit sa gilid habang hinihintay siyang lumabas.