Atty. Calvry

Chapter 10

"Freirain!" I was startled when Anastacia suddenly nudged me on my shoulder as she half-yelled. "I've been talking to you and yet you're not listening." she hissed.

Napakamot ako sa aking batok saka tumawa ng mahina. "I'm sorry, I was just thinking of something." I apologized.

"Anyway, these are the documents that you needed, my wife Mikaela helped me with this." inabot nito sa akin ang isang plastic envelope na naglalaman ng mga document na kailangan ko sa korte.

I have a hearing next week and I badly needed this documents to support my client claims.

"Thank you so much, Ana. And please send my gratitude towards your wife."

Anastacia nods. "Anytime and you're welcome."

"I'll get going now." wika ko at tumayo na sa pagkakaupo, ganun din siya. Naglakad na kami palapit sa pintuan at akmang bubuksan na nito ang pintuan ng tumigil ako sa paglalakad na ikinataka niya.

"Why? Is there a problem?"

"Professor Hsu, how did she became your friend?" I asks, biting my lower lip to hide the nervousness I'm feeling.

I want to know more about that Professor.

"Ah. She starts working here last two years ago and then we clicked. So, we became friends." she explains. "Why?"

"Well, you never mentioned her to me before."

"Just like I said, I haven't met her until two years ago and that woman was so mysterious and aloof."

"I see." tipid na sagot ko at ako na mismo nagbukas ng pintuan ng opisina niya. "Again, thank you so much, Ana." pasalamat ko ulit saka siya niyakap.

"Take care, Frei. If you want someone to hang out here in the Philippines, just call me."

"I'll keep that in mind." I bid.

Naglalakad na ako ngayon sa tahimik na hallway dahil kakasimula lang ata ng klase ng mga studyante dito. Malapit na ako sa parking lot ng matanaw ko ulit si Einna, may kasama itong isang lalaki.

Mabilis ang hakbang na lumapit ako sa gawi nila. Nang makita ako ng bata ay masaya itong lumapit sa akin at niyakap ang aking mga binti.

She's really cheerful and friendly. A 3 years old like her can easily get kidnapped.

"Ate Frei!"

"Where's your mom?" I asks.

"She's teaching again but I'm with my dad." sagot nito at agad na itinuro ang lalaking kasama niya.

Oh. the husband and the daddy.

"Hello, you must be her Ate Frei. I'm Lincoln Hsu." pakilala nito at inabot sa akin ang kamay niya.

Tinanggap ko ito at nakipagkamay sa kanya. "Atty. Calvry." tipid na sagot ko at binitawan na ang kamay nito.

Muli kong ibinalik ang aking paningin kay Einna at bahagyang ginulo ang buhok nito na ikinanguso niya. "I'll get going now, nice meeting you, Einna." paalam ko.

"Will I ever see you again?" she asks, voice sounds hopeful.

I look away because I don't really know what to answer her and I'm not gonna lie in front of the kid.

"We'll see." kalaunay sagot ko at hinalikan ang pisngi nito. "May we see each other again."

"Goodbye, Ate Frei. Ingat ka po."

"You too, kiddo."

Umalis na ako ng walang paalam dun sa lalaking kasama niya dahil hindi ko naman yun ka-close.