At The End Of The String (Insomniacs Series 2)

40

Joaquin De Vera
🏁

[Ninang Thea: Okay, see you at dinner. Goodluck!] She ended the call. It's been two days since the last time she visited me at home — offering me a job, a position rather, at her own company. I'm actually on hiatus.

I've been focusing on my racing career for the past three years and the two years were... Well, trying to live a life and searching, until now. In total of five years... Five damn years... Just to find out she was just around the corner the whole time.

The last time I was in Spain, she was there, too, having their business trip. I had a racing competition in France two years ago and she was there, too! Their company's having their fashion week. The last time I was having a photoshoot in L.A., she was there with her family. She's with people both connected to us the whole time and I didn't even know it.

How did I find about all of these? I found a magazine of my godmother's company in my bookshelf three days ago. Naroon ang mga milestone ng kompanya nila. Ninang Thea is very appreciative. She always acknowledge the hardworks of her employees. She give them the paybacks they deserve. And I thanked her for putting her name on the pages.

"Bakit hindi ka mapakali r'yan? Konti na lang mababali na leeg mo," sabi ni Raven nang makarating na rin siya sa pwesto ko. I know she's here. Ninang told me she invited all of her employees to watch the race kahit wala namang audience impact para manalo.

"Ayun siya, oh!"

"Sa'n?" Nakitingin din ako sa kanyang tinuro.

"'Yan ang bilis maging giraffe," asar niya. Napailing na lang ako saka na isinuot ang helmet at pumasok sa sasakyan. I once again looked outside but there's still no sign of her.

Ang tanging naroon pa rin ay si Ninang at 'yong secretary niya. I started driving instead. Nag-focus na lang din ako sa karera ko. Whatever, I bet she wouldn't want to come here after all. For some reasons...

🏁 

"Joaquin, congratulations, my dear," Ninang greeted the moment I reached their table. Even the rookies did as they enjoy every bit of their dinner. Then there's only one... A woman busy with her own plate. I smirked as I watch her.

You're really good at hiding but the world is on my side sometimes. 

Keira Denise Monteza
Chief Executive Officer

You finally really made a name for yourself... After all these years... I'm proud.

My lips formed a little smile as I look at her pero s'yempre hindi ko iyon ipapahalata kaya dinaan ko na lang sa ngisi at sa kunyaring pagmamata ko sa kanya. Kung hindi pa siya ipinakilala ay mukhang hindi rin talaga siya tatayo. "Wow, you seemed casual. Do you know each other?" tanong ni Ninang.

"Hindi po-"

"Yes."

Nagkatinginan kami agad. She looks so defensive. Everything was denied. Well, she have her reasons anyway. Wala rin akong karapatan mag-second emotion doon. Hindi na rin ako nagsalita pa muli at hinayaan na lang siya. Hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi.

Hanggang sa matapos ang dinner ay halos hindi siya nagsasalita, maliban na lang kung kakausapin siya ng mga kasama namin. Para akong multo sa kanya ngayon na dinadaanan lang ng mata niya. Pero mukhang okay na rin 'yon, kahit paano ay nadadaanan.