Aligning the Stars (GXG)

XXII - Incident

Astrea

"I'm doing fine, Astrea. You don't have to call me every hour just to check up on me." Tita Sandra said on the other line.

"I can't help it." I replied, rummaging through the documents in my desk. "Ta, ayaw mo pa rin ba sabihin sa'kin?"

There was a moment of silence after I asked that question. Alam ko naman ang isasagot niya, I'm just hoping that I could convince her to tell me who the man behind her abuse is. Hindi pa rin ako mapakali everytime I think of it.

"Maricar and I will be cooking tonight, I don't want to keep her waiting, sige na. Mag-ingat ka d'yan sa restaurant."

"Ta.."

"Astrea Zaire, I'm serious." Her tone changed when she said that, "I don't want you to meddle with whatever situation I'm in. I'll find a way to break free from it.. for your sake."

And after that, she hung up on me.

I exhaled deeply as I placed my phone down on my desk. I don't even know where to start. She won't give me anything at all but that information of her being a mistress.

Sino ba kasi ang pesteng lalaking 'yon? I'm regretting the part where I didn't go close to them. At least, I can give that guy a punch in his face.

While I was trying to think of something, I suddenly heard a knock on my door.

"Come in."

Randy opened the door, "Ma'am Astrea, may naghahanap po sa inyo sa labas."

Huh?

I glanced at the clock and saw that it was already 11 PM. Sarado na rin ang restaurant, and I'm not even expecting anyone at this hour.

"Who is it?"

"Vida Del Mundo daw po."

Agad akong napatayo dahil sa sinabi niya. What is Vida doing here?

"Aalis na rin po ako, papasukin ko po ba?"

"Y-yeah," Sagot ko sabay pahid ng mukha ko, "You can leave now, ako na bahala dito."

"Sige po."

After he left, I couldn't help but to wonder why Vida suddenly came here. Ilang linggo na rin itong hindi nagpaparamdam sa'kin, and honestly.. after that talk with Ms. Elise, hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano ang sasabihin kay Vida.

I composed myself before going out from the office. At doon ko nakita si Vida, compared to the last time I saw her, she looks much better now.

She was standing at the center of the restaurant, looking hesitantly at me. As if there are a lot of thoughts going through her mind as I do.

"Hey,"

"Hey." I greeted back, "You.. didn't tell me na pupunta ka pala."

She chuckled, "I don't even know why I'm here, but I guess.. sapat na rin yung ilang linggo na hindi magpakita sa'yo."

Tumahimik kami ng ilang segundo, heavy but not entirely uncomfortable. It was like we were both waiting for the other to speak, to make sense of whatever was hanging between us.

"Do you want something to eat?" I awkwardly asked, "Or drink?"

She nodded softly, "This might be a long talk.. so I guess it's needed."

"Okay," Napakamot naman ako sa batok, "I'll prepare something light. You can sit at the bar stool, I'll serve the food right after."

She did what I told her to do while I went to the kitchen.