Chapter Eight
10 minutes na akong naka upo dito sa sasakyan habang naka park sa isang magarang building. Hindi na nakakapag taka na isa ito sa pinaka magandang building na nakita ko sa maliit na bayan na ito. Afterall, It's owned by a Herrero, specifically isang architect na Herrero or should I say a Liamson now?
It's not my idea, nung kinasal kami, it was Christine who insisted that she'll be using my last name kahit na alam naman namin na hindi naman yun irerecoginze dito sa bansa. She pushed it because she said she's gonna be my wife at tama lang na apelido ko ang gagamitin niya. I was too tired to argue with her so I just let her do what she wanted. It doesn't matter to me naman. Hindi naman ako ang mag papalit ng apelido. Despite the burden that I carry because of my last name hindi ko iisiping mag palit ng apelido. This is what my father gave me and I will keep it with me forever.
Natigilan ako sa iniisip ko ng may kumatok sa binta ko. I was still contemplating kasi kung paano ako bababa at paapsok sa loob ng building. It's my first time being here at hindi ko alam paano ko ipapakilala ang sarili ko or papapasukin ba nila ako without any appointment or whatnot.
"Hi, I'm here for Christine Herrero." Agad kong sabi sa receptionist ng building.
"Do you have an appointment with her?" She asked which is the right thing to do.
"Hmm wala eh." I said "I'm just here to bring something for her." sabay taas ng hawak ko.
"Naku, ma'am, pasensya na, her schedule is full kasi." she rejected me nicely "But you can leave it with us na lang po and kami na lang ang mag bibigay ng ipapabigay ninyo." she suggested
Umiling ako "No need. It's fine." I said and smiled. "Thank you."
Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang ginawa ko. I should've just stayed home na lang. What am I thinking na mag dala ng pag kain at makakapasok ako sa building nila ng walang kahirap hirap.
"Dianne?" Napatigil ako ng marinig ko ang boses niya. "Dianne." She said ng lumingon ako "What are you doing here?" Tanong niya ng makalapit sa akin. She's just wearing simple jeans and a white shirt while holding a hard hat. Mukhang galing sa labas.
"Hmmm.."
I see her eyes roam until makita niya yung hawak ko.
"I just brought you something." Sabay taas ng lunch bag na hawak ko. I'm not sure pero parang nakita kong ngumiti ito pag kakita sa hawak ko pero agad ding nawala.
"Then why are you walking towards the exit then?" takang tanong niya
"I heard your schedule is full." I simply said at nakita kong kumunot ang noo nito "And I need an appointment to see you."
"That's ridiculous." Then look at the woman beside her "My wife doesn't need an appointment to see me."
Natigilan ako, no, kaming mga nakarinig sa sinabi niya.
Wife. She addressed me as her wife outside the confinement of our home. And she said it so casually, with confidence even, na tila ba it's a normal thing for her to say. As if, it's like something she's proud of.
"Please let everyone know that if she's here, allow her to go up to my office and inform me immediately. Kahit anong ginagawa ko, kahit nasa gitna ako ng meeting, I need to be informed that she's here and waiting for me." nag buntong hininga ito "I don't want this to happen again." Then she walk towards me then took my hand para hilahin papuntang elevator.
But the moment her hand held mine, a familiar feeling surge through me, as if her touch reminded me of the old days, ignite a certain feeling I've been dormant for a very long time.
