"Go to Manila next week, Cynthia. Settle the final design with Mr. Mauritius and drop the papers on my desk when you get back." tumango ang secretary ko bago lumabas.
Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa mga chinecheck na design ng mga projects. It's been four years since I stepped foot in Manila. Hindi ako bumalik doon. Iniwan ko ang lahat at hinayaan na ayusin ni Atty. Cervantes at Tito ang paglipat ko.
I haven't heard any news about anyone I know back there...even him. Melly and Dior always visits during summer. Ilang beses akong humingi ng tawad dahil bukod sa hindi ako nagpaalam nang umalis ay naabala ko pa sila sa tuwing pagpunta dito.
I press the intercom 3 and Adrian-one of the architects in our company answered.
"Five minutes. Conference room." saad ko.
"Okay, Ma'am."
Inayos ko ang suot na glasses bago binitbit ang mga design patungo sa pagdadausan ng meeting.
I continue studying at Bicol University. I specifically chose to study there dahil malapit lang sa bahay na inilaan ni Tito sa akin. I refused to stay at a condo this time. Ang sabi ko ay sa maliit na lang dahil babalik ako sa bahay ni Papa pagtapos ko gumraduate.
"We already have the final exterior design of the new buildings. Ang inaantay na lang natin ay ang interiors ng bawat suite." pagpapatuloy ni Adrian.
I adjusted my eyeglasses. Over the years I chose to buy a reading glasses dahil sa dami ng binabasa ko inaatake ako ng migraine paminsan minsan.
"Contractors and suppliers?" I butted in.
"We're just waiting sa confirmation nang kinakausap naming contractor and I'll let you know if its done deal."
"Okay."
"One more thing, Ma'am...."
"Go on..." I motioned him.
"Mr. Mauritius wants your presence during the gala and groundbreaking oras na magsimula ang construction..." yumuko siya. Napapikit naman ako naghahanap ng isasagot.
Mr. Mauritius is a respected man, a well known businessman, too. I am also aware sa kakulitan nito dahil medyo may kaedaran na. At ayoko naman na mapahiya ang kumpanya na pinagkatiwala sa akin ni Tito dahil lang sa pagtanggi ko.
"Fine. Send my confirmation." I surrendered. Ilang raw lang naman siguro iyon. Malaki ang Maynila at hindi naman kami magkikita. Sana. I can still remember that afternoon vividly.
How I turn my back on him and pretended I didn't hear those words from him. I am guilty of the part where I refused to go back in Manila because of him. Hindi ko alam kung pano siya pakikitunguhan. We are in the same field. At hindi malabo na magkasalubong kami. And when that happens? I don't know how will I react.
I never even tried to search him in the last four years. Maybe he's got a girlfriend or even a wife? Tumatanda na rin naman siya. Hindi ko alam o ano pero he was never mentioned by Tito Tristan, too. After all Tito Tristan is quite known in this field kaya hindi malabong magkakilala sila.
Wala rin akong naging balita kay Mama. Tito Tristan tried to informed me before pero ako na mismo ang nagsabi na hindi ko na kailangan pang malaman yon. I already gave them what they want. And with them, finally leaving me alone sa tingin ko ay naging maayos naman ang lahat.
I was miserable for the first few weeks. Panay ang pangilid ng luha o tuwing naiisip ko ang mga nangyari. I missed my friends...I missed him, too. But I badly need a getaway from everything. Just me and myself.
