Whisper of the Heart

Chapter 2

Chloe's heart sank a little as Wyatt leaned back in his chair, flashing her that casual smile. "Chlo, can you send flowers to Ava? Just the usual bouquet," he said, barely looking up.

Here we go again, she thought, forcing a smile as she noted it down. She'd been through this too many times, sending roses, chocolates, even planning dates for Wyatt and his endless list of "Avas." He changed girlfriends like he changed shirts, and while Chloe had come to accept it, there was always a small pang of jealousy she tried to ignore. It's just for fun, she'd remind herself. It's not serious.

She sometimes wondered why Wyatt never looked at her the way he looked at all those other women. Chloe knew she was beautiful, she had long, dark hair, a smile that lit up a room, and a figure that could stop traffic. She was blessed in the curves department, especially up top, with a figure that seemed to draw attention even when she didn't try. But she preferred her office attire—always neat and understated, usually black or navy blue dresses that fell below the knee and downplayed her assets. Her blouses were fitted, but never tight; if anything, they worked to contain her rather generous curves, especially her ample chest, which she went out of her way to keep modestly covered.

It wasn't that she was hiding—she just felt more comfortable that way. But sometimes, just sometimes, she couldn't help but wonder if Wyatt even noticed her beneath all the formality.

Taking a steadying breath, she picked up her phone and dialed the florist, quickly arranging the flowers for Ava and sending Wyatt a brief text to confirm it. Then, like clockwork, she opened her notepad and started reviewing his schedule for the day.

"Wyatt, you have a meeting with the investor at three. It's important" she began, but he interrupted her with a shrug.

"Cancel it," he said casually, leaning back with an air of easy confidence. Chloe furrowed her brows. "But Wyatt, this investor is—"

He raised his hand, signaling he didn't want to hear it, and flashed her a smile, a different kind of smile, one she wasn't used to. It was softer, with a hint of something she couldn't quite place. His eyes lingered on her for just a moment longer than usual, and her heart skipped a beat. Was he... was he noticing her?

"Thanks for looking out for me, Chloe," he said quietly, almost as if he meant it.

Her cheeks warmed, and she quickly looked away, biting her lip. It's just his charm, she told herself, but that small glimmer of hope stayed with her as she went back to her desk, heart beating just a little faster than before.

Naiisip tuloy ni Chloe, sino ba itong si Ava? For the first time ever, Wyatt was canceling an important meeting. Medyo nag-aalangan pero hindi mapigilan, nagtanong siya, "Bakit mo ika-cancel yung meeting, Wyatt?"

Wyatt shrugged casually, that familiar charming smirk playing on his lips. "May date kasi ako, Chloe."

Parang may sumabog sa dibdib ni Chloe sa mga salitang iyon—ramdam niya ang bigat, parang bombang bigla na lang sumiklab sa puso niya. Parang hinihigop ang lahat ng pag-asa na noon pa niya pilit binubuo. Date? Bigla siyang natahimik, pilit na nagtatago ng nararamdaman. Pero alam niya, seryoso si Wyatt sa pagkakataong ito. Hindi siya basta-bastang nagca-cancel ng meeting, lalo na para lang sa babae.

Nag-iisip pa rin si Chloe habang humihinga ng malalim, nagtanong siya, "Saan mo nakilala si Ava?"

Seryoso si Wyatt nang sumagot, may bahagyang kinang pa sa mata niya. "Ava Manuel, one of the top models dito sa Pilipinas. Nakilala ko siya sa isang event... nag-exchange kami ng numbers," he said with a small, almost private smile.

Ava Manuel. Kilalang-kilala si Ava sa buong bansa, isang muse na parang si Emily VanCamp sa sobrang ganda at dating. Lahat ata ng lalaki, humahanga sa kanya.

Habang nakikinig, pilit ni Chloe na kontrolin ang sarili, pero ramdam niya ang kirot. Lalo na sa bawat pagkuwento ni Wyatt, sa bawat maliit na ngiti sa mga labi niya habang iniisip si Ava. Parang sinasaksak siya sa puso, pero kailangan niyang magpakatatag. Hindi ako dapat mag-assume, bulong niya sa sarili.

Pero kahit ano pang pilit niyang ipagpaumanhin sa sarili, hindi niya matanggal ang tanong: Bakit hindi siya nakikita ni Wyatt sa ganitong paraan? Bakit kahit ano pang alaga at pagmamalasakit ang ipinakita niya, parang hindi pa rin siya sapat?

Buong araw, parang nawawala si Chloe sa sarili. She went through her tasks mechanically, para siyang robot na de-susi, bawat kilos walang damdamin. Kahit na ang dami niyang trabaho, parang wala siyang nararamdaman—wala kundi ang kirot na pilit niyang kinikimkim.

Napansin din ito ni Wyatt. Lumapit siya sa kanya sa gitna ng trabaho, may bahagyang alalahanin sa boses. "Chlo, okay ka lang ba? Parang ang tahimik mo ngayon."

Mabilis siyang ngumiti, pilit na ngumiti, kahit na parang may mabigat na bakal sa dibdib niya. "Okay lang ako, Wyatt. Siguro pagod lang." Sanay na si Chloe sa ganitong pag-arte. Kung may natutunan man siya sa lahat ng taon ng pagiging malapit kay Wyatt, iyon ay ang magkunwaring okay lang, kahit pa sabog na ang puso niya.

Great Pretender, naisip niya, parang 'yung kanta ng The Platters. Lahat kaya niyang itago, lahat kayang ilihim, lalo na't si Wyatt ang nagtanong. Kahit anong sakit, hindi siya papayag na mabahala si Wyatt dahil sa kanya.

Nang magdilim na ang kalangitan, nag-ayos si Wyatt ng gamit at lumapit sa kanya. "Mauna na ako, Chloe. May lakad pa ako," sabi niya, sabay alis at ngiti, habang siya naman ay naiwan, mag-isa sa opisina. Naiwan siyang nakatitig sa pinto kung saan siya lumabas, at ang pighati sa puso niya'y lalo pang tumindi.

Magkapitbahay sila ni Wyatt, magkatapat ang bahay sa parehong village. Pareho silang sabay pumasok at lumaki sa eskwelahan, naging magka-klase, magkaibigan, at ngayon, magkasama sa trabaho. Kung tutuusin, halos magkasabay silang gumising at umuwi araw-araw—dati.

Para hindi na masaktan pa nang husto, nagdesisyon si Chloe na magpaiwan sa opisina, nagkunwaring abala kahit alam niyang natapos na ang mga gawain niya. Rush hour pa naman, bulong niya sa sarili. Ayokong ma-stuck sa traffic. Pero ang totoo, ayaw lang niyang umuwi nang mag-isa at maramdaman ang pag-iisa niya, ang lungkot ng mundo na sa kanya lamang umiikot habang si Wyatt ay nasa piling ng iba.

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