Lead Me To You

Kabanata XXVIII

Date

I slept well.

Sa pagod ko ay nakuha ko pang maging kumpleto ang tulog.

Maaga akong nagising dahil gusto kong magjogging. I've workout at the gym yesterday before going to work so I want to go out now to sweat. I did basic stretching for my legs and wore my most comfortable sneakers. I also wore my windbreaker jacket and black running shorts.

I was about to head out when my phone beeps for a text message from Francis.

Francis:

Good morning. I'll see you later.

Ang aga naman niyang nagising.

He will see me later. It's the weekend. Walang pasok. Why would he see me?

Nakabantay na rin si Carter sa labas ng pintuan ng condo ko at hindi na rin ako nabigla. He said last night that he will be here before six in the morning. And he actually did.

"Good morning, signorina."

"Good morning, Carter." I greeted back.

Pinagmasdan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa kaya sinundan ko ang kanyang tingin.

"I want to jog. Dyan lang sa baba hanggang sa parke. Would you like to accompany me?"

But he's not wearing the proper outfit for exercise. His black suit would feel like hot kapag pinawisan siya. His black leather shoes will get dirty and the shine will fade. He needs to change kung sasamahan niya ako.

"Okay. Wait for me at the parking lot. Magpapalit lang ako." He rushed to the elevator at nauna na nga siyang bumaba sa akin. Ni-lock ko na din ang aking pinto at nagdiretso na sa elevator.

We jogged at the park until the sun fully rose. Nang medyo sumakit na ang sikat ng araw sa aking balat ay tumigil na kami. We stopped by an open fast food restaurant to buy breakfast. Nagtake-out na lang kami para sa condo ko na lang kainin. I asked Carter to join me dahil ayoko naman kumain magisa.

My iced coffee was served first while waiting for our order.

Maganda ang sikat ng araw ngayon kahit na malakas ang bumuhos na ulan kagabi. Basa pa rin ang ilang parte sa labas and there are shallow puddles pa. But the sun still rose. And that's a new hope.

"Kahit ba wala akong trabaho ay babantayan mo pa rin ako?" I asked.

"The whole week. Most of your time, signorina." Carter said.

Is that even allowed? He will not have enough time for himself or his family.

"And that's okay with you?" He's working overtime, to be exact. Well, I know that their company is paying him.

Pinaglalaruan niya ang buzzer na umiilaw sa ibabaw ng lamesa. Tutunog ito at magba-vibrate kapag ready na ang order namin. I picked up my coffee and sipped on it while waiting for him to answer. He looked comfortable with this white dri-fit shirt and adidas black shorts and shoes.

"Of course. Ang tanging gusto ko lang ay maging ligtas ka araw araw. Nangako ako sa iyong ama. To honor him, I will continue that promise."

Umikot ang mata ko sa mataray na paraan dahil sa kanyang sagot.

"Kung hindi ka ba nangako kay Papa, gagawin mo pa rin ito?"

His eyes bore into mine. Tumigil ang kanyang mga daliri sa paglalaro ng buzzer at napirmi na lamang iyon. Paunti unti ay naging seryoso ang kanyang mga titig. Para akong binabalot. That made me conscious.

Nabitin ang aking hininga nang tumunog ang buzzer hudyat na handa na ang mga pagkain namin. Tumayo si Carter nang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa akin. Sinusundan ko rin siya ng tingin habang mas lalo siyang tumatangkad sa harapan ko. Five more rings then he walked to the counter to get the food.