Unseen Strings

Chapter 8: A plan

I didn’t realize that I fell asleep accidentally in my office. I woke up and felt numbness in my arms. I looked around, and something caught my attention—a cup of coffee on my desk.

Did Manang Belle get this for me? I shook my head—I know it wasn’t her. hindi naman ganto ang binibili sa’kin ni Manang Belle e. 

She would rather make me coffee on her own than buy from any coffee shop outside.

My gaze went to the wall clock. It’s already 1:00 pm. Ang tagal ko pa lang natulog dito sa office. I haven’t eaten anything yet.

I was about to stand up, but I noticed the note that was under the coffee’s cup. I felt my heartbeat rate begin to pump faster.

Not again, please...

I immediately look behind me and examine the whole room—panicking a bit, I hold onto the swivel chair, trying to balance myself and calm myself.

Ano nanaman ‘to? Nasundan niya pa rin ba ako?
Mas lalo pang tumibok nang mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang makarinig ng kung ano sa may bandang bintana.

“Sino ‘yan?!“ I let my hand move as I tried to grab something on my desk that I could use for self-defence.

I repeated the same question for the second time, but no one spoke.

“Leave, or I’ll call a cop!“ I threatened. but again, I didn’t get a response.

“Manang Belle?“ I called out, assuming it’s Manang Belle.

If this isn’t Manang, who the hell is this?! Minumulto ba ako?

I got startled when I heard a sound of rustling nearby the door—I got even more surprised when someone knocked on the door but when I heard Manang Belle’s voice, I let out a sighed of relief.

Thank goodness.

“Ma’am Sol? ....kumain na ho kayo.” I let out an exhausted sigh and stood up before responding.

“I will go after you, Manang Belle, I'm just doing something.” I responded as my gaze fell to the note.

“Sige, mauna na ‘ko. ‘wag kang mag-palipas, Hija.”

“Yes po, Manang.” I replied as I take the note that was under the cup.

“The more you try to get away, the more I want to chase you, Amore Mio.”

- Von.

After I read the note, I crumpled the note in annoyance and threw it away in the trash bin.

Naunahan niya pa pamilya ko sa sobrang updated niya. Hindi ko pa nga nasasabi sa pamilya ko na nandito na ako sa Novaliches e.

So nandito siya kagabi?...gosh, he saw me sleeping! And that’s what I don’t like the most! Heck, he’s really creepy as hell, Imagine, you’re sleeping peacefully not knowing someone’s watching you while you're asleep.

Don't tell me....that because of this weirdo, I have to buy a new house again.

Do I have to purchase a penthouse? a manor, or maybe a mansion? just so he won't disturb me again?

I’m getting sick of this, man.

I need to think of a new plan that will surely work. Should I ask Celeste to suggest a better plan? I know she has a lot of plans on her mind—I mumbled to myself.

I headed down to go to the dining room as Lily emerged from the kitchen and greeted me—while Manang Belle was busy arranging the plates on the dining table.

“Kain na, Hija. Parang nagpapalipas kana yata ng kain,” Manang Belle commented. I nodded as I took a seat—ready to dig in. But something came up to my mind.

“May multo po ba rito?” seryosong tanong ko. Napa-kamot naman ng batok si Lily sa tanong ko at halatang natakot nga sa itinanong ko.

“Ma’am naman....nanakot ka pa.”

“I’m serious....Is there a ghost here?”

“Wala, Ma’am, uy!”

“But why can I hear some noise sometimes?”

“Iyung pusa ata ‘yan, Hija....may nakikita akong may pagala-galang pusa rito e...” I sighed in relief.

Pusa lang pala.

It's just a cat, Vivi. I coaxed myself.

I’m getting paranoid because of Von. I always assume that he’s here whenever I hear some noises inside the villa. Am I getting traumatized now?

After I finished digging in for a meal, I went to my room to get my phone and call Celeste right away. In seconds, she answered my call.

“Hoy! Babae, what happened? Is there something wrong? Ginugulo ka pa rin ba nung walang-hiyang Von na ‘yon?...” she asked—obviously concerned and worried.

“I need a plan, Celeste.” I said with a groan of exhaustion.

“Huh, what plan?“ She asked in confusion.

This is my last straw.

“About Von...“

“I need a better plan for him to stop bothering me! I want a peaceful life, not a chaotic life, I didn't wish for that.” I added.

“Finally, you asked me, kala ko aabutin pa ng ilang dekada e,” She said in a sarcastic tone.

“Hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko. I think he's not accepting my disapproval because, in his vocabulary, answers should always be a yes.”

“Then let him know about the word ‘no.’ Means, Vivi.”

“But how? He wouldn’t take no as an answer.”

“Wala ka bang tiwala sa’kin? Trust me, this will probably work.” She coaxed.

“So... What’s your plan?“ I asked in a tone that was a mixture of desperation and anticipation.

“Date someone.” I squinted my eyes in disbelief and scoffs at her suggestion.

“What!? No way!“ I objected without any thought.

“Ano ka ba, Vivi. That’s the plan that I know would probably work.”

“No way, Celeste! I wouldn’t date someone just because of this.” I exclaimed. I heard her sighs through the other line.

Ayoko. Ayoko, hindi ako papayag. I won't do this shit, I know there's another way for this problem.
I don’t want to date someone! Parang hindi ko kakayanin.

I might be overreacting right now, but I really couldn’t help but to cringe just thinking about ‘dating’ someone.

“Think of an alternative plan, Celeste. You know I can’t do that! That’s the hardest thing I couldn’t do,” I demanded.

“Ruminate, Celeste.”

“Oo na. Mag-iisip ako,” She reluctantly agreed to my plea.

“How about getting married?“

“You know my answer. No. A big NO, Celeste.” I said in a monotonous voice and just took a deep breath.

“Nevermind, I wouldn’t do anything that’s related to that kind of matter.” I added.

“Kahit fake lang, Vivi!” She suggests.

“Are you sure na gagana ‘to?”

“Who wouldn’t stop ‘di ba? Kung may boyfriend o asawa na ‘yung taong gusto mo, Maliban na lang kung gusto niya maging kabit.”

May point naman siya.

I tried thinking of another plan, a better plan—easier for me to do—and a plan that I could really do without any difficulties.

But there’s nothing I could think of. And I think the last thing that I can do is Celeste’s plan.

Dating or marrying someone.

But there’s no way I’ll ever do that shit. Imagine dating or marrying someone just to get away from your stalker. A big no. And, just thinking of it, makes me want to throw up.

Sumasakit na tuloy ang ulo ko sa stress.

I better just go to the corporate right now—I have a meeting appointment later, and shit—malalate nanaman ata ako, as usual.

I rose up from my bed and hurried to the bathroom to take a shower. I admit that I’m sluggish as a snail, kaya naman ngayon lang ako natapos sa pag-ligo.
Pero maaga pa naman e, 4:00 pm pa naman ‘yung meeting.

Kung malate ako, edi malate.

I come out of the bathroom—wearing nothing but a bathrobe. I could see the waters dripping from my soaking wet hair.

I stroll towards my vanity table and quickly look for a hairdryer to dry my hair—while drying my hair, I glanced towards the clock on the wall to check the time.

3:00 o’clock.

It’s supposedly just a joke when I said I’ll get late. Pero ano pa nga bang magagawa ko.

Dahil nga’y hindi pa ako tapos sa pag-asikaso, binilisan ko na ang pag-kilos. I did my makeup very quickly and took my handbag and left.

I checked the time on my wristwatch. It’s already 3:45 pm. Gosh, bakit ba napaka-bilis ng oras tuwing biyernes at lunes?

Tumakbo na lang ako para makarating sa garage kahit na naka-heels ako. Nang makarating ako sa may garahe ay nakita ko si Manong Manuel na kanina pa yata ako hinihintay kaya agad-agad akong pumasok sa kotse.

“Late ka nanaman, Hija.” I sighed as I sat down in the passenger seat—buckling the seatbelt on.

“Wala naman po akong magagawa, filipino time.” I just heard him laugh at me softly.

Sanay na kasing late ako tuwing may agenda ako sa company at dahil nga masyadong malayo pa ako sa company, naa-late nga talaga ako.

I was running to enter the building when the security guards saw me and immediately greeted me.

“Where’s Kiel?” I asked in hurry.

“Nasa meeting room, kanina pa po ata kayo hinahanap.” I nodded and sprint towards the elevator and pressed the button for the 7th floor.

Nagmamadali na ako kaya nang huminto na ang elevator ay agad-agad akong lumabas, hindi ko tuloy namalayan na may nag-aabang pala palabas elevator kaya nabangga ko ‘to, pero dahil sa pagmamadali ay hindi na ako nag-abala na tingnan pa ‘to.

“Sorry!” ‘yan na lamang ang aking nasabi habang nag-mamadaling tumakbo papunta sa meeting room.

Hindi naman nagalit ‘yung nabangga ko, or....? nevermind, hindi ko naman nakita.

But what I am feeling was odd—why my heart beat pumped so fast even though I wasn’t feeling nervous. I shoved away the thought of it and just headed to the meeting room.

I knocked on the door before going in, as I immediately saw nobody but Kiel; he’s already arranging the folders and the chairs.

Right, I’m late. Umuwi na ata lahat ng kasama namin para sa meeting.

“Where’s the others?...the clients?“

“They already left, Madame.” I sighed in frustration. I really need to change for the better.

“Don’t worry, I already took care of the meeting earlier.” My defeated look immediately changed into a relieved look.

“Thank you, Kiel! ....You’re really an angel from above.” He shook his head in disbelief.

“But, one of the clients wanted to have a private appointment with you since you’re late.” I squinted my eyes—obviously confused.

“What? Why? I thought the meeting was already settled.”

“Yes, it is, Madame. But he wants to have an appointment with you.”

“If it’s not about business, I won’t go.” He just nodded.

“Any idea who’s that client?”

“Kilala niyo raw po siya.”

“What? Is he joking? I’m sure na hindi ko siya kilala.”

“That’s what he just told me.” I sighed and just nodded. Tinulungan ko na lang ‘to sa pag-aayos ng folders at upuan ’saka pumunta na sa office ko.

Pagka-pasok ko naman ng office ay saktong narinig kong nag-ring ang phone ko.

Si papa? I answered the call without any hesitation.

“Viorel.” I was surprised when I heard his voice. He seems serious.

“Pa?...what’s the matter?...”

“Manang Belle told me na lumipat ka raw ng bahay, why?”

Hell, I haven’t told them about this matter.

“Ah...yes po...”

“Why? ” He asks, and I could hear how cold his voice is.

“Maganda kasi rito?...relaxing, and—” I was trying to convince him but then, he interjected.

“Seriously, Viorel? Tell me the truth.”

I sighed and washed my palm against my face. I better think of a believable excuse for this.

But I couldn’t. Pero naalala kong malapit pala si Celeste sa Villa.

“Kasi nandito si Celeste? ....Para po mag-kita kami kaagad.” I heard him sigh in the other line.

“Sasusunod sabihan mo kami ng mama mo, you never update us, Vivi. how could we know if there’s something happening to you?“

“Si papa naman, OA po. I’m okay, really.”

“Fine, but I heard that you’re late whenever there’s a meeting, change, Viorel.”

“Sige, ‘yan na po ang magiging new year’s resolution ko.”

“Be serious, Vivi.” I was about to reply, but I heard my mom’s voice, trying to snatch away the phone from my dad.

“Si Vivi ‘yan? Akin na, may sasabihin ako.”

“I’m still talking to her, Hon.”

I sighed. They’re fighting over and over again just because of a phone call.

“Ay na ‘ku, akin na! may sasabihin ako,” my mom protested.

“I arranged a blind date for you,” she exclaimed after she succeeded in snatching the phone from my dad.

I blink in disbelief. Did I hear her wrong? Am I getting deaf? ...or.

“Pardon? Ma, ano pong sinabi mo?” My forehead creased in confusion—trying to comprehend what she just declared.

“I arranged a blind date for you... and he’s a businessman. just like you, I know you two are going to be a perfect match!” she said, and obviously thrilled.

“What?...ayoko, Ma!“

“Ay na ‘ko! Vivi, it’s time for you to date someone. Puro ka trabaho, Pa’no na lang kung tumanda kana—” she was scolding me over the phone.

I didn’t want to hear my mom nagging at me. so, I quickly disconnected the phone call—couldn't fight the urge to let out a groan in annoyance after I hung up

‘Tumanda’? Well, I already perceive myself as an old lady, even though I’m just 26 years old. That’s where I’m going anyway—getting old.

I will reach the point that I’ll get old. Matanda na ako, and there’s nothing wrong if I’ll get old like this. Bakit ba nila prinoproblema ang buhay ko? Hindi ko nga prinoproblema mga problema nila sa buhay e.

They’re too desperate to convince me to date someone and get married. I don’t really hate the idea of ‘dating’ someone, but it really scares the hell out of me so much.

I don’t even have any experience with a man or an idea about men.

Love isn’t healthy—it’s toxic as venom. If you got hurt—affected—there’s no antidote for you, and that’s what I’m scared of!

You know you could buy everything—you have money to spend, but you know there’s no doctor who could ever heal you from that fucking love.

I shut my eyes and lazily leaned myself on the swivel chair.

“So he’s that man who wants to have a private appointment with me, huh.” I mumbled to myself. My lips curled into a smirk as I crossed my arms.

“Kahit bigyan niya pa ‘ko ng limang milyon, I wouldn’t go to that appointment just to meet him!" I swear.

Manigas siya.