T O R N

49

Three years later...

"Congratulations Architect Kim! Finally, we got that client after making ligaw for how many months! Napakadaming revisions ang ginawa natin sa plan para lang mapa oo sila. Kung hindi lang talaga natin sila kailangan matagal ko nang sinabunutan yun si Madam. Napaka demanding kaloka!" Jimin my gay friend said habang umiirap at nanggigigil pa.

"Buti na lang Jen is so dedicated and talented that she can handle all the revisions they want. If not, ano na lang gagawin natin?" it was Kai. Nakaakbay pa siya sa akin habang sinasabi yun.

"True" Jimin answered while cutely pouting his lips.

"Aysus. Enough of the compliments. Collaborative effort yun, lahat naman tayo may ambag" I smiled while telling them that.

"That's true, but not everyone is as patient as you. Kung wala ka dun, baka hinayaan na lang namin yun si Madam Levine." He smiled at me.

"I'm just doing my job" pagkikibit balikat kong sagot sa kanya.

Pumunta ako sa table at iniayos na ang mga gamit ko para sa paghahanda sa pag uwi ng biglang nagsalitang muli si Kai na nasa likuran ko na.

"Jen, let's celebrate?"

Hinarap ko siya. He asked, his eyes pleading. I looked at Jimin, but Jimin refused.

"I'm sorry Jen, may date kami ng jowa ko eh" he reasoned.

I nodded, then looked back at Kai.

"Let's go?" I said which made his smile wider.

Tinulungan niya ako sa mga gamit ko pababa sa basement kung saan nakapark ang kotse niya. At dinala niya ako sa isa sa mga paborito kong restaurant dito sa Prague, ang Restaurace Mlejnice. He even ordered my favorite dish here which is Goulash. Before the dinner was served, he went to the counter and took a bouquet of flowers for me. Lumapit siya sa akin at iniabot ang naggagandahang mga bulaklak and kissed me on my cheek. I smiled and said thank you in return.

Kai once again asked me about his status with me, and this time I already gave him an answer. I told him I am now ready to commit and try once again. Wala naman sigurong mawawala kung susubukan ko ulit. Ilang taon na rin naman ang nakalipas since nung nangyari ang sa amin ni Lisa. I think I'm okay now. Kai was so happy that he almost jumped out of his seat, too happy that he breaks the news to every restaurant staff that we are now officially together. Everybody congratulated him. I was laughing at his reaction. I called him to calm and sit down. Then, we ate and we had a nice meal. After our hearty dinner, Kai drove me home and bid his goodbye.

Kai has been courting me for almost a year now, and he has been very patient and a gentleman. Hindi niya ako minadali ni minsan coz he knows what I've been through before. Yes, naikwento ko na sa kanila ni Jimin ang past ko but I never dropped names. We are still in the same company as Lisa and Irene kahit na nasa malayo kami. I think kahit papaano ay may alam at kilala pa rin sila dito lalo na si Irene na anak ng owner ng kumpanya. But this time, I think it's time to give it a shot.

Kinabukasan, nang binuksan ko ang pinto ay nakitang kong nakaupo na si Kai sa hagdan sa harap ng pintuan ng inuupuhan kong bahay. Lumingon siya at lumawak ang ngiti ng makita niya ako sa kanyang likuran. Dali dali siyang tumayo at lumapit sa akin. Niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit.

"Ang aga mo ah" nakingiting sabi ko.

Bumitaw siya sa pagkakayakap at tumingin sa mga mata ko.

"Syempre, I can't wait to see my girlfriend" his smile was wide.

Iniabot niya sa akin ang isang pirasong red rose na kanina niya pa hawak hawak.