One Last Time (R18)

Kabanata LXIV: SOMETHING DEEP

Something Deep.
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            "I WANNA drop by your apartment."

Ibinaba ni Annka ang hawak niyang tall glass sa mesa bago tumingin sa'kin.

I stopped and met her gaze. Nandito pa rin kami sa porch, nagpapatuloy sa inuman kahit nakapasok na sina Dad at Tita Norin sa kwarto nila.

Halos mag-aalas dose na ng tanghali nang makauwi kami kanina. We left the resort a bit later than planned, but the trip home was quick since we flew back on a private jet. Ibinaba kami nito mismo sa gilid ng mansion—sa malawak na lawn na puwedeng gawing helipad.

Pag-uwi, nagpahinga muna kami sa mga kwarto namin bago muling nagsama-sama para sa hapunan. After dinner, Dad invited us to sit with him on the porch for a drink. Tita Norin, Annika and I joined him. Sa kalagitnaan ng inunan, nag-video call si Mom kay Tita Norin.

After a brief conversation with Mom, she and Annika exchanged greetings. Annika sounded slightly awkward, dahil hindi pa siya sanay makipag-usap kay Mom.

Mom and Tita Norin, on the other hand, talked comfortably that started when we had a lunch together before Mom and Andrei went back to Melbourne. Compared to Andrei and Dad, Mom and Tita Norin interacted more lightly, more naturally.

I finished my drink and looked at Annika curiously. "Why?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Just want to see it."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "If you're expecting something big and fancy, you’ll be disappointed."

Mabilis na umiling si Annika. "That doesn't matter. I'm just curious why you chose to stay in that apartment instead of coming back here, even though Dad asked you to."

"I'm fine living alone," tipid kong sagot.

"Really?" Curiosity sparkled in Annika's eyes.

Marahan akong tumango. "Yeah. That apartment is small compared to this mansion, but I was happy there." A genuine smile formed on my lips. "There's something satisfying about living in a place you paid for yourself…" I added half-truthfully, dahil ang ipon ni Tita ang sumalba sa'kin noong nagsisimula pa lang akong magtrabaho.

"I know..." Annika nodded slowly. "...aside from the satisfaction, there's also the benefit of living alone. You have peace of mind… and you learn to stand on your own feet. I get you. I lived alone in Paris, remember?"

A brief silence settled between us before I spoke again.

"Uh.. kailan mo balak dumaan sa apartment?" tanong ko.

Annika smiled, her face brightening. "I was thinking tomorrow..."

Tumango ako. "Tomorrow is fine, but I have work until five. If that's okay with you—"

Annika leaned forward on the table eagerly. "No problem. If you have a site visit tomorrow, send me the site's address. Pupuntahan na lang kita doon para sabay na tayong umuwi sa apartment mo. I'll bring my car, so I'll just follow you on the road."

"Wala akong site visit bukas. Puntahan mo na lang ako sa office at 5:00," ani ko.

Annika immediately nodded. "Alright."

After finishing a bottle of champagne, we finally called it a night. May pasok na ako bukas, at may lakad si Annika with her friends in the morning.

Kinabukasan, matapos akong mag-ayos, lumabas ako ng kwarto dala ang travel bag at mga pinamili ko. Dito ako natulog kagabi. May extra outfit naman akong dala, kaya hindi naging problema ang susuotin ko sa pagpasok ko ngayon. I'll head straight to the office, finish my shift, and then return to the apartment with Annika.