Dear Diary, Makaka-move on ba ako?

Thirty One

Xander's POV 

"Of course, sir." I confidently answered. "It will be an honor to help the client." 

["Then great. I'll text you the address and maybe you can take a look at the place."] Sabi ni Mr. Concepcion, ang boss ko. ["Remember, kapag nasayahan ang client sa work mo, you'll get the promotion."]

"Yes, sir. Thank you again for the opportunity." I said. "Bye." 

Ah, that promotion. I've been working my ass off for years just to get that promotion. Being an architect is quite hard, but it's worth it. However, it is rewarding to do what you are passionate about and work at the same time. 

This is my first personal client. Dati kasi, group of novice architects kami na nag wo-work together in order na matapos ang isang infrastructure. But this time, solo ko ang client. At kapag nagawa ko ng maayos ang trabaho ko, I don't have to be in groups anymore. I can finally take credit on my own. 

I take a look at my phone as I hang up. It's 3:13 PM, February 14th, 2025. 

Valentine's day pala ngayon. 

Pano ko ba naman kasi maalala ang Valentine's day eh panay trabaho ang ginagawa ko, at... wala naman akong love interest. Ang huling Valentine's day na naalala ko was 10 years ago, when Jessica was still here. When she hugged me tight, when she kissed me softly, when she said that she loved me... 

Ugh, what are you thinking, Xander? That was just a stupid fling. Nothing more. You pretended to like her para lang balikan ka ni Katie. Right? Yes, right. Yun nga lang at wala nang iba. 

Pft, who celebrates Valentine's day anyways? It's just bullshit. Flowers and chocolates? Ain't nobody got time for that. Valentine's day is just a day where old couples find an opportunity to have sex. That just reminds me to call Katie. 

Oh, Katie? You wanna know kung ano nang nangyari kay Katie? Well, she's married. She's married to a man who travels a lot. Her husband is a pilot. And there are days na she needs company, and I get to be the guy who satisfies her when her husband can't. ;)

Yeah, I got hurt a little nung nalaman ko na ikakasal na sya. But I mean, I still get to fuck her without any commitments. So why not, di'ba? Plus i'm not that type of guy. I don't wanna get tied up. I want to enjoy my life. 

With plenty of kink. ;) 

Buzzzzzzz~

My phone suddenly vibrated, distracting me from my own thoughts. Ah, eto na siguro yung address. I read the address in my head quietly until I saw the words that made me stop. 

Maclure Village. 

* * * 

I can't believe it. 

There are 45 houses in this village, pero bakit eto pa? Bakit eto pang bahay na napuntahan ko na 10 years ago? Bakit sa bahay pa ng babaeng sinaktan ko noon? 

Bakit sa bahay pa ni Jessica? 

"Yeah, nung una ko ding nakita yung bahay, I was speechless." Sabi ni Maxene, ang assistant ko. "It has been abandoned for years." 

"Yeah, I know." I unconciously said, habang tinitignan ko pa din yung bahay. Dito minsan tumira si Jessica, dito minsan ko syang nayakap, nahalikan... 

"You know?" She asks. 

"Uh, I mean..." I shake my head. "Halata naman di'ba?"

She just nodded. "Sayang yung mga ganitong bagay. Ang ganda ganda sana pero nung iniwan at napabayaan... ayun, pumanget na." 

What the fuck is she talking about? Is she trying to make me feel guilty unintentionally? Oo, alam kong iniwan at sinaktan ko si Jessica, pero if she doesn't take care of herself, then that's her fault. 

"Oh, you're full of crap." I glared at her. "Anyway, ano bang gusto sa'tin ipagawa nung client?" 

"Well, the lady wants a renovation. She wants make it bigger, and more modern. Gusto din n'ya na lagyang ng-" 

"Wait, lady?" Biglang nag-pantog ang tenga ko ng marinig kong sabihin nya ang word na lady. Ah, whatever. It's probably Mrs. Garcia, right? It's impossible na mag papagawa si Jessica-

"Yeah, I think her name's Jessica." She smiles. 

* * * 

Hindi pa din ako makapaniwala na kaya nang magparenovate ng bahay si Jessica. I mean, sampung taon na ang lumipas, I know. Pero to think that she can easily spend a lot of money just for a renovation? Plus, our company is the best place to get the best firm, which means it requires more money. Ganito na ba talaga sya kayaman?

What the actual fuck. I mean this is all so unbelievable. 

I examined the walls in her room again, trying to clear my head. It's so weird standing at the same position ten years ago... It's quite the same, except for it's emptiness... and darkness... and the loneliness of the walls. Wala na yung boudoir nya kung saan lagi syang nag aayos, yung desk nya kung san sya laging nagaaral... and most of all, 

Wala na yung kama n'ya kung saan nya ako minsan napasaya. 

I sighed at the thought. We were teenagers and I fucked up. Alam ko naman yun eh. But then again, I was a teenager. Wala pa akong isip nun, I was immature and so was she... Kaya those feelings? Psh, wala lang yun. They're all... uh, puppy love. Yeah, exactly. 

Palabas na sana ako ng kwarto nang may isang bagay sa lapag ang pumigil sa'kin. It was covered in dust, so I didn't recognize it just yet. Nilapitan ko yung thing na iyon, then I slowly bend down to take it. Hinipan ko s'ya para maalis yung alikabok, at pinagpag ko din. Then I noticed that it's some sort of a notebook. 

A purple notebook.