How Long Will I Love You? | Book 1

Chapter IX: Ranunculus

"Love is a serious mental illness.."♥


It has been two days since Saturday.

Dalawang araw na ang nakalipas mula ng ihatid ni Daniel si Kathryn sa bahay nila. Dalawang araw na rin hindi sinasagot ni Kath ang tawag niya.

He didn't want to seem like a stalker and call her each minute of the day. Somehow pinigilan niya rin ang sarili niyang gawin ang bagay na yon. Tumawag siya ng tatlong beses kada araw for two days. Daniel also sent her good morning and good messages but with no reply.

Naisip niya na baka sobrang busy nito kaya hindi nakakasagot o nakakareply so he decided to surprise Kath tomorrow sa studio nito. Didiretso siya doon after ng training niya sa umaga.

Dala dala ni Daniel ang isang bouquet ng bulaklak at isang box ng take out na grilled cheese amd drove his way to Kathryn. Sinubukan niya itong tawagan pero hindi pa rin sumasagot. Na miss na niya ito.

Kath is sitting in her office and busy with her work stuff. Nagreresearch siya about new concepts for her pictorials, nang biglang nag ring ang cellphone niya.

She kind of hoped and not hoped at the same time, na sana si Daniel yon. He has been calling her and she keeps on ignoring his calls and texts. Kahit na gustong gusto na niya itong sagutin at kausapin. Namimiss na niya rin ito.

It has been hard for her knowing she had a great time the last time they were together.

Isinilid niya ang phone sa bag para hindi siya matuksong sagutin ang tawag. Ilang sandali pa tumigil na rin ito sa pag ring.

Tumingin siya sa relo, alas dos na ng hapon at hindi pa siya nag lu-lunch.

Kath decided to go out for a while and find something to eat. Palabas na siya ng pintuan ng opisina niya ng tumunog and chime na nasa pintuan ng buong studio indicating someone entered the room.

All of a sudden she felt nervous.

That main entrance is facing the reception area and Kath's office is located right side of that door down the hall.

Narinig niyang nagkagulo ang ilang staff niya sa pag dating ng taong iyon. May iba pa ngang tumili yata.

"Good afternoon po S-s-sir Daniel." greeted one of Kath's employee

At the mention of his name napako na si Kathryn sa pinto ng opisina niya. Gulat na gulat sa biglaang bisita niya.

"Hi..si Kath nandyan?" rinig niyang tanong ni Daniel sa natatarantang empleyado niya. Nagpanic siya na baka sabihin na andoon siya, hindi malaman ni Kathryn kung papasok ba siya ulit sa opisina, tatakbo palabas o magtatago sa likod ng mga halaman. Sa huli ay nagtago lang siya sa likod ng pintuan.

"Dj? Ano ginagawa mo dito?" biglang dumating si Thery galing sa kabilang kwarto.

Thery then subtly exchanged looks with Kath when Dj wasn't looking at her. She was trying to ask Kath what she will say to him.

Sinenyasan siya ni Kathryn "Tell him I'm not here" Yun ang gusto niyang sabihin niya kay Dj.

"Si Kath?" tanong ni Dj sa pinsan niya .

Kahit naguguluhan si Thery , in the end sinunod niya pa rin si Kathryn.

"Aahh....wala siya dito..may shoot sa..." she tried to think of an alibi

Kumunot ang noo ni Daniel "Saan?" he said in a serious tone.

"Sa...sa malayo..oo tama..sa malayo, di ko alam ang location eh." she tried to smile.

"Ha? Eh di ba nasa loo-" sabat ng isang staff niya na tinakpan agad ni Thery ng papel.

"Ay! Paki gawan ako ng 10 copies niyan please.." pag iiba niya ng usapan. Muntik na sana mabuko si Kathryn.

May duda sa mukha ni Daniel.

"Aaaah malayo...kaya siguro di niya sinasagot at nirereplyan ang tawag at text ko." he said loudly, as if pinaparinggan siya. Sapol naman.

"He-he baka nga ganon Dj..yaan mo bibigay ko na lang sa kanya yang mga dala mo." sagot ng pinsan niya.

Kath felt a twitching pain inside her chest. She felt guilty for avoiding him like this. Bakit naman kasi kailangan na iwasan ang mga bagay na gustong gusto niya.

Kath can see Daniel from where she is hiding. Kahit likod lang nito ang nakikita niya. Striped navy blue and white sweater, khaki joggers, loafers and aviators sunglasses, and that clean cut hair.

Daniel really knows how to dress well, but even in white shirt and jeans , he can flip women with his charm. His bare is very much appealing too.

Nilapag ni Daniel ang dala nitong bulaklak at pasalubong para kay Kath sa mesa ng receptionist at humingi ng papel at ballpen. May isinulat siya rito at iniabot kay Thery.

"Paki bigay naman ito sa kanya pagbalik niya." then he left.

Nang makita ni Kath na nakalayo na ang sasakyan ni Daniel, lumapit na siya sa may reception area saka inabot sa kanya ang mga binilin ng lalaki.

A pretty bouquet of pink Ranunculus, it speaks of radiance and attraction. A box of her favorite grilled cheese. Exactly what she was having in mind earlier before deciding on going out.

Lastly, she unfolded that piece of paper Daniel wrote earlier.

Ang mensaheng nakasulat sa maliit na papel ay lalong nagpahina ng tuhod niya at nagpalakas ng kabog ng dibdib ni Kathryn.

See you in three weeks.
I miss you.

P.S. You look beautiful in white.
- Dj

It was just then Kath looked up and saw the large mirror behind the reception area. Kitang kita ni Kathryn ang pinto ng opisina niya sa salamin. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito, nakita na rin siy ni Daniel kanina nagtatago doon. How can she forget the mirror?

The guilt she felt earlier just doubled if not tripled on its weight. Kath really felt sorry.

Hindi na siya natuloy sa pagalis para kumain. Kath took the grilled cheese and the flowers inside her office.

Sa ibang pagkakataon naiisip ni Kath na sana magkasama na sila ni Daniel na kumakain ngayon. Sharing this food he brought for her.

"Maganda pa rin kaya ako sa paningin mo pag malaman mong Eiraya ako?"

"You wouldn't even know what an Eiraya is.." nag momonologue siya while munching on her grilled cheese.

Deep sigh.

Naisip ulit ni Kath ang sinasabi sa kanya lagi ng magulang niya.

"Hindi nila tayo matatanggap. The world is too mundane and harsh to accept and not be scared of us.." her mother said.

Even the relationships she had with other people such as Frances, her best-friend worries her mother. Much more than ever, Minerva is worried now about Kathryn having Daniel in the picture. She knows her daughter, and she can see where it is leading to. Kaya kinausap niya ito and reminded her.

She faint a laugh at the realization of her illusions.

"Who am I kidding? Of course you won't accept me kapag malaman mo ang totoo.." she dropped her last piece of grilled cheese into the waste bin along with the flowers and the letter.

She grabbed her bag and left her office.

Her mind was so proud of her for doing so, but her heart says otherwise. Bumalik si Kath sa opisina at dali dali pinulot sa basurahan ang mga bulaklak at sulat ni Dj. Nilagay sa mesa niya at tinitigan ito.

"That's it. I'mgoing crazy..." was her surrender.