Man in the Rain

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Going Away

Breathe in...

Breathe out...

Breathe in...

Breathe out...

I tried to calm myself down. Nasa harapan ako ng pinto ng opisina ni Luke. I think I was standing here for more than five minutes already but I couldn't force myself to knock.

I was traumatized by what happened yestreday. Hindi pa ako nakaka-recover and I don't want to experience a round two. I know that behind this door was another heartbreak waiting to happen and if I only have a choice, I would just walk away and hide somewhere kung saan hindi niya ako makikita.

But, unfortunately, hindi ko kaya pwedeng gawin iyon.

Come on Shan, you can do this. Knock on the door and get this done and over with, I even said to myself.

Ipinikit ko ng mariin ang mga mata ko. Humugot muli ako ng malalim na hininga bago ko inangat ang nangingig kong kamay pero bago pa ako tuluyang makakatok, the door burst open. At ang bumungad sa akin ay ang blankong mukha ni Luke. My heart skipped a beat.

He eyed for a fraction of a second bago niya niluwagan ang pagkakabukas ang pinto.

"Took you long enough. Get in," he said. His voice was full of authority.

Tumalikod siya at naglakad papunta sa direksyon ng lamesa niya samantalang ako naman ay natuod sa kinatatayuan ko. He must have sensed na hindi ako nakasunod sa kanya dahil pagkatapos ng ilang saglit ay lumingon siya.

"What are you waiting for, Ms. Avila? Get inside and close the door. Don't waste my time. I have far more important things to do."

Yeah, right.

Muli ay humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago ko nautusan ang mga paa ko na humakbang papasok ng opisina niya. I closed the door behind me before I went toward one of the vacant chair in front of his table.

Umupo na ako bago pa tuluyang bumigay ang mga nanginginig kong tuhod.

Ilang sandali kong tinitigan ang mga kamay ko na ipinatong ko sa aking kandugan before I was able to muster a little courage and look up to meet his eyes.

He was eyeing me intently. I wish I could read what's going on in his mind but his cold blank amber eyes was giving nothing away.

"Have you made up your mind?" He asked without any preamble.

My stomach churned. Yes, I already made up my mind. Kagabi ay binanggit ko na ang bagay na ito kay Ninong Rufino. But of course, I didn't tell him the real reason kung bakit ako gustong ilipat ni Luke sa Manila. Hindi ko sinabi na idi-demote ako bilang isang secretary. I told him na kasama iyon sa take over process ng kompanya ni Luke sa VMC.

Sa palagay ko ay naniwala naman sa akin sa Ninong. Hindi kasi siya masyadong nagtanong ng mga detalye. He just asked me what my decision was at kung papaano si Hope.

I squared my shoulder and nodded. "Pumapayag po ako na sa gusto niyo, Sir"

Yes, sasama ako kay Luke sa Maynila at magtatrabaho bilang sekretarya niya. Pero hindi ibig sabihin noon ay magtatagal ako doon. Kailangan ko lang ay kaunting panahon. Ilang buwan na lang ay aalis na sina Ninong, hinihintay lang nila na matapos ang renovation na bahay nila sa America. Pagkaalis na Ninong ng bansa ay saka na rin ako ng VMC. That way ay hindi niya malalaman at hindi siya mag-aalala.

Tungkol naman sa kung paaano si Hope. Hindi ko siya isasama. Maiiwan siya dito sa Baguio kasama sina Nana Amor. Hindi pwedeng makita ni Luke si Hope. Selfish at it may seem, hindi niya pwedeng malaman na may anak kami.