Together but Separate

Chapter 37: Series of Issues

Kate R. Ferragni

I was so upset. I really was. Nicko tried talking to me while we were in the car on our way home, but I would dismiss him the moment he would say a word.

"Kate, let's talk."

Hindi ko siya pinansin. Patuloy lang akong naglakad papasok sa bahay. Tinawag niya ako ulit pero hindi ko pa rin siya pinansin. Umakyat ako sa hagdan at mabilis na pumasok sa kwarto. Binaba ko ang bag ko sa dulo ng kama at nameywang dahil sa inis.

"We need to talk, Kate—"

Marahas akong humarap sa kanya na kinagulat niya kaya bigla siyang napahinto sa paghakbang. I looked at him fiercely.

"We have nothing more to talk about, Nicko. Just stop using your connections whenever my business is involved. I am sick and tired of people telling me that my success is all because of you."

He sighed and said in a low voice, "I didn't use my connections. Like I said earlier, I didn't know Ate Helen would do that. She probably wanted to help and that's something I have no control of."

Napailing ako ng ilang beses. It might be his fault or not but still, I was so upset with how it turned out. I didn't know what else to say to him. Kahit ano namang sasabihin ko ay may rason pa rin siya. He was not completely aware of how influential he was that even just a few words or unintentional actions coming from him, it could result into something big.

I just didn't bother answering him. I turned around and went to the bathroom.

"Kate, we're not done talking yet."

I didn't mind what he said. I shut the bathroom door closed and took a cold shower to calm my nerves.

Tinagalan ko talaga ang pagligo. I also took my time in applying lotion on my skin and getting myself dressed. Mabuti na lang at wala na si Nicko sa kwarto paglabas ko ng banyo. I used that time to call Kris. Sinagot naman agad ni Kris ang tawag ko.

"Kanina lang tayo nagkita na miss mo na ako agad," he joked.

"I am not in the mood for jokes, Kris. I have to talk to someone to let my emotions out. Otherwise, I will explode."

"Oh. That sounds serious. Ano 'yon?"

I told him the reason behind Maam Nadia's approval to collaborate with us.

"Wow! Iba talaga ang asawa mo, Kate." He chuckled. "Wala pa siyang may inutos o sinabi, may resulta na agad."

I frowned. "It's not funny, Kris." He laughed even louder. "Sige, tumawa ka lang diyan."

He suppressed his laughter and cleared his throat when he realized that I was not liking his reaction. "Alam mo, Kate, I know naaapakan lang ang pride mo dahil naghirap ka ng sobra para makamit ang kung ano man ang meron ka ngayon tapos sa asawa mo lang ibibigay ang credits. I know it can be upsetting kaya ka nagagalit ngayon. Pero nangyari na eh, pumayag na si Ma'am Nadia. We can't back out now. We need her. This is what you've been waiting for. Kung ako sa 'yo, just start seeing this as an opportunity to prove to her that you are more than what she thinks you are. Prove her wrong."

"It's easier said than done. You have to meet her in person for you to know how difficult it is to prove anything to her," I said as I shook my head.

He chuckled and said, "The last time I remember, wala kang inaatrasan. Ngayon ka pa ba panghihinaan ng loob eh ang layo na ng narating mo?"

I sighed. Kris had a point. There was no use in sulking over things I could not change. Like he said, I would just use this situation as an opportunity to prove them wrong.