Chased (BS#4)

D-Deadend

GAYA ng naunang napag-usapan, lumitaw pa rin si Clarine sa bahay ng binata. Tinanghali lamang siya ng kaunti kung ikukumpara sa mga nakaraang araw. It was obvious why. She was too lazy to go back here when he's not around. Lalo lang niya iyong nakumpirma nang datnan niya ang tahimik na villa.

Living room was empty yet left clean. She also checked out the library where he usually spends his time the whole day, working his ass off, engaging on company matters, reading a thousand emails and listening to unending meetings. The huge table, still decorated with papers neatly stacked up together, was sitting there in a corner. Too lonely.

Dumiretso siya pagkuwan sa kusina. Mayroon naman siyang dalang kaunting grocery items na binili niya bago tumungo roon. She started sorting them up and stored them properly. Habang abala ay napansin niya ang sticky note na nakasabit sa refrigerator.

I cooked adobong sitaw. It's in the fridge. Reheat it if you get hungry. Wait for me, please. I'll see you later.

She blinked and realized that an unintended smile rested on her face. Kumunot ang noo niya habang pinakatitigan ang maliit na papel. Nag-iisip at nakikiramdam.

What is... this?

Dahil sa adobong sitaw? Adobong sitaw na isang beses lang niyang binanggit sa binata. She proceeded to open the fridge. Naroon nga ang sinasabi nito. Hindi niya ramdam ang gutom kanina ngunit nang makita ang niluto nito para sa kanya ay tila natakam siya. Hotel management sure is his expertise. Kahit sa sariling bahay ay hindi nakakalimutan ang hospitality.

Tinapos muna niya ang pagsalansan ng mga dala bago ininit ang iniwang ulam. She ate in silence. The villa feels so cold and empty all of a sudden. Tila pinapasok ng malamig na hangin ng Tagaytay. Even the sky was darker, with no glimpse of the sun. Para bang maya-maya ay uulan.

Sinikap ni Clarine na libangin ang sarili. After the meal, she made sure that the kitchen is spotless clean. She also took a short swim while the sun's not out. Took selfies and random aesthethic photographs. Matapos makaligo ay sumalampak naman siya sa sofa sa living room. Inabala ang sarili sa paghahanap ng mapupuntahan. She read reviews and various suggested itineraries. Nang makahanap ng papatok sa kanyang interest ay ang calendar naman niya ang pinagkaabalahan. She was busy plotting events on her calendar when she noticed something.

Muntik nang mawala sa isipan niya ang okasyon bukas. Naka-oo na siya sa mga pinsan tungkol roon. It was a separate get-together celebration for Aria's upcoming graduation. The child's already done with exams and secured a spot for graduation upon her releasing of grades. Mayroon pang mas malaking selebrasyon ang magaganap pagkatapos ng graduation ng pinakabunsong pinsan sa pamilya.

She tapped her phone, contemplating at something she never thought would ever be an option for her. Guess, it is now.

She continued arranging her calendar. She also checked her stock portfolios and emails. She was in the middle of checking charts and candle reading of an specific crypto coin when she heard the bell ringing. Kumunot ang noo ni Clarine habang naglalakad patungo sa door intercom monitor. Kita mula sa video screen ang iba't ibang view ng cctv na nagkalat sa villa. A woman was standing on the gateway. Isang pulang sasakyan ang nakaparada sa labas. If the gate did not open automatically, then that means, she doesn't have a car sticker specifically made for his security gate.

Pinindot niya ang intercom upang magtanong.

"Who is it?"

"U-Uh... hello, this is Teresse dela Peña, managing director of De Silva Properties Management, Inc. I-is... Vin De Silva, home?"

Umakyat ang inis sa dibdib ni Clarine. Why is a woman looking for him and a managing director, at that? Is there a problem? And by the look of it, mukhang hindi ito ang unang beses na napadpad roon ang babae.