Let Me Be The One

Chapter 30 - Joy and Fear

Gail

Another work week. This is another week in the grind, as I stared out of my window when a knock came at my door.

"Excuse me, Ma'am" one of the staff stood by the door.

"Yes, Maris?" I said as I turned my chair around.

"Lobby had this brought up. It was addressed to you, Ma'am" she said as she brought in a bouquet of assorted flowers and gently placed them on my desk.

"Wow! Kanino daw galing?" tanong ko as I searched for a card from the sender.

"Lobby just said, a guy just came a few minutes ago and had it delivered to you" she answered as she stood in front of my desk.

"O-Ok. Sige, thanks" I said bago siya umalis.

Kanino kaya ito galing? Then I saw a card hidden behind the red silk ribbon.

"I love you always."

Then my celfone rang.

"Hi, babe! Did you get my gist?" Brent said cheerfully on the other side of the line.

"Babe, you are such a sweetie!" I said as I stared into the bouquet, placing the card on the table.

"For the love of my life" Brent added as he laughed a bit on the other line.

"I don't want to keep you too much from your work... so... I'll see you later?" He said so lovingly.

"See you later, babe... thank you again..." I replied as I hung up the call and lowered my phone back on the table.

Brent such the... perfect man. I stared at the fresh flowers as they lay proudly on my office table. Aabutin ko na yung dedication card ulit nung umilaw ulit yung fone ko. May text message.

<message received>
Musta?
Sender: Nicolo

Nakalimutan ko bigla ang card na kukunin ko. Agad-Agad kong nireplyan ang message.

Ok naman.
Busy.
San ka ngayon?
<message sent>

<message received>
Bahay lang.
Day-off.
Mya gabi may booking.

Ano ginagawa mo?
<message sent>

<message received>
Eto. Iniisip ka.

I have to confess, kinilig ako dun. And I spent til almost lunchtime texting Nicolo. Nothing too flirty. Bilis ng oras. Nang ibaba ko ang phone ko it was already 12:30.

"O Gail... let's have lunch... stop muna ang pagiging hardworking" katok ni Sir Tudor sa doorway.

"On the way out na rin po, boss" I said standing up getting my cel and bag as I quietly glanced at the flowers Brent gave me.

"Lunch time" I said walking out the door along with my boss.

Ela

Tanghalian na. Habang nilalapag ang kanin sa mesa kasama ni Tsang. Umuuwi ako pag tanghalian para makasama ko sila.

"O ano, hija, payag ka na ba na bumalik na sa eskwela ulit ngayong susunod na pasukan?" tanong ni Tsang habang binababa ang ulam sa mesa.

Natahimik ako. Nandun yung kagustuhan ko nang mag aral ulit. Pero iniisip ko yung gagastusin nina Tsang para sa akin kung pwede para kay Jeffrey na lang yun.

"Mama, ate!" sigaw ni Jeffrey papasok kasama si Tsong.

"Irog, kakain na ba tayo?" tanong ni Tsong ng ito'y humalik sa pisngi ni Tsang.

"Oo naman. Tatawagin na sana namin kayo" ngiting yakap ni Tsang kay Tsong na mas payat ng konti sa kanya.

Naalala ko bigla yung kwento ni Samuel nung pumunta ako nung Linggo. Naalala ko rin ang pangakong di ko ito sasabihin.

"Wow! Parang ang sarap!" masayang sigaw ni Jeffrey.

Tahimik akong umupo ng lahat ay nakaupo na at nakisalo sa pagkain habang mabigat sa loob ko ang pagtatago ng sikreto na maaring sumira sa buhay ng masayang pamilya namin.