Yours Forever (COMPLETED)

Forever 1

"What is wrong with you?" inis na sabi sa kanya ni Tracy. Mabilis itong napalayo sa kanya at naglakad-lakad sa loob ng kanyang opisina. She did not bother to fix her unbottoned blouse. Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya at napaupo sa kanyang executive chair. He reached for his buttons and put them in place.

Si Tracy naman ay biglang tumahimik at basta na lang nagsindi ng sigarilyo. Napaupo ito sa nandoong couch at pinapanood lang siya. Irritation radiates all over her face. Wala na yatang paraan para matanggal ang expression nito sa pagkakataong iyon.

He sighed continuously. He wanted to utter some words pero walang gustong lumabas sa kanyang bibig. Isang buntong-hininga ang muli niyang pinakawalan. Then he saw the impatient Tracy. Mabilis nitong idiniin ang sigarilyo sa ash tray hanggang sa mawala ang usok at baga niyon.

Mabilis itong lumapit sa kanya at nagpakandong. She cupped his face and gave him a deep searing kiss. Again, she ignited the fire within him. All he could do now is to respond. Mabilis na natanggal ni Tracy ang kanyang polo. She's really expert in this things.

Then his phone rang. Itinulak niya ng bahagya ang babae at napilitang pinutol ang kanilang ginagawa. Tracy uttered an irritated sigh and resumed what she was doing.

"Tracy, the phone's ringing." napilitan niyang sabi. He grabbed the ringing device and glanced at the screen. It was his daughter who was calling. Tracy snatched the phone from him and turned it off.

"Why the hell did you that for?" singhal niya sa babae. It was the first time that she shouted at her.

Muli, napatayo ang inis na si Tracy. "What is wrong with you? Hindi ka naman ganyan dati. Hindi naman tayo nadidistract sa ingay ng cellphone mo dati. At kanina ka pa ganyan sa akin."

Hindi siya nakasagot. Tinitigan niya lang ito habang inaayos nito ang damit. At the back of his mind, there was a relief knowing that Tracy would not attack him again. He just felt that he can't just take her again this time over his table.

"It was my daughter who was calling." he tried to explain.

"Ang anak mo na naman. Tuwina'y siya ang palagi mong dahilan. Why don't you marry me instead para mawala na ang problema nating iyan tungkol sa anak mo?"

There she said it. Tinitigan niya ito at matamang nag-isip. Walang masama sa suhestiyon nito. Matagal na rin silang magkasama. Tracy became his assistant when he started his business years ago. Malaki rin ang naitulong nito sa kanya. Isa ito kung bakit isa na sa mga sikat na producers at creators ng mga pelikula at music ang kanyang kompanya. Mula sa pagiging assistant ay hawak na nito ang isang mataas na posisyon sa kumpanya.

They had been friends at first pero lumampas pa doon ang kanilang pagsasama. She made him happy during his dull days. He made her happy too. And their friendship turned into an unusual one. Bedmates. Although no romantic spark between them, they were both compatible in bed. Kahit wala siyang sinasabi tungkol sa kanilang relasyon ay alam niyang alam ni Tracy na hanggang doon lang ang kanilang samahan. And he is relieved by that. Ilang taon na rin silang naging ganoon.

Hanggang sa ngayon. Hindi niya alam kung bakit bigla siyang nanlamig. Saan nanggagaling ang resistance na akala niya ay wala siya kung haharap siya sa babae? At ang proposition nito to marry her. There is nothing wrong about that. Tracy would make a very good wife. But, at the back of his mind, there is something that that makes him doubt everyting. A picture of his daughter formed in his thought.

"Let my daughter decide on that." sa wakas ay wika niya.

"It was again your daughter. Bakit siya palagi ang nagdedecide para sa iyo. Hindi ka naman nangingilam sa mga gusto niyang gawin. Bakit hindi niya isipin na may sarili ka ring buhay?"

Tinalikuran siya nito at mabilis na lumabas sa kanyang opisina. Naiwan siyang nakatulala habang nakatitig sa kawalan.

Saka niya naalala ang kanyang cellphone. Mabilis niyang dinampot iyon at binuksan. Ang kanyang anak ang mabilis niyang tinawagan.

"Where are you Daddy?" came the familiar and angry yet soft voice.

"Nasa opisina ako sweetheart."

"Dad!?" gulat na sigaw nito sa kabilang linya. "Ano pang ginagawa mo diyan? Nakalimutan mo na ba ang dinner dito sa bahay? Tito James and Tita Nadine are already here."

"What?!" pagkarinig niya sa pangalan ng kanyang mga kaibigan ay biglang rumehistro sa kanyang utak ang gustong iparating ng kanyang anak. It was the dinner. A monthly ritual they are doing ever since. A dinner that his wife, late wife rather had been established. Silang magkakaibigan ay nagkakaroon ng reunion once every month. Last month, it was James and Nadine who hosted the dinner. Ngayon ay sila naman at ng kanyang anak ang nakatoka. "I will be leaving the office now darling. Nandiyan na ba sina Jefferson at Robelyn?"

"Wala pa Dad kaya bilisan niyo. I will not forgive you kung mas mauna pa silang dumating."

"I am sorry honey. I will be there on time."

"You're already late Dad." giit ng kanyang anak.

"I know sweetheart. Daddy will be home in a bit."

"Ok, I love you Dad. Safe driving."

"I will honey. I love you too. Bye sweetie."

And the line went dead. Mabilis niyang pinulot ang nalaglag niyang polo kanina at mabilis na isinuot. He was now rushing like the wind. In no time, narating na niya ang kanilang bahay. Nadatnan niya ang nagsisiyahang sina James at Nadine kasama ang kanyang anak.

"Hello guys." bati niya sa mga ito. Umiwas siyang tumingin sa kanyang anak na ngayon ay may masamang titig sa kanya. He was like a boy caught by his mother doing something wrong. He just ignored her. Mamaya na lang niya ito kakausapin.