Life With You

5 - Dinner Date?

Jade

I'm about to go to the restobar na usapan namin ni Sally when I noticed something in the driver's seat of my car. Cellphone. Then I realized this must be Althea's. To be sure I dialed her number and true enough cellphone nga niya dahil nag appear ang number ko, hindi pa pala niya naisave ang number ko sabi ko sa isip ko. Saka ko lang napansin ang maraming missed calls. Ibig sabihin kanina pa itong cellphone niya and it's already past 8pm, baka marami na siyang na missed na important calls. I got out from my car and looked around, I saw Sally's car approaching me. Inabangan ko siya at huminto ng mapansin ako, she rolled down her window.

"Bakit? Tara na convoy na tayo." aya niya.

"I don't think I can go. I need to bring Althea's phone to her office."

"What?" gulat niyang tanong. "You have Althea's phone?"

"She left it in my car earlier. Di ba nga nasabi ko sa'yo na hinatid niya ako." paalala ko kay Sally. Hindi rin siya makapaniwala ng binalita ko sa kanya dahil alam din niya ang buong kwento ng biglaan kong pagpapakasal.

"Yeah, ok pero Best sigurado hahanapin ka nila." sagot niya.

"I'll try to follow."

"Why not give it to her pag uwi mo?"

"At this hour I'm sure she's still at the office. Not far from here. I'll just give this to her then I'll go straight to the bar." I explained, after seconds of staring at me she just nod in surrender.

"Ok, Best. Text me if you're coming or not, ok?"

"Yes, Best. Safe drive."

"Ikaw din. See you."

- - -

I'm now parking in front of Althea's company building. As I got out from my car ay lumapit ang isa sa mga guards.

"Excuse me, Mam." he said. "Bawal po---" napahinto siya at mukhang nakilala ako. "Ms. Tanchingco? ay Guevarra po pala. Good evening po" bigla niyang dugtong. Althea and I may had a private wedding but I know everyone was aware of it including the people around us. Lolo Pablo and Dada announced it during emergency meeting they had before our wedding. Althea has to take a force leave because as far as I know she never takes a leave from office. What a workaholic person she is. Maybe the reason why she's still single, kaya siguro si Lolo Pablo na ang gumawa ng paraan para sa kanya.

"Mam?" tawag ng guard na nagpagising sa akin.

"Ah, yes Manong, good evening. Andiyan pa po ba si Althea?"

"Ah, eh. Yes Mam. Saglit lang po, iraradyo ko po."

"No, it's ok. Just tell me what floor. Ako na lang pupunta." may ngiti kong sabi.

"Ok sige po, Mam. Samahan ko na lang kayo sa private elevator nila." he gestured me the way and I followed him.

I'm about to enter at the elevator when someone called
me and when I turned around I saw Mang Julio approaching with take away foods at hand.

"Oh, Jade. Gandang gabi. Andito ka pala." bati niya

"Good evening din po Mang Julio. Ah opo kasi naiwan po ni Althea ang phone niya, alam ko andiyan pa siya kaya ibabalik ko sana."

"Oo nga nabanggit niya kanina. O siya halika ibigay mo na sa kanya." he said.

"Ah, pwedeng pabigay ko na lang po sa inyo?"

"Naku, halika na at ikaw na mismong magbigay." aya niya at saka pumasok sa loob ng elevator. Wala na din akong nagawa kaya sumunod na lang ako.

"Magdidinner pa lang po kayo, Mang Julio?" pansin ko na sa dala niya.