Right Where We Left

3 - Battle of Judgment

KIB

"Huy! Kanina pa ako nagsasalita dito, di ka naman nakikinig.", I heard Andrei say.

"Sorry, sorry. May iniisip lang. ", I responded.

Nandito ngayon sa opisina ang kaibigan kong si Drei. Dinaanan niya ako to meet with Aljun one hour from now. Aside from being friends, business partners din kami. Sa Manila sila based before, pero they decided to invest in resort and restaurant business here in La Union. Over time, they've also learned to love the life in the province.

"Pansin ko ngang pangiti-ngiti ka diyan. Tapos biglang sisimangot. Muntanga lang bro. Anong meron?", he asked.

"Wala.", I denied.

But the truth is, this girl whom I met recently has been disturbing my mind from time to time. It amuses me whenever I remember our encounter, and at the same time I feel disappointed because I have to remind myself that she is a media person.

"Grabe Kib! Naglilihim ka na sa amin ngayon ah. Makakarating 'to kay Aljun."

"Bahala ka.", I shrugged.

"Ganyanan! Tara na nga. Mukhang kailangan ng convincing powers naming dalawa para mapaamin ka eh."

Hindi na lang ako sumagot. I got my things and the two of us started walking out of the room. Kinukulit pa rin ako ni Drei pero di ko na lang siya pinapansin.

To my surprise, we came across the last person I expected (yet I knew I hoped) to see again.

I halted my steps and we just stood there, looking at each other.

"Kib--- I mean... Gov...", she said upon seeing me.

So she knows the truth already.

"Hi Miss! I'm Drei, kaibigan ni Kib. You are?", singit ni Drei. Kasama ko nga pala 'to.

Des turned to him and introduced herself, too.

"Uhm, may pupuntahan ba kayo? Can I... ask for 2 minutes of your time?", she said to me.

"Ay kahit 15 minutes pa Des, go lang! Magkakape lang kami nito eh.", biglang sabi ni Drei.

Lumingon siya sa akin at ngumiti nang nang-aasar.

"Sige bro ah! Sunod ka na lang!", paalam niya. Kumindat pa ang loko.

I turned to Des and saw her looking down.

"Sa office na lang tayo.", I said and led the way. Once inside, I sat on my chair and asked her to sit on one in front of the table.

"Uhm... First of all, gusto kong mag-thank you for your help yesterday. Nakuha ko na yung  kotse ko.", she began, her head still bowed.

"Good to know.", I said.

"Pangalawa..."

She looked up and stared at me.

"Sorry... Sorry po talaga, gov! Honestly, wala akong excuse na maibibigay sa mga sinabi ko. And makapal na kung makapal but I'm still hoping to set an interview with you.", she said.

Her hands were on top of the table and they were shaking. I admire the bravery, but it's still a no.

"Sorry, Des. But I won't change my mind."

"Ano bang kailangan kong gawin para pumayag kayo?", she asked, and I felt the desperation in her voice.

No. Don't give in, Kib. You don't want the past repeating itself, do you? Niloloko ka lang niyan.

Or what if I test her?

My mind was in battle for a minute before it came up with an action.

"Tell me. What's in it for you? Bakit mo ako kailangang interview-hin?"

I saw her shocked expression upon hearing my question.

Gotcha. My ears are ready to hear the lies you'll come up with.

A minute passed and she still hasn't spoken.

"My time is precious, so please tell me straight what this is all about. Money? Promotion? Or ano bang form of reward ang nakukuha ng mga taong nanggagamit ngayon?"

The pain that crossed her eyes did not miss my sight. Ako mismo, nagulat sa sinabi ko.

Des stood up from her seat at once. Her face was red and I could tell that she's angry.

"Sobra ka naman! Oo, kikita ako. Oo, ma-ppromote ako. Masama ba yun? Eh sa ito ang trabaho ko eh. Grabe ka manghusga ah. Mukhang pera agad?! Manggagamit agad?! At least kami, pinaghihirapan namin yung kinikita namin. Unlike you dirty politicians! Mga kurakot!"

"What did you just say? Bawiin mo ang sinabi mo.", I demanded.

I lost it.

I also got up from my seat and we stood across each other with frowns on our faces.

"Bakit? Sige nga. Tell me, kahit ba isang kusing wala kang ninakaw sa bayan?"

"Wala. Eh ikaw? Kahit ba isang line wala kang ni-report na lie?", I challenged.

"Never! You know what, hindi ko alam kung bakit gusto kang i-feature ng boss ko eh di ka naman bagay sa show namin. First impressions really do not last.", she said and made her way to the door.

What the hell, Kib.

I should feel happy, right? For sure di na niya ako kukulitin.

Pero bakit parang kabaligtaran ang nararamdaman ko? Why am I feeling guilty about what happened?

Why did I have to meet that woman in the first place? And why does she have to be a freaking media person?

Anong gagawin ko sakaling magkita kami ulit? Should I say sorry?

Author's Note:

Guys, pakisagot si Kib, charot XD