Some Mad Hope (ML, #4.5)

Kabanata 12

Kabanata 12

I'm Sorry

"Sama 'ko!" ani 'ko at nagtatakbo papunta sa Land Cruiser ni Marco, abala sa pakikipag-usap sa telepono. Napahinto ako nang tumaitim ang pakikipag-usap ng pinsan ko sa kanyang telepono. He raised his palm to stop me, so I stayed on my place, rocking the heels of my feet. Napakagat ako ng labi nang titigan lang si Marco.

"Don't you think, Henrik?" His brows furrowed. "What are you, teenager? Bullshit excuse," he barked out, almost gritting his teeth. Marco's arms are almost flailing in irritation. "Ano? I'll freaking drag your ass! You--" Napatigil si Marco nang mapansing may isa siyang audience--ako. I smiled when his gaze flit on mine. Binaba niya ang telepono mula sa tainga. Pinorma niya ang braso sa pag-aya sa akin. "Come with me, Maggie. Of course..." aniya, pinilit palitan ang ekspresyon kanina.

"Okay ka lang?" I asked, concerned.

"Yep!" sagot niya bigla ngunit umiling. "I've never thought Henrik would do that shit." He breathed a sigh then shook his head. "I need to talk to him. And probably fucking drag his ass and I am serious! We're talking about a client! Naiinis ako! Silang magkakapatid!" puyos ni Marco sabay hila ng aking palapulsuhan.

Tumango-tango na lamang ako. Nagpatangay kay Marco hanggang makapasok ng Land Cruiser. Ilang puyos ng inis na salita ang pinalipad niya sa loob ng sasakyan sa byahe. He told me, they never did that shit--The shit he's talking about is ditching a client. All I could do is nod and hold his hand to make him relax. He is in the verge of tears, but he stopped himself. Buong byaheng iyon lamang ang sinasabi niya. I know the Cromwells are professional in this industry. I am shocked, too, knowing this. Hindi ko aakalain na ganito. Kaya sinabi ko kay Marco, na magiging maayos ang lahat sa huli. The whole trip I am holding his hand, soothing him words that everything will be alright.

"They are in South! Those dudes!" aniya sabay buntong hininga.

Pinisil 'ko ang pa lalo ang kamay ng aking pinsan. Tinitigan ko siya habang nag-iisip. Napakagat ako ng labi nang tignan ko ang paligid. Matagal-tagal na rin ang naging byahe naming papuntang Muntilupa. I don't know why, but it is getting me nervous. I know the reason why, deep in my heart, but I have to pretend. I have master it, skillfully. Nandito ako para suportahan si Marco upang maging maayos ang lahat. Nandito ako upang sunduin namin ang magkakapatid na Cromwells.

The car stopped. Napapiglas ng hawak si Marco sa akin nang hindi niya pansin. Kaagad siyang bumaba ng Land Cruiser nang makarating sa tapat ng Azumi, hotel na sinabi sa kanya ni Henrik. City lights burned when my gaze drifted everywhere. The sun bid his goodbye as his bright color like a wildfire spread across the sky. I wetted my bottom lip and moved. Naaligaga ako nang makalayo si Marco at nasa entrada na ng hotel. Liningon ko na lamang ang driver upang ngumiti. Pagkatapos ay nagtatakbo na 'ko upang maabutan si Marco. I want to be with him! I want to calm him!

"Cous!" I shouted a little loud.

Nakita ko ang pagsulya ng mga guard sa akin. Nakarating na ito sa receptionists upang magtanong. I saw frustration across his features. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang pagkagat ng pang-ibabang labi 'ko sa tensyong nararamdaman 'ko. It is all mixed-up! I don't want to tell every single detail about it, because it hurts! I don't know why, it hurts!

Hinarang kaagad ako ng guard nang makarating sa entrance. Pipiglas na sana ako upang magreklamo na kasama ko ang lalaking papasakay na ng elevator ngayon, ngunit kaagad na dumating ang isa sa mga bellboy upang magpaliwanag. Napabuntong hininga ako kasabay ng pagtunog ng telepono sa aking bulsa. I get it immediately and read a message from Marco.

From Marco:

Maggie, I'm so, so sorry, i have to vent this out in front of them. I know you mean well being with me. But I have to talk to them as their manager. Thank you cous! I love you so much. Can you wait in the rooftop, sweetheart?