Disturbing The Calm Water

Chapter 25

Bomb

"What? Did you expect to see us hugging each other when you come in?" Tanong ko kay Vini.

He came in with furrowed brows, probably looking for Liya.

"Alam mo namang hindi kami magkasundo at siya pa talaga ang tinawag mo. I did not ask for anyone!" Sabi ko, still feeling irritated from the earlier conversation. "Oh, by the way. Pinapasabi niya, we should clear our past issues ASAP para magkatuluyan na kayo!"

Nilapag niya ang mga gamit niya sa table at umupo sa swivel chair, hinihilot ang sentido.

I stood up from the couch at lumapit sa table niya.

"Isa pa, can you stop acting so overprotective and like we're a thing? Napapagalitan tuloy ako ng girlfriend mo! I thought we agreed to being professional? Being professional doesn't involve what happened today!" Frustrated kong sabi.

"Enough, Yani." He raised his voice at napatalon ako, hindi ineexpect yun.

He looks so stressed, hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa middle-aged woman na client niya, kay Liya na umalis o sa akin?

Maybe Liya is right, I bring trouble to him. I can feel heat rushing through my face.

"Enough of saying Liya is my girlfriend because she is not. We will clear our past issue when you are ready and no, I can't stop being protective of you because I still care for you." Diretso niyang sabi, frustrated din.

My jaw dropped. I'm suddenly lost for words.

He took a deep breath before continuing. "I know we agreed to be professional and I'm sorry I broke it today. As petty as it sounds, yes, I got jealous. I get jealous seeing you comfortable and happily conversing with other people, but you can't do it with me."

Mariin niyang pinikit ang mata niya while taking deep breaths. I remained standing, frozen. Only my heart is moving and it's fast.

I swallowed the lump that is forming in my throat. "That's what I don't understand... If we couldn't be together back then, there's no reason to be together right now."

He opened his eyes to look at me. Mapupula na ang mga ito. "I had to protect you back then. Things are different now."

I gasped, the realization sinking in. "Liya was right, what I know is just the tip of the iceberg. There's more to it." I unconsciously said it out loud.

That's why she believes that I'm self-centered and immature, and that I destroyed Vini's life. If Liya is that mad then I must have caused something big? Napahawak ako sa table, naghihina.

Mabilis na tumayo at lumapit sa akin si Vini. Nag-aalangan pa siyang hawakan ako. "I will tell you what happened when you're ready, okay? I don't want you having nightmares or anxiety again."

We stayed silent for a long time, parehas na kinakalma ang sarili.

"Do you want to cancel the meeting?" He asked, breaking the silence.

Umiling ako. "Let's continue it." I pushed back my emotions and thoughts, this is not the right time and right place for that. Isa pa, I need a distraction to stop myself from overthinking.

Tumango siya. "Tell me when you're ready."

I took a few more minutes then I told him to start the meeting already. May tinawagan siya, probably his secretary at maya't maya ay pumasok na ang secretary at dalawa pang babae.

"This is Ms. Mallari, our marketing head. She will present the marketing plans with us." Vini introduced her.

The secretary prepared her things para mag-minutes. Ms. Mallari introduced herself and her apprentice, Ms. Aragon. They set up the presentation before starting to discuss about the marketing plans for the café.