Ladders Of Love

Chapter Thirteen

I was currently packing my things when I heard a knock. Binuksan ko ang pinto ko at bumungad sa akin si Mama.

"Astrid, kain na tayo." She smiled. My heart fluttered. "Okay, Ma. Tinawag mo nalang sana ako para hindi ka na napagod sa pag-akyat dito sa kwarto ko."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.

"May problema ka ba, 'nak?" I smiled a little. "Nothing important, Ma. Tara na?" Tumango lang siya kahit alam naman niyang meron talaga akong problema but she doesn't know what. I didn't tell her about me and Asher yet.

Last week pa ako umuwi dito sa bahay because I am avoiding Asher, obviously. I blocked his number para hindi niya ako matawagan. Hindi ko rin ginamit ang social media accounts ko. I took my time para libangin ang sarili ko like baking and painting.

Tinawagan ako ng landlady ng apartment kagabi, saying na palagi daw pumupunta si Asher doon at hinahanap ako. Sinabi rin ni Isabel na palagi siyang kinukulit ni Asher kung saan ako at kung bakit hindi ako pumapasok sa trabaho. I filed a leave for 1 week and luckily, pumayag naman ang company. She also told me na minsan ay pumapasok na lasing si Asher. I badly want to go and scold him but... Things happened, right? He cheated on me. I can't forgive him yet. One week ago pa nang malaman ko ang pangga-gago niya. The wound in my heart is still fresh and I guess, it would take a long time for it to heal.

"Ma, alis na ako." Paalam ko at hinila ang maleta na may laman ng mga damit ko. Uuwi na ako sa apartment. Kailangan ko nang mag-trabaho. I guess I'll just have to avoid Asher at work.

"Ang bilis naman ata, 'nak." Nagtatampong sabi ni Mama. I hugged her. "Don't worry, Ma. Pupunta ako dito pag-weekends."

"Okay, sige. Hindi ka ba magpa-paalam sa Kuya mo?" Tanong niya at umiling lang ako. "Hindi na siguro, Ma. Ite-text ko nalang siya mamaya. Ang sabi niya sa akin kanina eh bukas pa daw siya uuwi."

"Ah ganun ba." Malungkot na sabi ni Mama. Humalik ako sa pisngi niya at nagpaalam na. Dederetso na ako sa office ngayon. Hindi naman masyadong mabigat ang maleta ko pero unusual tingnan na may dala-dala akong maleta.

Sumakay na ako sa Grab na binook ko at sinabi ang address ng kumpanya.

"Omg, Astrid!" Isabel squealed when she saw me leaving the elevator. She hurriedly went to me and hugged me tightly. "Okay ka na ba?" Full of concern niyang tanong.

I smiled bitterly. "I'm still trying to be okay. Medyo masakit pa rin pero hayaan mo na. Shit happens. I'm trying to move on." She tapped my back. "That's the Astrid I knew. Welcome back, girl!"

We both giggled. I... I missed this.

I went to my desk. Maraming nakatambak na papeles sa lamesa ko. Way back, magre-reklamo ako sa dami but now? I'll keep my self busy para hindi ako madistract ni Asher. He knows that work is work. Alam na alam niya yan because he's the boss.

"Good morning, Engineer Hernaez." Bati ng katabi ko. I was stoned to my seat. I-i... I'm still not ready to face him.

I looked up. I felt chills on my spine. He was staring at me. He looks... Wasted. Iniwas niya ang tingin niya at dere-deretsong nag-lakad paalis. I sighed in relief. I thought he was going to make a scene.

I was carried away by the works when someone called my name.

"Engineer Morales, pinapatawag ka raw ni Engineer Hernaez." I pursed my lips. Anong kailangan niya?

My mind was debating whether pupunta ba ako sa kanya o hindi but I chose the first. He's still my boss after all.

Pikit mata akong pumasok sa opisina niya. I already felt the gloomy aura once I stepped in. As what I've said, I'm still not ready to face him. I can still clearly remember the picture of him and Luela kissing.