One Last Time

Kabanata XXXI: ACCUSING STARES

Accusing Stares.
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"OKAY NA, KEI. Natapos ko ang floor plan. Ipapakita ko 'to kay Ms. Aya baka may pwede pang siyang i-suggest."

Habang nakikinig ay inilipat ko sa kabilang tainga ko ang cellphone ko at inipit ito sa'king leeg para isuot ang relo ko. Si Rae ang kausap ko ngayon sa kabilang linya. Nasa firm siya, nandito ako sa apartment. I don't have work today. It's my day off that I really requested, dahil ngayon naka-schedule ang check-up ko.

"Okay, just keep me updated later para alam ko," sagot ko kay Rae bago ako nagpaalam at tinapos na ang tawag. I texted Tita Norin at ipinaalam na may checkup ako ngayon.

I didn't wait for Tita's reply, binaba ko na ang cellphone ko sa ibabaw ng bedside table ko. Humarap na ako sa full-body mirror sa gilid to check myself.

With my hair tied half up, I'm wearing a sleeveless white floral maxi long dress and black flats. Hindi na ako masyadong nag-make-up. I only applied powder and lipstick.

Nang masiguradong okay na ang ayos ko, kinuha ko na ang cellphone at sling bag ko sa ibabaw ng bedside cabinet at bumaba na.

I frowned as I opened the gate and saw him outside. He's leaning against his parked BMW in front of my gate. Tinotoo niya talaga ang sinabi niya noong nakaraang gabi!

Nang makita ako, mabilis siyang umalis sa mula sa pagkakasandal at mabilis akong nilapitan.

"Good morning." He beamed and even swallowed as he stopped in front of me.

"Morning..." I greeted back at mabilis na bumaling sa gilid dahil parang sinisilaw niya ako sa ayos niya! Yes! He's achingly a head-turner in his black pants and navy V-neck shirt that flaunts his tan chest and damn biceps!

"You're moving on from him," scolded the other part of my brain.

"Since it's broad daylight, I can now finally see that your hair color changed...and it's even shorter..."

My forehead wrinkled immediately at his random comment. This is not the first encounter we have had after that night at the bar. We bumped into each other at Marina Del Rey hotel, where it was all bright and lit up. We even went on a dinner date. With his intense stares on me on those encounters like he wanted to see right through me, there's no way he didn't notice!

He's just trying to make a scene now, and honestly, I couldn't care less about why he's doing it.

I finally faced him, only to see him gazing at my face.

"It suits you anyway," he mouthed as he held my eyes.

I just frowned a little and didn't let it affect me. Tumikhim ako saka malamig siyang tiningnan. "What are you doing here, Engr. Deogracias?" malamig kong tanong.

Ignoring my coldness, he licked his lips and eventually gave me a sly smile. "Didn't I tell you at the restaurant na sasamahan kita sa hospital?"

I stared at him seriously. "I didn't agree to that, remember?" I also remember that we're still talking about that hanggang sa maihatid niya ako sa apartment ko.

"I know, but I insist. Kailangan mo ng makakasama. What if something unexpected happens? You need someone na aalalay sa'yo."

Umigting ang panga ko sa narinig at mas lalong binaon sa kanya ang seryosong tingin ko. "I appreciate your concern, Engr. Deogracias, but I can manage myself. Isang paa lang ang invalid sa'kin at hindi dalawa." My tone's giving seriousness, but he just gave me a casual smile.

"Still, I insist," he stated casually.

Napapinid na lang ako ng labi. Alam kong wala sa Pilipinas si Annika, pero bakit ako ang kinukulit niya?