CHAPTER 10
"Wala pa rin?"
"'Wag ka ngang maingay!"
"Baka magtaka na 'yong si Lalie."
"Kung mananahimik ka, hindi."
"He's been there for thirty-one hours, what you expect, Kres?"
"Let's not panic, okay?"
I sighed before continuing my steps downstairs.
I am worried for him, but I am trying to hide it from myself.
I expected him, yes. Kaya ang kaba sa aking dibdib ay hindi matanggal. Maybe, later, then?
"Good morning!" masaya nilang bati.
They kissed my cheek and smile the whole time I was not saying a word.
"Is the company goin' well?" tanong ko.
"Mm, I must say." Sagot ni Travis.
I hate this attitude of him. Acting cool like nothing's wrong. He always put the bad happenings at worse. Alam na niyang mali para sa akin, magsisinungaling pa rin siya.
Am I that easy to be fooled of?
"Nah, I must say."
And that. Jass had always been that man. With straight mouth. He never cared what would be the consequences. He's always willing to say truths than prevail it long.
I just nod at that. Travis never looked at me that day.
Yes, another day had passed.
My son is not here, so his father. They went home to clean a mess I've made long ago.
Am I that selfish to let them do this?
"Sa'n punta?" tanong ni Clevi pagbaba ko.
"Work-"
"No. You're not allowed to go-"
"Since when, Clev?"
"I mean, it's gonna rain.."
"I'll stay on my office, then."
"You're gonna leave me here?"
"What?"
Bahagya siyang yumuko at umiling. 'Di kalaunan ay muli niya akong hinarap.
"Alright. Let's go."
I let him do what he wants. Dahil sa nakikita ko ngayon, Clevi is not Clevi the jolly I knew.
"Babalik ako mamaya. I'm gonna fetch you. I swear." Nakangiti niyang sabi.
Tinanguan ko na lang siya at ito namang pag-alis niya.
Watching his back walking away from me seems weird this time. I felt something I am afraid to feel.
I tried to focus on my work, but I can't concentrate. And now that I'm calling Clevi, he kept on ignoring my calls.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but someone wants to talk to you." Marahang sabi ng aking sekretarya pagpasok ng aking opisina.
"Hello, Miss Ferreas?"
"Hm?"
"You still sound so cool and calm-"
"Spill it."
"Buhay, kapalit ng buhay, Amethy."
Those words kept my heart beating so fast.
Ang kalabog sa aking dibdib ay hindi ko na kayang pigilan. This kind of tragedy is the one that can cut all my guts to fight and be as cold as ice. And be as strong as metal because it can also melt.
