I'm Yours to Keep

Chapter 23

Halos dalawang linggo akong nagpagaling. I didn't have any broken bone pero pinahilom ko muna ang mga gasgas sa katawan ko at siniguradong hindi ito mag-iiwan ng peklat. Miguel stressed over the accident the most, pero hinayaan ko na dahil siguradong nag-alala siya nang sobra.

When my sick leave was over, I tried so hard to convince him na kaya ko nang magtrabaho ulit at wala na rin naman siyang nagawa. I headed early to SM North to lead a project's preparation. May Christmas Sale na inilunsad ang local clothing brand kung saan ako nagtatrabaho and my department is the one who executes media coverage. Pagdating ko sa activity center, sumalubong sa entrance ang isang malaking letter B na kulay pula, at saka ako nagtungo sa isang naka-set up na tent sa gilid para lumapit kay Ash.

"Hey."

She smiled at me and hugged me tight. "Care! I'm glad that you're okay!"

"Welcome back, Ma'am." My usual team greeted so I smiled to all of them. Lumapit ako sa monitor kung saan naka-display ang iba't ibang anggulo ng camera. When the mall opened, sinimulan nang magpapasok sa event. May program na nakahanda pero mamayang hapon pa ito sisimulan.

Dumagsa ang mga tao habang abala kami sa pagkuha ng iba't ibang shots at clips. We need to keep a minimal attention towards our camera men kaya we recorded two scenes at a time with one hour interval. Habang ni-re-review namin ang clips, my eyes landed on a woman wearing an elegant dress as she scanned the clothes hung on the rock. Walang pinto ang tent kaya tanaw na tanaw ko siya mula rito. The saleslady attended to her, so she handed the dress that she chose.

Luming-linga siya sa paligid and when our gazes met, she froze, and her smile slowly faded. Although it felt awkward, I smiled at her and redirected my gaze at the monitor.

"Ma'am, staff lang po rito."

I heard Leny's voice kaya nilingon ko ulit ang entrance ng tent. The woman is now looking at her as she slowly nodded. "Oh, I'm sorry." She smiled and started walking away.

Nakatalikod na siya pero nanatili ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Inilapat ko ang palad ko sa balikat ni Ash. "I'll be back." At saka naglakad palabas ng tent.

Binilisan ko ang lakad ko para maabutan siya. "Excuse me." Now I don't actually know why I came to her. Lumingon siya sa 'kin at saka ngumiti. I smiled and pointed at the tent. "You're about to go in there."

Napalingon din siya sa tent at saka ngumiti. "Yeah."

Gusto ko sanang tanungin kung bakit pero nanatili ang titig ko sa kaniya. Her eyes were glowing, and she looks really elegant, but still humble.

Nilahad ng bahagya ang kamay niya sa mataong activity center. "This event is nice."

Ngumiti rin ako at lumingon sa paligid pero unti-unti itong napawi. She sounds like that woman. I forced a smile. "Thank you, Ma'am. Did you enjoy shopping?" Saka ako lumingon sa paper bag na hawak niya.

"Of course. Did you organize this?"

Kaboses niya ang babaeng nasa hallway at ang tumawag sa 'kin. Who is this woman? Pinagmasdan ko siya nang maigi. If I'll guess, she must not be in her mid-40s.

Marahan akong umiling. "Just the media coverage."

Tinignan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa habang nangniningning ang mga mata. "You have grown so beautiful." Then I realized that her eyes glistened because of unshed tears. My stares seemed to knock her senses, so she cleared her throat. "I mean, you are so beautiful."

I stop forcing a smile. "Have we met before?" Napawi na ang ngiti niya at umiwas ng tingin. I think she used that little amount of silence to think for an answer pero nagsalita ako ulit. "Who are you, Ma'am?"