Esmee Celestino
“Okay, I won.”
Napatingin ako kay Nikolai at Verena na naglalaro ng monopoly. Tambay na naman dito sa office si Verena, and today is Friday, tomorrow ay makikita na kami ni Rayos Del Sol.
“Sali ka, Esmee?”
Umiling ako sa kaibigan ko bumalik sa ginagawa. Marami-raming papel ngayon ang nasa table, and honestly, I want to take a break.
Ah, I want coffee and tea again.
Drained na drained na ako.
Tumayo ako kaya napatingin ang dalawa sa'kin. “Punta lang akong Starbucks. May ipapabili kayo?”
“Oltea ulit.” ani Verena. “And double chocolate brownie.”
“I want dark chocolate peanut butter cups, and caramel apple pice.” ani Nikolai.
“'Di naman kayo mahilig sa matamis, ano?” napangiti ako.
“Nagcrave lang for today.”
“Game na ulit, Ve.”
Lumabas na ako ng office at nagdiretso na sa elevator.
“Good morning, Ma'am.” pagbati ng ilang employee.
“Good morning.” pagpasok sa elevator ay pinindot ko na ang GF na button. Naghintay lamang ako ng ilang minuto bago marating ang GF. Naglakad na ako palabas ng elevator at ng building. Sumalubong sa'kin ang sikat ng araw, na mahapdi gaano sa balat.
Habang naglalakad papuntang Starbucks ay may nakasalubong akong matanda, a foreigner. 'Di ko na sana papansinin ng hawakan nito ako sa braso.
“Ahm, hey.” I greeted him awkwardly. “Do you need anything from me?"
“Stay away from him.” anito.
I frowned. I was pulling my arm but he held it tightly. Ah, ito ang ayaw ko, later I might do something bad to the old man if he doesn't let go of me.
“Yeah, I need to stay away from you."
“No, not me. From him.”
“From who? And Sir, I may sound rude but I'm sorry, I don't know you. Please, let go of my arm.”
“You need to stay away from him. You're putting your life on danger.”
Suddenly an idea popped on my mind. “You mean, Mafia? You're saying I need to stay away from my—”
“Yes. Before it's too late.”
Binitawan na niya ako at tumayo siya ng tuwid, inayos ang suot niyang sumbrero. “If you love yourself and your family so much, you need to stay away from him.”
“And who are you, anyway?” I don't trust this old man. This maybe a trick or whatever.
“I'm... just a concerned old man.”
“Thanks for your concerned, Sir. But this is my life, I rule my life. And the choices I made are not your business.”
Umalis na ako ro'n bago pa ako sumabog na parang bulkan. I appreciated his concern for me but to say that I have to stay away from Rayos Del Sol? Nah, not funny.
BINABASA MO ANG
Rings & Bullet
RomansaSTATUS: ON-HOLD A Mafia Story with HEA (of course) "Marriage is the only thing I don't want to happen in my life, but I guess I can't keep running away from destiny and him." HER - Being a 29 years old woman, I just want to have a happy life. Where...
