Hey, It's Me, Karma (Manileño Series #1)

Chapter 25

Hey, It's Me, Karma

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Nataranta ang lahat sa kasunod na nangyari. Mrs. Saltina lost consciousness after seeing me. Lito ako sa mga nangyayari at binabalutan ng takot. Parang may kung anong pumipiga sa ulo ko. I stayed in control because I don't want to lose it as well.

Napansin naman ng ibang kasama ko na hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko. Inilayo na lamang nila ako roon at inalalayan papunta sa staff room. Ipinagpapasalamat ko iyon kahit wala namang kaalam-alam ang mga naroroon sa nangyari. Tahimik lamang ako at hinahayaan ang lahat sa kanilang ginagawa. Staying conscious took so much from me that I cannot think straight.

They were thinking that Mrs. Saltina probably collapsed for some other reason but I was certain it was all because of me. It felt so wrong to be there just standing while she was struggling to grasp her consciousness. The drastic changes of her cold expression made it even clearer. And, I knew because I finally remembered her face through the nightmare that haunted me.

Ilang beses nang bumabalik dati ang alaalang iyon sa akin. I know that was the last thing that happened before I lost everything but I don't know where it started. Noong una ay inakala kong simpleng aksidente lamang iyon ngunit nang maayos ko nang naaaninag ang mukha ng babae, alam kong hindi iyon ganoon.

Kung ganoon, tinatago nga nila ako pagkatapos ng aksidente. That was why Ivan never found anything about me. May ginawa siguro sila upang palabasing patay na ako. Alam nilang hindi pa ako handang harapin siya kung sakali mang may mangyari na naman. It would be too late. They fear that I'll really disappear, that I'll end up dying for real. They were trying to help me get the justice I deserve so when the time will come that I am ready to reach for it, I am stronger.

I kept silent of our meeting when I sent Ivan's lunch. Mabuti na lamang at mukhang wala rin naman siyang napapansin at nababalitaan. It wasn't so much of a big deal because Doozie decided to keep that scene private. Para na rin sa imahe ng mga Saltina.

"You're improving everyday with your cooking," ani Ivan habang pinagmamasdan ang pagkaing nasa lunch box.

Naputol ako sa malalim na iniisip at binalingan siya. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Sinasabi mong bang hindi masarap ang luto ko dati, Mr. Saltina?" kunwari ay naiinsulto kong sabi.

He just grinned, not the slightest fazed to my acting. Alam na alam niya ang bawat maliit na galaw ng mukha ko. He knew I am pretending to tease him. Mabuti na lamang at hindi rin siya mapilit. If he'd notice that I am not doing so well, he would not pry further.

"No. That's not what I meant. I'm saying you are more creative these days."

Naitikom ko ang bibig. Totoong mas ginagalingan ko. Even I could agree that I am proud of what I've made these days. I just wanted to put more effort on his meal. Dati naman ay kung ano lang ang madaling lutuin para sa akin, iyon ang pinapakain ko sa kaniya. It's surprising that he'd never refuse it. Siguro ay pinapaboran niya lang ako! It doesn't feel so good thinking about it so I was putting more effort than I had.

And I just want him to praise even though I thought it was impossible knowing his background. He had special culinary lessons in Italy. Hindi ko naman alam na mababa lang pala ang standard ni Mr. Saltina rito. Sana pala ginalingan ko nang kaunti dati, hindi ba?

"Kung ganoon, nagustuhan mo ba? Araw-araw kitang ipagluluto nang ganito kung gusto mo..." halos bulong lamang ang lumabas sa bibig ko nang sabihin iyon.

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko nagawang sabihin iyon ng diretso gayoong alam kong hindi ko iyon matutupad dahil sa umalsang sitwasyon.

Gaya ng inaasahan ko ay bumalik nga si Mrs. Saltina. Kasama niya ang dalang bodyguard kahapon habang papasok kami sa opisina ni Chef Wong. Nag-aalala ang iilang mga kasama ko dahil sa mabigat na tensyong pumapalibot sa amin. Ilan naman sa mga kasama ko ay malaki ang ngisi na tila ba ikinalulugod ang kinaroroonan kong sitwasyon.