Skipper

21| Compromise

TRICIA

"So, what do you think, signorina?" Skipper sweetly asked. He had his hand on the small of my back while we're checking out the parcel of land here in Laguna. 

Althea, the broker of the land that Skipper want to buy toured us around.

I was impressed by the view of the lake this land offers. 

"Let's bring a geologist and a lawyer with us next visit, Skipper," I said in a serious tone.

Pinagpatuloy namin ang paglibot sa buong lugar sakay ang sasakyan ni Althea. Kasama din namin si Justin na tahimik lang na nakasunod sa amin.

Nang matapos kami sa paglibot ay inimbitahan kami ni Althea na kumain na muna ngunit tumanggi ako.

"Bakit, Tricia? Hindi mo ba nagustuhan 'yong lupa?" tanong ni Skipper habang kumakain kami ng hapunan. Inabot na kami ng dilim at napagpasyahan namin na dito na palipasin ang gabi sa Laguna.

"I was impressed by the location, but it should be a careful decision," I explained. "I am wondering why she's eager to sell the land. She even dropped the price to ninety percent of the original selling price. And it's the second time the owner did that.  Nakakapagtaka kasi, na maganda ang lupang binibenta pero bumababa ang presyo."

Skipper frowned. "You're being suspicious, Tricia. I think the deal is great and we should grab this before someone else take interest on that property."

I shook my head at him. "Business doesn't work that way."

"Sinabi naman ni Althea na nagmamadali na ang may-ari na maibenta 'yong lupa dahil mangingibang-bansa na sila," Skipper reasoned out.

I rolled my eyes. "The owners were not personally handling the negotiations. Kahit na umalis pa sila, their broker can handle that. So, bakit ibababa ang presyo, 'di ba?" I sliced my meat and chewed on it. Hinayaan ko si Skipper na nakatingin lang sa akin. 

Mukhang naiinis si Skipper. He's eager to buy the property.

"Let my lawyers take a look on it first. I'll have them thoroughly investigated before we sign the agreement," I said after taking a sip on my wine.

Skipper slightly shook his head. He wiped his mouth then dropped his cloth on the table, indicating that he's done eating.

Hinayaan ko lang s'ya. I continued eating leisurely. Ni hindi ako nagmadali, at hinayaan ko s'ya na abalahin ang sarili n'ya sa pagtipa sa cellphone n'ya habang hinihintay akong matapos kumain.

Nang matapos akong kumain ay nagpaalam ako na pupunta na muna sa wash room.

"I'll just wait for you outside," Skipper said with a straight face.

I smiled at him.

Galit ka na n'yan?

Tumuloy na ako sa washroom at nang lumabas ako at hinanap si Skipper ay natagpuan ko s'ya na naninigarilyo. Hindi ko napigilan na mapataas ang kilay.

Hindi ko s'ya nilapitan at hinintay ko na matapos s'ya. Nang lumingon s'ya sa gawi ko ay mukhang nagulat pa s'ya na naghihintay lang ako sa kanya na lumapit.

Seryoso lang ang mukha ni Skipper nang lumapit s'ya sa akin.

"Uwi na lang tayo ngayon. Malapit lang naman ang byahe," Skipper said in a serious tone.

I shrugged my shoulders at him then I turned my back.

He's pissing me off.

Ayoko sa lahat ang naggagawa ng plano tapos ay hindi naman gagawin. Lalo na kung ang dahilan n'ya ay ang pagkakainis n'ya sa pagkontra ko sa desisyon n'ya.