Unreachable Zacharius

8

Chapter 8

Mabigat sa pakiramdam nang lumabas ako sa building. I blinked my eyes thrice to stop the wave of tears from welling up. Tiningala ko ang matayog na gusali. I've witnessed how Zach worked hard for this company for years. Being 33 and the owner of one of the largest and most successful construction company in the country, I understand how he works hard everyday. He is known for being a perfectionist. There is no room for any mistakes, he said. Iyan ang mariing paalala niya sa akin nang unang araw ko sa trabaho. At malinaw na malinaw pa rin sa memorya ko ang araw na iyon. How badly shaken I was while hearing all his strict rules.

Huminga ako ng malalim at napagpasyahang maglakad-lakad na lamang. After minutes of strolling into the busy street of Tagaytay, I found myself walking into the Starbuck's. There were only two people in line so I didn't have a hard time ordering one.

"Ristretto Bianco, please. Grande. " I said as I pulled out a cold cash from my purse.

"165 pesos po, ma'am." The barista took the money and as she go make the drink, I began to wander my eyes around. Marami pang bakanteng upuan. I guess I will just stay here for awhile to kill time. Isang palakaibigang ngiti ang iginawad sa akin ng babae habang inaabot sa akin ang order at ang barya. I smiled back and took the seat just beside the counter.

Pumangalumbaba ako sa lamesa habang sumisipsip sa aking inumin. Now that I am not working for Zach anymore, I guess I will just go back to my modelling stint and of course, under the same agency. Kung tutuusin ay hindi naman na problema iyon. Ang bumabagabag sa isipan ko ngayon ay ang pagpapa-file ni Zach ng annulment sa korte. He's a very busy man and it will surely cost him a lot. Ngunit alam kong gagawin niya ang lahat makawala lang sa pagkakatali sa akin. Kung gaano ako kadesperadong maayos ang kasal, ganoon naman siya kadesperadong makawala. Just the mere thought of it made my heart clenched.

"Oh my gosh! Amber?!"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at wala sa sariling naikiling ang ulo nang bumungad sa akin ang isang pamilyar na mukha. Napatuwid ako ng upo mula sa kinauupuan at naibaba ko ang iniinom sa lamesa nang makilala ko kung sino ito. The familiar tall and slim lady walked towards me with wide and amused eyes while I abruptly stood up from my seat.

"Adela!" I exclaimed and hugged her tightly.

She giggled and hugged me back. We both pulled away, stared at each other, then hugged again. Malapad ang ngiti niya nang kumalas mula sa yakap habang ako'y gulat at mangha pa rin. Bahagya siyang lumayo sa akin at pilya akong pinasadahan ng tingin. Hindi ko rin mapigilang tignan siya mula ulo hanggang paa.

"You look gorgeous, Amber Ylena! I am so happy to see you here!" She squealed and I just grinned in response.

Masyado pa akong mangha kaya't hindi ako makabuo ng mga salita. Adela Lopez, my closest friend, is here! She flew for Paris, France seven months ago for her fashion show debut. Three months after that, she informed me about her own clothing line's opening. If I wasn't so busy being a wife and an executive assistant to Zach, I would've flown all the way there and supported her like a good friend I was. I haven't been so active on my social media accounts this past few months so we didn't really communicate much anymore.

"Kailan ka pa nakauwi? Pitong buwan ka rin sa Paris. You didn't inform me." I pouted. Humagikhik siya at hinawakan ang dalawa kong kamay.

"Just this week. Sorry, I was just so busy I didn't have enough time to visit you. I had to finish so many things after my arrival so..." She shrugged her shoulders and grinned at me. "God, I miss tita Felicia and tito Arnaldo. Might visit them some time."