Skipper

22| Liliadent Albrecht

SKIPPER

I clenched my fist as I listen to Althea, telling us that she found another buyer. And they're already at the middle of processing the payment.

Inis na inis ako. Gusto kong awaying si Tricia, at isumbat na kung nakinig s'ya sa akin na kuhain na namin noong nakaraan hindi na sana kami naunahan. Nakakainis na s'ya ang nagpipilit ng desisyon n'ya samantalang ako naman ang bibili.

I heaved a sigh. Fuck this!

This sucks.

"That was unprofessional," mataray sa sabi ni Tricia sa state broker. "You're already dealing with us. You shouldn't be selling this out with somebody else because we're still in the middle of negotiation." Tricia's eyes bore into Althea's. She's unnerving her prey. "We signed a contract. Yes, it's on sale pending, but according to the agreement we signed, we have until next week to decide if we'll buy this land or not."

Althea looked nervous but she managed to keep a straight face.

Gusto ko sanang awatin si Tricia sa paninindak n'ya kay Althea pero naiinis ako sa kanilang dalawa kaya hahayaan ko na lang muna sila, as long as walang pisikilang nagaganap.

"There's no guarantee that you'll buy this property, miss Amante," tanging nasabi ni Althea.

Tricia placed her hand on her waist. She raised her chin a bit. She's on a battle posture. "I am pretty sure that this is not an auction. As long as we're still in the middle of negotiation, you shouldn't be open for another negotiation. I will file charges against you for wasting our time and for breaching the contract. I am hell sure that you know the rules and process of selling and acquiring a property..." she looked at Althea from head to foot then raised a brow. "Or not?" Tricia continued with a hint of warning then she turned her back on the dumbfounded broker.

Hindi ako maalam sa ganitong proseso kaya hindi ko alam ang sinasabi ni Tricia na batas at proseso sa pagbili ng lupa. Ang alam ko lang ay kapag nabayaran na ay magpipirmahan na ng deed of sale.

Pinili ko na sumunod na lang kay Tricia. Nang maabutan ko s'ya ay may kausap na s'ya sa cellphone at sinasabi na n'ya ang kasong gusto n'yang isampa.

Hindi kami nag-usap ni Tricia hanggang sa makabalik kami ng Manila.

"Take me to AGC," utos ni Tricia sa driver n'ya.

Kuyom ang panga at kunot ang noo ni Tricia habang nakatingin sa labas ng bintana.

Gusto ko na aluin si Tricia, ang kaso ay naiinis din ako. How can I calm her down when I, myself want to shout at her.

If she's not too suspicious, akin na sana 'yon. Pinatagal n'ya pa, e bibilhin din naman!

Imbes na sumama kay Tricia ay sa opisina ni Trey ako dumeretso. Nakakasawa na palagi na lang akong nagpaparaya kay Tricia. I am not her slave!

Fortunately, Trey's here.

"You look upset," Trey said after taking a short glance at me. As always, he's busy with his pile of works.

Umupo ako sa couch sa opisina ni Trey at sinimulang ikuwento sa kanya ang nangyari.

"Tricia's right," Trey commented. "May karapatan 'yong broker na kumuha ng ibang better offer hanggang hindi kayo nagbabayad. Ang kaso, may pinirmahan pala kayong kontrata. That contract was enough for a lawsuit since you said that it stated that you have until next week to decide whether to buy the property or not."

I shrugged. "Naiintindihan ko naman si Althea, bro. Paano nga naman kung hindi namin kukunin, 'yon nga naman siguradong pera na."

Nanghihinayang ako, pero naiintindihan ko naman 'yong broker. Ang may kasalanan ay si Tricia.