BTS 2: Behind those Smiles

Chapter 43: Apologize

Athena POV

I went out to my car. Nandito ako sa coffee shop na malapit lang sa company namin. Minabuti ko na mas malapit sa kompanya na lang kami magkita ni Mrs. Yoo kaysa kung saan pa.

Pagpasok ko sa coffee shop, I saw her looking at the menu. Huminga muna ako ng malalim at lumapit sa gawi niya. I cleared my throat for her to know na nandito na ako.

Nag-angat naman siya ng ulo sa akin.

"Athena thank you for coming," sabi nito. Makikipag beso sana siya pero umiwas ako sa kanya. Hindi dahil sa ayaw ko but I just feel uncomfortable with it. Para kasing ang bilis lahat. Parang kailan lang ayaw niya ako makausap pero ngayon she's the one who's insisting na makipagkita sa akin. It's weird.

"Please have a sit," aniya. Umupo naman ako. Magkaharap kami actually. Binigay niya sa akin ang isang menu book.

"You can order anything you want," she said. Sinenyasan niya yung waiter at nag order na siya.

She then look at me. "How about you iha, ano order mo? Don't worry my treat."

I just look at her. Sinenyasan ko ang waiter. "Just water," I said.

Tumango naman ang waiter at umalis na. I feel so awkward. We never had this kind of talk before kahit nung mga panahon na mag couple kami ni Chriss. We never had a mother-girlfriend. Lahat ng pag-uusap namin, may kasamang pangungutya niya sa akin at sa pamilya ko. We never had good interaction together. At sa tingin ko hindi yon mangyayari.

"Bakit hindi ka nag order? I'll pay the bill, don't worry. You can order anything you want."

"I am okay with water and besides hindi naman magtatagal ang usapan natin, right?" I said and look at her. I mean it. I mean to show this kind of attitude.

"Uh yeah."

The next thing happen, is nothing. Silenced filled in our table. Kung gaano kaingay ang ibang table, ganoon naman kami katahimik.

I think, ayaw niya magsalita so I am gonna use my phone first. She's the one who's insisting to talk so dapat siya ang unang mag-open up at hindi ako.

I get my phone in my bag. To my surprise, I received 10 messages from Rain. He's asking where I am. I tap a reply letting him know that I am with Mrs. Yoo. After sending him the message, I keep my phone at my bag.

Sakto naman dumating ang mga order namin.

"Here's your water, Ma'am," she said at umalis na.

I drink my water and look at Mrs. Yoo. I can sense that she's nervous too.

She cleared her throat. Napatingin naman ako sa kanya.

"C-Can we talk iha?" She said.

Ibinaba ko na ang glass of water and wipe my lips with tissue.

"What do you want to talk about, Mrs. Yoo?" I said professionally.

She just chuckle na ikinagulat ko. What's with her? "Masyado ka namang formal. Please, call me Tita Belinda, iha," she said.

I sarcastically laugh at her. "Tita? Wow! You never said to me that I can't call you in that endearment, Mrs. Yoo. Never mong sinabi na pwede kitang tawaging 'Tita' kahit noong mga panahong kami pa ng anak mo but too sad, I just want to bury all those memories I had with your son, Ma'am," I said.

She seems shock. I know that she already knew na palaban akong babae but not the person of being rude. Ngayon, rude na kung rude. This is me now. I change not because I want to but because I have to for those people who want to hurt me nor my family.

Nagulat naman siya sa sinabi ko. I know we recently had fights with me, her family and my family pero nirerespeto ko pa rin siya but now? I don't sense any respect at all.

"Iha naman," malumanay na sabi niya.

Why? Why all of a sudden na ganito siya? I mean, everyone knows na hindi siya nagpapatalo but now? She's keeping herself in humble.

I just look at her. Gusto ko ipakita sa kanya kung gaano ako nasaktan sa ginawa nila noon. I want to show to them na hindi na ako katulad ng dati na okay lang kung ako ang masaktan. No.

My family, friends and I suffered a lot because of them and all I could think is to make a revenge. Yan ang nasa isip ko ngayon pero hindi ko gagawin ko 'yon dahil alam ko na kapag may nagawa akong mali, ako ang masasaktan at hindi ang ibang tao. It's like Karma.

"So what's your business? Why do you want to talk to me?"

She just sigh. She maybe feel frustrated. She maybe know how mad I am sa ginawa niya at ng pamilya niya sa akin at sa pamilya ko.

"I ... I just want to apologize."

What?! Did I hear her right? Apologize? Seriously?

"For sure may kapalit yang paghingi ng tawad mo, Mrs. Yoo. Name it."

"I want to apologize for everything, iha," she said. She held my hand and give me a sincere look.

"Alam ko na nagkamali ako na kalabanin ka at ng pamilya mo but I don't want to suffer my family and my son's company because of my pride. Ako na ang humihingi ng tawad, iha."

I frown.

"I understand you Mrs. Yoo. Mother's knows best, as what you told," sabi ko.

She smiled at me because she thought that we're fine.

"Yes, iha. Finally, you understand me as a mother."

I give her my sweetest smile at her. Uminom ako ng tubig at pagkatapos hinarap ko siya.

"I'm sure you heard about the case na ihahain ni Mom sainyo. Maybe you are apologizing because your intention is for me to persuade my Mom to stop her file a case against you and your family. Am I right?"

She stiffened. I got it. Yan siguro ang dahilan kung bakit siya humihingi ng tawad. I smile at her.

"But please understand me dahil hindi ganon kadali tanggapin ang tawad na hinihingi niyo. Mother's knows best so whatever my Mom's decision, labas na ako don."

I said. Kinuha ko ang wallet ko at naglabas ng ilang pera.

"Let me pay your food. This is the least thing I could do for not accepting your sincere apology. I insist."

Iniwan ko ang ilang pera sa lamesa at tumayo na.

"Excuse me. I have to go," sabi ko at umalis na.

Kung sa ibang tao makukuha nila ang gusto nila but not me. Hindi nila makukuha ang gusto nila sa akin. Ibahin nila ako. They hurt me and they have to pay for that.

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[A/N: Hi. I am temporarily back at writing. Unti-unting bumabalik po ang puso at isipan ko bumalik sa pagsusulat. I just need more time to think the story line ng maigi since super na spaceout ako sa mga school works namin sa College. Sorry guys. Thank you for patiently waiting. I love you 💞 God bless us ❤]