Before Anything Else (Absinthe Series 2)

Kabanata 25

Kabanata 25

Before Anything Else

" That's why she looked familiar!" rinig kong hiyaw ni Adina isang gabi matapos siyang pumasok sa aking kwarto. I was done with my paperworks and was planning to watch a movie when she barged in.

Tumaas ang aking kilay. " Sino?" My curiosity grew.

" Yung babae! She said you are her cousin, right?" aniya. Tumango naman ako habang tinitingnan ang mga pwedeng panuorin.

" She was Snow Garcia Zulueta. She was the heiress of Zulueta Corporation. Sigurado ka bang hindi mo siya kilala?"

" Hindi. I only saw her the night I left. She was with my ex-boyfriend." payak kong tugon at pinindot ang isang pelikula. I glanced at Adina as she continued on reading the facts about Snow Garcia Zulueta. I don't really know her, maliban na lamang na siya ang babaeng talagang mahal ni Eion.

I tried to keep my focus on the movie. Paminsan-minsan ay nakikinuod si Adina habang nagi-internet. I don't have my social media accounts for some reasons. May cellphone ako pero hindi ko naman masyadong ginagamit. I only used it for emergency calls from my students and colleagues.

" Fancy seeing you here, Zep." Exodus approached me with a smirk. He was on his crisp white shirt and faded jeans. Mukhang bagong ligo dahil basa pa ang kaniyang buhok.

Tipid ang ngiti ko sa kaniya. " What are you doing here? Akala ko ba ay nasa Maynila ka na?"

At least that was what Adina told me. Mag-aabril na at alam kong umuuwi si Exodus doon para bisitahin ang mga pinsan o di kaya'y magliwaliw. For a twenty-seven year old man, he sure was happy-go-lucky.

He held a cheeky grin. " Bakit parang gusto mo akong paalisin? Need I remind you that we practically own the whole province?" mayabang aniya.

I snorted. Ang yabang talaga! " I didn't mean to hurt your sorry ass, Exodus but this place is not yours or your family's. 'Wag kang magmayabang diyan at baka maidala kita sa korte."

Exodus laughed. " You're being hot again, Zep. Senyales na ba na nag-aadvance ka sa summer?"

Umirap ako rito at ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa. Sometimes I don't understand Exodus. May mga panahon na mayabang at seryoso ito at minsan ay mayabang at papogi lang. He was always full of himself.

" Can I invite you for lunch? I am serious this time." aniya at sinusubukan akong istorbohin. Nilapatan ko siya ng tingin at inihinto ang gawain.

" Hindi ka ba hinahanap ni Gov?" pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay.

" Hindi. So what do you think?" aniya at ibinalik ang pagpilit sa akin sa pagsama sa kaniya.

" I'll try talking to Adina kung papayag siyang sumama." I heard him groan because of my answer. I silently smirked. Hinding-hindi ako kailanman makukuha ni Exodus.

Pinabayaan ko na lamang siyang maghintay sa akin na matapos. He'll get bored eventually. Panay lang kasi ang tayo niya at pagtanaw sa labas ng headquarters. When the clock strikes twelve, he had managed to make me say yes for lunch.

Kumain kami sa kalapit na kainan. The coastguard headquarters was near the ocean. Kaya hindi na rin nakakapagtataka na madali kaming makakita ni Exodus ng pagkakainan. I actually prefer to eat outside with the view of the ocean. Nasanay na rin naman ako.

Hindi rin naman nagtagal si Exodus matapos ang tanghaliang iyon. He had to go back to the Mayor's office to help. Hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang binabalak dito ni Exodus na kung tutuusin ang buhay niya ay nasa Maynila. He was a grand city boy with a family practically owning the whole province. They had already built their dynasty in Marina. Gobernador ang lolo, mayor ang kaniyang tito at iilang opisyales ang ilang kamag-anak.