CORDIVILLA: Breathless

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

We halted on our tracks when we heard that baritone voice. Suminghap ako at hinarap ang kapatid. He towered over me, nakapamulsa siya habang nakatitig sa amin ni Architect Nueva. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay dahil gano'n rin siya sa akin.

"Mr. Cordivilla," Andres acknowledged and glanced at me.

Hindi ko alam kung alam niyang kapatid ko si Austen, but I think he knows dahil hindi naman na siya nagtanong at nakipagkamay lang sa aking kapatid bago tumango sa akin.

"I'll go ahead." Paalam nito sa amin.

Nang sumulyap ako sa likuran ni Austen ay nakita ko ang titig sa amin ni Kaizer na kasalukuyang nakikipag-usap sa kaniyang assistant pero nasa amin naman ang tingin. Kumunot ang aking noo at umiwas na lamang ng tingin.

"Colter, we'll go ahead to your office." Baling ng aking kapatid kay Colter La Cerda na nakikipag-usap sa chief project manager ng proyektong ito.

"Sure, susunod ako." Colter smiled a little and nodded.

"Let's go," bumaling sa akin si Austen at binuksan ang pinto.

My forehead knotted. He looks so serious and surly. Anong problema ng kapatid ko?

"What is it, Austen?" I asked and went out of the door.

Sabay kaming naglakad patungo sa opisina ng presidente. He didn't answer me until we reached the office. Pinapanood ko lang ang galaw ng kapatid. He really looks mature and so intimidating with that black tux.

Alam kong gano'n na talaga siya simula pa noon pero mas lalo lamang nadepina ang pagiging seryoso niya ngayong may responsibilidad na siyang ginagampanan. I guess the position and the obligation made him like this. Ganito rin kaya siguro ako kapag ako ang umako sa posisyon na hinahawakan niya ngayon?

"There will be an annual party next week and LCADS will host it." He said when he sat on the sofa in front of the big office table.

Tumayo lang ako sa kaniyang harapan. Kunot ang noo sa pagtataka sa kaniyang sinabi. Tinitigan ko ang kaniyang mukha.

"Why are you telling that to me?" I asked.

Tinitigan niya ako ng ilang segundo bago tumuwid ng upo. "We will be part of the party, our parents will be there..."

Natigilan ako sa kaniyang sinabi. Nanlamig ang aking kamay at hindi ko alam kung bakit kinakabahan ako.

"And I want you to be there too." He said like it's going to be so easy.

Nanlaki ng tuluyan ang aking mga mata. Nagbara ang aking lalamunan at nagsalubong ng husto ang aking kilay. What?!

"A-ano?"

"I already told Colter to include you in the guests list. It's time you make an exposure, Veil." Seryosong sinabi niya.

I licked my lips to hide the obvious question mark in my face. What is he talking about?

"What exposure are you talking about, Austen?" Nalilito kong tanong.

"I want you to be there so our parents will see you. I want you to be exposed to them." Aniya.

My heart pounded at the thought of seeing my parents after years of ruined bond. Sumikip ang aking dibdib at tiim bagang na tiningnan si Austen. Is he serious? He knows my plans, that I am not ready yet to meet our parents. Na tatapusin ko muna ang lahat at magiging ganap na Architecture bago muling haharap sa aming pamilya.

"What, Austen? You know my plans. I am not ready yet!"

Tinitigan ako ng aking kapatid. He looks like our father with that serious countenance. Hindi ko mabasa ang kaniyang ekspresyon.