Breaking His Callous Heart (Part 1 of 3)

11: Caught?

Inilaan ni Aisha ang buong linggong bakasyon sa carshop nila. She needed to divert her attention from that kiss. She didn't like how it made her feel. It wasn't part of her plan. Nakusensiya rin siya na walang kaalam-alam si Ayder tungkol sa pagpapanggap niya.

She inhaled deeply as she walked out of the HR office of VLF Empire. She just submitted her resignation letter effective immediately. Ayaw na niyang lumala ang pagsisinungaling niya kay Ayder. Hindi na niya alam kung paano aaminin na hindi Jeandy ang pangalan niya. It's better to just walk away and move on with their lives. She'll just focus on her family. Besides, her sister might need some psychological help. Maybe she's just imagining things. Hindi naman kasi ganoong klaseng tao si Ayder.

Maingat niyang sinamsam ang mga gamit pagdating sa office floor niya. Ayaw niyang magpaalam sa kahit na sino maliban kay Ginang Marlene. Ibinigay niya rito ang kopya ng reports niya. The woman was worried. Baka raw kung ano ang nangyari sa biyahe nila kaya nagdesisyon siya ng ora-orada. She even asked if Ayder did something nasty, which stunned her. Is Ayder even capable of doing something nasty? He was too good to be true.

Hindi na niya hinintay si Ayder bago umalis ng opisina. Hindi naman niya kailangan ang pinapipirmahang clearance ng HR para i-release ang huling sahod niya. She doesn't need it.

Itinapon niya ang box na dala-dala sa basurahan nang makalabas sa VLF building. She inhaled deeply and walked without looking back. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit bumibigat ang dibdib niya sa bawat hakbang palayo.

Hindi muna niya tinawagan ang driver niya dahil gusto niyang maglakad-lakad muna para iwaglit ang lahat ng nararamdaman. Mabuti na lang at makulimlim. There were a number of passers by in office attires. Parang may kani-kaniyang mundo ang lahat. Mabilis ang lakad na parang laging may hinahabol na oras.

"Hindi ka pa ba pagod?"

Her heartbeats raced when she recognized Ayder's voice. Lumingon siya sa pinanggalingan ng boses pero mga estranghero lang ang nakita niya. They were walking past her. Napailing siya at muling naglakad. Medyo malayo na pala ang nalakad niya. She was already near Greenbelt. Nakaliko na pala siya mula sa dela Rosa St. nang hindi namamalayan at naglalakad na sa Ayala Ave.

"Wala ka bang balak tumigil sa paglalakad?"

She stopped but later shook her head. She must be imagining things again. Walang nagsalita. It was only her subconscious.

"Jeandy."

That made her turn around. Ilang beses pa niyang ikinurap ang mga mata para makasigurong nakatayo nga si Ayder sa harap niya. He was in his usual coat and tie.

"Can we talk?" he asked. Hindi agad siya nakapagsalita.

"Over a coffee," he added. She was out of words. The moment she nodded, he led her towards a coffee shop in a nearby building.

They were both silent as they waited for their order. Her heart kept beating fast as she watched him looking on the street. He had that distant look on his face. He laid his phone on the table as he glanced at her. Alam na siguro nito na nag-resign na siya pero bakit ito sumunod? Was she that special?

Palihim siyang huminga nang malalim nang dumating ang waiter at ibigay ang order nila. There was another deafening silence between them.

"Why did you resign?" he asked after sipping from his coffee. She didn't answer. Wala kasi siyang maisip na dahilan at ayaw na sana niyang muling magsinungaling pa rito.

"Did the travel stressed you out?" muli nitong tanong nang hindi siya magsalita. Napailing siya. Ayder inhaled deeply.

"Is it because of the kiss?"