Beyond the Horizon of Love (Ryker Series #1)

BTHOL [34]

"What do you mean may girlfriend siya kanina when I was talking to you over the phone?" bungad ni Lei pagkarating niya.

Halatang galing pa siya sa flight at nagbihis lang ng damit sa airport tapos dito dumeretso dahil bitbit niya pa rin ang luggage niya.

"Chill," I told her. "Nasabi ko naman sa'yo na ipapa-renovate ko 'yong bahay. Tyler suggested an Engineer. And guess what? He happened to sugest Sean."

"What?" gulat na tanong niya. "Ibig sabihin nagkita kayo?!"

"Oo. Kanina."

"How was it? Anong pinag-usapan niyo? Nag-usap na ba kayo ng maayos?"

"What do you mean? Of course we talked about the renovation. Ano pa bang pwede naming pag-usapan?"

"About your past!" mabilis na sagot niya. "Ni hindi man lang ba kayo nagkamustahan?!"

"I think we're not in good terms to do that," nakangiting sabi ko. Though, a part of me wanted that to happen. "And well, Sean was really professional. He even introduced himself to me."

Bumagsak ang dalawang balikat niya. Muling nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang may maalala. 

"Wait, 'yong huling sinabi mo pa sa akin kanina. I've asked around and they told me na he never got himself a girlfriend after you broke up. Paano mo nasabing may girlfriend siya?"

"I was putting my number on his phone when someone called and I saw the registered name. It was someone that has love on it."

"That's impossible. Hindi naman pwedeng secret relationship. I even asked Kuya Axel kaya!"

My eyes widened. "Why would you ask his cousin about that?"

"What? Nagtanong lang ako!" sagot niya. "Hindi naman 'yon makakahalata. I made sure na hindi magmumukhang update sa love life ni Kuya Sean ang gusto kong malaman."

"You're really unpredictable," umiiling na sabi ko.

I informed Ty that the conversation was fine and told him about my other plans. I also told him that I might be busy because of the renovation so I might not always be able to answer his calls but I said I would reply.

I was busy fixing myself when I heard my cellphone ring. Tinapos ko muna ang paglalagay ng make up bago ako lumapit para icheck iyon.

Unknown number:
Are you already there?

My brows furrowed as I check the number. It's not familiar to me. 

Unknown number:
This is Engr. Sean

I almost dropped my phone when I read the next text message. I composed myself first before typing for my reply.

Avril:
Not yet pero papunta na rin

Unknown number:
I'll be a little late. I have something urgent to pick up on the site. I'll be heading there after. My apologies.

Avril:
No worries

Tinapos ko na ang pag-aayos sa sarili ko bago tuluyang umalis. Nag-commute lang ako papunta sa village namin. I'm actually planning on buying a car pero wala pa akong plano kung kailan lalo na at si Tyler naman ang maalam sa ganito.

I found myself standing in front of our house. The paint was chipped and the garden overgrown. I took a deep breath bago muling pinasadahan ng tingin ang buong bahay. Hindi pa naman iyon mukhang abandonado na dahil sa pagkakaalam ko ay bumibisita pa rin si Manang dito paminsan-minsan.

I stood in the front yard for a long time just staring at the outside of the house. Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal. Nawala lang siguro ang tingin ko sa bahay nang may marinig akong tunog ng sasakyan. I looked at it and saw Sean get down from there.