From Mavis, With Hate

Chapter Forty

MAVIS kept her composure and trailed behind Rush. Wala naman itong dahilan na hindi siya pansinin unless, hindi na siya nito gusto. But that's impossible. Yes, hindi naniniwala si Mavis na iyon ang kaso nito. And besides, if it ever was, she won't give up on him. They've already lost seven months in their relationship.

Marami ang hindi makakaintindi sa naging desisyon nina Mavis at Rush. Marami ang magsasabing napaka-pabebe naman nila. Marami ang magsasabing pinahirapan lang nila ang kanilang sarili. Marami ang magsasabi na ginawa lang nilang komplikado ang lahat gayong pwede pa rin naman silang maging magkarelasyon kahit malayo sila sa isa't isa. A lot of LDR couples made it work.

But it wasn't about the distance. The distance and time made them both re-evaluate theirselves and their relationship. It helped. It made Mavis cure her overthinking. The chance gave her time to build her confidence, self-assurance and self-love. The chance gave her time to crush all her insecurities. The time and distance was only a little sacrifice for their future. So it was worth it.

"Hey, wa—wow!" bulalas ni Mavis dahil sa nakitang eksena pagkapasok niya sa building. May mga taong nag-aayos sa building lobby. Hindi pa malinaw kung ano ang gagawin ng mga ito pero maraming bulaklak ang nakakalat doon. It looks like the lobby would be converted into a flower garden.

Her attention was transfixed on the people who were arranging the flowers when Rush held her hand and yanked her towards the elevator. "Wait. Next month pa ang May Flower, 'di ba? Is that a thing here now?" tanong niya kay Rush ng makasakay sila sa elevator.

"No," tila defeated na sabi nito. "Hindi ka ba nagbasa ng e-mail mo? You're not supposed to be here right now," mariing sabi ni Rush sa kanya. His brows were furrowed hard.

"Ah, wala kaming internet kagabi at ngayon kaya hindi ako nakapag-check. Pinapa-report ko na nga kay Kaye ngayon eh. Why? Na-move ba ang location ng meeting natin?" tanong niya rito.

"Jill should've texted you too," sabi ni Rush. He grunted out of frustration. Naihilamos pa nito ang isang kamay sa mukha. "Sa Silver Palace ang meeting natin ngayon. Bakit ang aga mo?"

"Hello? Lagi naman akong maaga. I need to set up my presentation. Bakit ba ang sungit mo?" nakahalukipkip na tanong niya rito.

"Because you're not supposed to be here," tila frustrated na sabi nito. But his look has softened on her.

"Why?" nakataas ang isang kilay pang tanong niya rito. Nakarating na ang elevator sa top floor kung saan ang opisina ni Rush.

Tinalikuran siya ni Rush at lumabas ng elevator. Sakto namang tumunog ang phone nito at hindi nito iyon sinagot. "Nagpapaikot lang si Gary. Wait in the lobby. May kukunin lang ako sa office," mabilis na sabi nito sa kanya.

Mavis sulked on the way down. Ni hindi man lang mukhang natutuwa si Rush na makita siya. No smile. No hug. No kiss. Something's bothering Rush. And Mavis can't wait to find out. Unahin lang niya ang importanteng presentation niya.

Hours later, Mavis' presentation went on smoothly. Successfully. Nakakuha siya ng standing ovation mula sa board of directors dahil doon. Pero hindi siya hundred percent na masaya dahil napansin niyang wala sa presentation niya ang focus ni Rush. Busy ito sa phone nito. And only God knows what he's been doing.

Kaya pagkatapos ng presentation ni Mavis ay gusto sana siya nitong kausapin pero hinarang siya nina Jill at AJ—ang head of planning and strategic management—para i-finalize na ang tungkol sa presentation niya. They'd immediately start planning for the new budget hotel.

Hindi niya nakausap si Rush dahil bumalik ito agad sa DV Corp. May meeting daw ito roon. Na-stuck siya sa Silver Palace with the planning and strategic team. Maghapon silang nandoon dahil kailangan na daw mag-"go underway" ang project na ito. Mavis can't help but to be thrown off-balance by what's happening. First of, bakit kailangang dito sila sa Silver Palace mag-meeting at hindi sa DV Corp. building? Everyone seems like they're rushing things. Rushing her. And Rush couldn't even talk to her properly.