Warming the Ice Queen's Tears

Chapter 21

Azel

 

Ilang linggo narin ang nakakaraan nang malaman ko ang ginagawa ni Kristoff at Rainne sa likod ng pinsan ko. Nakausap ko narin si Kristoff noong nasa reunion kami pero mukang hindi wala siyang balak itigil ang mga ginagawa nila. That bastard! Ipinamukha niya pa sakin na ayaw niyang makasal sa pinsan ko. That’s total bullsh-t!

I couldn’t help but to grit my teeth while driving to Rainne’s company. I swore I could’ve broken this steering wheel by the way my grip tightens around it. I mean, hindi ba sila nakokonsensya?  Pilit kong kinakalma ang sarili ko dahil magkikita kami ni Rainne ngayon. I have to submit a follow-up report of the project site.

Isa pa, ayaw kong mag-isip ng kung anong makakasira ng araw ko dahil second year anniversary namin ngayon ni Riza. I prepared a candlelight dinner just for the both of us in my condo. I will surprise her tonight and I know she’ll love it.

One way to totally describe Riza is simplicity. Hindi siya mahilig sa mga mamahalin at sosyaling event. Kahit nga siguro regaluhan ko lang siya okay na sa kanya yon but I didn’t like that. I want what I think would be best for her this time. The kind of setting that will sweep her off her feet like wow. That’s what I’m planning and that’s what I’ll be getting.

Nakangiti parin ako at iniisip ang magiging reaksyon ni Riza kapag nakita niya ang surpresa ko hanggang sa makapasok ako sa building ng R&A.

Yung ibang mga empleyado hindi maiwasang tumingin sa’kin. I think they got curious as why I was smiling like an idiot. I don’t care! Let them stare and think whatever they want. I’m used to it since middleshool.

Agad na sumalubong sakin pagkabukas ng elevator ang simpleng ngiti ng sekretarya niyang si Vernice pero alam kong peke ang ngiting ‘yon dahil ramdam ko na Malaki parin ang galit nito sakin. It’s because I hurt her friend. Alonna. Speaking of her, Aiden said that they’ll fly to here ‘cause they got serious problems in America that involves the media. Sabi niya pwede ko nang Makita si Alonna sa mga susunod na araw pero aayusin pa daw niya ung schedule nila. They were planning to have dinner outside for our first meetings and I couldn’t wait for that moment. Finally! Makikita ko na rin siya.

“I’m here to see Miss Rainne for the follow-up report.” I said using my business tone. Tumango siya sakin tapos ay inangat ang handle ng telepono.

“Miss Rainne, nandito po si Mr. Madrigal para sa dokumentong hinihintay niyo.” she paused. “Sige po.” Napahanga niya ko nang magsalita siya ng diretsong tagalog. It has only been more than a month but she already learned how to speak tagalog fluently.“Pwede na po kayong pumasok.”

Tumango ako at ngumiti pero mukang hindi niya ito pinansin kaya dumeretso nalang ako sa opisina ni Rainne.

I knocked before entering but I never expected who I saw. She was wearing a short skirt and a blouse with deep neckline. Her perfectly curled hair was tied in a high ponytail at gaya ng dati, medyo makapal parin ang make-up niya at lutang na lutang ang kanyang pulang mga labi. It was Cindy and she was talking to Rainne.

“Azel!” she immediately stood up and walked with a wide grin plastered on her face. Napakunot nalang ang noo ko sa gulat at nag-isip kung bakit siya nandito. She’s smiling from ear to ear and I couldn’t help but to think that there’s something behind her smile. Something that they talked about.

“What a surprise.” I said after she kissed my cheeks. Pumulupot agad and braso niya sa braso ko at humarap sa nakaupong Rainne na kasalukuyang umiinom ng wine.