I Brought My Heart To Hong Kong

Chapter Forty-Two: Rid

Chapter Forty-Two
Rid

"Congratulations, Engineer."

I handed Kingsley a small box of gift I've been meaning to give him ever since he passed the board exam. Kunot-noo niyang tiningnan 'yon kaya naman kailangan ko pang ilapit sa kaniya.

"Kunin mo na," dagdag ko pa.

He looked at me with skeptical eyes before he accepted it. He then gave me a grin as I crossed my arms.

"Thanks. How's Singapore?"

"Hindi mo man lang ba muna ako papapasukin sa condo mo?"

Humalakhak siya bago tuluyang buksan ang pinto para sa'kin.

"Fine, Ms. CPA."

Nang makapasok, nagtanggal ako ng sapatos at pinasuot niya ng woven slippers. My eyes sauntered around his neat condo unit as my slippers met the ample white carpet of his floor that almost covered his sala space. Naupo ako sa malawak niyang sofa.

"Keep the doors open. Susunod si Won. Nag-park lang sa basement," banggit ko pa.

Tumango siya at inilapag ang ibinigay ko sa isang maliit na table. Naupo siya sa isa pang maliit na maroon na armchair sa harap ko.

"When did you arrive?"

"Kagabi."

"I see," he said and stood up again.

Sinundan ko siya nang tingin nang magpunta sa kitchen counter. He was wearing a simple white shirt and well—shorts like he wasn't expecting anyone today. His build isn't too masculine but the fit of his shirt traced his vigorous body.

Lumingon siya sa akin pabalik habang hawak-hawak ang isang electric kettle.

"Coffee?"

Tumango ako sa paanyaya.

When he turned his back to me, I grinned softly. Sumandal ako sa sofa nang mapansin ang pagpasok ni Won sa condo unit ni Kingsley. Naupo siya sa sofa sa tapat ko. Nang makapagtimpla ng kape si Kingsley, naupo rin siya kasama namin.

"What's up?" he checked on Won. "Si Hailey lang ang umalis pero ngayon lang din ulit kita nakita."

Won shrugged and sipped his coffee. Maya-maya pa, kinuha ni Kingsley muli ang box sa table.

"What's this?" he asked, not looking at me.

"See for yourself," maikli kong sagot.

Ibinaba ni Won ang tasa niya saka bumaling kay Kingsley. He eyed him confidently.

"Don't feel special. Binigyan niya rin ako."

I chuckled. Nagtama ang paningin namin ni Kingsley at pinanliitan niya lang ako ng mata. Binuksan niya ang box at bumungad ang relo na binili ko sa Singapore noong nakaraang linggo; when I found out they both passed the board exam.

The results were released a week ago. I was in Singapore for the whole two weeks so I wasn't able to formally greet them in person until today. Alam ko lang na kailangan ko silang bigyan ng regalo 'pagbalik.