SecreTary

29

Unedited

Dumaan ang tatlong araw ay hindi ko nakita pang muli si Vaughn matapos ang gabing iyon. May nalalaman pa siyang pami-pamilya, e asan na siya ngayon?

Napabuntong hininga ako nang maisip na baka bumalik na siya nang Manila at kasa-kasama niya na ngayon yong Sydney.

Ipinilig ko ang aking noo. Ano naman ngayon kung may kasama siyang ibang babae? Wala na dapat akong pakialam sa kanya o sa babae niya. Labas na ako roon. From the start I have no say to what he does with his womens.

Well let him be, mabuti narin siguro iyon na umuwi siya dahil hindi ko alam kung papaano siya haharapin matapos muntikan nang may mangyari sa amin.

Tinapos ko ang araw gaya nang ginagawa ko nang nagdaang taon. Pilit kong iwinaglit si Vaughn na tila hindi ko siya nakita o nahawakan kahapon.

God! Tary para kang uhaw na uhaw sa kanya. It will surely send him signals that you haven't laid for years.

Paki ko sa kanya. It's my choice to not, besides babae ako, siya lalaki. Thru his money and looks he get any girl he want and fill his cold nights.

I pressed my thumb on the machine to indicate that I am out for today at exactly 5 pm. I scanned my bag to find the separate wallet for my coins.

I'll commute today. Coding kasi ang owner at dalawang sakayan pa kaya kinakailangan ng barya. May iba kasi na minsan pag papel ang ibinigay mo hindi kana susuklian ng tama.

Hindi dahil sa kuripot ako, now that I am a mother providing for my two children, I learned to be a wise spender. Every coin counts, afterall it is still a money.

I extended my shoulder more to scan my whole bag and there you go, finally found it. Hindi naman marami ang laman noon, sadyang maliit lang talaga yong pitaka na inilaan ko para sa mga barya.

Akmang babati na sa akin ang gwardiya dahil nakatingin ito sa akin ng may tumikhim sa likuran ko. Matikas ding tumindig ang gwardiyang nasa harap ko at itinuon ang atensyon sa likuran ko.

Isinawalang bahala ko iyon dahil baka isa lang sa mga head ng department. For us who is working here in the municipal hall walang mataas walang mababa, no special treatment. Pinatunayan na iyan mismo ni Leandro. Iwan kulang sa gwardiyang ito, mukhang bago dahil mukhang hindi ito pamilyar sa akin.

I step out to his shadow, when another block my way. I creased my head trying not to speak any word because I am kinda of off and tired today. I quitely chin up and move to the other side when a stern face welcome me.

My body tensed, liningon ko ang gwardiya na tuod na nakatingin sa amin. Now I know. Where on the same boat. It is the congressman. Cong. James Tereso L. Gatchalian.

"Congressman." I greet diffidently.

Still shock. Hindi kasi madalas dumalaw ito sa munisipyo ng Monterico. Nanalo ito ng nakaraang taon, at bilang lang sa kamay kung pumunta ito rito.

Isa sa alam kong rason ay hindi ito kapartido ni Leandro at ng kanyang Bise, maging ang mga konsehal.

Nagkita na kami nito noong kaarawan ni Leandro at ang mga kasunod ay dito. Pero gaya ng sinabi ko iilan lang iyon at hindi ganito kalapit.

"Tarisha Valdez. It's nice meeting you again." Lahad nito ng kamay sa harap ko.

Literally I was stunned, he know me? We were not even introduce formally and now. I scanned the whole place and half of the employee were stunned too, they even stop wherever they are standing, some where in the corner stuck up, uwian narin kasi, pero hindi makadaan dahil nakaharang kami ni Cong. at mga tauhan niya.

Tumikham siya at mas lalong inilapit ang kamay sa akin. Stupid Tary, that was twice. I immediately recieve it, he shake it gently and squeeze as if nothing were watching us with keen eyes.

"Come." Suminghap ako ganoon din ang mga taong nakapalibot sa amin ng abutin niya ang siko ko at iginaya papalabas.

Binitawan niya rin naman ako at lumayo ng sakto lang na distansiya.

"You were too stunned to see me. Well I understand. I just wanna ask if Dehli Santillan is okay? I mean physically or emotianally. Her health?" Tanong niya ng may pagalinlangan bawat kataga at balisa ang mga mata di diretsong nakatingin sa akin.

Wait. He didn't know me that much, okay, let say he hears my name because I am the Mayor's secretary but Mama Dehli? Well Mama Dehli is one a filthy rich here in the town but why would he ask? Is this about business between them?

Napabaling ako sa likuran niya nang sambitin ng isa sa tauhan niya ang pangalan niya. May katandaan na ito. It must be someone whose close to him or whatever?

I am still damn astound.

"Why are you asking me this question? Is this about a regards to Mama inline with her business?" He shook his head and uncomfortabely shift his phase.

"Nevermind, can I get your number instead. Please let's talk in other place, not here." My face cripple even more.

Yes he is the Congressman of this district but he can't just demand some personal information and why would we meet in other place. Baliw na ba to.

"Why would I give you my number. Yes, your the congressman of this district but why would I give you my number. I don't want to be rude to a high official like you, but why are we meeting in other place? We don't have a bsiness with each other and Mama Dehli, if you have a business to do with her, please do send your regards directly." I politely expatiate.

Muntik panga akong humangos. Pero sa hinahaba-haba ng sinabi ko isang blankong titig lang ang sinukli niya sa akin.

"I'm her son. Now can you give me your number." He utter almost whispering.

Muntik na akong mahulog sa kinatatayuan ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Magtatanong pa sana ako nang magtama ang mga mata namin. Ang kaninang blangkong mga mata niya ay napalitan na iyon ng halo-halong emotion.

I immediately ask for his phone and input my number.

"Thank you." He leave quitely and fastly.

Now I am totally dumbfound. Mama Dehli's dead son is the Congressman. Hindi ko paman nako-kolekta ang sarili sa rebelasyong naganap ay tumambad sa akin ang isang nakakapanglumong eksena.

Vaughn where leaning in his car kissing a woman with an hour glass body, slim shoulders and sultry tanned skin.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano na sila katagal naghahalikan pero sana hindi na mismo sa harap ko. Parang linukot ang puso ko ng kumibot pa ang labi ng babae.

Now who is this girl? It is Sydney? The girl with him while his entering Monterico or just some random girl?

Pumunta pa talaga siya dito para ipamukha sa akin na kaya niyang pumili kahit sinong babae.

Nang maghiwalay sila ay agad na lumingon sa direksyon ko si Vaughn. Nakita ko rin na may hawak pala siyang boque sa kabilang kamay kaya siguro hindi niya na yakap ang babae.

Sobrang special ba nang babaeng yan Vaughn? May bulaklak pa talaga. Samantalang..samtantalang noong tayo pa wala man lang ni isa.