Falling Inevitably

8th Fall

8th Fall

I was really proud of Rigo's hard work. Natapos na ang Albrecht Hotel dito sa Taguig. Nakisabay ako sa palakpakan ng team niya habang tinapos niya ang konting speech.

Sadly, it's about time to go back to school. Tapos na ang summer kasabay ng pagtatapos ng hotel. Nakakalungkot lang dahil hindi ko na siya makikita araw araw. I'll be back at my normal routine while I don't know his plans. Or his future whereabouts.

But I'm really contented with what happened this whole summer. I'll surely kept on remembering our time together. Masaya na ako.

I should be happy right?

Alam kong friendship lang ang namamagitan sa amin. Or it's me being his subordinate only. He's a mentor and somehow became my boss. It's pure work.

Kahit minsan ay nahuhuli ko siyang nakatingin sa akin o hindi kaya nagsasalubong ang mga tingin namin. Like would sense each other and we'll glance at the same time. He's giving me those stares that I can't really understand.

Sometimes, he hold my hand while we roam around the site for the inspection. He said that he's just being careful. I always feel those sparks when our hands touch. Does he feel the same way?

Probably not.

Napabuntong hininga ako. He should never know about my feelings about him. Baka layuan niya ako o mag iba ang trato niya sa akin. I was just playing safe.

"Vallerie, sasama ka?"

Nilingo ko si Ate Liera. Sekretary ito ni Rigo. Nag isip naman ko ng isasagot sa kanya. I haven't ask for permission from my parents. Mayroon kasing team dinner mamaya. Narinig ko rin na pupunta silang club after the dinner.

"I still have to ask my father." I said to answer her.

I excused myself from them. Minabuti kong puntahan na aking ama sa kabilang tent para magpaalam. Nandito pa rin kami sa labas kahit tapos na ang hotel. Ayaw pa ni Papa na may pumasok dito hanggang sa ribbon cutting.

"Papa..."

Agad na lumingo si Papa sa akin. He smiled and walked towards me.

"Did you already said goodbye to your workmates?" Bunga na tanong niya.

So he wants me to leave now?

Umiling ako bago magsalita muli.

"I actually want to attend their team dinner. Can I go?"

I was direct to the point. Hindi na ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa para malaman agad ang sagot niya. Para hindi na ako umasa kung sakaling hindi niya ako payagan.

My father deeply stared at me. I'm sure that he's contemplating with himself before answering me. He sighed afterwards.

"Let our driver pick you up at midnight."

Yes! Siguro alam ni Papa na pagkatapos ng dinner ay pupunta pa kaming club. Itinago ko ang saya sa pagpayag niya. Ayokong isipin niya na pupunta ako sa dinner dahil kay Rigo. I am going because I want to have a proper goodbye with the team. Hindi lang naman ako kay Rigo napalapit kung hindi sa team niya.

"Okay. Thank you." Sabi ko bago halikan ang pisngi niya.

Papa only nodded at me. Matapos ay bumalik na siya sa kinauupuan. Hindi naman na ako nagtagal at umalis na sa tent niya.

Muntik na akong atakihin sa puso nung makita ko si Rigo na nakatayo sa tabi ng pinto ng tent. I inhaled some air to calm myself. He glance at me when he felt my presence.