Stonehearts 7: Ruby

Twenty Six

"Arcie," Tawag ni Sage sa'kin kaya ako napataas ng tingin mula sa computer ko. He's resting his forearms on top of my cubicle while he leans his full weight on it. "Mag-attend ka ng birthday party ko, sama mo na rin si Marco."

"Sure. Saan?"

"Sa bahay nila mommy. I mean, bahay namin but since I'm not living there anymore, it feels weird to call it my own."

Napatango ako, "Okie. Do we have to come in formal clothes or downright casual?"

Inirapan niya ako saka itinuwid ang tayo niya. "Kahit box at plastic pa ang isuot niyong dalawa, wala akong pake. Basta pumunta ka. Mom's been itching to see you again and I don't want to get some ass whooping from her if you don't attend. I'm sure tanda mo pa ang pagka-terror ng nanay ko."

A laugh fizzed from my throat when I recollected a time when we we're kids. 'Yong hinampas siya ni Tita Wilma ng payong sa pwetan niya dahil tinapunan niya ng buhangin 'yong isang batang kalaro namin sa playground.

Pinasaringan niya ako ng masamang tingin. Doon pa lang alam ko nang alam niya ang naiisip ko. He's scowling at me, threatening me to not vocalize whatever I have in my mind that would dealy embarrass him in front of his employees.

"Oo na. Next week birthday mo 'di ba?"

He moved his head from side to side. "Nope, this Sunday. She's going to the US by next week Wednesday to visit her eldest brother so I have to celebrate early."

I nodded in understanding. Seeing I have nothing more to say, he gave my head a few pats and headed his way to his conference room.

Kailangan ko tuloy ibalik ang atensyon ko sa trabaho. Everything's been quiet lately, after that hospital incident I had with Ferris and Aya.

Hindi ko nga lubos maisip kung bakit ako pumayag kay Ferris, eh. I'm accounting my poor ability of saying no. Aly used to complain about it all the time. She yammers that I'll get my ass beaten if I don't learn how to repudiate.

It's strange seeing Aya for the first time. Especially, with how the circumstances presented itself four days ago.

I was expecting to twinge in affliction once I see her, but somehow, it was the opposite. I was relieved, awestricken, and all the while nervous with everything she spilled. It was at that moment, I realized that I believed every word Bryce told me.

Ang totoo niyan, nang nakalabas ako sa kuwarto niya, gusto kong bumalik at tanungin kung saan ba mahahanap ang best friend niya. Or better yet, call Bryce himself.

The pull may be as strong as before but I'm no longer weak towards my feelings for him. Kaya ko nang kontrolin at kakayanin ko hanggang sa tuluyan akong makalimot.

Ang isang bagay na hindi ko nagawa ay sabihin lahat kay Marco ang nangyari. I don't know if it's pure damn luck, kasi nang nakababa akong muli sa waiting area, hindi pa rin tapos ang minor operation niya.

But I know, he knows something happened but preferred to wait until I come to my terms and willingly tell him all about it. It's veritable inconsiderate and unfair for his side, howbeit I can't drive myself to spew the words.

I stared at the drinking container with the green, siren logo. Arcie is scrawled on one side of it with a personal note below it.

Always be happy. It says. I don't remember when that epistle appeared on my cups. Actually, 'yong katrabaho ko pa nga ang nakapansin n'on some lunch time ago.

I don't know why he's still buying my drink. I know I made my intentions pristine clear before I walked away from him. Gusto kong magtanong, ang kaso, ayaw kong magsimula ng usapan. Kaya pinabayaan ko na lang.