The Woman, The Dreams and The Moon

Chapter 4

Namayani ang katahimikan sa buong paligid. Seryosong nakatitig sa akin si Rebecca. Nahahagip ng mata ko ang sitwasyon ni John. Siguro ay nagulat din ang lalaki sa pagiging straightforward ko. Ano ba naman itong iniisip ko? Saan nanggagaling ang tapang ko? I am now looking intently to Rebecca.

I cannot exactly read the reaction of the woman in front of me. Pero bakas sa mukha niya ang pagkabigla nang dahil sa tanong ko. May ilang Segundo rin siguro bago nag-iba ng expression ang mukha ni Rebecca. She flustered a made-up smile. Malakas ang kutob ko na may alam siyang hindi naming alam. The curiosity in my heart grew bigger. Ano kaya ang ikinagulat niya? Hindi niya ba ineexpect na someone will be interested to her article from a few years ago? Or she didn't expect me to be the one who will notice it?

Magkahalong gulat at takot ang nakita ko sa mga mata niya kanina. It felt like she is waiting for someone to notice the article, but she is shocked because I am not the one whom she expects. I don't know bakit ganito ang mga conclusions ko. I am not aware why I am thinking about this either? I cannot grasp my thoughts but one thing for sure, I need to see this tribe para magkaroon na ng linaw ang lahat.

After a few seconds of silence, the woman gasp for air and she made sure that we will not see her true expression but sorry for her, my eyes are keen. In a moment, she composed herself and speak. "Well, I will look on that. To be honest, currently, I have no contacts with the tribe leader. You know, it's been years! What interests motivate you to go there?" she asked. Hindi ko alam kung sasagutin ko ang tanong niya. Bit by bit she is proving my suspicions. I am not sure yet, but I think I am right. She trying to cover-up her motives, but I am seeing it clearly. She wants to know if someone that she expects finally reached out and asked my help. Basic move. I watched a lot and read a lot of books with this plot. She cannot be better with me at this.

Basta, I feel like she is hiding something, and she expects someone to ask about the tribe. Clearly, I am not the one she expects. She is trying to see across me and know who is behind my sudden desire to see the tribe. But again, this is just me and Angelo, no one is behind us. Siguro, curiosity drives me insanely now. A kind of curiosity that I haven't felt for years.

"Based on what I have read in your article, you describe the tribe as something powerful and mysterious which in fact can serve as a great help for my writer to spark motivation and inspiration to him. Sadly, he is experiencing a writer's block and he truly needs a fit illustration." I answered her questions.

On the other hand, I can see my boss in my peripheral. He recovered from my reckless actions. Siguro nasa isip na niya kung paano niya ako sasaluhin in case I do something tactless and immature. But in fairness, John is quiet. Mukhang tinitimbang niya ang situation para makabuo ng isang collective decision. He is observing me and Rebecca. Katulad ng babae, malalim din ang iniisip ng lalaki. I don't know what exactly it is, but I am sure it is about the welfare of our company. Muling napako ang tingin ko kay Rebecca when she asked another question.

"What's your name again?" she asked randomly.

"Vera, Vera Marquez." I answered in a heartbeat.

Suddenly, she closed her eyes and smirked. She doesn't look happy when she heard my name. She looked like someone who saw a ghost. Sinusubukan niyang itago ang emosyon niya pero ramdam ko ang galit at takot sa kanyang mga kilos nang marinig niya ang pangalan ko. But after those agitations, she let out a big sigh. I don't know why she almost scolded me when she heard my name. Are my suspicions wrong? Ako ba ang ineexpect niyang makita?

"Oh, I am sorry I forgot. John, I'll call you when I found the details. I promise you; I will work on this." Rebecca assured John.