Cruel Summer

XXVII.

Aphrodite Pangilinan-Sotto (client)

9:06 pm
Why are you crying?

9:07 pm
Huh?

9:10 pm
I can see you from my table here in the hotel's bar. What's wrong?

9:12 pm
There's just something in my eye.

9:15 pm
Don't lie to me. I know those are tears.

9:17 pm
Did your husband do something?

9:18 pm
No. He is nothing but kind.

9:20 pm
Why are you so unhappy then? You told me your story, but not why you're unhappy with your marriage.

9:22 pm
I can't tell you that.

9:23 pm
Then how can I make your sadness go away?

9:25 pm
Alam mo, Engineer Madrigal... stop meddling with my personal affairs. Baka isipin ko, may pakialam ka sa akin. Hindi ba sabi ko sa'yo, don't make me hope.

9:28 pm
I'm just trying to be a friend.

9:30 pm
You know we can never be friends.

9:31 pm
Why not?

9:32 pm
Because I'm attracted to you, that's why.

9:35 pm
And it's so damn hard to act professional with you when all I can think about is your damn kisses!

9:37 pm
You're just drunk, Ma'am.

9:40 pm
Can we please fucking drop the formalities when it's just the two of us!?

9:42 pm
Aphrodite, I'm serious.

9:45 pm
What? And you think I'm not? I'm serious about wanting you, Engineer Madrigal. It's making me crazy.

9:48 pm
May asawa ka.

9:50 pm
Wala naman siya dito.

9:51 pm
It's a sin.

9:53 pm
Then I hope the gods forgive me because I can't stay away from you.

9:55 pm
Why are you making this hard?

9:57 pm
Do I make things hard for you, Engineer Madrigal?

10:00 pm
Yes!

10:05 pm
Why?

10:07 pm
Because I am so damn attracted to you as well and you keep teasing me!

10:10 pm
You're like this fucking forbidden fruit that I cannot eat because it's going to be chaotic!

10:12 pm
I'd sin for you.

10:14 pm
Tang ina. Hindi gano'n kadali 'yon.

10:16 pm
Alam ko. Pero gusto ko. Masarap ang kasalanan kung ikaw ang kapalit.

10:17 pm
Stop messing with my mind!

10:20 pm
'Wag mo akong baliwin, Aphrodite. Habang kaya ko pang pigilan ang sarili ko.