CAPTIVATED

Chapter 1

"Oo na," sambit ko kay Tiffany nang utusan niya akong hanapan daw siya ng bagong vase at ilaw para sa condo unit na binili niya last month.

She texted me earlier this morning but I did not reply. Not that I don't want to do it, I just don't want to do anything today. Not move, not think, not try. The hours could pass without me, for sure, I was fine just lying here, letting the day slip by like it didn't need me at all.

"Thanks, babe. I appreciate the help." Sagot niya sa akin.

Tiffany has been my best friend for God knows how long.

My best friend is always one call away. We have been through so much together over the years. Good days, bad days, and everything in between. No matter what happens, I know she will be there for me, just like I will always be there for her.

"I just really don't have much time. I have a flight to Taiwan tonight and I'll have a guest over in my unit so I need the vase and the lights." Paliwanag niya.

"Yeah, yeah..." Pag sagot ko.

"Please, Kim?" Aniya.

"Whatever, I will." Daing ko. "Hindi mo naman sa akin pinapakilala 'yang babae mo." Sabi ko pa.

"I just don't want to introduce someone only for it to be another failed relationship, you know?" She explained.

Bahagyang humaba ang aming usapan bago naputol nang makatanggap siya ng isa pang tawag. We exchanged our goodbye's and dropped the call afterwards.

Most days are the same. I wake up, check my phone, get out of bed, and go through the usual routine. I eat, maybe go to work or do something small at home, and wait for the day to end. It's quiet, simple, and a little boring. But I guess I'm used to it. It's not bad, just kind of plain. Like I'm moving through the days without really thinking too much about them.

We own a private resort in Taguig. My father used to own that private resort but when we had a family issue, noong nahuli ni Mommy si Daddy na may ibang babae, lahat ng nakapangalan kay Daddy ay ipinangalan sa akin at sa mga kapatid ko.

Their fighting was one of the main reasons why I actually moved out. My parents fight almost every day. It started after my dad had a mistress. Even though it ended, things never went back to normal. The house is always tense, and I try to stay out of the way.

Ngayon ay may binili akong isang resort pa sa Laguna. Though Pansol already has multiple private resorts, dahil sa bungad yung resort na binili ko, alam kong hindi ako mahihirapan na bawiin ang mga gagamiting pera na i-iinvest ko doon.

Sinabi ko kay Mr. Fuertes, the owner of the resort, that I'd look for an engineer first and architect for the renovation. The deal was settled already. Kailangan ko na lang talagang humanap ng architect at engineer.

With my lazy feet, I walked through my closet to see what to wear before taking a shower. I got ready and immediately went out, thinking that it won't be that bad to have lunch at the mall.

Papasok na sana ako sa isang furniture store para sa mga hinahanap na kagamitan nang may batang bumangga sa akin.

Nagulat at mukhang natatakot ang bata sa akin. She looks like a sweet scared girl.

I flashed my reassuring smile so she would know that it's fine.

"I'm sorry..." mahinang sambit niya bago gamitin ang tissue mula sa kinakain na pamunas sa chocolate ice cream na napunta sa puti kong pantalon.

"It's fine," ngumiti ako at bahagyang umatras bago umupo para maging magka-level ang eye-sight naming dalawa.

Nang makita kong nagtutubig ang mga mata niya, doon ako biglang nag panic. Wala akong alam sa pag aalaga ng bata, but most people that I know who has a child relative, talagang nilalapitan ako ng mga bata.