"Congratulations, Caleb."
"Congratulations Mr. Mendez."
I heard different greetings from different people after the ribbon cutting. Marami ang lumapit at nakipag-kamay kay Caleb.
"Congratulations for the successful project Mr. Mendez." Tumatango lamang si Caleb at pasimpleng ngumingiti sa mga bumabati.
"Congrats, p're." it was Aaron who said that. He's with four men wearing business suits. They were chatting about the mall's structural design and stuff, nasa likod lamang ako ni Caleb.
Today's the opening of Caleb's new mall in Tagaytay. It's the biggest mall located in the centre of the town. Maraming tao ang nagpunta, including his friends, employees and business partners. Annie and I, also came here with Caleb. Kasama namin siya sa sasakyan ni Caleb. She was supposed to be joining the company's shuttle bus papunta rito at sa Pangasinan, but she insisted on joining us. Ika niya, mas mabuti daw na kasama siya sa sasakyan namin para maipaalala niya kay Caleb ang mga kailangan nitong gawin.
A part of me wanted to obliged, hindi dahil sa ayaw ko siyang kasama, but because I knew that she likes Caleb. I don't want her to feel threatened by my presence. Hindi ko gustong lagyan ng malisya ang normal na ginagawa ko. Because when you like someone, you'll do everything to get them no matter what circumstances. And I don't want Annie to feel that way towards me.
Caleb gave us time to roam around the mall, while he was busy talking with his business partners. Umalis na si Annie at 'yung ibang empleyado para maglibot. I was left alone, nakaupo lang ako sa isang bench malapit sa isang boutique. Kinakalikot ko lang ang phone ko para patayin ang oras. I wasn't fond with shopping clothes or any other personal items, mas mahilig sa mga ganitong bagay si Aly. Ayoko ring gumastos kasi nagtitipid ako dahil malapit na ang kaarawan ng aking kapatid. Plano ko sanang umuwi kung papayagan ako ni Caleb.
"Hey, are you okay?" umangat ang tingin ko sa lalaking nakatayo ngayon sa harap ko, nakakunot ang kanyang noo.
"Y-Yeah. May iniisip lang."
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked, sitting beside me. May gusto akong itanong sa kanya, pero nagdadalawang-isip ako. Ilang minuto na ang lumipas pero naghihintay parin siya sa sasabihin ko kaya bumuntong hininga ako bago magsalita.
"Aaron, do you know Clementine?"
I thought it's better to ask him than to ask Caleb. Ayokong manghimasok sa buhay niya, pero hindi ko mapigilang magtanong kung sino nga ba ang babaeng 'to? Bakit gano'n nalang ka apektado si Caleb mabanggit lang ang pangalan niya?
I saw how surprised he was to hear that from me. Kumunot ang kanyang noo at tinitigan ako ng masinsinan.
"Why are you asking me this, Bea?" tanong niya, nakakunot parin ang noo. I could tell that he also knew this girl.
"Last friday, we went to visit one of the charities that is supported by Caleb's mom and the old lady there mentioned her name. Caleb felt uneasy by the mention of her name, kaya gusto kong malaman kung sino siya."
"Why don't you ask Caleb instead?"
"I can't, Aaron. After I saw the anger and pain in his eyes that day, I felt scared. He's my boss. Ayokong masisante ng wala sa oras. Hindi ko man gustong manghimasok sa buhay niya, I felt uneasy knowing that he is still a total mystery to me."
"I can't tell you everything, Bea. Gusto kong kay Caleb mismo ito manggaling. But I can tell you who is she in Caleb's life." he smiled bitterly, looking away. Ilang minuto ang lumipas ngunit hindi parin nagsasalita si Aaron. I saw Caleb walking towards us, kaya tumayo ako. Pero bago paman ako makalapit kay Caleb, nagsalita muli si Aaron.
