Fireflies In My Heart (Blueprint Series #1)

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

I became busy in the past couple of weeks because of the projects I'm handling and also because of my charity work. Or should I say, I busied myself?

As much as possible, I want to stay away from people who contributed pain from the past. Particularly, Aiden. Tawagin niyo na akong duwag pero hindi ko pa talaga kaya.

I've also talked to Adela about her brother and she said that she doesn't know a thing about Aiden anymore. I sighed.

"Yna, please ready my car downstairs. Maaga ako uuwi ngayon." Sabi ko habang nilulunod ang sarili sa mga papeles. "Right away, Architect."

Kailangan kong makauwi ng maaga dahil marami pa akong aasikasuhin sa bahay para sa outreach namin bukas. Yes, it's already been a month. Tomorrow morning, we will be driving off to Sorsogon. Doon kasi yung bago naming outreach program.

"Architect Cornago, make sure to send me your final sketch tomorrow. You need my approval before you present it to the board." I said.

I wouldn't say we're in good terms now, but we are civil to each other. "Noted, Architect." I nodded.

Dumiretso na ako sa elevator at tahimik na umalis. I have to pack at least three sets of clothes dahil paniguradong pagpapawisan kami roon. We're conducting a one day beautification program. I am constantly supporting their orphanage for almost four years now.

Walang nakaalam na umuuwi ako noon sa Pilipinas dahil hindi ako nagpapakita sakanila at sa Sorsogon lang ako laging dumidiretso.

Just a year ago, my team and I helped them build their new home. We moved their orphanage near the shore and also donated a small chapel in their area. I personally love helping children, because I can somehow feel a connection between us.

"Luna, para saan yang nga box?" Takang tanong ni Kuya Ali.

"For my outreach program, remember? Do you want to come?" I asked.

"No, I'm good. Hindi ba maputik doon? Baka madaming lamok, magsuot ka ng longsleeves!" Yung itsura niya parang matatae! I rolled my eyes.

"For a guy like you, napaka-arte mo!" He scoffed. Totoo naman ah?

"Whatever." He said before turning his back at me. "Kaya hindi ka nagkaka-jowa eh!" I shouted. He raised his middle finger at me that made me laugh.

I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket kaya naman kinuha ko ito at sinagot. "Javi!"

"Yow! Tuloy yung outreach niyo bukas?" Inipit ko ang phone sa aking tenga at balikat bago sumagot.

"Tuloy na tuloy. Hindi ka talaga pupunta?" I asked.

"Babawi ako promise! May kailangan lang ako ayusin." I sighed.

"Okay, fine! Siguraduhin mo lang na hindi babae iyang aayusin mo!" He sighed. May binulong pa siya pero hindi ko na narinig. I suppose he was talking to someone else because he ended the call. Rude!

Mag-eeleven na rin ng gabi kaya naman naligo na ulit ako at nag-ayos para matulog. May meeting time kami ni Adela bukas at napakaaga non. I hope I can wake up early.

I was surprised because I woke up earlier than expected. Naunahan ko pa yung alarm ko.

I did my morning routine and went downstairs carrying my big backpack. Simple lang ang suot ko, loose white shirt and ripped denim jeans. Ang suot ko na old skool vans lang rin ang dadalhin kong sapatos sa buong stay namin roon.

I heard an engine stopped outside kaya mabilisan kong inubos ang kinakain kong pancake. I think Adela's already here.

"Miss Astrid, nandyan na ho si Sir Aiden sa labas." I choked. What does she mean?!

I found Aiden helping my team load the van! "Anong ginagawa mo dito?" I asked.

"Adela's sick." He replied. I groaned. Dali akong tumalikod at sinubukang i-dial ang number ni Adela pero mabilis niya akong hinatak.

"Ano!?" Inis kong sabi. He clicked his tongue and that...I can say was hot.

"I'm volunteering. Besides, my sister also asked me to go." I sighed. Hindi na ako sumagot at dumiretso nalang sa sasakyan ko. But he pulled me again!

"Bakit ka ba hila ng hila?! Kulang pa yung dalawa mong braso kaya gusto mo kuhanin yung akin!?" His forehead creased. Pati ako naguluhan sa sinabi ko!

"What are you saying? Hihiwalay ka pa ba ng sasakyan? Just ride in my car." He asked.

"Yes. I already have my things inside my benz." I casually said before turning my back at him. He hissed. "Ride in my damn car, Luna."

May choice ba pa ako?! Inis akong nagpapadyak at sinundan siya sa sasakyan ko para kuhanin yung iba kong gamit. Parang hindi pa ako nakakarating ng Sorsogon ay gusto ko na ata umuwi!

We eventually drove our way to the venue. Hindi na ko nahiya at itinulog ko nalang ang byahe dahil alas tres palang ng madaling araw. Para maiwasan na rin yung kumag.

Nagising nalang ako sa sunod sunod na tawag sa aking phone. I looked at Aiden, nakataas lang ang kilay niya sa akin pero ibinalik na rin ang tingin sa daan. I noticed we're away from the city now. May araw na rin.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't answer your calls. I was sleeping." Tahimik kong sabi.

"It's fine, Iha. I assume papunta na kayo sa Bicol?" Napatango naman ako kahit hindi ako nakikita.

"Yes! Buti nalang hindi traffic. We'll be there in a few hours." I smiled. "Your Tito and I sent a lot of donations. Sayang lang hindi kami nakasama ngayong taon."

"I understand. There's always a next time! Send my regards to Tito Lucio!" I said. She said her goodbye before ending the call. I took a glance at Aiden and saw that he's clenching his jaw. Anong problema niya? Pagod na ba siya?

"Do you want to exchange? I can drive." Pag-aalok ko. Hindi siya sumagot at diretso lang ang tingin sa harap.

"Boyfriend mo?"

Naguluhan ako sa tanong niya. I didn't know I was staring at him until I realized what he was talking about! Goodness!

"For real?!" Napahawak pa ako sa aking bibig dahil sa gulat. I laughed. "Seryoso ka dyan?"

"Ano sa tingin mo?" He hissed. Ang sarap niya batukan pero baka mabangga kami kaya wag nalang.

"Wait lang!" I can't breathe! Tawang tawa talaga ako. "Huwag mo akong tawanan."

Ang seryoso niya talaga tignan kaya naisip kong pagtrip-an siya. "If yes, ano naman ngayon?"

"Then he should be here. But instead he's letting you go out of the city by yourself!" Hindi pa niya malabas yung galit niya dahil nagmamaneho siya ha!

I bit the sides of my cheek to stop laughing. He sounded so serious! Parang ginawa niya nang racing track itong bundok!

"Hoy bagalan mo nga! Aiden James ang OA!" Pero parang wala ata siyang narinig. Mamamatay na ata ako sa bilis. Lord, patawad!

"Aiden! Slow down, baka mabangga tayo!" Unti unti na akong kinakabahan sakanya.

"Ano ba! It's not my boyfriend okay! Wala ako non. Kaya please...stop." I was about to cry pero umurong ata nang makita ko ang pag-nguso ni Aiden. He's driving normal now too. Abnormal na lalaki!