Reverso

Chapter 19

"Ma'am, eto na po yung agenda natin for this month and nag-submit na rin po sila ng pending plans for next month." Ms. Asasdillo handed me two folders na naka-color coding ang dividers for indication. I just nodded at her, signaling her that she can get out of my office. After a while of examining the papers, the telephone rang.

"Good morning, is Miss Caldez available today?"

"This is her speaking. How may I be of help?"

"There's a student in here wanting to have an appointment with you today, is it okay to send him in?"

"Did he state the reason for the appointment?" nag-scroll ako ng onti sa email ko pero wala namang sinesend sila Melody, baka nga doon lang lumapit ang student for appointment.

"He says he'd like to discuss it with you, ma'am."

"Okay, send him in 15 minutes or earlier. I still have my 3rd period." Pagpapaalala ko.

Pinirmahan ko na agad ang mga plans na matagal na naipasa sa akin at personaly na-idiscuss. Yung mga kakapasok lang naman, kahit urgent, mamaya ko na pipirmahan at sablay nanaman sila kapag pumalpak, ako na naman pagaayusin nila. And just as expected, after a couple of minutes, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in." inayos ko ang coat ko at hinawi ng onti ang buhok ko.

"Good morning, President." Bati sa akin ni Adrian.

"Lazaro, what brings you here?" hindi ko alam kung gumagana yung technique ko na kunwari ay di ako affected sa presence nya at di ako nagulat na pumunta sya sa office ko pero sana naman, oo. I didn't make a big fuss about what happened at the ball and I've been living off of denial so sana naman, he won't bring it up.

"About the ball..." he continued.

"All is forgiven, dismissed." I said, not looking at him.

"Wag ka naman ganiyan, Terrie. Pag-usapan natin 'to." He pleaded.

"First of all, you're in my office. I am Miss Caldez, the president and I am here to order things around, not you." He should know his place, nandito sya sa territoryo ko, matuto syang rumespeto. Kaibigan ko man sya o dating kasintahan.

"I apologize, Miss." Sabi nya agad.

"Look, I didn't make a big deal out of what happened okay? I got stood up on a ball that I formally attended for the first time as a student. If you're worried about your reputation, you don't have to be. I won't take anything away from you. Ang nakakaalam lang na dapat ka-date kita ay ang mga kaibigan ko, and they won't snitch on me. Kaya, makakaalis ka na."

"Wala akong pake sa iisipin nila, Caldez." Saad nya. "All I care about is you."

I chuckled sarcastically.

"Ikaw? May pake sa akin? Then I would've at least received a goddamned message, explaining your reason. It literally takes seconds to send a message. Wala ka sa 1800s, hindi ko marereceive text mo after 2 weeks. So please, stop pretending that you do care when you never did. Naiirita lang ako sa'yo."

"Rose is leaving."

"Ano?" pag-taas ko ng kilay sa kanya.

"Rose finally agreed to migrate to Australia to live with her mom. After the rumors of us being together circulated, Rose finally got knocked some senses and realized I wasn't going to go back to her anymore. Ang hiling lang niya sa Mommy niya ay makasama ako for the last moments she's going to stay here in the Philippines."

I was in awe. I didn't know what to say.

"I am sorry, Terrie. Hindi ko alam paano ko ieexplain sa'yo. Naiinis ako sa mundo, sa sarili ko, kasi baka isipin mo, pinili ko na naman sya over you. Pero dahil sa negligence ko, ganun na nga ang nagawa ko, but this time, it's you, Terrie. It has always been you." Mangiyak-ngiyak nyang sabi.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at kinuha ang panyo ko mula sa bulsa ng coat ko. I sat in front of Adrian and started to wipe his tears.

"What you did was brave and selfless, I am proud of you. Tinupad mo pa rin yung hiling ni Rose even if it'd risk your happiness, because that's how much you respect her. You've grown." Nginitian ko sya.

"Please, don't leave." Mahina nyang sabi.

"Did I?" I asked him. If valid naman pala yung reason nya, why wouldn't there be any reason to stay?

I gave him a hug that lasted for a while. He carefully brushed his fingers across my hair, and lifted my chin up. He started to kiss me passionately, his lips are dominating mine as it felt like he was sucking up every energy I have left in me.

And just like that, I am his again.