The Day He Said Goodbye

VII

Present

Napaatras ako nang magtagpo ang aming tingin. Parang nagflashback lahat in front of me, kung paano ko siya nakilala, nagustuhan, kinabaliwan, minahal, at kung paano din niya ako nasaktan at iniwan. It's funny how a single person who used to be the reason for your happiness, can also be the reason for your pain. And it's even funnier how long it has been since he parted from me, but the pain still lingers.

I've said many times that I have moved on but I guess hanggang ngayon I'm still convincing myself. Seeing him again made me realized that I was not totally over getting over him, or us. Masakit pa rin pala. I thought all the time apart would do good in healing things, but I was wrong.

"I'm sorry I got stuck sa traffic." He broke his gaze from me and shifted it to Madam Arellano. At parang on cue bigla din ako napabuntong hininga. Di ko napansin that I hold my breath kanina.

"Okey ka lang?" Arden asked worriedly. I smiled weakly.

I peeked secretly kay Cai who does not seem bothered at all. He's so good at this. Nainggit ako. Sana ako din.

After what seemed forever, natapos din yung meeting. Madam Arellano said that by next week the place will be okay na for a visit. She handed us the contact number of the caretaker and her secretary since lilipad na naman siya ulit for some business. After which, I assisted her outside the building.

"Please coordinate na lang kay Engr. Gonzaga. Actually, he's my inaanak, he knows the site very well. You can come with him during visit para di ka maligaw. Masyadong tago yung lugar eh." She reminded me bago siya pumasok sa sasakyan.

"Sure Madam. Thank you again for trusting our firm."

"No worries hija."

Para akong tanga habang dahan-dahan akong humahakbang patalikod. Parang hindi pa rin nag-sink in yung mga nangyari today: my first big break, the client's approval, and him coming back to my world. Parang ang OA naman ng episode ng teleserye ng buhay ko today. Ang daming ganap. Wala man lang pa-blocking na nangyari. Well ganyan naman talaga eh, ma teleserye man o real life, may pa-twist talaga every time something good happens. I was still lost in my thoughts nang may mabunggo ako sa likod.

"Sorry...I." Di ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko nang matanto ko kung sino yung nabangga ko. Napang-abot ko pa yung kilay ko habang tinitigan siya. Syempre may pahabol pa na scene na ganito diba.

"It's okay. I'm fine."

"Tss. Buti ka pa." I bit my lower lip. Minsan talaga may sariling buhay ang bibig ko.

"What?"

"Nothing. Again sorry." I pursed my lips. Aba sineswerte tong loko toh ha, nakadalawang sorry na ako ah. Feeling ko hindi niya deserve. Sa lahat ng sakit na idinulot niya dapat siya yung nagsosorry. Pabalik na sana ako sa paglalakad nang magsalita siya.

"Uhm. Can I have your number?"

"No." marihin kong sabi. Never again Gab. Do not let him into your life again.

"You know we need to talk sooner or later." He arched his eyebrow. Pinagkrusan ko lang siya ng mga braso ko habang tinitigan siya. Sure damn he looked so mature na. Gone his chin-length hair na dati kinahiligan kong guluhin. He is sporting now a clean mid-length cut. He looked even more manly with that navy blue polo shirt on him. He partnered it with a pair of khaki chino pants and black loafers. Unfair naman, time apart made him looked good. Siguro it really did good on him.

"The project Gab." He ruffled his hair after making a point. Oh shit. So that's what he meant. I shrugged as if hindi ako nag-advance thinking at nag-ogle over him for a second. I made sure pinapanindigan ko yung neutral expression ng mukha ko.