The Inverse

- 21

AGNES'S POV

Ilang buwan na rin kaming hindi nagkita ni Pat. The last time was in that parking lot. Siguro nga abala na rin siya para sa kasal niya. Abala rin naman ako dahil sunod-sunod nanaman yung tawag na nakukuha ko para sa mga clients ko para sa business. And today, isa sa mga nakuha kong customers is yung bagong bukas na rooftop bar sa Makati. The owner wanted me to come over and see their space para daw mas maappreciate ko yung view and for me to at least get a grasp of how I would design their website.

"Ms. Reoma?"

"Hi. Yes sir, ako po yun."

"Nice to meet you. Julius nga pala. So, what do you think of our bar?"

"Ang ganda po dito. This would definitely be a hit."

"Yeah, well, I wanted you to see the view from up here. Kasi gusto ko na, from the website, people would be encouraged and be captivated by it, to the point na they'd like to see it for themselves." I nodded. Sakto. I think I can ask Toni to help para sa ilang photos na pwede kong ilagay dun sa website.

Pinagusapan lang namin yung ilang ideas pa na meron siya for the space and I also told him about some ideas and some designs na meron ako. He agreed and we've finally came up with a good concept. Babalik na lang din ako dito once may ready na akong site for them.

"Thank you Agnes for coming ha. Oh by the way, drink as much as you like. This one's on the house."sabi niya.

"Naku sir. Thank you pero graduate na 'ko dyan. I've been trying to keep myself sober."sabi ko sa kanya.

"Sus. One drink won't hurt you. Wait let me ask them to serve our specialty."sabi niya then he called on the waiter at binigyan ako ng drink.

"You look nervous. Walang alcohol yan."sabi niya. Natawa naman ako.

"We have non-alcoholic drinks here as well, and I do respect na you're not drinking. I won't force you to if you're not." Out of courtesy, ininom ko yung binigay niya. It was actually good. Medyo nagkakwentuhan pa kaming dalawa, until such time na medyo dumadami na rin yung tao sa bar at naging busy na siya kaya nagpaalam na rin ako.

Palabas na sana ako nung building nung hindi sinasadyang natapunan ako nung isang customer nung drink niya. Kainis. Amoy alak tuloy ako. Nagsorry naman siya and umalis na rin ako. I checked my trunk pero mukhang wala rin pala akong dalang extrang damit. Nevermind, pauwi na rin naman ako. And it's not like may aamoy sa 'kin pag-uwi ko.

I was listening to the radio nung narinig kong tumugtog yung Kathang Isip. At bigla kong naalala yung banda. Sa totoo lang, sobrang miss ko na sila. And if I am to be fully honest, of course si Pat ang pinaka-namimiss ko sa lahat. I listened to the song a bit more. Naalala ko when Paolo was writing that song. It was his heartbreak song and he wanted to express his feelings through this. Pero ngayon, marami na ring nakikishare ng pain na yun ni Pao. I never got the chance to record it with them. I can hear Andrew's playing. Napangiti ako. Lodi rin talaga si Andrew.

Then, as if striking all the wrong notes in my memories, I heard the piano piece and it reminded me of Pat. I wonder kung kumusta na siya? I've never had the chance to see her since I left the band. Though there are days na pupunta ako sa office niya just to check in on her. And I would see her there, smiling with Coelli.

Ikakasal na nga pala siya. I hope she'd be happy. Happier than when she was with me. I felt a stabbing pain in my chest. I took a deep breath. Masakit pa rin pala.

Medyo napatalon ako nung bumusina ng malakas yung nasa likod ko. I looked up and I saw na green na pala yung stoplight. I totally forgot that I'm still on the road. Makauwi na nga. I stepped on the gas and --