With All Might

Kabanata 29

Wait

"Yes po, Mayor!" agap no'ng babaeng tinawag na Arlene sabay baling sakin at ngumiti. "Pasok raw po kayo, Ma'am."

Tumango ako at tipid na ngumiti. "Thank you."

Tipid ang bawat galaw ko. Pagkapasok ko'y wala na yata akong hangin na mahihingan pa lalo na nang dinikitan ni Arlene ng 'Do Not Disturb' ang pintoan bago ito isinarado.

Taas noo at deretso ko siyang tiningnan. He is seating comfortably on his black swivel chair. He change so much, I can tell from his physique. His jet black hair is neatly parted. Sobrang kintab at maayos ang pagkahati. Bumagay naman ito sa dati niya pang matangos na ilong at mamula-mulang labi. His face is the same only that it has become more mature yet still jaw dropping handsome.

His shoulders become broader and even if he become a Mayor, mukhang napangalagaan parin niya ang kanyang katawan. I expected him to be fat looking but it's very far from what I witness now. Siguro masarap ang pag-aalaga sa kanya ng kanyang asawa o girlfriend?

I was too stunned that I didn't notice that he already stood up. Marahan siyang umikot at nang nasa harap ko na, bahagyang umupo sa lamesa at pinagkrus ang braso.

"Good morning. What can I help you?"

And that is his first word for me after years?

Tumikhim ako at inilahad ang envelope sa kanya.

"I came here because I wanted to discuss about uh.. my land. It has come to me that your government is checking on it. So, I'm presenting to you the legal papers for proofs that we are paying the right taxes and the estimation is right."

Tiningnan niya ang envelope at muntik ko ng bawiin ang kamay ko ng abotin niya 'yon mula sa'kin.

"Hmmm..."

He opened and check the papers. Hindi niya naman sinuri ng mabuti at mabilisan niya lang tiningnan saka ibinalik sa loob at inilagay ang envelope sa ibabaw ng table niya.

"I will check it but I have other agendas so... the documents will stay here for the meantime."

Tumango ako at handa nang magpaalam. "Okay. But may I know how long will it take?"

He lift his right brow as he cross his arms firmer. Napatingin ako sa braso niya nang halos hapitin nito ang kanyang formal na polo shirt.

"Why? You're leaving again?"

Medyo napakunot ang noo ko. Sa tono kasi nang pananalita niya, para siyang galit at may ipinapahiwatig.

"No. I just want to know because I want this to be fix as soon as possible. And may I know if... sino 'yong nag reklamo? Baka kilala mo kasi dito dumirekta sa inyo hindi ba?"

He shook his head as he stood up slowly. Napa atras ako kaonti at madilim ang mukha niyang naka tingin sa kilos ko.

I couldn't smile or do any face expression at him. Seeing him this close brings so much memories. Hindi ko alam kung anong naghahari sa memoryang iyon. I just don't want this to go longer because I might wreck again.

"Nagpadala lang nang sulat." tipid niyang sagot.

Tumango ako. "May I see the letter? I want to trace whoever that is."

Umikot siya uli at binuksan ang kahon sa kanyang lamesa. May inilabas siyang papel at inabot niya 'yon sa'kin.

Pinipigilan ko ang panginginig ng kamay ko. Huminga ako ng malalim ng maabot ang papel na 'di nagtatagpo ang mga kamay namin.

I open the letter and read it. My brows furrowed after reading it. "May I keep this? Papa-imbestigahan ko lang."

He slowly nodded. His eyes were very fix on my clothes. Nakaramdam naman ako ng pagka-ilang sa paninitig niya. And I can't cover my bare neck because my hair is cut in a bobcut style!