Simula
"Yes, I'll be there in a minute," sabi ko sa sekretarya ko.
I stood up and gathered my things as I walked out in my office. I have to talk to Castor today and we will meet at my friends coffee shop since I suggested that and he agreed.
Nang nakarating na ako sa Cafe, I scanned the place and smiled when I saw Castor waiting for me while sipping on his coffee.
"Sorry I'm late," I apologized.
He quickly turned his gaze at me and smiled. He stood up and we shake hands.
"No worries Ms. Villaruel," aniya.
I shook my head and chuckled.
"Oh come on drop the formalities, we already talked about it right? I told you to just call me Chantel," I smiled.
I heard him chuckled and nodded.
"Right," aniya.
Castor is one year older than me. He's tall and handsome. I don't know if he has a girlfriend already not that I'm curious tho.
Kaagad kaming umupo. Nag order lang ako ng isang tasang kape since naka order na siya ng kaniya. Besides hindi naman aabutin ng ilang oras ang pag uusapan namin.
"So, how's the investigation?" I quickly asked.
"We are doing our best to find him, for now we have to take things slow, he might panicked."
I nodded.
Right.
Hindi nga pala niya ako kilala.
"Is that all?" I ask confused.
"Oh. I have tell you something about this matter by the way," he said.
"Okay? What about it?" I asked.
I folded my arms and leaned in my seat.
He looked hesitant for a bit but he sighed and explained everything.
"I have to go back home for the mean time because of family problems, this is hard for me because I can't just let my team handle this alone that's why may pinakiusapan akong papalit muna sa akin pansamantala. But don't worry I'll be checking if there is any lead from time to time through phone calls so yeah. Is that ok with you?" aniya.
Wait..
What?
"You're leaving?" I asked him.
He nodded.
"Yes, pansamantala lang naman," aniya.
I sighed.
I don't have a choice anyway.
I nodded.
"Just make sure na magaling ang papalit sayo pansamantala Castor, I want this investigation to be done as soon as possible, I want to see him already," I smiled as I remembered him.
Agad na bumigat ang dibdib ko. Tears starting to form in my eyes. Nakita siguro ni Castor na maiiyak na ako so he talked to divert things quickly.
Kaagad kong pinunasan ang luhang tumulo sa pisngi ko.
"Oh! Bukas nga pala dadating ang papalit sa akin. Don't worry he's a friend of mine so you can trust him," he said and told me that everything's gonna be fine.
"Okay, if that's all text me kaagad if may nakita na kayong lead kung nasaan siya. I have to go now," I said.
"We will immediately text you, don't worry we will find him soon," he said reassuringly.
I nodded.
Binayaran ko kaagad ang inorder namin. Castor was about to protest but I told him it's fine and because I was late, I have to treat him. He just shook his head at me at nagyayang ihahatid na lang ako sa parking lot.
Sumakay kaagad ako sa kotse ko at nag drive pauwi.
I sighed.
My life is so boring.
No friends to talk to.
No colleagues to party with.
No family.
I smiled sadly as I remembered my parents. They'll always ask how my day was and that I should always keep safe.
My parents left me when I was 19. They both died in a plane crash. Some of them survived except my parents and the other passengers riding the plane.
When I heard the news, I was devastated.
I don't know what to do.
I'm always dependent to my parents.
I want to try part time jobs back then but they don't want me to take part time jobs because they said that'll exhaust me and that they have the money to support me. I always wanted to be independent but they won't let me. They said I have to wait 'til 20. That's how good they are, they spoiled me so much. So much to the point that I no longer know how to be independent and how to stand up again without them now guiding me.
I love my parents and I always missed them.
I sighed.
Napailing na lamang ako. I should focus on the investigation more. I can't wait to meet him. I hugged the pillow and looked at the ceiling. I'm in my room now thinking of possible things that might happen.
What if they can't find him?
Is this what my life would be?
Pagkatapos ng trabaho diretso uwi, maghihintay ng balita tungkol sa imbestigasyon. Kinabukasan gan'on ulit.
A tear fell from my eye.
I quickly wiped them out. I shouldn't be crying. They will find him. I'm sure of it. They will find him one of these days.
My brother..
We will meet each other soon.
Ate will meet you soon.
I smiled, tears in my eyes as I dozed off to sleep.
...
