Set You Free

Chapter 21

Ria's POV

"So kelan mo balak sabihin sa amin na boylet mo na pala si Uno?" Vivoree asked in a serious tone.

"Nagaantay lang ako ng perfect timing. Busy kasi tayong lahat, plano ko pa nga yayain kayo magdinner dun sa restaurant nila Dani eh." I said.

"Well, you have a point. Busy nga tayong lahat but not as busy as Lory na halos di na natutulog ka-ka trabaho." Dani said.

Lory

I wanna ask them if kamusta na siya, if okay lang ba siya, if kaya niya pa ba. But I don't like talking about her, pinilit kong  kalimutan siya para makalimutan ko na rin ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya kasi mali ito. Mali ang magmahal ng dalawang tao. I have Uno at kontento na ako sakanya.

"So, kamusta na ang restaurant niyo Dani? Huling balita ko marami na kayong suki ah?" I said changing the topic.

Napatingin naman si Dani at V sa isa't-isa

"Bakla ka! Seryoso ka ba? Di mo man lang itatanong sa amin kung kamusta na siya?!" Vivoree shouted in disbelief.

"Why would I ask you if pwede ko naman siyang tawagan para itanong yan sakanya?" Pataray kong sabi.

"Okay, chill. Nabigla lang kami kasi alam mo na. Super close kayo dati, halos kayo yung palaging magkasama and then biglang nawala lahat ng yon dahil lang sa- wiz nako magtalk." V said as he took a spoonfull of food.

"May gusto ka bang sabihin sa akin V? Looks like you want to say something but your holding it back." Naiinis na ako kay V ha.

"Ria, chill, easy. V was just stating a fact, nabigla lang kami. Ano bang meron sayo't ang init-init ng ulo mo ngayon?" Dani said as she hold my hand.

I let out a sigh.

"I'm sorry, I'm just stressed. Madami kasi akong iniisip ngayon eh." At napakamot sa ulo ko.

Ano nga ba kasing nangyayari sa akin? Hindi ko pa naman araw ngayon.

"Okay, enough. Let's not talk about Lory nalang. We're here to bond hindi para makipagbwisitan. So, yes madami na kaming suki ni Rocco. How bout sa shop niyo? Manager ka na ba don?" Dani said.

"Hindi pa, si Aya pa rin yung manager. Mas maganda nga yon eh kasi di ako masyadong busy tsaka mas maaga uwi ko."

"Wow, dati gusto mo busy ka palagi tapos ikaw palagi yung huling umuuwi. Bagong buhay ka na pala?" V said.

Nakita kong hinawakan ni Dani ang kamay ni V, senyas na tumigil na siya.

"V, may problema ka ba?" Mahinahong tanong ko.

"Oo nga, kanina ka pa eh. May gumugulo ba sa isip mo?" Dani asked and took a sip on her iced tea.

"Nag-away kami ni Ion." Matipid niyang sagot.

Kaya naman pala, okay I should understand her.

"Bakit? Anong nangyari?" Tanong ko habang nilalapag ng waiter ang ibang order namin.

"Kwento mo na dali." Dani said.

Habang kumakain kami, kinukwento din ni Vivoree ang dahilan ng pag-aaway nila. Binigyan namin siya ng advice para naman medjo mabawasan ang iniisip niya.

——

Lory's POV

"Thank you Sir." I said and gave Mr. Yuson a handshake.

Kakatapos lang ng meeting namin. God knows how happy I am. After how many months, tumaas na ulit ang ratings namin. And guess what? Kami na ulit ang highest rating company. We should celebrate this. Our overtimes, sacrifice and hardwork was paid. Siguro yayayain ko na rin ang grupo, they're also part of our success. Without them siguro may ulcer na ako, they always bring me food. Napaka thoughtful nila and besides matagal na din nung huli kaming nagkasama.

I dialed Vivoree's number. After a few rings sumagot din ito.

{Oh, napatawag ka? Wag mo sabihin magiinom ka na naman?} Agad niyang bungad.

"Oh you're wrong, I have a great news. Wait, where are you? Why is it noisy?" I said while fixing my folders.

{Ah, nasa restaurant ako. Kasama ko si Ria at Dani. Nagyaya kasi si Dani ng dinner, since alam namin na may meeting ka, si Ria nalang niyaya namin. So, anong great news yan?}

"Ah okay, that's good, I don't need to call them na. Well here's the good news, WE ARE THE HIGHEST RATING COMPANY! Tumaas na ulit ang ratings namin!" I said happily

{Really?! Omg! Congratulations! Oh, I know ba't ka tumawag. So, when is the celebration?}

"Well, tomorrow, 8PM. Here lang sa opisina, sabihan mo nalang sila Ria at Dani ha? Bring your partners na rin kasi the more the merrier."

{Are you sure? Bringing our partners means bringing Uno.}

"And? Ofcourse I know that. And it's okay, tanggap ko na. Don't worry about me. So? See you there!"

{Okay, see you too bakla!} He said and ended the call.

I also called Aga, Miguel and Paolo. Good thing, free sila bukas kaya makakapunta sila.

Makakauwi rin ako sa wakas! I went to my office and fixed my things. After I locked my room, nagmadali akong pumunta sa parking lot. I miss my home, I settled my things on the shotgun seat and started the engine.

After half an hour, dumating na ako sa bahay. I parked my car on the garage and made my way to the house.

"Ma? Pa? Kuya? Where are you? Manang Poly?" I shouted when I noticed the house was quiet and dark.

Where are they? It's still maaga  As I head to the dining area.

"CONGRATULATIONS!!!" A loud shout welcomed me.

"Oh my god!" I said as I cover my mouth in shock as I heard the loud noise, a party popper!!

"Congrats anak!" mama said and gave me a tight hug, as well as papa.

"Congrats bunso, I'm so proud of you." Kuya Gray said.

"I didn't expect this, thank you guys! I love you!" I said and gave each one of them a hug.

"Oh, ano? Tara kain na!" Manang Poly shouted which made us all laugh.

"So Lory, okay na ba ang lahat para bukas? And are you sure that you will held it at the company? Ayaw mo sa convention hall nila Mr. Gutierrez?" Dad asked for the nth time.

"Dad, okay na po lahat. No need to worry, inasikaso na namin ni Avina kanina bago ako umuwi. And also, mas maganda sa company nalang para medj maka tipid tayo." I said also for the nth time.

"Nako, ikaw Lory ha. You're being kuripot na, na influence kana ata ni Aga." Kuya jested.

"Oh god, siguro nga." I said and laughed.