Those Blurry Lines

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Different

Inilapag ko ang lapis sa mesa at sinabunutan ang sariling buhok. I couldn't concentrate. Lagi akong stucked at wala akong maisip na kung ano.

I'm currently at my room, reviewing the market plan for the expansion in Europe. Kagagaling ko lang mula sa zoom meeting kasama ang mga employee ko sa Paris.

Instead of focusing on the marketing, my mind went to what Jesther told me. Up until now, it's bothering me so much.

"Do I really like him?" I asked myself. "Really?"

I stood up and stretched my body. Hindi ko dapat siya isipin. He's just a distraction. Based from his attitude, it seemed like he doesn't like me.

Wala naman akong paki. Kailan pa ba ako naapektuhan ng mga haters?

Okay, baka crush lang. I admit that he's really handsome. But he's annoying.

"I don't like annoying people," I reminded myself. Hindi pwede!

Bumaba ako para maghanap ng juice sa ref nang makita ko si Daddy sa likuran. I was curious so I went out.

He's cleaning the backyard. May suot siyang gloves at boots. Bumalik ako at nagpunta sa stock room para maghanap din ng gloves at boots.

Dinala ko ito at nang makabalik ulit sa bakuran ay itinali ko na muna ang buhok ko bago ko ito sinuot.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at nagsimulang magbunot ng mga damo. Natigilan si Daddy at tumingin sa 'kin.

"What?" I asked him.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" he said as he continued.

"Helping you? Ikaw yata ang dapat kong tanungin niyan. You're old."

Natawa siya. "You're always straightforward."

I only rolled my eyes. Napahinto ako nang malaman na nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin.

"Bakit na naman?"

He laughed and shook his head. "I am just surprised. You've lived in Paris and in the City. It's just weird to see you doing backyard stuffs."

"Dad, I used to take care of plants before. Sa bahay ni Mommy, naglagay ako ng mga tanim dun at minsan ay nagbubunot ng mga damo sa frontyard."

"Really? Hindi ko alam na mahilig ka pala sa mga ganito."

I smiled. "Yeah... a friend sort of introduced it to me. He has this plant named Bob."

Nagtaas siya ng kilay. "Bob? That's weird."

"Yeah, you're right!"

Tuluyan na akong natawa nang maalala si Jackson at si Bob, pati na rin ang mga kapamilya nito. I wonder if buhay pa ba si Bob ngayon.

"He's a 'he'?" Naramdaman ko ang pagtaas ng isa niyang kilay sa 'kin.

I pointed at him. "Hey, I know that stare."

"Nagtatanong lang naman."

Umirap ako at nagpatuloy na sa pagbubunot. Nilinisan namin ito at nagsimulang ilipat ang mga tanim niya mula sa pot papunta sa lupa.

Then I realized how Jackson affected my life so much. And I know that it's not just about the plants. He also implanted lessons in my head.

I sighed and looked at Daddy. Nang mapansin niya iyon ay nahinto siya sa pagbubungkal ng lupa.

"Bakit?" tanong niya.

"How did you know that it was Tita Carol?"

He gently smiled at me. Kaagad niyang nakuha ang ibig kong sabihin. He exhaled and gestured me to go to the bench. Sumunod naman ako at itinanggal ang gloves ko.