Greatest Gift From Above (Book Two)

07

2 days passed....

I've been avoiding Sapphire since the day Trisha and I had an argument. But I can't avoid her because she's my secretary.

"Sir eto na po yung files." She suddenly appeared in front of me. 

"Put it there." I said without eying her. She did what I said.

It's been 2mins and I can still feel her presence. Tinignan ko siya, nakatayo lang siya at parang may hinihintay.

"Why are you still in my office Ms. Valdez?" I formally asked. Umiling siya para sabihin wala at nilapag ang lunch box sa harapan ko at tumakbo na siya paalis.

I'm not eating the food she's giving me.  She's just wasting her time and effort. I was about to throw it when Sebastian entered.

"Hoy! Hoy! Hoy!" He said pointing at the lunch box.

"What?." I asked. Kinuha niya ito at binuksan.

"Pagkain to a bat mo tatapon? Tsaka bagong luto pa oh." He talk and smelled the food. "Hmmm. amoy masarap naman." He added.

"Kainin mo nalang kung nasasayangan ka." I said. kinain naman ng tukmol, palibhasa patay gutom.

"Masharup nmhan e.(masarap naman e)" Sabi ni Seb habang puno ang bunganga niya.

"Dude your so gross. Don't fucking talk when your mouth is full. Yuk." He just rolled his eyes and continue eating.

"Kanino ba to galing? sa pagkakaalala ko hindi naman nagluluto si Trisha." He asked and talked.

"Sapphire." maikle kong sagot. Tinignan niya ako na para bang nagtataka.

"Huh?" 

"Sapphire cooked that." I said and pointed at the chicken his about to bite. He nodded and started eating it. He eats like a 10 yrs old kid.

"tsk." kahit kailan talaga ang mokong hindi nagmature para paring 10yrs old.

Nang matapos na siyang kumain umalis na din siya dahil tinawagan na siya ng dad niya. Ako naman pinagpatuloy ko naman ang ginagawa ko kasi wala na yung magulo. 

I'm just staring at the paper I've been working on, kanina ko pa tinitignan yung papel na dapat kanina kopa tapos. I don't really know what is going on with me. I can't focus with this work shits. Hindi kona alam.

11:00 pm na ng gabi wala ng tao sa opisina. I called my friends to meet me at the bar,  Dave's bar. Papasok na sana ako ng elevator ng mapansin kong nakabukas pa ang ilaw ng opisina ni Phire.

"She must be tired. She forgot to close the lights." so I thought.

I entered her office to turn off the lights but I was surprised to see her sleeping at the working table. She's doing something. Dahan dahan kong kinuha yung papel. It was a sketch of a necklace. And a guy holding an umbrella. 

Tinitignan kopa ng mabuti ang lalaki pero biglang gumalaw si Sapphire kaya bigla kong nabitawan ang sketch book niya. I decided to wake her up because It's also late.

"hey. wake up." I said gently shaking her body.

"hmm?" She said rubbing her eyes.

"It's me Cliffton, you should go home now It's already late. I already called a cab it's dangerous if your going to use a jeep." I said and walked out.

Why am I even concerned about her?

It's already 11:35 when I arrived at Dave's  Night club/bar. Seb and Andrey are drinking while  Dave is talking on the phone.

"Hey!!!" Seb and Andrey shouted and wave's their hand that caught Dave's attention.

"Hey." I greeted back. "Did you guys wait long?" I asked.

"Oo. Nung tumawag ka pumunta na agad kami. Alam mo ba kung bakit?" Andrey talked. I shook my head for response.

"Kasi minsan ka lang magaya ng inuman." Sagot ni Sebastian at napatango naman si Dave at Andrey na parang sumasangayon kay Sebastian.

"Tsk." I said and start drinking. 

It's been a few minutes and they are still staring at me like they wanted to asked but affriad to do so.

"What's the problem?" I asked them. They sigh.

"Kami nga dapat magtanong niyan e. So what's your problem?" Dave asked.

"Nothing."

"We have known you for many years. We know if there is a problem and if there's no problem." Sebastian is right. I can't hide my problem to them. They are my friends since were child.

"Ano ba yang problema mo?" Andrey asked 

"Si dad mo?" I shook my head.

"Trabaho?" I shook my head.

"Babae?" I suddenly looked at Sebstian.

"No." Tipid kong tugon at uminon na ulit.

"Babae nga. Nako binata na si Lance." Andrey said laughing. And glared at him and He stop laughing.

"Tell us bro expert kami diyan." Sebastian Said and waited for me to talk.

"Anong kami ikaw lang kaya ulol to sinama pa kami ni Dave." Pagrereklamo ni Andrey.

"So bro what's the problem?" Dave asked. I sigh knowing taht i have to tell them.

"I don't really know. Lately I've been doing something I don't usually do. Like Talking to a stranger. Holding a stranger. Feeling comfortable with  someone. Deffending someone. Eating the food She's gving me. Fuck this." I talked and drink the vodka straight.

"Pre Inlove ka." bulong saakin ni Sebastian.

"Are you fucking kidding me? You all know I hate girls specially those flirt." I said.

"Do you like seeing this stranger?" Dave asked. 

Do i really like seeing her?

"No. I just needed this stranger." I said.

"Does your heart beats fast if you see this stranger?" Sebastian asked. 

It does beat fast.

"It doesn't." I asnwerd.

"Imagine this stranger with a another stranger. What will you feel?" Andrey asked.

I will punch the shit.

"I will...Feel nothing." I lied. "Are you guys finish with your questions?" I asked them. They stared at me like they weren't satisfied with my answers. "The drinks are on me. Here my card." I said leaving my card.

I drive at my mothers grave. I sat beside her. 

what is it like to have a mother?

I decided to lay on the grass and close my eyes. When I was young Dad and i are really close.we are bestfriends. We always play, read books, eat together and alot of stuff that son and father do. I know that it's my fault I build a hard wall that only myself can break. 

It's getting cold so I decided to go home.

"Bye Mom. I wish to see you in my dreams. I am wishing that you will hug me in my dream, only in my dream." I said and wiped the tears that I fall.

Good night mom, I love you...