Episode 37

Not nice

"What?! Anong sinasabi mo, ha? I'm going to leave! Bitaw!"

Para akong nag-e-eskandalo dahil sa ginagawa ko pero wala na 'kong pakialam. I slapped him hard that he consumed at least a minute to recover. I could see how his jaw clenched tightly even though it's dark in the club.

Inalis ko ang hawak niya sa braso ko at nagsimula nang maglakad paalis ng club. Hindi na 'ko nagpaalam sa mga kaibigan ko at tuloy-tuloy lang akong naglakad paalis. Habang naglalakad ako ay hindi ko namalayang tulo na pala ng tulo ang luha ko.

I wiped them by the back of my hand and only cried more when I am already almost outside of the club. Pero naramdaman ko na naman ang presensya ni Val nang hinawakan niya ang palapulsuhan ko.

"Elara..." bulong niya sa parang nagmamakaawang boses. "Please, pakinggan mo muna ako." Napatawa na lang ako sa kalokohan niya bago humarap.

"Pakinggan? Pakinggan?! Are you even hearing yourself, Val? Why do you keep on bothering me?" Umamba siyang lalapit kaya umatras ako. "Don't go near me! 'Wag kang lalapit, tatawag ako ng pulis!"

He stopped and I could clearly see how his brown eyes screamed pain of how I'm treating him now. How ironic that I used to say 'I love you' but now all I can say was 'I hate you' and 'Don't go near me'. My tears fell again because of mixed emotions on what's happening right now.

"Please... hear me out... Pagkatapos ng usap na 'to... I... I won't bother you again," sabi niya na parang hirap na hirap sa mga huling kataga. I scoffed in disbelief.

"Para saan pa? It's been four years, Valentine! Four years! If this is about the issue of our family, then it's already settled. Kasi shit!" Napahilamos ko ang palad ko sa mukha dahil sa biglang pagkahilo dala ng pag-iyak at stress.

"Your parents killed mine, okay?! Val, wake up! Hindi mo ba naiintindihan ang epekto no'n sa'kin? I was there that night! Nando'n ako! And it scarred me for life! The pain, the agony, the grief of witnessing how my parents died in front of me! Alam mo ba... alam mo ba k-kung ga'no kasakit 'yun?"

I wiped my tears. "Mas masakit lalo kasi akala ko ay kapag nakulong na 'yung mga demonyong pumatay sa magulang ko, magiging ayos na 'ko... But no... Lalo na kung 'yung nag-iisang taong pinagkatiwalaan ko ay... niloko rin ako. Fucking disgusting..."

Tumalikod ako at wala na sanang balak na tumingin pa pabalik nang hinawakan na naman ni Val ang kamay ko. Nagulat ako nang pagkalingon ko ay nakaluhod siya sa harap ko na parang nagmamakaawa.

"I-I'm sorry..." he stuttered.

I couldn't utter a thing. I was just standing in front of him. Pero shit! Bakit... bakit ang sakit makita na lumuluhod siya sa harap ko ngayon kahit niloko niya rin ako? Bakit pa ba niya kailangan magpakaawa? I'm setting him free! We should part ways now because he's with Dhara already...

Val, why are you doing this to me?

"Stand up. I'm not up for s-some drama," I said. Nakita kong inangat niya ang tingin niya. Kitang-kita ko ang sakit sa mga mata niya. Nasasaktan din ako Val. Nasasaktan ako sa sitwasyon natin at kung bakit pa umabot sa ganito.

Pinagtitinginan na kami ng mga tao. Some were gossiping on my sides. I lowered my head in shame.

"No, I'm not going to stand here until you hear me out—" I didn't let him finish when I slapped him again really hard. A lot of people gasped as a reaction but I saw how Val just lowered his head, as if admitting what he's done.

"No, hear me out, Val! Ayo'ko na! Please stop approaching me! Ayo'ko na sa'yo! Ayo'ko na sa pamilya mo! Ayo'ko na! I'm tired... Napapagod na 'ko! Hindi mo alam... k-kung pa'no ako laging binabangungot ng nakaraan! You don't know how much I suffered as a teen because... because... b-because of my parent's d-death! Wala, V-val... Wala kang alam..." I cried again.

Nahihirapan na 'ko. Sabi ko sa sarili ko ay hindi na 'ko magpapamukhang apektado sa harap ni Val dahil dapat naka-move-on na 'ko dahil apat na taon na rin. But it still freaking hurts. And I hate it! I want to remove this feeling!

Nasasaktan ako na nakaluhod siya sa harap ko para magmakaawa ng isang maayos na usapan, eh alam niya naman na hindi maayos 'yun. Hindi na kami maayos. Kahit saang anggulo mo pa tingnan. Kasi ayo'ko na... I don't want his presence anymore.

Pero sino nga ba'ng niloloko mo, Hya? Napatawa ako sa sariling iniisip.

You don't want him? You don't want him and yet he's everything you've thought about while staying in the US? Kelan ko pa ba lolokohin ang sarili ko? Na hindi ko na mahal si Val kahit ang dami nang nangyari sa pagitan ng pamilya namin?

Napapagod na 'ko, oo. Sumusuko na 'ko pero hindi ko na kayang lokohin ang sarili ko na kaya ko hindi sinasagot si Niall ay dahil ayo'ko na ng karelasyon. It was all because of Val. It was because I still love him. I still love him but loving him hurts.

Ang sakit mahalin ka, Valentine.

"Please... s-stand up, Val..." Tinulungan ko siyang tumayo. He towered over me again with his height.

"You... are just my thesis partner! I was supposed to hate you. Your... name." I laughed while thinking about it while tears still streaming down my cheeks. "But I think I was stupid. I was stupid to have fallen in love..." I stopped and looked at him in the eye. "... with a cupid." Tumalikod na 'ko at iniwanan siya ro'n.

"Goodbye, Mr. De Dios."

But before I could even go out of the club, I felt my world spinning. My head hurt so much from the sudden stress that the next thing I knew, everything went black.

"Elara!" huling tawag ni Val pero naramdaman ko na ang pagkabulagta ko sa sahig.

I could feel the soft bed behind my back. Dinilat ko ang mata ko na masakit ang ulo at parang nahihilo pa rin. The rays of the sun immediately hit my face. Napatakip pa 'ko ng braso sa mukha ko para hindi masilaw.

"Where... am I?" Inikot ko ang paningin ko sa buong k'warto. It was in a motif of black and grey and the aroma of the room was so manly that I bet it was a room of a boy.

"What the hell? Bakit ako nasa k'warto ni Val?!" mahinang sigaw ko.

This was his room! I know this room! I've been here a lot of times during college! Agad kong inalala kung ano ba'ng nangyari sa'kin kagabi pero ang naalala ko lang ay ang pagsigaw ko kay Val!

I meant every word of it. Siguro dahil lang sa alak kaya lumakas ang loob ko para sabihin 'yun. But aside from that... I can't remember anything. Basta alam ko ay sumakit bigla ang ulo ko.

My doctor in the States informed me about this condition. Parang post-coma effect na ang naging condition ng utak ko. Whenever I'm stressed, even before, my brain immediately shuts down all my senses and paralyzes me to sleep. Siguro ay defense mechanism na rin ng katawan ko dahil lagi na lang akong naaaksidente.

Umayos ako ng upo nang biglang dahan-dahang bumukas ang door knob ng k'warto. I saw Val in his white shirt and black sweat shorts, shocked while having a breakfast table in his arms. I can see how his veins protruded.

"You're awake..." he said with a low voice and a small smile. Umiwas ako ng tingin at inalala ang itsura ko ngayong bagong gising.

"Why am I here?" I asked while still not looking at him. I felt his presence beside me when the bed suddenly bounced.

"I cooked you breakfast..." mahina niyang sabi na parang natatakot sa reaksyon ko. Inayos ko ang sarili ko at umambang tatayo na.

"I'm going. Thanks for the accommodation. Hindi na mauulit," I coldly said while hiding the shame beneath my face. Pride na lang ang natitira sa'kin kaya hindi ko na 'to isusuko.

"You should rest first... and eat. Masama sa kalusugan mo ang... hindi kumain. Mostly when you're dead beaten because of alcohol last night."

Kinuha ko ang side bag ko na nasa bedside table bago naglakad na papaalis.

"No thanks. Sa bahay na lang ako kakain. You should've just dropped me off there. Alam mo naman kung saan 'yun."

"I want us to talk," he said that's why I glanced at him again. "You're still at it, huh? How many times do I have to tell you that there's nothing to talk about? We've met again after four years. You cheated with me when in fact you're engaged to Dhara then your parents killed mine. What's there to talk about? Ano ba'ng gusto mong pag-usapan?"

He gulped hardly first before raising his gaze to meet mine. "About us—" he couldn't continue what he was about to say when my phone rang.

Agad ko 'yung binuksan at nakita ko ang number ni Niall na tinatawagan ako. There are many texts from my friends but I answered Niall's call first.

"Hello..." I softly said then glanced to Valentine whose brows were now meeting each other.

[Hya? Hya! You fucking answered! I was so worried about you last night! Where have you been? Where are you? Bigla ka na lang daw umalis sa bar nang hindi nagpapaalam. I thought you're in danger. I was about to call the police—]

"Don't be silly..." I giggled a little that's why Val's stares darkened more. I rolled my eyes at him before opening the door to go out now.

"Uuwi na rin ako. Nasa bahay lang ako ng..." ex. "... old acquaintance ko ngayon. Let's talk when I come back. I'm tired." I ended the call first after he said his farewell at nakita kong nakasandal si Val sa may pinto ng k'warto niya habang nakahalukipkip.

"Aalis na 'ko. Thank you sa pagpapatulog..." I bowed at him and I saw how his jaw clenched. After four years, he had grown taller and more... handsome. He looked manly enough than the last time we met that his muscles were seen just with his white shirt.

"Hatid na kita—" I cut him. "No thanks. Susunduin ako ni Niall," I lied. I saw how his brows furrowed more so I turned my back at him. Malapit na 'ko sa pinto at nilingon ko siya ulit nang marinig ko ang mahina niyang mga bulong habang nakatingin sa sahig.

"Who the fuck...?" bulong niya. I just shook my head at what he said. Naguguluhan talaga ako sa kanya. Mas mabuting hindi na kami ulit magkita.

Weeks passed and Tita Elly had already informed me about me being the CEO of VF Companies. I was really excited but I don't want them to look at me as an incompetent CEO so I told Tita to put me in the management first so I'll get used to the workers in there. I need to know how they adapt with their work in order to be an efficient CEO.

I was wearing a beige business suit with a sleeveless V-neck chiffon white shirt inside. Nagulat ako nang hindi ko mahanap ang heart gemstone necklace ko! Don't tell me that I left it at Val's condo?! Hyacinth, ang tanga mo!

Huminga ako ng malalim at hindi na inalala 'yun. I don't care anymore. Mamaya ay dadating na rin daw si Niall galing sa US. Kaya bukas, sabi niya, sasamahan niya raw ako sa paghahanap ng bagong kotse ko since wala na rin naman siyang gagawin. Pumayag na lang ako.

Sinalubong ako ng bati ng mga empleyado pagkapasok ko palang ng kompanya. They were all smiles as if they're expecting my arrival.

"Good morning po, Miss Hyacinth," salubong sa'kin ng isang babaeng parang mas bata sa'kin ng ilang taon.

"Good morning. Where's my... uh... office?" I gave a small smile and she just giggled before guiding me towards my office. I scanned the whole design of our building and I can't help but to stare in awe. It looked clean and well-maintained. It was also in a futuristic design. What will you expect in a company full of engineer and architects, right?

"Ito po ang main office niyo. Sabi po ni Ma'am Ellythia, ang ibibigay pong trabaho ay pang sa management muna pero rito na raw po kayo mag-stay." Tumango na lang ako kahit na dapat ay inusisa ko pa na kung saan ang mga normal na trabahador ay roon din dapat ako. To be fair.

"Do you want some coffee, Ma'am? Isasabay ko na rin po ang schedule niyo for today." Tumango ulit ako bago buksan ang pinto.

I sat on the swivel chair and arranged my things first. It was already cleaned and the furniture looked new. Nakabukas na rin ang aircon kaya malamig na sa loob. On my right side was a large window wall where I could see the whole city. Just like in my condo before.

"How shall I call you?" tanong ko sa secretary ko.

"Astralaeah po, miss. Pero kahit Leah na lang po." She smiled at me that made her chinky eyes form a crescent. Tumango na lang ako at uminom sa kape na binigay niya.

I opened my laptop and read the reports that was already on my table earlier. Makapal din siya at baka hindi ko matapos agad ng isang araw. Tita Elly told me to read the reports about the financial status of the company. Tapos saka palang niya ibibigay ang business proposals. Like how I've been doing it while in the US.

Nakalimutan ata ni Eya na ibigay sa'kin ang schedule ko kaya tinawagan ko siya gamit ang intercom sa desk ko.

"Hello..." I greeted. [Good morning po, Miss. Ano pa pong kailangan niyo?] she politely asked.

"I think you forgot about my schedule..." I shyly said. Hindi ko kasi alam kung paano ba mag-treat ng ibang tao bilang boss. Tita Elly said that in work, you should always insert dominance so that they will respect you. Hindi ko lang alam kung paano.

[Ay sorry po, ma'am! Nakalimutan ko po. Pupunta pa po ba ko r'yan o sasabihin ko na lang po rito?] she asked. "Through phone na lang please. Thank you."

[Your schedule for today is cleared po since its your first day as per said by Miss Ellythia. Tomorrow will be a meeting for a business proposal in Cort'z Heights in the morning and meeting in De Dios Engineering for a shareholder's meeting...] Hindi ko na naintindihan ang mga sinabi pa niya dahil sa pagkarinig ko ng pamilyar na apelyido.

"Pardon, Leah... De Dios Engineering?" I asked her.

[Yes po, Miss Hya. Ang alam ko po kasi ay bumili ng stocks si Miss Elythia no'ng mga panahon na babagsak na ang mga De Dios. Ngayon na lang po ulit sila nagpatawag ng shareholder's meeting.]

My jaw dropped at her statement that I immediately said goodbye then ended the call. I can't breathe. I need to contact Tita. Baka pwedeng siya ang um-attend doon dahil hindi ko ata kakayanin kung magkikita ulit kami ni Val.

[Hello? Hya?]

"Yes, Tita! I was about to ask you about something."

[Yes, what is it, honey? Are you doing good with your work? Do you need some help?] Umiling ako kahit na hindi niya naman makikita 'yon.

"Bakit pa po kayo bumili ng shares sa De Dios? They... did something horrible to my parents. To our company! Dapat ay hinayaan niyo na lang silang bumagsak, Tita... I can't understand why..." I heard her heavy sigh.

[Sa totoo lang, gusto ko nang 'wag pakialaman ang kompanya nila. Gusto ko rin silang pabagsakin. But you know that I'm not like that. And... I just wanted to help that company because it was run by a young boy with evil parents. Hindi niya kasalanan 'yun. He refused my offer at first. Pero dahil sobrang bagsak na ng kompanya nila ay tinanggap niya na rin ang pagbebenta ng shares niya para lang maiahon. I'm sorry, Hya... Kung ngayon ko lang nasabi...]

"O-okay..."

[I can attend the meeting tomorrow and when you're ready, ikaw naman. For experience na rin. I know you are still afraid, Hya. But your condition won't improve if you keep playing your cards in the dark. Good luck in your first day of work!]

Tita Elly ended the line and I just sighed heavily. Akala ko ay roon na magtatapos ang kaso tungkol sa mga De Dios pero mukhang may plano pa si Tita Elly. I just shook my head before working.

I worked for almost four hours straight that I turned off all of my social media platforms for a while and turned off my phone. Pagkabukas ko ay nagulat ako nang biglang tumawag si Niall.

"Hello? I'm sorry. Pinatay ko ang phone ko dahil sa rami ng trabaho."

I stretched my arms and craned my neck left and right. First day palang nakakapagod na. But I'm still enjoying it. Gusto ko lang sana na sa susunod ay makita ko na ang Department kung nasa'n kinoconduct ang testing ng chemicals for products because that's the profession I really wanted to have. I'm not a businesswoman. I'm a chemical engineer!

[Oh? I'm sorry. Did I disturb you? I am already in the Philippines. Should we grab a bite first today or...] he asked. Tumango na lang ako. "Sure. Text me the address. 'Wag nang ikaw ang sumundo. I know you're tired. Let's see each other there."

Binaba ko ang tawag at nag-book na lang ng Uber para sa sinabi niyang Italian Restaurant. We arrived there after 30 minutes and I told my driver to go home first because Niall will drive me home.

Agad kong nakita sa Niall sa isang naka-reserved na table pero nagulat na lang ako nang bigla akong may nabangga at natapunan ng wine ang suot kong beige suit. Oh gosh! Ang hirap nito linisin!

"I'm sorry—" she couldn't continue what she was about to say when she recognized me. Gulat man kami pareho, pinanatili ko ang tingin ko sa kanya.

I was about to greet her because it's been four years since we last saw each other when I heard a manly voice from behind. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang pagkalingon ko ay hindi nga ako nagkakamali.

"What's happening here?" Valentine said with his ever-low voice.

Nagpapalit-palit ako ng tingin sa kanilang dalawa ni Dhara bago napatawa ng bahagya. Parang ako pa ang humahadlang sa 'pag-iibigan' nila. Naglakad na 'ko at tinalikuran silang dalawa bago pumunta sa CR pero lumingon muna kay Dhara na pinupunasan din ang damit.

"It's not nice to see you again, Dhara," I said before walking towards the Comfort Room to clean my suit.

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#ACM37

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