Chapter 32
Together

I knew it myself. I fell for his trap, but I just can't be trapped and do nothing. I need to try and get out. I need to break the barriers that keep me from coming out.

"I can't come with you," I told him.

Sumandal naman siya sa kanyang kinauupuan at saka nagtaas ng kilay sa akin bago humalukipkip.

"And what is your excuse this time?" he challenged me.

"I don't have a passport," I stated. "It's not an excuse, but a fact."

"That's not a problem at all," he said and was very calm about it. "I know someone from the Department of Foreign Affairs. I can set you a schedule tomorrow immediately and you don't need to fall in line anymore. You can have your passport in just three days. And for our visas, I'll also ask someone I know to handle it. There's nothing to worry about."

Hindi ako makapaniwala. Sobrang bilis niyang makaisip ng paraan at solusyon. It seemed like he perfectly planned everything before telling me about the trip.

"Magpapaalam ako kina Tita Edna at Tito Franco," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Ako na ang magpapaalam para sa'yo," pagp-prisinta niya.

Maagap naman akong umiling. "Ako na. Hindi ka naman nila kilala," sabi ko.

"What I mean to say is, sasamahan kita sa pagpapaalam mo sa kanila. I need to go home at Bela Isla before we fly to Japan. May kailangan akong asikasuhin doon ng madalian," pagpapaliwanag niya. "I'll go home with you."

Napakunot naman ang aking noo. "Hindi ako uuwi."

Nanatili namang naninimbang ang kanyang titig habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Sa pagkakaalam ko'y nasabi ko na 'to sa'yo," sabi ko. "Ayaw ko nang umuwi hangga't maaari."

"You need to go home," he insisted.

"Pwede naman akong magpaalam sa tawag. Tatawagan ko na lang sila. Hindi ko na kailangang bumalik pa ng Bela Isla," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Believe me, Naiyah. You really need to go home," he said.

Mas lalo namang napakunot ang aking noo. "Kung kinakailangan kong umuwi ng Bela Isla dahil uuwi ka roon at kailangang kasama mo ako ay hindi mo ako mapapasama."

"That's not it, Iyah." He sat up straight and pointed to the paper that the HR head gave me. "You need to complete your requirements. Kailangan mong umuwi. If I'm not mistaken, one of your requirements is your Transcript of Records. I think you are well aware that BICC only gives TORs to their students or their alumni personally. Kahit kamag-anak mo pa ang kumuha ay hindi nila ibibigay."

Mabilis ko namang binasa ang mga requirements at nang mamataan ko ang sinasabi ni Drew ay alam kong wala na akong kawala. Of course... It's one of the most basic requirements in applying for a job. Why haven't I thought about it?

"I'll ask the HR head to extend the deadline for your requirements," sabi pa niya. "Next, next week na tayo umuwi ng Bela Isla. I'll be with you, so you don't have to worry about anything."

Is there really nothing to worry about? Kinagat ko naman ang aking ibabang labi.

But I know I can't run away forever. Babalik at babalik akong Bela Isla. Doon ako lumaki. It's my hometown and even though that place left a big scar on my soul, it will always have a place in my heart.

"Anyway, I've set a lunch appointment with Walter and Kriesha later. I know you want to see them. They will both come..." Drew suddenly said that made me raise my gaze at him again. "But I didn't tell them that you're here in Manila, yet."

When I came here in Manila, I thought I'd be totally on my own. That it would be hard for me to adjust in a new environment. But meeting Drew again changes everything. Everything suddenly became easy. He lifted up some of my worries.

I don't why he still won't stop caring about me even though I've hurt him before? Is it because his feelings never fade or because he still treats me as one of his close friends?

I don't want to misunderstand his words and actions.

"Can you wait for me until lunch time? Sabay na tayong pumunta sa restaurant kung saan sila kikitain," sabi niya naman.

Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya at saka tumango. Sumilay rin ang kanyang ngiti bago nagpatuloy sa kanyang ginagawa.

I'm so lucky that I've found Drew again. I wondered if I gave him a chance before, instead of hurting him, would I be completely happy now?

Bigla tuloy akong napaisip kung nagkaroon ba siya ng girlfriend sa loob ng ilang taon na lumipas, o kung may girlfriend ba siya ngayon. Ayoko namang magtanong dahil nahihiya ako. Baka kung ano ang isipin niya.

Kahit abala siya sa pagtatrabaho ay nararamdaman ko ang pabalik-balik niyang pag-aangat ng tingin sa akin. Pansin na pansin ko iyon dahil wala naman akong ginagawa. I wanted to talk to him about his company, but he was busy and I didn't want to disturb him.

"If you're bored, you can grab a book on the shelf and read," he told me, while his eyes were glued to his laptop.

"Uh... I'm fine," sabi ko na lang. "Isang oras na lang naman bago maglunch."

"Okay, then... I'll just finish these," he said before concentrating back on his work.

Napanguso na lang ako at paulit-ulit na binilang ang daliri ko na akala mong mayroong magbabago sa bilang kapag paulit-ulit kong ginawa.

Nang makaramdam naman ng panginginig ang aking pantog ay agad na akong tumayo upang lumabas ng kanyang opisina at makaihi.

"Where are you going?" Drew asked when I stood up.

I turned to look at him, whose full attention was directed to me.

"Uh... Naiihi na kasi ako," sabi ko sa kanya. "Lalabas lang ako para umihi."

I saw him relaxed when he heard my answer. "Okay..." he said. "Come back immediately after you pee. I'm almost done."

I nodded and smiled at him before averting my gaze. Halos tumakbo na ako palabas ng kanyang opisina at agad akong sinalubong ng kanyang sekretarya.

"Uh, excuse me, saan 'yong comfort room?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Nandyan lang po, Ma'am," nakangiting sabi niya at itinuro ang banyo na nasa tapat lang pala ng opisina ni Drew.

"Thank you!" I bid thanks as I ran towards the vacant comfort room in order to pee and release body wastes.

Inayos ko na rin ang aking sarili para maging kaaya-aya ako kapag nakipagkita kina Walter at Kriesha. Ano na kayang mga itsura nila ngayon? I bet Walter grew taller and Kriesha became more beautiful.

Pagkatapos kong magbanyo ay lumabas na ako para bumalik sa opisina ni Drew. Inabutan ko siyang tinitiklop ang manggas ng kanyang white button down shirt at mukhang tapos na sa kanyang ginagawa.

Agad niya naman akong binalingan nang pumasok ako sa loob.

"You're done already?" I asked him.

He smiled. "Yes," he said and grabbed his phone. "Let's go?"

Tumango naman ako at nauna na siyang lumabas ng kanyang opisina upang pagbuksan ako ng pintuan.

"I might not come back on time after lunch. We're gonna eat outside," Drew told his secretary. "If anyone finds me while I'm gone, tell them that I have other appointments. Am I being clear?"

His secretary nodded. "Yes, Sir."

"Thank you," simpleng pasasalamat ni Drew sa kanyang sekretarya bago walang kibong hinawakan ang aking kamay at hinila paalis.

Just like how he usually is, Drew remained silent while staring straight at the elevator, while my eyes travelled down to our clasped hands. His hands moved a bit to tighten his hold, and I raised my gaze back at him who's now looking at our hands.

I saw his lips formed a curve before the elevator opened and stole his attention.

The employees in the lobby of La Fuerte were turning their heads at us. They also gave us this kind of attention yesterday, but the stares they're giving seemed more controversial because their higher boss was holding my hand.

Drew's car was already parked at the company's driveway, and the valet that was waiting gave the car keys to Drew.

The valet motioned to open the passenger's door for me, when Drew stopped him to do it himself for me.

"Thank you," sabi ko na lamang kay Drew bago sumakay na sa kanyang sasakyan at agad din naman siyang umikot para makasakay sa driver's seat.

I buckled my seatbelt and made myself comfortable inside his car, and Drew put the car into motion when he saw that I'm already settled.

"Saan ang lunch natin kasama sila?" tanong ko sa kanya para hindi maging matahimik ang aming biyahe.

"In a restaurant not that far from here. We already ate there before," he answered. "I made a private room reservation for us to have some privacy."

Tumango naman ako at naisip na maraming sandali ang nawala sa akin na dapat ay kasa-kasama ko sila. Marami na rin akong hindi nalalaman patungkol sa kanila. Hopefully today, even for a short lunch time with them, I'll be able to catch up with their lives somehow.

"Papunta na raw ba sila o nandoon na sila?" sunod kong tanong dahil sa kagalakan na makikita ko ulit ang aking mga matalik na kaibigan.

"Walter texted me when you're at the bathroom earlier that he's already near. Ganoon din si Kriesha," sagot niya.

"Si Emma?" kuryoso kong tanong. "Hindi mo ba siya inaya? Ayaw niya bang sumama o busy siya?"

I want to see all my friends, especially Emma. I want to talk to her. Gusto kong malaman kung bakit siya biglang dumistansya sa akin. Gusto kong itanong kung bakit lumayo ang kanyang loob sa'kin. If it's because of Orion, I wanna clear out things to her. Alam ko na ang totoong nangyari at ipapaintindi ko sa kanya 'yon. Baka kasi ang nasa isip niya rin ay niloko ko ang kanyang pinsan.

Drew's forehead creased and stepped on the break because of the red light. "I can't contact her," he just said without looking at me.

I heaved a sigh before I pursed my lips. "She must be very busy," I whispered to myself.

Hindi ganoon kalayo ang restaurant na tinutukoy ni Drew gaya ng sabi niya kaya naman agad kaming nakarating doon. Kinausap ni Drew ang waitress na nasa reception ng restaurant at agad kaming iginaya nito sa loob.

My eyes couldn't help but to wander around the five star Italian restaurant. Everyone who's dining inside was screaming with class and elegance.

Napaisip naman ako tungkol sa suot kong maroon sided asymmetrical skirt at black sweetheart top. I'm wearing something simple, but with Drew holding my hand, it made me feel like I'm special. It made me feel like I belong to this side of the world.

The staff opened the door of the private room, and Walter welcomed me with a surprise look on his face as he raised his gaze.

"Nananaginip ba ako?" bulong niya sa sarili niya at napatayo sa kanyang kinauupuan bago sumilay ng todo ang ngiti. "Damn! Naiyah!"

He walked towards me and pulled me for a tight hug. Drew let go of my hand and gave me a chance to answer Walter's embrace.

I hugged Walter back and smiled, feeling the love of a friend that I longed for.

Matapos ang kanyang pagyakap sa akin ay ilang segundo niya rin akong tinitigan bago nilingon si Drew.

"Kailan mo pa sinimulang itago si Naiyah?" mapang-akusa niyang tanong kay Drew.

"I just met her again yesterday at La Fuerte. She's one of my company's stockholders now," Drew answered.

Binalik naman ni Walter ang kanyang tingin sa akin at ngayo'y mukhang namamangha na. "Big time ka na rin pala, ha, Naiyah?" mapang-asar na sabi sa akin ni Walter at nagtaas ng kilay.

Bahagya naman akong natawa at kaysa maasar ay namiss ko pa lalo ang mga pang-aasar ni Walter.

"Pero, grabe! Hindi ko inakalang makikita kita ngayon," sabi niya sa akin at saka bumaling kay Drew. "You should've told me that Naiyah's gonna be with us. Nakabili sana ako ng regalo sa kanya bilang pagwe-welcome sa kanya dito sa Manila."

"Ano ka ba, Walter. Hindi na kailangan no'n. Ang gusto ko lang naman ay makita kayo, eh," sabi ko naman sa kanya.

"Still kind hearted as ever, Naiyah," he told me, and I pursed my lips. "We should change that now you're in Manila. You can't be kind at all times here. Kapag ganoon ay maraming mananamantala ng kabaitan mo."

"I won't let that happen," pagsingit naman ni Drew kaya naman nilingon ko siya na seryosong nakatingin sa amin ni Walter.

Walter chuckled. "I almost forgot," he said. "Your boyfriend will not let that happen."

Muntik nang malaglag ang aking panga, ngunit naagapan ko naman ito at saka umiling. Bahagya namang napakunot ang noo ni Walter. Sinulyapan ko naman si Drew na mukhang hindi niya na alam kung ano ang gagawin niya kay Walter.

"Hindi mo pa boyfriend si Drew?" kunot-noo niyang tanong sa akin.

Muli naman akong umiling. "Hindi..." Sobrang liit at hina ng aking boses. "Ano ka ba, Walter. Saan mo naman napulot 'yan?"

Muli namang tumawa si Walter at saka pabirong sinapak ang braso ni Drew. "What the fuck, dude?" natatawa niyang sabi. "How many years had passed again? Tangina. Hanggang ngayon wala pa rin. 'Di ka pa rin kumikilos—"

"Shut the fuck up, Walter," Drew sternly said and gave a dangerous stare at Walter.

Agad namang tinaas ni Walter ang kanyang dalawang kamay at hindi pa rin tumitigil sa pagtawa.

I bit my lower lip. So, Walter knew about Drew's feelings for me way back? Pati kaya si Kriesha alam? At... si Emma?

Sana ay hindi alam ni Emma. She really liked Drew before and she's been nothing but a great friend to me.

"Guys, I'm sorry! I'm slightly late—"

Napatigil si Kriesha sa pagsasalita ng lingunin ko siya at tumama ang kanyang mga mata sa akin. Her lips formed a big O, and she literally dropped her bag on the floor before throwing herself to me.

"OMG! Naiyah!" she almost cried as she hugged me. "I missed you so much. I'm sorry if I wasn't able to keep in touch. I'm sorry... I really missed you."

Ang galak na nararamdaman ng aking puso ngayon ay walang kapantay. Ang makitang muli ang mga kaibigan ko ay isang magandang panimula para sa sinisimulan kong bagong buhay rito sa Maynila.

I may have put a bandaid on my wound to cure it, somehow, but Drew managed to stop it from bleeding, and seeing my friends was able to stitch a part of it.

When she stared at me, the moment we pulled away from our hug, I could see tears hanging on the verge of her eyes, and I knew that my tears were also in the same phase.

"I really can't believe that you're here..." she uttered and her eyes slightly widened before looking at Drew. "Are you two finally together now?"

Muli namang tumawa si Walter at si Drew naman ay umigting na lang ang panga habang ako'y nakakagat na lang sa aking ibabang labi.

Why do they all think that Drew and I are together?