Catalina Konan

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We stopped again at the corner. The haunted house was so big and we ended up losing our way. Hindi ko na nga alam kung ilang minuto na kami naglalakad para makarating sa dulo, parang gusto ko na ngang magpanggap na umiiyak ng malakas para makakuha ng atensyon, e.

Kagat ang ibabang labi, mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Gavin sa mahabang walis-tingting na nakita namin. Mas naging malala ang pagpapawis niya kaysa sa 'kin.

Niyakap ko ang aking sarili at humakbang.

"Konan, let’s stay here for a while!" narinig kong singhal niya sa likod ko.

"I feel like I’m more braver now," sagot ko para lang mawala ang tensyon na nakikita ko sa kan'ya. Obviously, he's now real scared.

"Y-Yeah? That's good then. I said I’d protect you."

Naglakad ako at naramdaman ko namang sumunod siya sa 'kin. Kung titignan si Gavin, sa itsura niya ngayon, parang handa siyang humampas ng taong manggugulat sa amin. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mapangiti sa loob ko. Ako 'yung pinaka takot sa ganito pero kung umarte siya ngayon ay mas masahol pa sa 'kin.

We ended up at a fork of the path.

"Which way..."

"Neither way looks safe, Konan."

Parehas madilim ang dadaanan. Mas malakas at nakakakilabot na rin ang pagpapalit ng sound effects. Nanginginig 'yung tuhod ko pero hindi pwedeng ganito kami parehas ni Gavin. Ano na lang ang mangyayari sa 'min?!

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at hinawakan ang kamay niya. Let's do this!

I was about to drag him to the other side when I felt him stop and pulled me lightly, "We can stop and wait for another group coming through. There’s safety in numbers, right?"

Oo nga naman, Konan! 'Wag bida masyado! Isa ka ring nangangatog diyan!

I laughed sheepishly and leaned against the round table near us, "S-Sige na nga..."

"Uhm... Konan?"

"Mm?"

"T-There’s... something under the table."

"What?"

With trembling hands, he pointed at it, "I-I said there’s something under the table. A hand... there’s a bloody hand..."

My eyes widened. Gusto ko mang umalis at tumabi sa kan'ya pero nanigas na ang katawan ko. May clip akong nakita sa FB na may ganitong eksena at kapag gumalaw agad ako, baka bigla niya 'kong hatakin sa paa!

Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh! Please calm down, Catalina Konan! CALM DOWN!

Bigla ay hinatak ako ni Gavin sa kamay at pinapunta sa likuran niya. Swiftly, he whacked at the table with his broom. I was shookt, but not so long, we both scream in horror when the ghost under the table jumped out.

"H-Hoy, bawal ‘yang ginagawa mo! Sinisira mo ang props namin!" sigaw niya kay Gavin.

Lalo kami napaatras ni Gavin at sabay na napasigaw.

NAGSASALITA 'YUNG MULTO!

"Bitawan mo ‘yan! Hindi pwedeng manakit dito hoy!"

Akmang lalapitan niya kami nang maibagsak ni Gavin ang mahabang walis-tingting at hawakan ako sa kamay, "Run!"

"Hoy! Sinira n‘yo ‘yung props namin!"

Pero hindi na kami muling huminto at nag-abala pang tignan pabalik ang multo na 'yun. Dahil sa nangyaring 'yun at sa kakatakbo namin, hindi namin namalayan na nasa dulo na pala kami ng exit. Halos gusto kong magta-talon sa tuwa nang makakita na kami ng liwanag at maraming tao.

Yumuko si Gavin at humawak sa dalawang tuhod niya habang naghahabol ng hininga, "T-That was close!"

"Yeah, you did protect me after all, " I said holding in my laughter.

"Thanks for joining me here. I’m really happy," he raised his head to looked at me and smiled tenderly.

His glittering eyes were shining like stars. His hair was a mess and he had sweat on his forehead. I've felt some fluttery sensation in my stomach after realizing how handsome, charming and fun he is to be with.

I really like you, Gavin. I want us to stay like this for as long as we're together.

Humagikgik ako, "I’m really happy, too. After all, I saw how baby you are back there."

"B-Baby?! What do you mean?!"

"It’s okay to say if you are scared. I’m not gonna laugh at you or anything!" napakagat tuloy ako ng labi para pigilan ang lumalabas kong tawa.

"I’m not scared! I did protect you..." ngumuso siya.

Doon na ako natawa, "Okay! I’m hungry let's eat, my protector, Gavin Jace."

Lumakad na kami para maghanap ng kakainan ng maalala kong may tatawagan pala akong guest para mag-confirm ng meeting. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at kasabay no'n ay ang pagpasok namin ni Gavin sa isang burger house. Umupo kami sa bakanteng lamesa at nag-uusap kung anong masarap na kainin habang tumitingin sa menu, dahil abala kami at hawak ko na ang phone ko para tumawag, madali kong pinindot ang number ng potential guest ko.

"Wait lang ah?" paalam ko kay Gavin nang makita kong naka-on call na kami ng guest.

Tinapat ko ang cellphone sa tenga ko at babati na sana nang kusa akong mapahinto sa narinig na boses...

"What, Konan? Why are you calling me?"

Nanlalaki ang mata ko nang tignan ang phone screen ko upang ma-kumpirma kung tama ba ang boses na naririnig ko at hindi nga 'ko nagkakamali. That voice... it's Sir Claudius.

B-Bakit siya ang natawagan ko?!

"Hello?" malalim ang boses niya sa linya, habang hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko.

Naramdaman kong binaba ni Gavin ang menu na hawak at nagtataka akong tinignan. Umiling-iling lamang ako at umiwas ng tingin. Bigla na naman kasing lumakas ang tibok ng puso ko sa hindi ko maipaliwanag na kadahilanan.

"A-Ah... ano... hi?" mariin akong napakagat sa ibaba kong labi. Bakit kasi hindi ko na lang sabihin na wrong dial ako?!

"...hi?" patanong niyang sagot, "You just wanted to say hi that’s why you called?"

Hindi ako nakasagot. Feeling ko napahiya ako!

I heard him kind of sigh on the other line, probably realizing how silly I was, "I must go now. Since you said hi, I must answer you hello. So... hello, Konan."

I pursed my lips together to suppressed a smile. I feel like there’s a sweet pang low in my body.

I can't help but giggled.

"If you don’t have anything to say, I think we should end this call," he says.

"W-Wait! I-I-I do have one more!" I bit my tounge. Why am I stuttering all of a sudden? Sir Claudius never really fail to make me this nervous.

"What is it?"

Nag-isip naman ako, "Uhm... ano... uh..."

"Uhm... ano... uh...? Is it a new language?"

I winced, "H-Hindi! Ano... so, how was my voice? I believe this is your first time hearing my voice over the phone," I just made an alibi.

"Ahh... you want a review on your voice from me?" he paused a second, "Okay. Speak again slowly."

Napangiti ako, "Good afternoon, Claudius Lefebre. I am Catalina Konan, the event coordinator of the organization called CVA. It was a such a pleasure having to meet you."

Sandali siyang hindi nakaimik sa linya kaya naman muli akong nagsalita.

"Sir? I mean, Claudius?"

"Often I'd get to see someone from a client company with a voice that penetrates my eardrums. I’d actually get to hear voice that sounds like glass bowls shattering into pieces during a business meeting. But your voice is very fine. Like I said before, you have a quiet voice... and I like it," his voice was deep, but at the same time it's soft and carried with a soothing power.

Shemay... this feeling of happiness... it's hard to contain.

"I wouldn’t deny hearing your voice for some more. I’d say it’s as pleasureable as Elizabeth the 3rd's voice. You should be happy, that is the best compliment I can offer you."

Oo naman! Una palang na purihin mo ang boses ko masayang-masaya na ako!

Sinikap kong 'wag mautal, "Thank you so much, Claudius. Hindi na ‘ko mag-iinarte pa ro’n! I’m contented with your compliment."

"That's good to hear. Oh, I really have to end the call. My meeting is about to start."

"Mm! Goodluck!"

Nakangiti kong pinasok muli sa bag ang aking cellphone. Pangalawang beses na niyang pinuri ang boses ko at aaminin ko, bukod sa masaya ako, kinilig din talaga ako. Pasensya na at hindi ko talaga maiwasan ang gano'ng pakiramdam. Parang pagdating kay Sir Claudius, nag-iiba ang dating ng paligid at nararamdaman ko.

Hindi ko rin maitatanggi na habang dumadaan ang mga araw, nagiging kumportable nang makipag-usap sa akin si Sir Claudius.

Napaka sarap no'n sa pakiramdam. One of the best, I can say.

"Ano ‘yun? Kailangan mo ba talagang itanong kung anong dating sa kan‘ya ng boses mo?"

Nagulat ako at napatingin sa blangkong ekspresyon ni Gavin. Diretso ang tingin niya sa 'kin, doon ko lang napagtanto na maaaring narinig pala niya ang usapan namin.

"I always wanted to hear him complimenting me with my work. Even if it's not work related, having him said that makes me really happy," nakangiting sagot ko.

Humalukipkip naman siya at gumilid ang tingin, "But I can compliment you better, right?"

"Huh?"

"I did compliment you a lot of times before," saka lang siya lumingon sa 'kin, "Speak up. I’ll try to give a better review on your voice."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya, "Gavin---"

"It seems like you’re that grateful to talk to him. Was that on purpose? To dial his number when you’re with me?"

Hindi ako nakapagsalita agad. Hindi ko maisip kung bakit niya nasasabi 'yan? Ano 'to? Bakit parang ang dating sa akin ay nakikipag-kumpitensya siya kay Sir Claudius? Anong mali sa pagpuri sa 'kin ng boss ko kung iyon naman ang hanap ko una palang?

Huminga ng malalim si Gavin at napailing na lang sa sarili. Hindi na niya 'ko inimik matapos no'n.

Wait, is he jealous?!

Hinawakan ko ang nakapatong na kamay ni Gavin at pinisil 'yun, "Gavin... nagseselos ka ba sa kan‘ya?"

Umiwas naman ito ng tingin at bahagyang namula ang tenga. I knew it!

Hindi ko alam kung anong saya ang nararamdaman ko kapag nakikita at nakakausap ko si Sir Claudius. Hindi ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko-- pero sigurado ako na masaya ang puso ko kapag nandiyan siya. Magkaiba sila ni Gavin ng lebel sa nararamdaman ko, malaki ang agwat.

Mali ba ito? Mali ba itong nararamdaman ko?

Mali ba na... magustuhan ko si Gavin sa kabila ng magulo kong nararamdaman kay Sir Claudius?

Sinikap kong ngumiti at tanguhan siya, "Lipat tayo? Parang gusto kong kumain ng roasted chicken ngayon? Tara?" pag-aaya ko na lamang.

Tumitig pa siya sa 'kin at unti-unti, gumuhit ang ngiti sa kan'yang manipis at mapula-pulang labi. Gwapo si Gavin, mabait at masaya kasama. Siya 'yung tao na susuportahan ka sa lahat kahit nakikita na hindi mo kaya o sukong-suko ka na sa isang bagay. Siya 'yung taong magbibigay lakas-loob at magpapagaan ng mood mo.

'Yun ang mga nagustuhan kong bagay sa kan'ya.

"Roasted chicken... is that your favorite?"

I nodded, "Yes! How about you?"

"I like that because that’s Silvanna’s favorite, too. Just like you."

Maliban na lang sa ganitong bagay. Hindi gusto ng pandinig ko na palagi niya akong kinu-kumpara kay Silvanna.

What will I do to make you stop thinking that I'm like Silvanna, Gavin? Words isn't enough, right?

' ' '

Binaba ko sa maliit na mesa ang tinimpla kong kape para sa amin ni Hailey. Nandito siya ngayon sa office dahil break niya at sumasakit daw ng sobra ang ulo niya dahil sa trabaho.

But one of the major reason why she's having a headache is because of Sir Claudius's situation.

"While having a meeting, Lauren came into the meeting room with Mr. Lefebre which made Sir Claudius anxious so the meeting was broken off."

"Ano bang nangyari? Bakit naman nagkaka-gan‘yan? Hindi na nila iniisip ‘yung mararamdaman ni Sir Claudius," anas ko.

Tumango siya sa 'kin at inayos ang salamin, "What’s more shocking is Mr. Lefebre and Sir Claudius argued in front of all the executives. I almost couldn’t breath because of the tension and everyone returned looking as if their soul was sucked out."

Napaglapat ko ang mga labi ko at kunot noong humigop na lang ng kape. I cannot imagine this... pakiramdam ko lalong nadagdagan ang stress ni Sir Claudius ngayon.

"I think their relationship as father and son has hit rock bottom," Hailey added.

"I... I can’t help but worried," I muttered, "I think Mr. Lefebre went way overboard this time."

"I am very worried as well."

"So all in all, this is all because of Lauren? I can’t believe it. It’s as if he treated Sir Claudius like a little boy. Gano’n ba siya ka-desperadong ipakasal si Sir Claudius sa Lauren na iyon?"

Humigop si Hailey ng kape sa tasa at matapos no'n, mabigat siyang napabuga sa hangin, "Because probably, this is what Anastasia wants--- Mr. Lefebre’s fiancée."

Lalong kumunot ang noo ko, "Even considering that he’s really in love with that Anastasia woman, how could he bring that Lauren to the meeting? Para naman silang nang-aasar."

"I agree. I think he crossed the line this time when he brought her into the meeting room. All our efforts to gather the executives came to nothing and they basically had a family fight in front of them," napapailing niyang litanya, "Besides, how could he bring an outsider when we’re discussing classified company matters? Really..."

"Kumusta si Sir Claudius?"

"He’s been working like always after the meeting."

'Yung pag-aalala ko sa loob ay lalong umusbong sa narinig. Sir Claudius is very private about his feelings, that's what I noticed. Yet, he looked fine on the outside and making it look like he’s just stress because of work.

Pero alam naman naming lahat na mas nai-stress siya sa tatay niya. Para sa 'kin, mas mahirap sa loob kung sariling kadugo mo ang nagdudulot ng matinding stress sa ‘yo.

Muling nagsalita si Hailey kaya naman napatingin ako sa pagod niyang itsura.

"I envy his mental strength. He’s making everyone get back to work as if nothing happened. But I’m sure it's suffocating."

Sir Claudius is sure tormented inside. He just doesn't know how to express it...

Noong oras na nag-usap kami rito sa office at sinabi niya sa akin ang mga iyan, ramdam ko ang pagka-dismaya sa kan'ya dahil sa nangyayari. Hindi man siya detalyado magsabi ng nararamdaman niya, makikita mo naman 'yun sa aksyon at pananalita nito.

Nilabas ni Hailey ang kan'yang phone sa bulsa at binasa ang pumasok na mensahe. Pagkatapos ay muli niya 'yun tinago at nginitian ako, "Sir Claudius is looking for me. I have to go."

Tumango ako at ngumiti. Hinatid ko siya sa pintuan at bago pa siya makaalis, nagsalita ako.

"Hailey, pinagdarasal ko na sana matapos na itong problema ni Sir Claudius. Pray with me when you have time. Sir Claudius is having a hard time with his own father and I'm so worried kaya... ipagdasal na lang natin ang sitwasyon n‘ya," mahinahon kong sabi.

She paused and stared at me. I let out a small laugh.

"Tell him I said hi."

Hailey smiled genuinely, "You’re so kind, Konan. That will make Sir Claudius better. If you’re helping him out, keep it that way."

I will surely make him feel better. I will do my best and I will pray for more... that's how much I cared for him.