Chapter 38

Radio Silence

"Kenny, they're looking for the deposition." Andy turned to him with a bunch of folders in her arms. Kenzo took some of it to help her out; they've been running all morning because Atty. Miranda was handling two cases at once, and they're the only ones to help him out at the moment. Busy pa kasi 'yong dalawang associates na in-a-assist din nila.

The other case was set to be wrapped up when both parties have agreed on a settlement, finalities na lang sa papel ang kulang. But what stresses them more was the other case scheduled for trial in a few weeks.

Kenzo has been into countless mock trials, he's also read a lot of gruesome cases especially in criminal law. And out of the five cases he was able to assist under Atty. Miranda's mentorship so far, this was the first time he'll be handling a case where fifteen lives were lost due to a failed drug from an unforeseen side effect. The pharmaceutical company (their client) was being sued by the families of the patients despite the waivers they signed seven years ago. Twenty-seven patients also came forward with the onset symptoms of the side effects similar with the deceased patients from the trial.

Somehow, he'll admit he's still lacking in this area when Kenzo mainly focuses on the specifics of corporate law. Out of all the cases they have handled, this was a bit different from the others. However, civil law, specifically, legal medicine was also one of Atty. Miranda's specializations aside from corporate law.

"Kenny? I said 'yong deposition. Hanap na ni Atty. Tan. He messaged me earlier," Andy repeated.

"Oh." His cousin managed to snap him out from his train of thoughts. He honestly feels a little far behind from the case, and Kenzo was trying to recall everything he knew about legal medicine from law school. "Kalalagay ko lang sa desk ni Attorney. I also sent the file five minutes ago sa email. I cc-ed everyone," he replied, watching her cousin retire on a monoblock.

"My gosh!" she whined, removing her three-inch black stilettos. "Sakit na ng paa ko. I'm so tired! Bakit ba kasi pinagsasabay ni Attorney 'tong case—"

"Are you complaining, Ms. Venaventura?" Andy quickly stood up when she heard Atty. Miranda's voice behind them.

"No, Attorney," she chirped abruptly. "Just wore the wrong pair today."

But the fifty-three year old grumpy-looking fine-built lolo (in Andy's words) didn't say anything back. Instead, he handed a piece of paper to Kenzo. "Paki shred. And request a new shredder for my office. Nasira na ata 'yong nando'n. Hindi gumagana kanina."

"Okay, Attorn—"

"And you're complaining better be as good as your performance because I'm not impressed," Atty. Miranda said to the both of them.

"Apologies, Attorney." Andy swallowed. "Won't happen again."

"You can complain anytime, Ms. Venaventura. That's your freedom. Just make sure you have earned your rights to do so. Konting pahirap lang kasi sa inyo, reklamo agad.  How are you going to maintain both of your names on the wall kung gan'yan performance n'yo ngayon pa lang? Hindi pa kayo abogado niyan, ha?"

It's not our names though, Kenzo argued in his mind. Technically, it was his father's and his uncle's name. And as if the whole office wasn't aware of his plans yet, but everyone knows he's been pushing for another managing partner at the firm.

"O, 'wag iiyak. 'Yaan mo 'yon," Sharon, one of their paralegals came at Andy's aid when Atty. Miranda left to his office."

"I'm fine, Ms. Sharon. Nothing personal naman, I know he just wants to put Miranda sa wall." His cousin sighed. Clearly, nasasanay na rin sila.

Maybe it also comes with old age and the stress. But Atty. Miranda's mood and treatment towards everyone was as fickle as the weather. None of them knows what could set him off. Sometimes he's nice, sometimes he's easily irritated. Basta ang alam nila, the easiest way to calm him down (or to ask favors) is to give him a can of cold lemon soda. Must be sugarfree.

Andy sighed. "Naku, Kenny. Good thing talaga you have Nika or else you'll be an Atty. Miranda-in-progress." His cousin rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "I bet tatanda kang gano'n if puro work and studies ka lang."

"What?" His forehead crippled. "I'm not—"

"You're grumpy. You're aloof and quiet and I know we have a lot of readings but you're always buried sa books. You rarely take breaks from studying, the only treat you give yourself sometimes is when you visit your bar na hindi mo na rin ginagawa lately." Andy crossed her arms over her chest as if it helps her case from making a solid point.

"Aware ka sa schedule natin, right? I don't have the luxury to visit the bar anymore. And if may time tayo, I'd rather review for class . . . or sleep." Thankfully, he managed to curate his load for the new term. He wanted to allot the spare time for some rest and studying, but the demands from their work also took those away.

"And Nika?" Andy asked.

"Nika?"

Andy rolled her eyes. "Kenny, you have a girlfriend. When was the last time na nagkita kayo ni Nika? Did you even date her last month?"

He sighed. "I haven't." And he's been meaning to take her two weeks ago. Hindi pa 'yon natuloy dahil late nabigay sa kanila 'yong file na kailangan. It was Atty. Miranda's pro bono case that got wrapped up last week. And so far, for most of his cases, pro bono's were always a priority.

He couldn't blame him especially when they're fighting for local fishermen against a big shipping company that caused an oil spill, contaminating the waters affecting their livelihood.

For the first time, Kenzo felt that his job meant something more than what it usually was. That he can help make a difference no matter how small it could be, and he has never been more dedicated and passionate on what he does until the pro bono case fell on their lap.

"You . . . haven't?" Andy quipped. "Kailan kayo last na nagkita? Hindi na rin dumadaan si Nika dito sa office. I miss her na."

Oh. Kenzo thought far behind. The last time he saw her was . . . "When she went here last month to bring us lunch."

"What?" his cousin snapped. "That long? Tapos hindi pa natuloy date n'yo last time?"

"Yeah." Kenzo flipped his phone on the desk, tapping the screen. The banners were mostly from an exchange in their class' group chat, and their group chat with Atty. Miranda and the other associates under him.

The corners of his lips sagged at the lack of her name from his screen.

Miko
Are you busy today?
I miss you a lot.

Read 11:12 a.m.

Kenzo perked up when he saw the read notification on his end. But the three dots never occurred to signal that she was typing a reply.

It didn't came. Maybe she's busy. And all he could do was read their previous messages.

Miko
Good morning!
I'm sorry for last time.

12:03 p.m.

Nika liked "I'm sorry for last time."

Miko
Are you about to eat lunch?

3:41 p.m.

Nika
Nakakain na

Miko
What did you eat?
How are you doing with your pre-boars by the way?
I hope you're not having a hard time.

1:04 a.m.

Nika
Tapos na

Miko
Hi!
You're still up
Don't you have class tomorrow?

8:49 a.m.

Nika
Wala

Miko
Good morning!
What are doing today then?

Read 10:18 a.m.

His brows laced together when he noticed the pattern.

"Andy," he called his cousin who was now wearing Ms. Sharon's slippers.

"Yup?"

"Can I ask for a favor?" he asked.

"Sure," she replied. "Favor for what ba 'yan?"

Kenzo showed her his phone instead to ask for a second opinion whether his hunch was right or he was just over analyzing things on his end.

"Oh . . ." his cousin's voice fell flat followed by a shaking of her head and a repeated clicking of her tongue. "Need mo talagang bumawi, Kenny. This is different na from last time."

"What do you mean?"

"Kasi 'di ba may fight kayo ni Nika last time?" Andy asked to confirm.

Kenzo nodded. "Oo." And he didn't want to admit it, but he also got worked up during those days. He argues for a living, but he doesn't want arguing with her one bit. It's like all of his senses and reasoning flew out the window and all he wanted to do was run to her and hug her and kiss her worries away.

"She's not angry here na, Kenny. It's more like she's fed up," Andy said.

"Fed up?" His brows furrowed. "What does that mean? Bakit siya fed up? Don't you think she's just busy kaya matagal replies niya?"

"It's not just that," Andy disagreed, handing his phone back.

"Nika doesn't talk that way."

***

Nika wanted to scratch her face. Hindi niya alam kung mali lang ba 'yong foundation na ginamit sa kanya, but her face feels itchy from the makeup.

"Tagal naman gusto ko na alisin 'to," she mumbled in Lana's ear.

Her friend chuckled. "Ba't kasi 'di p'wedeng sa iba tayo magpagawa ng hair and makeup?"

"E, kasama raw kasi sa package na binayaran."

Lana rolled her eyes. "Hindi pa p'wede i-pay ko na lang sila do'n then I'll get the service sa iba?"

"Gan'yan ginawa no'ng isang kaklase ko last week. Binura pa rin makeup niya tapos inulit daw nila."

"What the hell?" her friend quipped. "I'll get my grad pic sa ibang studio na lang."

Nika scoffed. "Hindi rin p'wede kasi sila 'yong partner ng school. Sila rin kukuha ng picture para sa yearbook namin, e."

"My god! Fine."

"Nika? Hindi mo ba isasama si Kenzo para sa creative shots mo?" Mithi asked who was busy reading her notes beside Lana.

"No!" Lana answered instead. "Never ever ever magsasama ng jowa for creative shots sa grad pic kasi what if mag-break kayo? Hindi na ma-te-take back 'yon. Sinabi 'yan sa 'kin ng higher batch last time because nagsisi raw siya na sinama niya ex niya sa creative shot."

"What if hindi naman sila mag-break?" Mithi countered.

Nika just took a deep breath when her phone buzzed.

Miko
Are you busy today?
I miss you a lot.

A light creasing appeared in the middle of her brows. Saglit niyang tinitigan 'yong text bago isara 'yong phone niya at ibalik sa bag.

Oo, busy siya sa grad pic. Busy rin siya mamaya dahil nag-aaya 'yong nanay niya lumabas para bilhan siya ng dress for baccalaureate mass and graduation.

And . . . okay. He misses her nga. And if mag-reply siya na miss niya rin si Miko, may mababago ba?

Would he come to her if she said she feels the same way? Would he spare at least fifteen minutes to cure the longing like she does?"

Hindi naman, e. Sa office na nga ata nakatira 'yon at alam naman niyang mas busy si Miko sa kanya. Kaya 'wag na lang.

May mas importante siyang priority. She wouldn't matter anyway.

Nika didn't want to entertain it anymore when the buzzing interrupts her thoughts again.

"Ma'am?" the photographer got out of the room. "Okay na po, kayo na next."

"Sige po," she answered. Nika turned to her friends. "Una na kayo, may aayusin lang ako saglit."

"Sure," Lana said, dragging Mithi with her to the room.

Nika secretly peeked at her phone inside her bag.

Miko
Can I please take you out?

The creasing in between her brows reappeared as she placed her phone on DND.

She swallowed the awful truth bubbling inside her chest.

Wala akong gana.

***

"So?" Andy asked while munching on a potato chip.

He showed her the screen. "No replies."

"Do you want me to try?" her cousin suggested, taking her phone from the drawer.

Kenzo swallowed. Just thinking about how his cousin would receive an immediate reply from her was grazing something in his chest.

"No need."

"Sure?"

He nodded. "Yup. Baka busy lang siya."

"Naka-on locations n'yo right? You can check that out."

Right! How could he forget that? Kenzo immediately checked her locations only to see that she's in a studio.

"I see."

"Why?" Andy peeked at his screen. "Where's that?"

"Studio. I think she has a shoot."

"Oh . . ." Andy typed something in her phone. "That's a studio for grad pictorials though. May ID pictures na packages din sila dito and for other photoshoots but not for editorials."

"Well, baka for grad pic." He shrugged.

Andy raised her eyes from her phone. "Baka?" A creasing was evident on her forehead. "Ba't hindi mo alam?"

"Ha?" Should he know about it?

"She didn't ask you to be in her grad pic?" his cousin added. "Remember when I asked you and my friends to be in my creative shot during our grad pic?"

"Ah." His shoulder slumped. "Maybe she didn't want me there or she's not opting for a package with creative shots?"

"Knowing Nika?" Andy scoffed. "I doubt it."

Kenzo tried to focus on work. But his mind kept on traveling elsewhere and he couldn't stop tapping and checking his phone every minute.

It kept on buzzing, and yet, her name never graced his screen for one bit.

He swallowed. Napailing na lang din siya. He tried to accomplish everything before their timeout. And he couldn't believe he was done with work before four o'clock.

"Andy," he called his cousin.

"Yup?"

"We don't need to do anything else after sending the email, right?" he asked to confirm.

Andy nodded. "Yup. Atty. Tan said din kanina na we don't have to come in tomorrow. Flight nga pala ni Atty. Miranda mamayang 9 p.m. to Malaysia. Basta raw mag-respond lang tayo sa email and gc bukas sabi ni Atty. Tan."

"Okay." Kenzo checked his time. "I already sent the last email. But if there's anything else, can you check muna for me? I'll go out lang for a while."

"Out? Sa'n ka pupunta?"

"I'll buy some mini cheesecakes for Nika."

His cousin's eyes marbled. "Did she reply na? What did she say?"

"Not yet." Kenzo shook his head. "But I'm planning to surprise her later."

"Okay!" Andy pushed him out of his chair. "Go na! Go!"

He chuckled. "Wait, 'yong wallet ko—"

Andy shoved his wallet inside his back pocket. "There! Go! Buy mo rin ako ng cheesecake!"

"One box din?"

Andy rolled her eyes. "Duh?"

Kenzo decided to ring her phone on the way to the lift but the call was easily declined.

Nika
Mag text ka
Wag mo ko tawagan
Tinatamad ako magsalita

Miko
Sorry.
Are you at your dorm?
I'll fetch you later if that's okay.

Nika
Pwede bukas nalang

Miko
Sure.
I won't be in the office tomorrow.

Nika liked "Sure."

Miko
How's your day?
I miss you.

Read 4:39 p.m.

Kenzo waited for the three dots to appear again. But it never did. His heart thumped recalling the words his cousin said earlier. Was Nika truly fed up with him?

He gulped, silencing the loud beating in his chest. No, she's not. She's not.

His eyes glossed over the last text he sent her.

And yet, it struck him . . . how he doesn't even know anything about her day anymore. She said before na tapos na raw pre-boards niya. So technically, she wouldn't be occupied with that anymore.

And based on her location earlier, she was having her graduation picture taken.

Then . . . after that, what did she do? Where did she go?

Kenzo checked her location again only to see her traveling northbound, a couple minutes away from their house.

The thumping settles down in an unknown sense of relief. Okay. He's glad her relationship with her mom is finally getting better.

And if she was getting her graduation picture taken then . . .

Miko pulled out his phone to call his cousin when an idea popped in his head while waiting for the cheesecakes to be boxed.

"Yes? Walang pahabol na task—"

"Can you help me later?" he said, cutting her off.

"For? 'Di ba may date ka later?"

"Pushed back tomorrow. Nika went home," Miko answered. "Pasama later. I'm going to buy her a grad gift."

"Oh! Okay!" Andy perked. "Pasabay din. I'll buy her a gift."

Kenzo smiled. "Sure."