AZIEL LUKE

I sit in my swivel chair infront of my table, surrounded by blueprints and measurements as I discussed the project details with my childhood friend, Lily. We had grown up together in Makati City, and I remembered the days when we used to play in same fields, dreaming of our futures.

“So, you’re really going to be the engineer for my parents’ house?” Lily asked, with her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Naglakad siya patungo sa aking kinauupuan at mensahe ang aking balikat.

I nodded, a proud smile on my face. “Yeah, it’s a big project, but I’m up for the challenge. Hindi ko rin kayang tanggihan ang proyektong ito dahil kay Tita at Tito.”

“I always knew you would do great things,” Lily said, her hand touching my chest.

“Lily, baka may makakita sa atin,” inalis ko ang kanyang kamay sa aking dibdib. Baka makita kami ni Ashleigh na girlfriend ko.

“Aziel, I know you like me...at alam ko ’yun simula bata pa tayo.” yumuko si Lily sa akin at isang dangkal na lang ang pagitan sa aming mukha.

Tumayo ako at naglakad palabas sa aking mesa. “I have a girlfriend, Lily. . . she will see us, and what will she think of us? I do not want to hurt her... I do not want her to get jealous.”

She rolled her eyes and crosses her arms. Lumapit siya sa akin at idinikit ang kanyang dibdib sa akin. She wrapped her hands around my neck.

“She won't know, Aziel, if you don't tell her about this,” Lily kissed me and the door opened.

Ashleigh, saw us kissing, she watched from a distance, feeling a pang of jealousy as she saw Lily flirt with me and kissing me. But the way Lily’s hand lingered on my chest and into my biceps made her face turned red.

“S-Sorry, Sir L-Luke may bisita po pala kayo.” yumuko si Ashleigh.

“So, this must be your secretary babe?” tanong ni Lily sa akin habang nakatingin kay Ashleigh.

Hindi ako nakasagot umurong ang dila ko sa tanong ni Lily. Inangat ni Ashleigh ang kanyang ulo at tumingin sa akin tsaka ngumiti.

“Yes, po.... Ma'am.” sagot ni Ashleigh.

“Lily, she's Ashleigh my girlfriend.” agad na sabi ko. Tumingin si Ashleigh sa akin pero walang bakas na emosyon.

Tiningnan ni Lily si Ashleigh mula ulo hanggang paa at lumingon sa akin. “Sana sinabi mo sa akin noon pa na probinsyana pala ang iyong nais Aziel.” inirapan ni Lily si Ashleigh.

“I’ll leave you to your work,” Lily said, giving me a kiss before walking away.

I turned to Ashleigh, and I noticed the tension in her posture. “Is not what you think sweetie, she's Lily my childhood friend. Kinontak kasi ako nina Tito at Tita para kuning engineer sa kanilang itatayo na mansyon.”

“Talaga ba?” sarkastikong tanong ni Ashleigh sa akin.

“Bakit kailangang nakapulupot ang kamay sa leeg mo at kailangang idikit ang kaniyang dibdib sa'yo? Tsaka kailangan ba maghalikan kayo?” sunod-sunod niyang tanong sa akin.

“Sweetie, are you jealous?” ngumiti ako at lumapit sa kaniya.

Hinawakan ko ang kaniyang kamay pero inalayo niya ito at umatras.

She crossed her arms, trying to hide her frustration. “I just don't like how she was all over you.” napangiti ako dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. Nagseselos nga siya.

“Lily and I have been friends since we were kids,” I explained, walking towards her placing my hand on her waist. “She's just excited about the project.” dugtong ko sa aking sinasabi.

“Yeah, I know, pero bakit kailangan may pahalik at pagdikit ng dibdib?” she said, relaxing under my touch. “I just don't want to lose you to some childhood crush.” dagdag niya at mas lalo ko pang ikinangiti.

I chuckled, pulling her closedly to me. “You could never lose me, my heart belongs to you.” I kissed her on her lips. God! I don't want to lose this woman.

We shared a kiss, and I know she felt reassured that I was hers and hers alone.

“I'll make sure to keep my distance from Lily,” I promised, knowing how much she meant for me.

“Thank you,” she said with a smile feeling a wave of relief wash over her.

Ashleigh and I sitting in the living area inside my office discussing the project, but our attention was momentarily interrupted when Lily walked back towards us, holding a tray of refreshments.

Napalingon kaming dalawa ni Ashleigh kay Lily na naglalakad patungo sa amin. Tiningnan ko si Ashleigh at halata sa kanyang mukha ang inis.

“I thought you might be thirsty,” Lily said with a smile, offering celsius energy drink to me.

Umupo siya sa tabi ko at ang kaniyang kamay ay nakapatong sa aking hita. Nilingon ko si Ashleigh pero nakatingin lang siya sa blueprints.

“What’s your name?” tanong ni Lily sa kaniya. Pero nananatili lang siyang nakatingin sa blueprints.

“Hey!” tawag ulit ni Lily sa kaniya. Inangat ni Ashleigh ang kaniyang ulo at tiningnan si Lily.

“Are you calling me?” turo ni Ashleigh sa kaniyang sarili.

“Yeah!” Lily rolled her eyes.

“Akala ko kasi may ahas na tumawag sa akin....ikaw pala 'yon?” sarkastikong tanong ni Ashleigh sa kay Lily.

Kita ko ang mukha ni Lily na namumula sa galit. Gustong kong tumawa pero pinigilan ko ito. Mas lalo pang dumikit si Lily sa akin.

She noticed Lily's attempt to get closer to me again and suddenly felt the jealousy creeping back in. But I only had eyes for her as I took a drink from the can juice she handed me.

Tumayo ako at lumipat sa tabi ni Ashleigh.

“Thanks, Lily,” I said, smiling gratefully at her. “But I think Ashleigh and I should get back to work.”

Ashleigh gave me a small nod of agreement, grateful that I had sensed her discomfort.

Habang nag-uusap kaming dalawa ni Ashleigh tungkol sa proyekto. Nagtatawanan kaming dalawa dahil may binulong ako sa kaniya dahilan para natawa siya at nakurot niya ako sa tagiliran.

“Nooooooooo!” sigaw ni Lily kaya sa gulat ko ay tumayo ako at nilapitan siya.

“What’s wrong?” nag-aalalang tanong ko sa kaniya.

“I need to go back in my condo. But my car is not with me, can you drive me to my condo?” Lily’s head lean on my shoulder.

Nakatingin lang si Ashleigh at umirap kay Lily. “Ang O.A akala mo naman may namatay.” bulong ni Ashleigh pero naririnig ko.

“Ihatid mo ako, babe please,” sabi ni Lily sa akin at nagpuppy eyes.

“Huwag mong ihatid 'yan. Magbo-book ako ng grab car para maghatid sa kaniya sa condo.” sabi ni Ashleigh at kinuha ang kaniyang cellphone.

“Babe Aziel, ikaw na maghatid sa akin please. Ayokong mag-grab car. Hindi ako sanay baka may mangyaring masama sa akin at baka dadalhin ako kung saan.” umiiyak na sabi ni Lily.

“Ang O.A mo! Hindi ka rin naman papatulan ng grab driver na ’yon dahil ayaw niya sa mga nakakarinding boses na kagaya mo.” sabi ni Ashleigh at tumayo.

“What did you say?” galit na tumayo si Lily.

“Bingi ka ba o bingi ka talaga?” tumaas ang boses ni Ashleigh sa tanong niya kay Lily.

“Enough! Sige na Lily umuwi ka na at pasensya dahil hindi kita maihahatid... kailangan ko pa kasing tiningnan itong blueprint ng mabuti.” sabi ko sa kaniya.

“Seriously, Aziel? I will tell Mom and Dad, na hindi na ikaw ang kukunin naming engineer para sa masyon naitatayo nila. Kukuha na lang kami ng iba!” sigaw niya at tiningnan ng masama si Ashleigh.

Lumabas siya ng opisina at malakas na sinarado ang pinto.

After Lily left, Ashleigh turned to me with a smile. “I'm sorry for being jealous. Dahil sa akin nawalan ka ng proyekto.”

“It's okay, sweetie, it's just a modest sum of money,” I said, kissing her forehead. “I'll always make sure you know you're the only one for me.”

I can feel her a surge of love for me, grateful to have such a understanding and supportive girlfriend. With my assurance, I knew she had nothing to worry about and could trust in our love.

©iKnowImNewbie