Muling Pagtatagpo

***

I am standing at the Park, watching someone cuddling, changing love and hugs while, I’m still standing and not even moving, thinking about Mark. My curly hair cascaded as I’ve notice that it’s getting long. I cover my face with my palm when a car stopped right in my front. A girl went out and I just cannot see her clearly because of the reflection of the sun rays. She walked towards me and hug me tight.

“Hi, it’s me, Layla.” I cried and hugged her back. I didn’t expect that she will visiting at me. I looked into her eyes.

  “I am happy that we’ve meet again.” I sneered. She pouted and took something from her bag.

“I went to your Dad’s Company and asked him about you, then, yeah ...I found you here. Anyways, would you like to work with me? Let’s just talk about it in my house.” She offered and give me a small piece of paper. It was her cellphone number. “Call me later, I will ask someone to fetch you, okay?” I nodded and gave her a smile. She went back to her car and immediately leave.

Because of her offer, I tried to approach my Dad and asks for permission since Layla is my trusted friend. I guess, this kind of work will help me to improve my confidence and gather more experience. I call my Dad while my eyes wanders. I shooked my head and I feel something bad. Maya-maya, medyo, tumahan narin ’yong pakiramdam ko. I notice that my Dad’s phone is still ringing yet, no one would like to answer. Mom is also there, but she has no respond. Afterwards, I just gazing at my phone while waiting their reply but, I received a message from unknown person.

“Why are you here?” I read it and my brows crinkled. I shook my head and clicked my tongue. Sino na naman itong nagte-text na walang pangalan. Inilibot ko ang aking paningin ng mahagip ng aking mga mata ang isang lalaki na nakatayo sa likod ng malaking puno. He waves his hands at me.

I blinked my eyes and walked towards him,  “I should be the one to ask you, why are you here?” I looked around and sees nothing except him. I tried to avoid my eyes from him yet, I can’t. He sneered at me and then, showed his cute two dimples. I smirked and my eyes filled with tears.

Why is he often meeting with me if this will just makes me cry? I looked above and trying to hold on my tears.

“Hey, Miah. What happened?” He asked me and looked directly into my eyes. I just don’t know what I feel at this moment but... It seems my heart beat fasts everytime I meet him.

“It’s nothing. You have nothing to worry Mark Warren. I have to go now.” I am trying to escape from him. Agad akong tumalikod at lumayo sa lugar. Dumaan ako sa isang kalye habang hawak-hawak ko pa rin ang maliit na papel na binigay sa akin ni Layla. Tumingala ako at namasdang ang kaulapaa’y nangingitim at iyon ay hudyat na uulan na.  Binilisan ko ang aking paglakad ngunit naabutan parin ng ulan. Nagulat ako nang may biglang humawak sa akin at nag-alok ng payong. Sa bandang iyon, napatigil na naman ako nang mahagip ang kaniyang mga mukha.

  “I’ll be with you,” usal ni Mark Warren. My knees trembled due to coldness. Nabasa kasi ako bago siya umalok ng payong. Basang-basa narin ’yong suot kong damit. Mark touches it and take off his jacket. Agad niya itong isinuot sa akin. I shake my head and gave him a sign that I won’t wear it pero pinilit niyang ipasuot sa akin ’yon. Dinala niya ako sa kotse niya at binuksan ang pinto.

“I shouldn’t be here, ” I uttered. He pulled me inside and told me to sit beside him.

“Huwag ka nang magtanong ng marami. As of now, ako parin ’yong bodyguard whatever you complain. Wala akong pakialam sa’yo kung magalit ka o hindi.” He said. His smell makes me always remember him. The way he stares at me symbolizes something. Hindi ko alam kung ano na itong nararamdaman ko sa tuwing kasama ko siya.

A few minutes later, nakarating kami sa Kompanya ni Papa. Siya ang unang bumaba at kinuha ang aking kamay. Nanginginig ako sa lamig at inilagay niya ang kaniyang kanang kamay sa aking balikat at inalayan akong pumasok. Nasa unang palapag pa lamang kami nang biglang dumikit ang aming katawan. This kind of feelings tickled my heart. I guess, I was just dreaming. Sinalubong kami ni Papa sa may hagdan at niyakap ako.

“Oh, Mark. Thank you sa pagbabantay sa kaniya.  Come here.” Ani Papa. Mabuti pa si Mark, inuna ni Papa na ine-entertain. Sumunod lang ako sa kanila habang nag-uusap sila.

“How about 2 years?” Dad stated. I looked between them. Are they keeping secrets?

I immediately run into the bathroom and had changed my clothes. Afterwards, I went back and found them signing a paper.

“Dad, will you give him a chance to be my bodyguard? Kahit dalhin niya pa ’yong girlfriend niya, okay lang. As long as, I feel secure when I’m with him.” I grasped myself. I heaved a sigh. They both looked at me and I just pouted.

“As your wish,” Dad said and sneered.

Is there  hope that Mark will mine?

It was early in the morning, bumangon ako mula sa aking higaan and it seems there is something different.  Mark standing outside in my room and staring at me. He sneered and pouted. A stunning, messy hair with an angelic face shown up. This is the most beautiful day I’ve ever experience. ’Yong gigising ka nalang dahil sa malambing niyang tinig at dadalhan ka ng mainit na kape. Kinuha ko iyon at nilunok. Katamtaman nalang ’yong init ng kape dahil siguro, ilang minuto na ang lumipas ng timplahan niya ako.

“Gising kana pala,” napangiwi ako sa sinabi niya. Malamang e, nakadilat na kaya ang mata ko. Nilunok ko na nga ’yong kape. May tulog bang gano’n? Hindi ako umimik at tumungo na lamang sa kusina. Agad kong kinuha ang lulutuan at inihanda na lahat ng aking lulutuin. I was about to chopped the meat when he confiscate the knife from my hands. He looked at me aggressively and point his two fingers to me.

“You should not be the one to do this, it is my job. Just sit down, and I’ll serve you what you want.” Pinalo ko siya at sinubukang agawin ang kutsilyó. Umiling siya at napasandal naman ako sa wall malapit sa lalagyan ng mga gamit. He stares at me. I moved a bit and tried to escape from him but he blocked my way using his two hands. He pressed me on the wall which makes me cannot move anymore. I just closed my eyes and waiting for what he will likely to do.

“You jerk, let me out of there.” I shouted. He tapped my head and mark an attractive smile. At paanong hindi ko siya magugustuhan, sa ngiti palang, talo na ako. But, hindi ko na iniisip ko and I just decided to hide my feelings for him kasi alam kong may mahal siyang iba. I don’t know kung ilang months na sila ng girlfriend niya. Siguro, may tamang tao rin para sa akin, pero, sa tamang panahon. Ganyan naman diba? If you are not meant to be at this time, then, maybe next time.

Natulala ako sa ginawa at hindi makagalaw. Nilapitan niya ako at dinala sa mesa. Parang na statue na ulit ako sa ginagawa niya.

“Ay may tanong pala ako, nakalimutan ko kanina.” Tinitigan ko muna siya, tapos nginitian.

“Anong trabaho ni kuya Dave ngayon? ’Yong kaklase mo pag High School natin?” He smirked and took a deep sigh.

“Puwede bang unahin mo na iyang pagkain mo? Tsaka, why are you looking him? Did he tries to allure you earlier? You’ve been talking to him.” He said. My brows furrowed to what he is stated. Hindi kami nag-uusap ni kuya Dave kaya tinatanong ko siya. He didn’t respond nicely. Ang pangit ng sagot niya.

“Tskk...bakit siya? E, I already admire someone. Kaso, may mahal siyang iba. Ahh... basta!” Tumayo ako at inilagay ang dalawang palad sa mesa. Parang hindi niya naintindihan ang ginagawa ko. I show him a multiple signs pero hindi niya napapansin.

Natigilan ako nang maalala na kailangan ko palang tawagan si Layla. Mag-iisang linggo na nang makalimutan ko iyon. Luckily, she answered it and offers a job. Kailangan ko lamang na puntahan siya.

It doesn’t mean na secretary ang Mommy and C.E.O ’yong Papa ko ay tatanda na akong walang trabaho tsaka feeling Princess, it’s a big no! I wanted to help someone who needs especially financial supports. Kaya, I also need to work. I ask Mark to drive me to Layla’s location. After a few moments, tumango naman siya.

I prepare myself. I wore a red dress, high heels and I tie my hair. I also apply make up. Hinintay ko muna si Mark dahil naliligo pa siya. Ilang minuto lang ang lumipas at lumabas narin siya sa banyo. He wore a very beautiful tuxedo. Saan ba siya pupunta? He looks like professional and CEO. Ang pogi niya pag gano’n ang sinusuot niya. It seems, I was attracted more and more. I will admire him multiple times until my last breath. We both staring each other and there is something between us at this moment. I blink but he still staring at me.

“Is there something wrong in me?” I asked him. He smiled which tickles my heart. Iba talaga ’yong dating ng ngiti niya.

“Ang ganda mo palagi, Lucy.” Nagmumukha na akong angry birds nang tawagin niya ako no’n. I bit my upper lower lips and took a glimpse on him, as I trying to hold my anger.

“What’s the meaning of that name Mark? I am not fool ha?!” Galit kong wika sa kaniya.

“Just kidding,” He laughed.  “Let‘s go!” He said and hold my hand. Lumabas na kami ng bahay at agad pumunta sa kotse. Sumakay na ako at agad niya naman itong pinaandar.

Mabilis ’yong takbo ng makina kaya, mabilis din kaming nakarating. Sinalubong naman ako ng ngiti ni Layla sabay yakap. Siguro, nasanay na siya na magyakapan kami sa tuwing nagkikita. She looks at me and turned her eyes to Mark. She was shocked.

“Oh, Mr. Warren, how are you? Is she your girlfriend? Ba’t ang tagal mong nagpakita? Grabe, ang swerte mo kay Miah. Sobrang bait na, tapos ang ganda pa. Naku! Kailangan kayo magpapakasa---”

“What are you saying Layla? No, he’s my---”

“Yes, Layla. We’re couples. Sasamahan ko ba si Miah dito kung wala namang kami?” Pinutol ni Mark ang paliwanag ko kay Layla and he accept that we are couples. He’s not even courting me nor showing na mahal niya ako, tapos couples agad?

“Wow, bagay kayo!” Compliment pa ni Layla. Tumango-tango nalang ako and pretending na merong kami pero sa totoo lang, wala namn talaga. Mark pinched my palm and thus, makes me sense that he hides something to Layla. I assumed that he is just kidding and making fun of me.

“Let’s go inside and let’s talk  about this job. Mark, let Miah go inside. Just stay here, okay?” Layla said. Akmang susunod pa siya ngunit sinenyasan kong mananatili sa puwesto niya. Agad kaming tumungo sa maliit na bahay but, looks so fancy at umupo sa round table. Kumuha siya ng juice at pagkain pang meryenda.

She started to introduce the job.

  “Because of this, I am sure that you will be nice to be the model of this products,” wika niya at ipinakita ang mga produktong pampaganda.  “It is made naturally and has no side effects to our body. Ipapares kita sa isang lalaki sa Kompanya namin pero bago ’yon, kailangan natin ng permiso sa Papa mo. Alam mo naman, Daddy’s girl. ” she teased. Doon palang, I started to think critically kung maganda ba o hindi.

“Sa Kompanya iyan ng kaibigan ko, he is trying to make his company grow dahil tutulungan niya raw ’yong mga kabataan sa Casimere University na magkaroon ng sapat na istruktura at pundo. I am hoping for your participation.” Layla said.

Since, may purpose naman pala, then I accept the job.

“Sa susunod na linggo ka na magsisimula, ” She said. Pagkatapos ng aming usapan, agad kaming lumabas and finally, magkakaroon na ako ng trabaho. I have nothing to worry kasi trusted naman siya. She’s my closed friends that Mark’s offen called “dwarfie”. Ngayon, tulala na siya dahil mas matangkad pa si Layla sa kaniya. Okay naman ako, kasi tanggap ko na pambata ’yong height ko.

Mark is waiting outside. Hindi kami nagtagal doon at bamalik na sa bahay namin sa Casimere. Anyways, malaki ’yong lawak ng Casimere City at hanggang ngayon, hindi ko alam kung saan iyang Kompanya na sinasabi ni Layla sa akin.

Nang nasa byahe pa kami, nagtataka ako kung bakit iba na naman ang emosyon ni Mark. Parang hindi ata siya kumikibo.

“M-Mark? Are you sick?” Mahinang tono kong tanong sa kaniya. He focus on the way at hindi man lang rumesponde sa aking tanong.

“Gusto mo bang bisitahin ang girlfriend mo? Sabihin mo lang, papayagan naman kita.” I humbly said. Alam kong namiss niya rin ’yon kaso, baka takot lang siyang magpaalam sa akin dahil sa nangyari noong  nagdaang taon na iniwan niya lang ako sa daan before the accident.

“Sabihan nalang kita, ipakilala ko siya sa’yo.” He coldy answer. I keep my mouth shut and not talking anymore. He glimpse at me but I remove my eyes from him. The rain is started to pour. Madilim ’yong paligid kaya ni-on niya ’yong front light ng sasakyan.

“Stop right there, ” Isang tinig ang narinig ko mula sa labas ng sasakyan nang hininaan niya ’yong takbo ng kotse.

“Sino ’yon, Mark?” He just shook  his head.

“Hindi puwede to, ” usal niya. Kinabahan na ako nang biglang nag-iba ’yong tono ng boses niya. Parang may kinatatakutan siya. Binilisan niya ang takbo ng sasakyan at hindi na muling lumingon pa.

Pagdating namin sa bahay, agad niyang ipinasok sa loob ang sasakyan at bandang alas dose na ito ng tanghali. Sinenyasan niya akong pumasok sa loob ng bahay at dali-dali naman akong kumilos. Pagdating namin sa loob, tumingin siya sa akin sabay silip sa labas.

  “You must stay with your father. Nakalabas na siya. Someone is behind his case. ” He said. Nangunot ang noo ko sa tinuran niya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinagsasabi niya. Tumayo ako mula sa aking upuan at lumapit sa kaniya.

“S-sino iyon?” Nagtatakang tanong ko sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam kung sino ‘yong pumara sa amin. Alam kong dumaan sa training si Mark dahil never naman siyang e-hired ni Papa kung wala siyang pinagdaanan.

He just shake his head. May kinuha siya sa kaniyang bulsa at iyon ay cellphone. He tried approach my Dad but, Dad is not answering.

“Baka lóko lang ’yon, don’t overthink too much. ” Wika ko kay Mark para kumalma naman siya. Ni-nervous din naman ako pero, I just take everything for granted.

A few moments later, umupo narin siya sa tabi ko at kumuha ng tubig. I am watching him drinking until he turned his gazed to me.

“What are you looking for?” He asked me. I smiled and looked away.  I heaved a sigh and hold my mouth.