The Man I Chose To Let Go (Under Editing)

Chapter 22: Decency

"Are you okay?" Nagulat siya sa paghawak ni Fred sa kamay niya. She went back to her senses and sighed, "Hey, is everything alright?"

"O-Oo, pasensya na." Aniya, "Natutulala na naman ako."

Nakakaunawang tumango na lang ito. Thank God he didn't pry. Hindi niya alam kung paano sasabihin rito ang tungkol sa natanggap na text.

Aside from nobody really uses text message nowadays. Tumaas agad ang balahibo niya dahil halos kakaunti lang naman ang nakakaalam ng number niya.

Usually, email or messenger na ang contact. She doesn't use viber or telegram at all.

So, who could it be? Ang nasa isip lang niya ay ang nanloob sa condo ni Fred noon. But, how could that person get his number.

Maliban doon, paano nitong nalaman na aalis sila? May nagmamanman ba sa kanila? Paano?

"Aims," He called his attention, "We're here." He smiled at her.

She read the huge sign upon the entrance.

Gunita Farm and Resort

She couldn't believe what she is seeing. Hindi ganito ang imagination niya! What she expects was a typical farm with a lot of plants and herbs.

But, this is a resort.

"This is yours?" He just smiled, "Ang ganda dito, Fred..." Tila nawala sa isip niya ang kaninang pinangangamba.

Kinuha ni Fred muli ang kamay niya at iyon naman ay dinala sa mga labi nito. He gently kissed the back of it and lovingly smiled at her.

Nang tumigil ang sasakyan ay nakita niyang may isang lalaking nagaabang na sa kanila. It must be Hans, at hindi nga siya nagkamali.

"Welcome to Gunita Farm and Resort, Sir Eric and Ms. Amanda, it was nice to finally meet you in the flesh" Inabutan sila ng complimentary drinks.

"Likewise, Hans. Ang tagal ko ring hindi narinig ang pangalan mo sa kanya," Tukoy niya kay Fred.

"Shall we lead you to your villa?" Tumango sila at sinundan ito.

Hawak lang ni Fred ang kamay niya kaya alam niyang hindi siya maliligaw. She's busy looking around and just in awe.

Alam naman niyang maraming magagandang lugar sa South. But, it's still different if you can see it personally.

Tamang tama ang kulay ng halaman sa ulap. It matches the tone and just gives a relaxing vibe, "Sir Eric, here's your schedule." Rinig niyang sambit ni Hans, "I've adjusted some of your time so that both of you can also enjoy here for five days,"

"That would be lovely, Hans. Thank you so much."

Dalawa ang kama sa loob ng villa. She smiled with that thought. Somehow, she got comfortable sharing a room with him. Kahit naman nagkatabi na sila sa iisang kama, hindi naman iyon palagi.

Naglakad siya papunta sa patio kung saan tanaw niya ang malawak na pond. Umihip naman ang hangin at agad niyang naamoy ang simoy. She sighed and embraced herself.

Hindi pa man nagtatanggal ay alam na ni Amanda na magugustuhan niya dito. The place just felt home. Sa pagdama ng hangin ay agad naman niyang naramdaman ang mainit na bisig na pumulupot sa kanya.

"Itanong mo sa akin... Kung sino aking mahal." Napakunot ang noo niya at bahagyang tumingin rito, "Itanong mo sa akin, sagot ko'y 'di magtatagal."

Tama ba ang naririnig niya? Kumakanta si Fred?

Pinaharap siya nito at hinawakan sa kamay. Pagkuwa'y marahan siyang tinulak at ito naman ay umatras. Hindi nito binitawan ang kamay niya at sunod naman ay inikot siya nito.

The next thing she knew was Fred was singing and dancing with her. She just chuckled. Hindi naman pangit ang boses nito. Sadyang nawawala lang minsan sa tono.

Then he pulled her again. She wrapped her hand around his shoulders and just looked into his eyes. Moments like this makes her somehow feel like she's in a dream.

Who would have thought that Fred would lay his eyes on her? Who would have thought that this love she has would be reciprocated?

Sapat na nga sa kanya na best woman lang siya. Actually, hindi sapat pero kung iyon lang talaga ang maibibigay nito ay makukuntento na siya.

But, right now. She knew that she couldn't go back to being just a friend. She would cherish this time so much.

"Eric!" Napako silang dalawa sa kinatatayuan nang makita kung sino ang tumawag sa pangalan nito. It's Madam Carmelita! Agad siyang napaatras, as if her mind told her, too.

She's literally across the pond. Ngunit kahit ganoon kalayo, pakiramdam niya ay kitang kita nito maging ang sinasabi ng kanilang katawan.

Fred held her hand, "It's okay,"

Sinalubong nila ito. Hindi man tignan ang mga mata ay ramdam niyang nakatitig ito sa kanya, "Lola, what brings you here? I thought you're out of town."

"Paano mo naman malalaman, Hijo? You don't return to my calls. You don't respond to my messages. Where were you for two weeks?"

Hindi nakalagpas kay Amanda ang mga makahulugang tingin ng matanda, "I was busy,"

"Busy?" Madam isn't buying it. "Oh, I see. That's why you brought your secretary with you."

"Lola--"

"Amanda, right?" She asked, "Can you do me a favor darling? Can you help my guests to feel at home?"

"Lola, we have staff to do that."

"And I need a time with you as well." Lumapit na ito sa apo at marahang hinila ito papalayo, "Anyway, here they are!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makita kung sino ang dumating. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya, mabilis ngunit mabigat.

"Sabrina?"

"Oh, Fred!" She sweetly smiled. "You're here!"

What are the odds.

She just excused herself and followed what Madam has instructed her to do. Mas pipiliin niya na lang din na gawin iyon kaysa sa tumayo doon at malusaw sa mga titig ni Madam.

As if she built an invisible wall that draws the line between them and her. Ayaw naman isipin ni Amanda sana, but somehow, she knew that this isn't impossible.

Sino lang naman ba siya? She was his secretary. She may be a decent woman, with a decent life. But, once you enter his world... It's different.

Decency isn't enough to be part of their world, and she has no idea what would it be.