One Last Time

Kabanata XVII : UNINVITED

UNINVITED.

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"WHAT do you need from me again, Yturralde?" His cold eyes greeted me that morning when the door of his unit opened.

Matamis akong ngumiti sa kanya at pinasadahan siya ng tingin. He looked fresh in a plain navy shirt and khaki shorts.

I bridged the gap between us. Even though we see each other almost every day at the site, I still miss him. Nag-lie-low kasi muna ako sa panggugulo sa kanya para gawin ang obligasyon ko bilang kasama sa proyekto. Nakakahiya kay Architect Fiah kung puro negative feedback ang maririnig niya tungkol sa'kin.

It's hard at first to restrain myself from approaching him. It was like torture, but I endured it. Now that our contract is over, I can finally approach him whenever I want.

"You aren't busy, right? Let's go on a date!" It was more like an order from me than a question that made his face darken.

He walked away from me and went back inside. He's heading toward the couch. Since he left the door open, I followed him inside. There, I saw a travel bag on the couch filled with stuff.

"Aalis ka?" lingon ko sa kanya na tumayo lang sa gilid ng couch at hindi ako sinagot.

"Where are you going?" utag ko sa kanya.

"I'm going to Zambales," tipid niyang sagot sabay talikod at pumasok sa bedroom. It took him a few minutes bago siya lumabas.

"Anong gagawin mo doon?" tanong ko nang bumalik niya sa gilid ng couch.

"Ikakasal ang pinsan ko," he replied.

"Can I go?" I asked randomly, making him frown at me.

"Why?"

I shrugged. "Our contract with Mrs. Valerio is finally over. I think we deserve a nice vacation."

"Go have your own vacation."

I pursed my lips lightly and smiled. "But I want to go on vacation with you."

His jaw immediately dropped. "What?"

"I said if I'm going on vacation, I want you to come with me. It would be boring if it wasn't with you." Lumapit ako sa couch at umupo roon. Inipit ko ang buhok sa gilid ng tainga ko saka ako nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. "I promise, I won't cause you any trouble. So please let me come with you." I gave him a hopeful smile.

He shook his head firmly. "No!"

"Please..."

He exhaled an annoyed sigh. "I said no."

I pouted. "My friends are on their own vacation. My dad doesn't have time for me. Kung hindi siya busy sa kompanya, busy naman siya kay Tita Norin. And speaking of my stepmother, I'm not really close to her," I said, trying to guilt trip him into saying yes.

But he's firm.

"Stop bothering me, Yturralde. You should go, I have other things to do."

My heart sank. Ipininid ko ang labi ko at sumulyap sa kanya pero lumayo na siya sa'kin.

With a gloomy expression, napilitan akong tumayo.

"I'm leaving then. Have a nice trip, Love-" I stopped, not wanting to annoy him even more.

Mabigat ang loob na tinungo ko ang pinto. Lalabas na sana ako nang tawagin niya ako.

"Yturralde..."

A wide grin spread across my lips. Mabilis ko siyang nilingon. "Yes?"