A Day in the Night Sky

Kabanata 40

Love

And indeed, several investors pulled out. Hindi man naapektuhan nang lubos ang funds ng kompanya, I still had trouble with the minor losses.

Nakaharap si Ami sa akin ngayon habang nakakunot naman ang noo ko sa kakatingin sa update ng income statement at balance sheet.

"I'd invest."

"You sure?"

Ilang araw na akong kinukulit ni Ami na mag-iinvest siya sa kompanya. I didn't take it seriously because I thought she was only bluffing. Nakalimutan kong pareho nga pala kami ng kinuhang kurso. Ibang career nga lang ang tinahak niya.

"Yeah. Besides, I think it's good na mabalik kahit paano ang nalalaman ko sa designing. Dagdag investment na rin, kahit na hindi masyadong malaki ang magiging ambag ko."

After graduation, hindi nagtrabaho si Ami agad. She rested for quite some time and only did home-based online selling. Her parents at first never understood her life decisions. But I did. Because I felt what she was seeking for when I also sought after it before her.   

I was also very confused. I didn't know what to do with life. Pagala-gala lang ako. Umaayon lang sa takbo ng mundo at buhay. That was the darkest phase I had to go through.

Happiness and contentment are two things that aren't easy to find. We keep looking at the wrong places, not realizing that those come from within.

"Okay. Thank you, Ami. We'll talk about this once na maayos na ang lahat ng papeles ng pag-transfer ng headquarters."

Of course, I was forced to cut off the number of employees. It was a hard thing to do. But I have to.

Warmth enveloped me when Chaos came and hugged me from the back. It was soothing and freeing, despite being caged in his arms.

But I wouldn't mind.

Masyado akong napagod kakaisip sa kompanya nitong mga nakaraang araw. And he's the rest I needed.

"Ano'ng iniisip mo?" malambing ang kanyang boses.

"Wala."

"Gusto kong malaman ang nasa isip mo. Paano ba yan?"

He kissed my hair.

"I just... think that maybe Tita would not like me."

Napagdesisyunan naming pumunta sa bahay nila sa Quezon. Matagal na pala silang lumipat mula sa San Nicolas. Only Chaos remained. Paminsan-minsan na lang sila Tito at Tita bumisita kasama si Trinity na ngayon ay nasa ikaanim na baitang na.

I realized how time flew so fast. Ni hindi ko na napansin ang mga pagbabago sa paligid. Nasanay ako sa araw-araw kong nakikita na halos walang pinagkaiba sa kahapon at sa bukas.

"Magugustuhan ka nila. Kung hindi man, wala rin naman silang magagawa."

His hug tightened.

"There are movies and books na binabayaran ng nanay ang babae—"

"Tipid naman si Mama. Kaya malabo 'yan," tumawa siya.

It's early in the morning. And we're watching the sunrise together in his condo. Nagkasundo kaming dito na lang magkita sa unit niya para dire-diretso na kami tungong Quezon mamayang alas diyes.

It reminded me of the sunrise we loved to watch during my birthdays. I remember the first time he gave me that present, which was in El Hogar. And that was the most beautiful present I ever received.

"You promised to take me to different buildings in Escolta, Chaos."

"Hindi mo pa birthday. Masyado kang madaya," aniya.