Always You

40

The night of the annual event has come. Isa rin ito sa pinakamalaking event ng kumpanya, kaya lahat ng empleyado ay naging busy sa paghahanda. First time ko rin makadalo sa ganitong event, at mas lalong kinabahan ako dahil ipapakilala ako sa ibang kumpanya.
Mabuti na lang din at naihanda na itong event bago pa ako dumating dito. Kaya naman, kaunting revision lang ang kinailangan sa program.

I got a call from Zeke at sabi niyang paakyat na siya sa unit ko. I immediately grabbed my clutch bag and went to the shoe cabinet near the door when I heard the doorbell rang.
Binuksan ko iyon at nagulat ako nang makita ko si dad.

Hindi ko inaasahan ang pagdating niya. Ito ang pangatlong beses na nagkita kami, noon sa burol at libing ni Miggy at ngayon.

“Can I come in?”, he asked.

Pinapasok ko siya sa loob ng unit at umupo siya sa couch. He eyed on me from head to toe, and told me to sit down.

Hindi ko alam ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. I was just lost for words. His aura still intimidates me. Gaya pa rin ng dati.

"Kamusta ka na?", panimula niya.

“I’m okay, dad.”

His eyes roam around the whole unit and asked me if this condo is okay.
Nakita niya siguro na wala ako masyadong gamit.

“Si Iggy?”

“He’s already in high school, and is doing well in class”, matipid kong sagot.

I heard him sighed.

“Ang mommy ninyo?”

I was surprised to hear that from him, but I told him that mom’s okay.

“Anyway, hindi naman ako magtatagal. I’m just here to congratulate you.”

Inangat ko ang tingin sa kanya. I don't want to stutter when answering him. Pero hindi ko rin kayang sumagot. Masyadong kalkulado ni dad ang mga kilos ko.

“Susunduin ka ni Zeke?”, he suddenly asked when he figured out that I couldn't answer him. Nagulat ako sa tanong niya.

“Y-yes d-dad,” I answered nervously.

Nagtaka ako. Bakit alam niya?
His deep sigh boggled me. Hindi ko kayang tingnan ang mga mata niya.

“I know what's happening between the two of you.”

He looked at me with a heavy heart.

“Pag-isipan mong mabuti ang gagawin mo, Andrea. I don’t want you to regret things in the future”, he looked at me intently.

Yumuko na lang ako at hindi na nagsalita pa.

“Well, see you at the party.”

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Dad’s going to be at the event? Kaya pala naka-formal attire siya ngayon?

He stood up and went to the door. Nang binuksan niya iyon, tumambad sa amin si Zeke, na nakatayo lang din. He greeted my dad, but dad just ignored him.

***

Malapit na kami sa hotel at mas lalo akong kinabahan. Napansin ni Zeke na kanina pa ako hindi mapakali. I couldn’t get over about dad at sa malamig na pag-uusap namin kanina.

“Are you okay?”, he asked.

I stiffened when he popped the question all of a sudden.

“Yes, I’m okay”, I answered with a fake smile.

“What did your dad tell you?”, bigla niyang tinanong.

I cleared my throat and swallowed hard.

“Isa pala siya sa mga affliated din sa Polaris”, I replied. “Hindi ko alam.”

“Your dad’s a businessman. Halos lahat ng associates ng company ay kaibigan niya.”

Hindi ko na siya sinagot. I looked at the window at nakita kong papasok na kami sa driveway papunta sa hotel.

“Your dress is too revealing. I don’t like it”, he suddenly said.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Ano naman ang revealing dito? Maganda na man ako ah?

I am now wearing a black body hugging dress. Hindi na man siya backless, kaya lang deep V-cut ang style nito sa harapan. Mas lalo akong pumuti sa kulay ng damit ko.

“Hindi naman. Sexy nga ako dito eh”, pabiro kong sabi.

I chuckled when I saw him staring at me angrily.

“I’m gonna rip that dress and punish you later”, he whispered.

“What punishment?”, I teased.

“Oh babe, just wait and see”, he whispered.

Natawa na lang ako sa kanya. Alam ko kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinalikan ito.

“Don’t worry. Hindi ako aalis sa tabi mo.”

Zeke’s words of assurance always give me a relief. I always feel safe whenever I’m with him. But this time, mukhang ayaw ko muna siya sa tabi ko, lalo na at nandito sa event si dad.

When we got out from the car, flashes of camera lights left me blinded. There were so many people especially from the press. Cameras were everywhere at bigla akong kinabahan ng husto. I remained stoic for a few seconds. It’s like the world is focused on me. But what made me more anxious was how they looked at my hand interlocked with Zeke’s hand.