Behind the Barriers

23

When we had enough, umakyat na kami sa aming mga kwarto para magbihis at maghanda na makauwi.

Kung gaano katahimik ang biyahe namin papunta rito, ganoon naman kaingay pauwi. We talked a lot about the site, the project, and also about Mayumi's pregnancy.

"I got so busy. I don't have time to check my messages," sabi ko habang kumakain ng stick-O na binili niya.

"Sobrang hassle kapag buntis. Lalo na at papalapit na ang kasal nila."

"Well, my sister-in-law is also pregnant. Napansin ko kung gaano ka-stress si Kuya. Tinawagan ba naman ako in the middle of the night para maghanap ng durian candy."

Mahina siyang natawa. "Mayumi is very violent nowadays. She gets angry and annoyed easily. Kawawang Stephen."

"I promise to help her in the wedding preparations after I settle everything."

Pagdating namin sa Makati ay kaagad na akong dumiretso sa opisina. Nagpahatid lamang ako kay CJ kasi pinatawag na raw siya sa law firm nila. I ordered people to take my things back in the unit.

Pinuntahan ko si Kuya Sebastian sa opisina niya. I was surprised that Ate Irina was there, too. And she looked very annoyed. Still, ang ganda niya pa rin. Ugh! She looks like a goddess!

"Oh, nag-aaway ba kayo?" I asked. "Kasi kung nag-aaway kayo, I'll make my exit."

"No. Stay," si Kuya.

Ate Irina rolled her eyes. Bago sa akin na nagsusungit siya. Her baby bump is now visible. Lumapit siya sa akin at ngumiti.

"Pagsabihan mo nga 'yang Kuya mo! Nakakainis!"

I raised a brow and looked at Kuya. He was closing his eyes as he took a deep breath, finding a little bit of his patience.

"Anong nangyari?"

"Naku, gusto niya ba namang paiksihin pa itong buhok ko?!" ani Kuya.

"I already told you that it's too long!"

"Honey, what do you want me to do? Go bald?"

"I did not say anything about being bald. Jusko, Sebastian, it's only a simple request."

Naging abala na sila sa pagtatalo kaya naman hindi na nila namalayan ang pag-alis ko. I guess I'll just talk to Kuya later. Ate Irina is such a cutie with her pregnancy.

I was slowly putting things into the right places. Dinaluhan ng mga board members ang naging usapan tungkol sa housing project ng mga pamilyang naapektuhan ng project. They did not know about the protests and violence, but I am glad that it's all resolved.

Mas nagiging flexible na rin ako sa schedule ko at may panahon na akong makapag-spa.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"Do I have a free sched next week?" tanong ko kay Greg.

Tiningnan niya ang iPad at kinalikot iyon bago ako sagutin.

"Meron po. Mga 4 days."

"Ugh, perfect. I figured that we might go shopping. Wala kasi akong alam masyado tungkol sa mga bata."

"Bata po, Madame? Para saan? Para sa 'yo?"

"No!" kaagad kong sagot. "My gosh, Gregorio. Not for me. For a friend and for Ate Irina."

Mahina siyang natawa kaya naman sumimangot ako.

"Akala ko po sa inyo. We never know."

"Gregorio!"