Bits of Chemistry | ✓

kabanata 40

Kabanata 40

Halos mapugto ang hininga ko nang matapos ang presentation. I was too numb because of the criticisms stated by the members of the board. Alam ko naman na may duda sila sa akin dahil hindi ako kasali sa mismong pagbuo nila ng mga plano. The last strike was probably cause by me because now they will really conclude that Mareena is incompetent to lead. Hindi nito kaya panindigan ang posisyon na gusto n'ya at umaasa pa sa iba upang bumango ang kan'yang pangalan.

Napahilig ako sa pader nang wala sa oras. Nahihilo dahil sa pagod at sa mga iniisip. I really can't handle this, kailangan ko itong ipasa sa mas professional at mas marunong sa business. Tama naman ang mga sinabi sa akin kanina na wala ako sa posisyon upang pagsabihan sila. My shares are not even mine anymore.

Narinig ko ang mga hakbang na patungo sa direksyon ko. Etienne was looking over his expensive watch and didn't even bother looking at me. Matulin ang direksyon ng kan'yang paglalakad.

"E-Etienne," I called him in a low voice.

Hindi n'ya ako nilingon kaya naman kumirot ang dibdib ko. I feel my heart being constricted to nothingness. Agad kong pinunasan ang mga mata ko upang matanggal ang bahid ng kahit anong luha.

"Etienne," I followed his lead. Hindi pa rin n'ya inaangat ang tingin n'ya sa akin.

"May sasabihin lang ako."

He didn't respond and his feetfalls were slowly speeding up. Adrenaline filled my veins as I concluded that I might lose my chance of talking to him.

Hinawakan ko siya sa braso kaya naman wala siyang nagawa kundi lumingon sa akin. His stare was too cold and it made me shiver, as if I was in an iceberg myself.

Napalunok ako. "P'wede ba tayong mag-usap?"

"Paano kung ayoko?" Binawi n'ya sa akin ang kan'yang braso. He smirked. "Never thought the day that the great Solstice will chase me. Bakit kaya? Nagsawa ka na kay Caer? Is that it?"

"Why do you always have to bring Caer in the discussion?" iritadong tanong ko. "I want to talk about us."

"There's no us."

"Etienne," I gulped the lump on my throat. It felt like there was an entire desert on it. "Please, let's talk."

"I don't know why you had to come back, Solstice." Etienne uttered as he walked near me. "Hindi ka na nga hinanap, nagpapakita ka naman. Ano bang gusto mo?"

Wow.

That fucking stings.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" pamimilit ko. Unti-unting natatauhan na nagmumukha akong desperada.

Pero si Leven. . . Leven's only wish was to see him. Kahit sandali lang. Kahit silip lang. Bakit ba hindi ko siya mapagbigyan? It's only a glimpse. It won't take that long. Kahit ilang segundo lang siyang magpanggap na mahal n'ya rin si Leven ay tatanaw na ako ng utang na loob. I was that desperate to make my son happy.

Etienne's eyebrow quirked up. "I meant what I said. I can't believe I use to fucking love you. You should stay where you are. Away from this place. Away from the Reverios and the socialites. Away from me."

"S-sobra ka na," I sobbed quietly. "Kahit pakinggan mo lang ako, hindi naman sobrang hirap n'on e. Alam kong may di tayo pagkakaintindihan pero sobrang tagal na n'on, Etienne. Hanggang ngayon ba wala ka pa ring tiwala sa a-akin?"

Etienne glanced at me coldly. "I'm wasting time because of you. You should just go."

He turned to walk away from me but I held his arm once again. "K-kung mahal mo pa ako, please stay. . .Just please stay for a bit."