Aki's POV
It was a great conversation with my mother. She told me everything and gave me clues. Tinanong n'ya ako kung ano ang mga gusto ni Avlaire and I answered her and because of that, we came up to a plan.
"What about in the south? Or North? No. Maybe in West since it's colder and—", mabilis na tanong ko na pinigilan naman ni Kiel.
"Chill, bro! Chill. Pwedeng kung saan malapit nalang? It's not that hard.", napipikon na n'yang sabi at bumuntong hininga naman ako. I understand his frustration but the pressure in proposing is something unexplainable.
Umupo muna ako sa office chair ko before kong buksan ang magazines and brochures na binigay sakin ni Mila. She gave me some suggestions and lahat naman ay magaganda. I'm thinking of a place na tahimik and will really reflect Avlaire's uniqueness.
"Why not just do it in a restaurant?", pagod na tanong ni Kiel.
I rolled my eyes in the air. "Proposing is not that easy, little guy."
Ginaya naman n'ya ang sinabi ko nang may pang-aasar. "Whatever.", sabi nalang n'ya at tumingin sa kung saan. He's been like this ever since na pumunta s'ya dito. He is not cooperating ang somehow, pinipigilan n'ya ang mga plano ko. I asked him why but he insisted na bigyan ako ng malalabong sagot.
While everything is happening, I am still working on my company and I admit na hindi pa din ganoong nasosolusyunan ang lahat. I don't know why pero mas gusto kong unahin na masuutan ng singsing si Avlaire kaysa ang mabawi ang tanyag ng kompanya.
"Why not just focus on work then.. propose later?", Kiel asked and somehow we're thinking the same thing pero iba ang plano ko.
Umiling ako sa kanya at inirapan naman n'ya ako. "Mawawala na 'yang mata mo kakairap. What is wrong with you?"
Hindi naman s'ya sumagot at nagbukas nalang din ng magazine. My mom will see us next time since she's doing something that is important daw. After talking with my mom yesterday, binisita ko naman ang mother ni Avlaire and she's really happy about us. Excited din s'ya like any other mom pero same with me, hindi n'ya rin makausap si Avlaire. I tried to call her so many times but her phone is either busy or off.
Her secretary called earlier and sabi na mamaya, Avlaire is available to talk to kahit saglit lang kaya naman I am immediately finding a place para masabi agad sa kanya. After an hour of finding a place, I found the perfect one.
"This.. This is want I'm looking for.", bulong ko.
I immediately used my computer and sinearch ang lugar. I contacted them and some planners, I told them what I need, what the place should look like, and ang kakainin namin. I planned it perfectly.
"Don't overdo it.", biglang sabi ni Kiel matapos ang kalahating oras na pinapanood lang n'ya akong kumausap ng tao. I looked at him and he's seriously looking at me kaya naman tumango lang ako.
"I know.", simple kong sagot but I know na what I did is almost exaggerating.
After that afternoon, everything is now settled. Umuwi na rin si Kiel at lahat na ng papel ay nakatabi. Hapon na at kakatapos ko lang pumirma ng iilang papeles at magsecure ng meetings. I am now resting sa chair ko while waiting for the right time to call Avlaire. For 30 minutes, nakatingin lang ako sa phone and I'm waiting for another 10 para matawagan s'ya. I'm thinking of all the things I wanted to say to her but I don't know kung bakit ako kinakabahan. As far as I can remember, madali lang mag-ask ng date pero bakit ngayon something felt so.. different?
Nang dumating na ang 5 PM, I dialed Avlaire's number and ilang rings muna bago s'ya sumagot.
"Akio..", bungad sa'kin ni Avlaire. Mahinang tawag lang 'yon at mararamdaman ang pagod sa boses n'ya pero walang nagbago, kung paano ko marinig ang pangalan ko sa mga labi n'ya, kung anong lambing no'n at bigkas, ganoon pa din, walang katulad.
Napapikit naman ako at inisip ang muka n'ya. "I missed you..", hindi ko inakalang lalabas 'yon sa mga labi ko dahil ang gusto ko lang ay makamusta s'ya at hindi n'ya maramdamang gustong gusto ko na s'yang makita.
"Mhmm.", pagsang-ayon naman ni Avlaire na ipinagtaka ko. "Kumusta?", kaswal na tanong n'ya at bumuntong hininta naman ako.
"As usual, I'm busy and.. yeah. How about you?", kaswal na tanong ko at pinapakiramdaman ang nasa kabilang linyang kausap ko. I am expecting her to be jolly and asked me a lot of questions but it seems like.. something changed.
Avlaire didn't answer for a long time. "Well, same as you. Busy from here and there.", maikling sagot n'ya at hindi ko naman alam ang isasagot.
"Kailan ka available? Let's have a date.", masigla kong sabi and hoping that it will save our conversation at least. She didn't react in any way but still answer me.
"Sure, just send me where and when. I'll come.", kaswal na sabi n'ya at parang kumakausap lang s'ya ng kliyente. I didn't answer immediately and think of something else.
"Are you eating enough?", malambing kong tanong.
"Yeah..", mahinang sagot n'ya pero sapat na para marinig ko.
I don't know what's happening but as long as she will come to our date, I guess everything will be alright. Maybe she's just tired.
"Alright.. I'll text you later.", mahinahon kong sabi at hinintay ang sagot n'ya pero mukang wala na s'yang sasabihin kaya naman nagpaalam na ako. "Bye, love. I love you.", mahina at mabagal kong sabi at hinintay ang mga sagot n'ya pero wala man lang kahit na anong ingay akong narinig.
Naghintay pa ako ng ilang minuto at nang subukan kong patayin na ay narinig ko ang malungkot n'yang tinig.
"Bye, Aki."
