Stonehearts 2: Amethyst

Twelve

Now that daddy's gone for a week, I suddenly felt more alone. Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya ang mga nangyayari but I don't want to ruin their perfect get-away in Palawan. I know as soon as he hears me crying, uuwi siya ng walang alinlangan. Anim na araw pa ang titiisin ko bago ko maikwento sa kanya ang lahat ng nangyari.

I looked at my reflection before I started to put my lipstick on, thoughts about Cynthia and Chance started to crowd my mind.

What did he saw in Cynthia? Money? Opportunity? The young and beautiful Cynthia was just an extra for his true purpose. Nasabi na kaya niya ang totoo niyang balak?

I shook my head to wash away those thoughts. It's not my problem, I shouldn't be thinking about it. Hindi ko na dapat sila pinapakialaman.

Pagkarating ko sa opisina, may bouquet ng bulaklak na nakapatong sa mesa ko. Hope flooded me, thinking it was Chancellor who delivered the flowers. But I frowned when I saw the tiny note attached to it.

"I would regain my place in your heart Amy. Even if it means begging and crawling my way back to you. Love you still  – Cael"

Napabuntong-hininga ako saka ako napaupo. Napahilot ako sa sentido ko habang iniisip kung alin nga ba ang uunahin ko. I have too many things to work on.

First, paano ako makakamove on sa taong hindi naman naging akin.

Second, paano ko papatigilin 'tong ex ko sa paghabol sa akin.

Third, paano ko sasabihin sa tatay ko itong nangyayari na hindi siya nagpa-panic.

Fourth, paano ko sasagipin ang puso ko.

I should know the answer to these questions. Pinagaralan ko ito. I've been doing this since then. Alam ko dapat ito. Pero bakit ganoon? Bakit kapag dating sa sarili ko hindi ko na alam ang gagawin?

I went to see some clients and busied myself all day just so I wouldn't have the luxury to think about my towering problems.

I decided to go home at seven in the evening. Wala namang naghihintay sa akin ngayon sa bahay kaya okay lang kahit anong oras ako umuwi.

Tahimik at mabagal akong nagmamaneho ng biglang bumaba ang kabilang parte ng sasakyan ko kasabay ng biglang liko nito sa kanang bahagi ng kalsada. Buti na lang mabagal ang takbo ko at wala akong gaanong kasalubong na sasakyan.

I immediately got out, breathing rather heavily because of my near death experience. I hurriedly checked the problem, na-flat-an pala ako ng gulong sa parte ng passenger seat.

Napahapo ako sa noo ko. Ngayon pa talaga mangyayari sa akin ito. Malas na nga ako simula kahapon, madadagdagan pa, tapos hindi pa ako marunong magpalit ng gulong.

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko para tignan kung sino ang pwedeng matawagan para sumaklolo sa'kin. I was skimming through my contacts, hanggang sa wala akong choice kundi si Cael ang tawagin. He's near this area, ang condo niya nasa 'di kalayuan. I inhaled deeply before I dialled his cell.

"Hello, Amy?" He answered instantaneously.

"Cael, sorry to bother you. But I need help. Na-flat-an kasi ako, you know that I don't know how to change tires. And apparently, I'm at the street near your condo. Is it okay kung tutulungan mo ako?"

I heard him rustling through the receiver as he spoke. "Oo naman. Papunta ako. Where are you exactly?"

"Umm....near the Acacia, in front of CBTL. Thank you Cael." Sagot ko bago ko binaba ang linya.

Sumandal ako sa hood ng sasakyan ko habang naghihintay sa kanya. Five minutes lang ako naghintay bago ko naaninag si Cael na tumatakbo papalapit sa akin. He even crossed the street kahit naka-go pa ang stop light.