Seven Minutes In Heaven (COMPLETE)

Chapter Four -- The Offer

Matilda found herself sitting in the sofa in front of Jude Castillo, who chose to remain standing. She was about to stand up but he gestured a hand, telling her she should remain seated.

Tiningala ni Matilda ang lalaki. Nagtaka siya kung ilang taon na kaya ito dahil wala pang bakas ng pagtanda sa hitsura nito. Nung sinabi sa kanya ni Hermes na si Jude Castillo ang kakausap sa kanya, umasa siya na kasama nito Efren. How she missed Efren. Gusto na niya ito makita. But for now, her first guest was his elder brother.

Jude got the aura of their father, Jose Castillo. Kapag nakatayo ito sa harapan ng isang tao, damang-dama nito na ma-awtoridad ang lalaki. Para siyang isang makapangyarihang hari na dapat mong luhuran at pagsilbihan. Hindi pwedeng hindi ka susunod sa mga ipapagawa nito sa iyo.

On the other hand, Efren got their mother's aura, Roxanne Castillo-- quiet yet deadly. Nung teenagers pa sila, puno ng buhay si Efren at nararamdaman ng mga taong kasama nito ang kapanatagan at kapayapaan. Pero lingid sa kaalaman ni Matilda na nag-iba na iyon.

Pinasadahan siya ng tingin ni Jude. Tumango-tango ito bago nagsalita.
"Nice to meet you, Matilda. Finally. So kamusta ang pagbabalik bansa?"

She chose to calculate her words before she replied. "Mabuti naman. Medyo nakakapagod nga lang."

"I think you have a guess why I am here talking to you," he crossed his arms and looked down to her.

"Dahil kay Efren?"

He chuckled. "Exactly. Si Efren lang naman ang common denominator natin."

"Does he want to see me? I honestly feel the same too if that is the case."

Jude admired the hopefulness in her tone but he just grinned. He knew his brother was drinking because of Matilda, a sign that she was just hurting him.

"I don't know," the devil began lying, "hindi pa yata niya alam na nakauwi ka na."

"I am planning to surprise him," she smiled. Tumayo na si Matilda at hindi na iyon napigilan pa ni Jude. "I have a lot of things to say, to explain."

"That's what I thought. At sa palagay ko, it will be better if he sees you. Kaya ako nandito, Matilda... I want to bring you two together."

That's suspicious, napatitig si Matilda sa mukha nito, sinubukan niya na basahin kung ano ang emosyon sa mga mata nito.

"Why, all of a sudden, you want us to be together?" she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Let's just say, I want to make my brother happy. He's been such a pain in the ass for six years. Will you help me, Matilda?" he offered her a handshake.

Hindi muna iyon tinanggap ni Matilda. "What kind of help? I want to know. Kasi kung hindi naman necessary, I won't do that. At saka plano ko naman talaga magpakita kay Efren."

"I want to offer you a job in our company. I know that's just a small step to bring you close to Efren, but that is the least obvious way na matutulungan kita."

"Why do I have to work in your company? I can simply go to Efren and talk to him."

Tinawanan lang siya ng bahagya ni Jude. He placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear.

"Believe me, Matilda. Hindi ganoon kadali ang gusto mong gawin."

He checked his wristwatch at pinagpatuloy ang sinasabi nito. "Think about my offer. You are a Tourism grad sabi ng Kuya Hermes mo. I have a cruise liner company, mapapasok kita doon. You will be able to work with Efren there. That's a good opportunity para makausap mo siya."