Changing for Sander

Chapter 9

"I knew it, you're here!"

Ni hindi na kinailangan ni Gayle ang mag-angat ng tingin upang malaman kung sino 'yon. It's no other than Stefano.

"I'm not going." Inunahan niya na ito. She heard him groaned but still didn't bother on looking at him.

"What? It's my birthday! You should be there! Come on."

Umiling siya. Pinagpatuloy ang pagtitipa sa computer. "Para pagselosan na naman ako nang kung sino man ang kalandian mo ngayon? 'Wag na lang. I have a lot of things to do."

Totoo naman 'yon. Pinagpahinga niya lamang ang Lolo pagkauwi nito saka niya sinabing tinatanggap niya na ang inaalok nitong training para i-manage ang hotel.

Hindi niya naman aakuin ang lahat ng responsibilidad at aangkinin ang kabuuan noon pero gusto niya nang tumulong para lalo itong mapalago. She also knew she made her grandfather proud by taking the initiative.

After what happened in the province, Gayle promised herself that she'll work to be a better woman. She wanted to be worthy of Sander. She wanted to change because she believes that what she felt for him was really true, and, she believes that when you love someone it will push you to be the better version of yourself.

It's him who she still thinks about every night, well, to be honest, in every waking minute of her life. 'Di na baling hindi siya nito gusto. O, kung talaga namang nakipaglaro lamang ito sa kaniya. Hindi niya rin naman masisisi ang lalaki kung inisip nito 'yon.

Contrary to what she thought, she doesn't feel bored on her white themed office with touch of light pink and pastel blue. Okay, medyo hindi totoo 'yon, she doesn't really think she belongs to the corporate world but it seems a little more bearable now because of her inspiration.

Besides, she designed her own office. She loved it. The light hues and the minimalist design calmed and comforted her. Medyo nawi-weirduhan nga lang ang mga taong pumapasok o nakapasok na roon ngunit nasanay rin naman ang mga ito.

"They won't get jealous," anito, umupo na sa upuan na nasa harapan ng office table niya. "Alam naman nila ang namamagitan talaga sa'min."

Inirolyo niya ang mata saka ito hinarap. Pumangalumbaba siya. Gamit ang isang kamay, tinutukan pa ito ng ballpen.

"Ikaw, ikaw, sabi ko sa'yo magtino ka na. Ayaw kong magaya ka sa'kin na kapag dumating na ang babaeng mamahalin mo talaga ay magsisisi ka sa mga pinaggagagawa mo dahil mararamdaman mong hindi ka karapat-dapat sa kanya."

Pumalatak ito. "Ang taong para sa'yo, hindi ipaparamdam 'yan."

Nabura ang nangangaral n'yang mukha at napalitan nang pagka-blangko. Mabilis naman itong nahalata ni Stefano. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"It's okay."

"Gayle, sorry..."

Huminga siya ng malalim at doon ito hinarap. Binigyan niya ito ng maliit na ngiti. Mapait 'yon. Nag-kibit balikat siya.

"Totoo naman, eh." Buntong-hininga. "Baka nga hindi talaga siya para sa'kin. He didn't even like me. I bet he didn't even really look at me."

"Gayle," ito naman ang nangangaral ang tono. "Stop that, okay? That's not you. You're belittling yourself just because of a man. That's not you. Don't be like that."