He mentioned Austin's name, his best friend. Biglang lumambot ang puso ko at naging masaya para sakaniya. I can't believe they amend their friendship after what happened.
"May pupuntahan ka pa ata, we can end this para makahabol ka." sabi ko pagkababa niya ng tawag
"He knows I won't go."
"But they are your friends, marami pa namang oras para humabol ka." sabi ko sabay tingin sa orasan
"Then I will lead you home, tell your driver that he's done for today." ngumiwi ako at sinadya kong ipakita iyon sakaniya at ngumisi lang siya
"May pupuntahan pa ako."
"Where?"
Dapat ko bang sabihin na pupunta akong Bulacan? May lakad siya so kapag sinabi kong may pupuntahan pa ako ay baka hindi na niya ako ihahatid at pupuntahan na lang niya ang mga kaibigan niya.
"Our factory in Bulacan, may bagong warehouse doon na kailan kong icheck."
"Then I will accompany you, tell your driver that I am the one who will drive you there." ang ngiti ko para sa inaasahang sagot niya ay naglaho
"You don't need to, Mr. Johansson." naging pormal na ang boses ko. I came to this dinner because of business and here I am dealing with my past who doesn't intend to discuss any business related subject to me!
"I want to do it. Just... let me, okay?" he said with finality that even I can't go against it.
Ganoon nga ang nangyari, tahimik kami sa kahabaan ng kalsada ng NLEX at nang nasa tollgate na ay tumitig siya sa akin bago tumikhim. Like something is bothering him.
"Where's Tito Adam?"
"They're all in London." Inaasahan ko na ang sagot niya pero nagulat padin ako. Means he's living alone here?
"For how long?"
"Two years? But they usually go on vacation here."
"So you're the only one managing Johansson Group?"
"I have trusted directors and managers, Tiara." Tumango ako kahit na madami paring katanungan sa utak ko. How did he manage to live here alone? And did he start working even if he's undergrad?
Of course, bata palang siya ay sinasama na siya ni Tito Adam sa mga trips niya. Dahilan kung bakit sobrang business minded niya at lahat ng ginagawa niya ay maganda ang resulta because he's been trained to do that.
Tinitigan ko siya habang busy siya sa pagmamaneho, it's dark outside kaya tanging mga pulang ilaw galing sa likod ng mga sasakyan sa harap at streetlights ang nagbibigay liwanan sa mukha niya.
I was so curious about his feelings when he was a child. Ang sabi niya ay ayos lang naman at naging masaya siya sa maagang pagkamulat sa kumpanya nila but I wonder if he secretly wished to have a normal life and experience events that no one will dictate or stop him.
But here he is now, successful and damn wealthy, there is no reason for him to worry and be sad but every time I look to his eyes I see sorrow and loneliness.
Ang kamay kong nakapatong sa aking hita ay unti-unting pinapalibutan ng malaki at mainit na kamay ni Johansson. Tinignan ko iyon at tumitig sakaniya.
He's driving seriously but his hand were playing with mine. Biglang uminit ang puso ko, I miss him alright. I miss his presence. I miss his care. I miss his coldness. I miss his smile.
Pinalibutan ko ang kamay niya gamit ang dalawang kamay ko at hinimas iyon. I notice how hard and rough his hand is because of work. Unti-unti kong inangat iyon patungo sa mukha ko, he caressed my cheeks with his hand at napapikit ako. I love him, I still love him so much that it hurts.
Kabanata 48
Magsimula sa umpisa
