Arctic Heart [#Wattys2018 Winner]

Chapter 6

Muli ko na namang naramdaman ang pagkirot ng aking batang puso.

Mula pagkabata ay ganitong-ganito na ang pinaparamdam sa akin ni Jace sa kabila ng pagmamahal at adorasyon na ipinapakita ko sa kanya, kaya hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi pa ako nasanay ngayon. Siguro dahil hindi na lang 'to basta masasakit na salita galing sa kanya kundi alam kong may totoong kompitensya na.

The thing is... even if I'm willing to go all out against that competition, I would still lose because from the start, I know that this is a losing battle.

I was just really stubborn to continue chasing him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ba kasi hindi pa ako napapagod sa kakahabol sa kanya. Sa ngayon ay hinahantay ko na lang ang puntong iyon para tuluyan na akong tumigil sa pagtakbo at hayaan na siyang mauna kung saan talaga siya nararapat mapunta.

"Are jealous with Engr. Horan?"

Nabigla naman ako sa tanong ni Bench na siyang nagpabalik sa akin sa realidad.

Sa tingin ko'y napakagaling ko talagang umarte dahil natural ang naging pag-iling at pagngiti ko.

Zarina Cashe Rivadelo, best actress! Someone should give me a damn award for acting like a veteran.

"Then what's with the sudden expression?" he curiously asked.

"Napaisip lang ako nang dahil sa sinabi mo..." panimula ko. "I was just thinking if it was a right decision to let Jace be the Architect for this project. May ganoong hidden power pala siya."

Natawa naman si Bench. "I told you, Za, rumor," paglilinaw niya. "Jace is very capable."

Yes, he is. He is very capable of breaking my heart without even moving a finger. His stare can even cut my heart into two and make it bleed.

Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako at saka binalikan ng tingin ang menu. Bahala na silang dalawa! Kakain na lang ako!

"By the way, I'll pay for our lunch today," Bench told me.

"Ha? No. It should be my treat," agad kong pagtanggi.

"Come on, Zarina..." he tried to persuade me. "This is the first time I was given a privilege to eat alone with you. Let me pay."

"Pero kasi, Bench―"

"Zarina, please..." he stopped me from countering him.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Kung iyan ang gusto niya. SIge! Hindi na ako tatanggi. Libre pala, e.

I discussed with Bench a brief background of our company―its vision and mission. I also shared to him my goal and what kind of changes I wanted to be done in our company as the next President of the company.

"I really think that your themed waterpark will be a great step for your first project," he told me while staring at me with full adoration in his eyes. "Thinking that this will be just your first step... I want to see what kind of projects you have under your sleeves for the future."

"I have no plans yet..." pinangunahan ko na siya. "Sa ngayon ay gusto ko munang magfocus sa isa."

"It's a good thing that you're focused and driven." He kept on nodding.

Bigla naman akong napalingon sa waiter na dumating at dala nito ang aming pagkain. Tahimik naman akong napalunok habang tinitingnan ang putaheng inorder ko. Hindi pa man natatapos ang waiter sa paglapag ay sinimulan ko nang kainin ang paborito kong white creamy pasta with lobster and extra melted cheese.

"Thank you." Si Bench na ang nagpasalamat sa waiter na nagdala ng pagkain namin.

My plate wasn't even half empty when my phone rang, displaying my secretary's name and number as the incoming caller.