Haywired

Chapter 11

Dinner

"Ruth!" Nagbeso sa akin si Kaye. Tinitigan niya ako. Ang kaninang ngiti ay napawi at tanging pagka-guilty na lang ang pinakita ng kanyang mga mata.

"I don't mean to change you for my sake. I encourage you to change for you. I hope you understand that," she said and smile apologetically.

I smiled reassuringly. "I partially understand na."

After I've checked out my wardrobe, I already realize that's she's right.

"I'm sorry. Sana sinabi mong hindi ka kumportable kina Diana at Saff..."

"I can't let you ditch your friends just for me. Naging childish ako, Kaye."

Naging childish talaga ako. Sinabi nga ni Lucas, di'ba? At first, mainit talaga ang ulo ko pero nahimasmasan din sa huli. I realized I've really became childish. Dala siguro ng frustration. I was too impulsive.

Ngumiti siya at tiningnan akong mabuti.

"Very good, Ruth. You finally wore the dress!" Masiglang puna ni Kaye.

I decided to finally wear the denim dress. Pinarisan ko ng sandals. I pulled my hair up in ponytail as usual. I even ventured in trying out some liptint and nude eye shadow.

"Nasaan si Rio?" Nagtataka kong tanong kay Kaye.

"Busy working," Kaye replied, nonchalantly.

Halos 'di sila mapaghiwalay tapos himalang napayagan siyang gumala ng mag-isa!

Maybe something's up between them. Minabuti ko na lang na huwag mangusisa.

Agaw pansin ang pagpasok namin sa isang restaurant. Not because of me obviously but because of Kaye. She's a head turner. Her hair swayed graciously, her Valentino clicking as she sashayed in this classy Italian restaurant. I'm sure maraming nakakakilala sa kanya. With just one fashion show, she was able to catch the interest of fashion enthusiasts, showbiz personalities, socialites and et cetera. Her career boomed. Mas lalo pa siyang naging kilala dahil engage siya sa isa sa mga business tycoon, no other than, Rio Alexander Salvaloza!

But, Kaye seems to be not aware of her popularity. A waitress led me in one of the tables. Lucas was the one who reserved in this place. He always has a good taste in everything.

"Good evening, guys," bati ni Kaye at nakipagbeso sa dalawang kalalakihan.

Jai was all smiles. I can't just give him a half-hearted smile. Pinaunlakan ko siya ng aking pinakamaaliwalas na ngiti.

I heard Lucas click his tongue. He looks so stern. Kung kanina nakangiti ako, ngayon napawi na 'yon.

Kahit pagngiti ko kay Jai pagseselosan niya? It would be rude of me to frown all the time.

Nag-order kami ng pagkain. Matapos ay nag-usap-usap kami.

"Ruth, certified Architect ka na. Napag-isipan mo na ba ang alok ko?" Jai wiggled his brows.

Lucas might have found it malicious. "Anong alok naman ang inalok mo, Jai?" His words were dripping with agitation and suspicions.

"Chill, man. Inalok ko lang siyang magtrabaho sa LaVega. That's all," Jai replied. I saw a glint of amusement in his eyes but it immediately faded. Hindi ko alam. Baka guni-guni ko lang 'yon?

"They have their own firm," Lucas stated coldly.

"She can work at two firms at the same time," Jai reasoned out. He, then, looked at me. "Hindi ka pa naman siguro ganoon ka-busy, Ruth?"

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako titingin at ano ang aking isasagot. I felt immobilize just knowing how intense Lucas looked at me. I swallowed hard before answering. "Y-yes. Baguhan pa naman ako."

Humalukipkip si Lucas at nagtaas ng isang kilay. His left brow arched perfectly that I find it feminish.

"No. Ruth will be busy most especially by Monday," Lucas told us.

Paano ako magiging busy sa Lunes? I might be busy dahil tuturuan pa ako ni Dad at Kuya Rave kung paano ang pasikot-sikot sa firm.

Nagpatuloy si Lucas sa pagsasalita. "I have already plan to expand Plazure to Pavia. I will hire Ruth to be the architect of my new mall. I'm also planning to build another in IBP."

Hindi maitago ni Kaye ang pagkamangha. "IBP? Would that mean, FestiveParade is approved?"

"Yes." Tumango si Lucas.

Natigilan ako. There are more impressive architects! Bakit siya aasa sa isang amateur?

"Teka-" Not that I'm protesting but...

"Ito na ang pinag-usapan noon pa, Ruth, di'ba? The moment you become a certified architect, I will hire you as my official architect," paalala ni Lucas.

That was some ambitious, childhood dream! Isang ambisyon ng isang bata na walang kamuwang-muwang sa realidad!

Hindi na ako makapagsalita parang may kung anong bumara sa lalamunan ko. Hindi ko rin naman alam kung ano'ng sasabihin ko sa kanya.

We agreed to make me as his architect but I never thought that it would really come to reality. Akala ko bahay niya lang ang ipapadisenyo niya sa'kin. Mall niya pala!

"Would that be convenient na magtrabaho siya sa'kin dahil sa'kin ka rin naman nagpapa-develop ng mga propedad mo," Jai spoke.

"No. Kung saan siya magtratrabaho, doon ako makikipagkontrata," may tutalidad ang pagkasaad ni Lucas.

Napatingin ako kay Lucas na sobrang seryoso. Ni hindi ko man lang alam kung naiinis ba siya, galit, nagseselos o sadyang seryoso.

He doesn't want me to work with Jai, obviously. Kaya nga pilit niyang sinasabi na may firm ang pamilya ko at hindi ko na kailangang magtrabaho pa sa LaVega. Tinambakan niya rin agad ako ng dalawang mabibigat na proyekto para mag pagkaabalahan ako at hindi na kami magkasama ni Jai. He does not even suggest that I could just sign in under Jairus's company!

Pero, wala siyang dapat ikaselos. I like Jai but not the way I like him. May pagkakaiba dun! Totoong ang mga tipo ni Jai ang gusto ko pero hindi naman lahat ng tipo ko nagiging big time crush ko.

Paano naman kung ako pala ang hinire niya ngayong may ibang firm akong pagtratrabahuhan? Paano sila magkikita ni Jai niyan?

Gusto ko siya pero wala naman akong pag-asa. He is my special friend. I want him to be happy. Kaya susuportahan ko siya. Kung gusto niya si Jai, susuportahan ko siya.

Wala naman akong pag-asa sa kanya kaya gusto ko masaya siya sa kung sinuman ang magugustuhan niya.

I gave a bitter smile. Sinasabi ko nga lahat ng 'yan. Alam kong wala akong pag-asa. Magiging masaya ako sa kung saan siya masaya. Susuportahan ko siya. Although, feeling bitterness inside is just inevitable, huh?

Hindi ko alam kung anong sumagi sa isip ko. "Actually, I plan to work under LaVega."

🏙