Haywired

Chapter 17

The breeze turned colder and colder. Kanina pa ako nilalamig kahit may suot naman akong jacket.

He sighed and removed his scarf.

He put his scarf around my neck and he smiled weakly. "Isipin mo na ang gusto mong isipin, Ruth. I'm just concerned. And... I hope you enjoy Jai's company."

His last six words was laced with sarcasm.

Tinalikuran niya na ako at umalis. I wasn't able to utter a single word. Instead, I watched him walk away. Na-guilty ako dahil pinagalitan ko siya.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Tama ba talagang pinagalitan ko siya?

Napabuntong-hininga ako at pumasok na ako sa hotel at wala sa sariling  pumasok sa lift. Napahilamos ako ng mukha.

Naramdaman ba ni Luke ang naramdaman ko noon? It was really pretty childish. Naiintindihan ko na rin ang inis ni Lucas noong nagpahiya-hiya ako sa birthday ni Rio.

We may have different traits as best of friends. Kaye loves fashion. Luke is dedicated to business. I pursue architecture. Ngunit, isang ugali ang magkapareho kami. We're all impulsive and driven by sensibility.

Napadpad ako sa harap nang kwarto ni Jai. Nagdadalawang-isip kong kinatok ng tatlong beses ang pinto.

"Jai, are you there?"

Ilang segundo ay bumukas ang pinto.

"Ruth, magpahinga ka na. Maaga pa tayo bukas," namamaos niyang sinambit. Kalmado ang kanyang mukha. Though, he looks like he's undergoing distress.

"Sorry, Jai..." Napayuko ako sa hiya.

Pilit siyang ngumiti. "Wala 'yon, Ruth. Luke can be hot-tempered. I understand that he just cared for you so much. Rest now. Good night."

"Good night." I returned the smile.

Dahan-dahan niyang sinarado ang pinto. I waited for the click before proceeding to my room.

Naabutan ko si Architect Aqi, nag-iimpake.

"Architect..."

"Call me Aqi, Ruth," aniya.

"Aqi, aalis ka bukas?"

"Wala akong rasong manatili pa. Huling araw ko na 'to para sa LaVega," sagot niya.

"Bakit?"

"I decided to work somewhere else. Mas malaki ang opportunidad kaya sinunggaban ko na lang," aniya.

Kaya nang mag-umaga ay hinatid namin si Architect Aqi sa airport. Jai looks even more stressed. Unang pagkakataon kong nakita siyang ganito ka tamlay.

Nagdesisyon kaming mag-almusal sa isang restaurant bago tumulak na para maglibot sa Milan.

Maraming mas engrande, sopistikada at magagandang disenyo at arkitekto pa akong nakita maliban sa pinuntahan naming Golden Quadrilateral at Doumo di Milano. We visited some historic place and museums too. The designs were really impressive but I just can't imagine it to be the design of FestiveParade.