Escaping Strings

Chapter 9: Gone

“Well, nagpaalam muna ako sa kanila para maasikaso ko kayong mga dalaga. It's just four o'clock, you're the one who should be resting. Come, I'll take you to your suite,” she said.

Nakakabilib lang talaga ang mga employees naming katulad niya, willing to sacrifice her time just to do her job done.

“You don't have to do that, Mrs. Granada, we're fine here. Besides, mas kailangan ka nila. Nothing to worry about us, matatanda na po kami,” I laughed as we walked inside the lift.

She smiles, “Kayo talagang magkapatid at magkakaibigan... napakabait niyo. Kaya mahal na mahal ko kayo eh, pati ako, inaalala niyo.”

“Mrs. Granada, teenagers pa lang kami ay nandito na kayo,” I hugged her on the side. “Dapat lang na alagaan ka namin tulad nang ginagawa niyo noon sa amin everytime na magbabakasyon kami rito,” I said and she smiled tearfully.

“Tama na nga ito at naiiyak na ako.” We chuckled as we stepped out of the elevator.

“Here's your suite while Miss Iris, Diane, and Cara's room are just beside and in front of yours. Here, get in,” she handed me the key card.

“Thanks, Mrs. Granada. Good mornight!” I bid good bye as I walk in.

Pagpasok ko ng kuwarto ay bumagsak agad ako sa kama.

“Hay! Ang sakit ng ulo ko.”

Nakakapagod.

I woke up not by the alarm but the voices, eerie voices and big knocks on my door.

“Wait up!” I shouted yet they didn't stop.

Ano ba? Tsk.

“Argh! It's too early to be disturbed by the three of you!” I said as I opened the door seeing them.

“Early? For your information, it's 12:00 noon, Miss Martina. Unless, you're clueless,” Cara said with sarcasm and they all chuckled.

Twelve? Tsk.

“Yeah, yeah. It's too early for you to play good times. Lemme zleep,” I sleepily said.

Pikit pa ang mata kong lumakad papuntang couch para mahiga. Sumunod naman 'yung tatlo.

“My gosh, mumsh! Don't you have a clock? A wristwatch? Even a phone will do. Look at the time,” Diane said.

“Forgot about this big day, my dear sister? I bet, Mr. Mondragon's waiting cold, down there.” What Iris said awakened my system.

“Shit!” Agad akong naligo at nagbihis.

Another day of being late! Wait, bakit parang ako lang ang busy at fully in demand sa aming apat? Nakakahalata na ako ah... Eh, kasi nga — Yeah, yeah, two week vacation — Whatever!

“Leggo!” I said as I grab all the possible documents needed. Hindi ko kasi alam kung about saan ba ang meeting. Hehe, sorry na, hindi ako na brief ni dad eh.

“Ang dami mo namang dala. About saan ba 'yang so called business meeting niyong 'yan?” Cara asked while laughing at the sight of me.

“I don't have an idea. I haven't talked to dad since I've arrived. Wala rin namang nabanggit si Ally.”

“And you didn't even asked? You're unbelievable!” napapailing na sagot ni Iris.

“Eh, ang sabi lang naman ni dad ay importante ito para sa future nating apat. Business meeting daw ito, pero hindi naman gan'on ka-formal. Just to nourish and strengthen the relationship of our company with those Mondragon's daw,” I said.

“Wow! Haba.”

“Quoted from dad,” I wink at Iris.

“Eh, bakit ang dami mong dalang documents?” tanong ni Diane.

Oo nga naman, bakit ang dami kong dala? Small talk lang naman yata, 'no? Ah! Ang gulo.

Tiningnan ko lang ang hawak kong papers, “Hayaan mo na para magmukha akong professional and super in demand chic. Excuse na rin kung ma-nose bleed man ako sa kaniya.” We all laugh.

The elevator opens at the restaurant located at the second floor of the hotel.

“Mrs. Granada,” Iris called her.

“You are so late! Kanina pa nag-aantay si Mr. Mondragon.”

“Where is he?” I asked.

“He's over there,” turo niya sa bandang terrace kung saan tanaw ang magandang tanawin sa Bohol. “Ihatid niyo muna siya at pupunta lang ako sa washroom.”

The four of us walk towards the direction Mrs. Granada taught.

“'Yun yata siya. In fairness ah, mukhang mabango,” sabi ni Diane.

I frown, “Nakita mo?” Nakikita na pala ang amoy.

Nakatalikod siya. Medyo lumapit ako pero bigla akong nagdadalawang isip. Bigla kasi akong kinabahan. First time maka-experience ng meeting? Hindi, parang may mali eh.

“Che!”

“Rampa na, mumsh!” tulak pa sa akin ni Iris kaya naman nasanggi ko ang upuan.

“Samahan niyo na lang kasi ako!” inis na bulong ko sa kanila.

Ang sasama nila, hindi man lang ako suportahan. Para tuloy kaming mga highschool students na takot magtanong sa prof..

“Kaya mo na 'yan, kain lang kami,” Cara said as they all walk away.

Ano ba 'yan!

“Hintayin niyo ko!” Napalakas yata ang pagkakasabi ko. Dang! I think he sees me. Ayoko na!

“Excuse—” the man spoke.

Nakakahiya, narinig ng bisita ang kaingayan ko. My God! Wala na akong mukhang maihaharap dito. Buti na lang at hindi pa talaga ako humaharap, puwede pa akong tumakas.

“Sabay-sabay na tayo!” sigaw ko saka tumakbo para sundan sila.

“Martina, what are you still doing here? You should be meeting the son of Mr. Franco Mondragon. I told you to go there,” salubong sa akin ni Mrs. Granada.

“Ah, puwede po bang si Iris na lang?” I asked like a terrified kid.

“I know him and he's so nice. Isa pa, your father asked me to guide you through this, not Iris. Let's go, I'll introduce you to him,” hila niya sa akin.

Huhu! Nakakahiya.... Late na nga ako tapos nag-ingay pa ako habang nagmo-moment siya sa terrace. Hindi pa ako nag-apologize, bad. Hindi ko pa nga siya nami-meet, dami ko nang kasalanan. Tsk, so bad talaga!

“Cr po muna ako,” excuse ko sa kaniya pero hindi effective.

“If you're just trying to escape, you can't. You've cause enough delays. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll love him. Give me that,” her ceremony before she get all the papers I am holding. She look into the man staring out of nowhere.

“Mr. Mondragon, she's here.”

Oh, my goodness! Love agad? Ano ba 'to? Business meeting, 'di ba? Bakit may pa-love-love na agad? Impression of personality lang 'yon, gaga. Argh! Teka, teka... si ano ba 'to?

“I really have to go.” Kailangan ko muna talagang mag-cr.

“Miss Ma—” Tumalikod na ako na siya namang harap noong Mondragon na sinasabi niya.

“Wait, is that....” Shit! Nakita niya na ako eh, nakita niya na ang mukha ko!

I pull out a deep breath before I decided to face him. Fine, wala naman na akong magagawa eh.

“Hi,” sabi ko nang magkaroon na ako ng lakas ng loob na harapin siya.

And I confirmed it with both my eyes. Okay, puwede na akong mamatay.