Close Your Eyes, Ciem

Chapter Twenty-Six

#CYECChapter26

"WHAT'S going on? Why are they together?" Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa nakita ko kanina. Halos kalahating oras nang nakalapag sa harapan ko 'yong iced coffee at croissant pero hindi ko pa rin nababawasan iyon.

"I was tailing Rysie for years, and all I could say is that she's not into Adam," Hope said, shrugging nonchalantly.

I raised a brow at him. "And why were you tailing her at the first place?"

"I just find it odd. The day she showed up in Briena town, I was sure as hell that I know her. She was really familiar to me. Then I remembered I saw her once in Vera City. And she was wearing a college uniform. And that was the same month she showed up in Briena town to work in a bookstore."

Nang sabihin niya iyon ay saglit akong napaisip. I clearly remember what she told me that day she showed up at the bookstore.

"Hello po! I'm Rysie. Galing po ako sa main branch ng Paria and nai-transfer po nila ako rito dahil kulang daw po kayo sa tao."

"Ah . . ." tanging nasabi ko saka ako tumango-tango. Pinagmasdan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa. Mukhang mas bata siya sa 'kin. Maikli ang buhok niya at may bangs din siya.

"Ikaw na lang po talaga ang nandito?" she asked, breaking me out of trance.

Agad akong umiling. "May inaasikaso lang si Sandro, 'yong manager. Pero papasok din 'yon kapag maayos na ang lahat."

"Ah, 'yong nakapatay po sa isa niyo pang katrabaho?"

Natigilan ako nang sabihin niya iyon. Paano nakarating sa kanya ang balitang iyon? Napakalayo ng lugar na 'to sa pinanggalingan niya.

"Ah. Nabasa ko lang po sa diyaryo no'ng nakaraan saka napanood ko rin sa tv," bigla niyang sabi na para bang nababasa niya ang naiisip ko kaya tumango lang ako. Naibalita na pala sa publiko ang nangyari. Napabuntonghininga tuloy ako.

"I'm Ciem by the way," pagpapakilala ko sa kanya saka ko inilahad ang kamay ko. Agad niyang tinanggap iyon at ngumiti nang matamis sa 'kin.

"Alam mo naman na siguro ang mga gagawin?" paninigurado ko at agad siyang tumango. "I've been working at the main branch for eight months na po. So, yes po. Alam ko na po ang mga gagawin," nakangiting sabi niya kaya tumango rin ako.

"Weird. She told me she's been working at the main branch of Paria for eight months. Paria doesn't hire anyone without a college diploma. How did she get in if she's still in college?"

"That's why I started tailing her. Pero wala naman akong masyadong napala. She's too good at everything. Nagtaka lang talaga ako na ilang beses na silang nagkikita ni Adam."

"True. They weren't that close. I clearly remember introducing them to each other when Adam picked me up at work."

"Or maybe that wasn't the first time they've met?" Hope said, his forehead creased. He's like trying to solve a puzzle that doesn't make sense.

"What are you trying to imply, Hope? Na matagal na akong niloloko ni Adam?" Wala na. Naubos na ang pasensya ko. Hindi na kinakaya ng utak ko lahat ng mga nalalaman ko. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit bigla na lang bumalik sa buhay ko si Hope. Bakit ba siya bumalik sa buhay ko? Para lang guluhin ako?

"You know what, Hope? If you're trying to make me doubt Adam, just . . . stop it already. I trust him. And I know he has a reason for lying to me." Now that sounded insincere. Who am I trying to fool?

"Sure, let's say that. But your boyfriend is a lawyer, Ciem. Don't you ever forget that," madiin niyang sabi at saka siya tumayo para tuluyang umalis sa harapan ko.