Hacker Vs. Hacker

Chapter 15

"What?" tanong ko habang nakatuon pa rin ang atensyon sa pagda-drive.

"I think I know who he is," she answered pompously.

Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko, "Who's he?"

"The hacker that we were looking for."

Oh, shit.

"Really? How? I mean, you found him?"

"Truth is, I can't find him. I just got into his nerves and got some ideas on who he was."

Ano daw?

"Owwkey, I'll just pretend I understood that," I faked a laugh. Pero ang totoo, abot langit na ang kaba ko.

She chuckled, "Sorry, I'm just really happy sa mga development ng kaso na 'to."

Oh, god. How could I tell kung Masaya siya? Damn.

"So, you said you wanted to tell something?"

"Uhm, y-yeah," I stuttered, but thankfully, nag-ring ang phone ko.

It was Genesis.

"Genesis," I answered using my Bluetooth headset.

"Have you told her?"

"Uh, meeting? Yeah, I'm on my way," pag-iiba ko.

"Huh?" nagtatakang tanong niya.

"Don't worry about the presentation. Okay, bye."

Phew! Buti na lang talaga tumawag. Kundi, katapusan ko na.

"Meeting?" Penelope asked, smiling.

"Yeah, sorry. Yayain pa sana kitang mag-breakfast, eh."

"It's okay, we are both busy anyways. Some other time, maybe."

After I dropped Penelope in her office, dumiretso na ko sa office namin. Walang meeting, of course.

"What was that all about?" bungad sa akin ni Gene pagpasok ko sa office ko. At sa swivel chair ko pa talaga umupo, ha.

"Get your filthy ass up my chair," I gestured him to stand up.

"You were with her, weren't you?"

I exhaled deeply, "Yeah, I was about to tell her but I can't ruin her good vibes."

"Sa tingin mo, alam na niya talagang ikaw? O naghihinala pa lang siya?"

Napaisip ako, "Mukhang naghihinala pa lang siya."

"Kung ganun, huwag mo nang hintayin na ma-confirm pa niya. Tell her."

He has a point.

"Right, I'll tell her tonight."

Tumawa nang mapakla si Genesis, "Tonight? Pustahan, hindi mo pa rin masasabi yan."

Tiningnan ko siya ng masama, "Salamat sa pagchi-cheer mo." I said sarcastically.

Nang makalabas si Genesis sa opisina ko, tinawagan ko si Penelope.

"Hi," she answered.

I automatically smiled naka-auto smile ba ako? Shit.

"Hey, dinner tayo mamaya?" ugh, ano ba 'tong pinagsasabi ko?

"Suuure," she chuckled, "Ano nga ulit yung sasabihin mo?"

Shit. Akala ko nakalimutan niya.

"Mamaya na," my smile disappeared. Napalitan ng kaba.

"Owwkey, see yah, then." Then she turned off her line.

Napapikit ako ng mariin habang iniisip kung paano ko ba sasabihin. Baka tama nga si Gene, baka hindi ko parin masasabi. Ugh. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

****

HUMINTO kami sa harap ng isang fancy restaurant. Nauna akong bumaba at pinagbuksan si Penelope.

Nakapag-order kami at nagsimulang kumain nang magsalita si Penelope.

"SO, what is it that you wanted to say earlier?"

Oh, god.

She was smiling sweetly at me. Is she doing this on purpose? Tsk.

"I, uh," I paused to take a sip of my wine, "Penelope, I... I want to tell you that, uh,---"

"Say it," she cut me off. Fvck, nagulat ako. Hindi ko tuloy inasahan ang sumunod na lumabas sa bibig ko.

"I want to marry you."

"WHAT?!" gulat niyang tanong. Kahit ng ako nagulat din sa sinabi ko, eh.

"I want to marry you," I repeated in a low voice.

Penelope laughed out loud. And it made me feel stupid.

"Wait, you're serious?" tanong niya ng maka-recover siya sa katangahan ko.

Tumango ako at ngumiti sa kanya. Ngayon, kailangan kong panindigan ang sinabi. Hindi naman sa hindi ko siya gustong pakasalan, gusto ko 'yon. In fact, she's the woman I want to bear my future kids. But now is not the right time. Kailangan ko munang sabihin sa kanya ang kasalanan ko.

"No, you can't be serious," she said hesitantly.

"I am."

Tumawa ulit siya, "Where's your ring, then?"

"I don't have a ring yet, but I have my feelings for you with me right now," tangina, ang corny ko, "But I can buy you a ring tomorrow."

She slightly tilted her head and looked directly to my eyes, "Is this a prank?"

Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko, "No."

Pinanliitan niya ako ng mata, "Then, what?"

"Penelope, I'm serious."

God, what I am doing. Parang pinapalaki ko yata lalo ang kasalanan ko sa kanya.

A/n: So, so late. Enjoy!