Ludic Selcouth #1: Cracked Beat

Hit #40

Matamlay akong nagtrabaho. The pomelo is still lingering inside my mind. Nang matapos ko ang ginagawang design at analysis ay pagod akong tumungo sa lamesa. Can I ask Lucien to buy me those? But heʼs definitely busy by now... And he absolutely canʼt leave just because of my cravings.

This is so frustrating. Kailan pa ako naging ganito dahil lang sa hindi ko nakakain ang gusto ko? This is far worse. Iʼm feeling so down and sad just because I couldnʼt have it.

“Engineer Devlin.” I lifted my head.

“Yes?” umayos ako ng upo at nginitian siya. Sheʼs the woman on the front desk.

“Engineer Mortell is on the ground floor, asking for you.” I frowned. What the hell is he doing here again?

“Thank you. Bababa ako.” tumango siya at nginitian ako bago umalis.

I keep on ransacking my mind to remember what Iʼve been doing these last few days. Why would he ask for me? Iʼm sure I didnʼt do anything. I was so tensed when the elevator finally reached the ground floor. Kinagat ko ang labi at inilibot ang paningin.

Napag-pasyahan kong dumiretso sa lounge at doon ko siya nakita, prenteng naka-upo at naka-dekwatro. Pinagtitinginan siya ng mga babaeng architect at mag-hahagikhikan. Heʼs being a distraction.

Nagmamartsa akong pumunta sa harap niya. Kahit na kinakabahan ay pinanatili kong blangko ang ekspresyon. Mataman niya akong tiningnan at tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay. “What are you doing here again, Engineer Mortell? And why are you looking for me?” kaagad kong tanong. Heʼs poking his right cheek with his tongue again when he scratched his left cheek.

Tumayo siya at kinuha ang paper bag na nasa tabi niya. He immediately towered me kaya ako na ngayon ang nakatingala. Kinunutan ko siya ng noo. Inabot niya sa 'kin ang paper bag at tinitigan ko naman 'yon. “Whatʼs that?” I asked.

Namulsa siya at seryoso akong tiningnan. “Your pomelo.”

My eyes widen and my heart started to thump more crazily. At that moment, I badly want to snatch the paper bag from his hand but my pride is holding me back. But the heck with the pride! I want the pomelo!

Tinitigan ko muna iyon nang ilang segundo bago nagpasiyang kuhanin sa kaniya. But then, he suddenly withdrawn his hand. Naiwan tuloy naka-angat sa ere ang kamay ko. Matalim ko siyang tiningnan.

“Not that fast,” aniya at ngumisi. Mas nainis ako at sinubukang kunin ang paper bag sa kamay niya pero inilayo niya lang ulit at inilagay sa may likuran niya.

“Tase! I thought thatʼs for me?!” nabibuwesit kong tanong pero tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay.

“Yes. But this isnʼt free.”

“Fine! Magkano ba bili mo riyan?!” atat kong tanong. He chuckled and leaned to my face.

“I donʼt mind the money.” mas lalo ko siyang kinunutan ng noo.

“What do you want?” kinagat niya ang labi at umaktong nag-iisip. This asshole. Ano na namang pakulo niya?

“Hmm, letʼs see. I have a party to attend tomorrow night. Itʼs a formal party for the anniversary of Mortell Corporation.”

“And?”

“Be my escort.” napatanga ako at napatitig sa kaniya. Oh no, you asshole. You canʼt drag me there.

“What? Hindi puwede!” ngumuso siya at umayos ng tayo.

“No pomelo then.” agad akong naalarma nang tumalikod siya. Nasa paper bag na hawak niya ang mata ko, the pomelo is inside... Humarang ako sa daraanan niya kaya napatigil siya.