Embracing Sunshine (Completed)

"The Agreement 4"

Amanda chose to take the seat at the far end of the coffee shop. Making sure na walang makakaistorbo sa kanila. Sinadya nya na doon sila umupo para makapag-usap sila nang masinsinan. Medyo madami na kasi ang tao sa loob nang shop and sitting on the edge of the place they can somehow concentrate on the things she wants to tell Elaine. Tinignan nya ito, Siguro naman papayag ito?Sana ay pumayag ito.

Kapit na kapit na sya sa patalim. All she wants in this world right now is to see his nephew happy and to see his smile again. Kahit ano o kahit magkano ay willing syang gumastos. Its not a money issue, ang issue ay kung sino ang makakaintindi at makakatiis sa attitude nito and I think Elaine is perfect for him.

__________

Naiilang na si Elaine sa sobrang titig ni Tita Amanda sa kanya. The woman is eyeing her and scrutinizing her every movement. Minimeasure ba nito ang pagkatao nya o ang vital statistic nya? Aminado naman akong flat chested ako.

"First of all thank you" Simula nito.

"Wala po iyon ma'am. Kahit naman siguro sino gagawin yon"  Moment of truth na ba?

" You're wrong, sa panahon ngayon hindi lahat nang tao ay gustong tumulong that is why I want to thank you" Patuloy nito.

She just smiled . Said her your welcomes and stay silent. After a moment their coffee came. She took a sip as she watch the woman in front of her.

" You made him Smile" Amanda continued in between sipping the warm cup of coffee on her hand.

"Sus maliit na bagay, lahat naman nang tao may kakayahan na ngumiti at magpangiti"

" Not Francisco. He experienced so much in life that he already lost the will to smile. He lost a reason to smile especially to live. Ilang beses ko nang sinubukan na pangitiin sya but failed every time but you..., ilang minuto lang kayo magkasama but you manage to make him smile. For me its something close to a miracle. You manage to break through his walls"

Ramdan nya at kita nya sa mga mata nito na totoo ang sinasabi. Ano naman kaya ang talagang nangyari kay mamang pogi na umabot ito sa punto nang buhay nito na kahit daw ngumiti ay hindi na magawa?

He never met a man who's hollow inside and out as he is.

"I have one favor to ask, sana mapagbigyan mo ako" Bigla syang kinabahan , ano kaya ang favor na hihingin nito sa kanya? Basta kaya nya ay okay lang . Mabait naman syang tao. Nakaya nga nyang i risk ang buhay para kay Francisco di ba? 

Just please do not ask her to kill someone.

"Ano po iyon? kung kaya ko syempre naman po why not".

"Can you stay with Francisco?" Tanong nito. Deretso, on point. Walang paligoy-ligoy. Damn...

"Hah?" nabigla sya sa tanong at pakisusap nito. Stay with that handsome cold man? Uh... Is this woman insane? Paano nito nasabi iyon? In what way sya mag iistay? At bakit sya? Hindi ba ito natatakot na baka mag take advantage sya? na baka pagsamantalahan nya ang gwapong pamangkin nito? Kanina ngang natutulog ito ay pinagnanasaan nya na ano pa kaya yung tumira sa isang bahay kasama nito.

"Bakit ako?" Tanong nalang nya kahit nabibigla parin.

"You're the first person that was able to move him after two years, that smile he gave while talking to you? That was very rare. I am desperate . Para sa kanya I will do anything. I am willing to pay you , basta you stay with him. Be his friend. Be his companion."

Shing***$$$$ symbol shined on her eyes. Kailangan nya nang pera. Alam nya at alam nang pamilya nya kung gaano kalaki ang kailangan nila. She needed it for operation but can she take the risk? Oo kailangan nya nang pera pero mas kailangan nyang pangalagaan ang kalusugan.

"I don't know if I can stay" She murmured after contemplating to either accept the offer or reject it.

" Just 3 months please or a month is okay. How about 100,000 as monthly salary?" Pangungumbinsi nito.

Lalo syang nalito. Napamulagat ang mata. Ang laki naman. Ganito ba talaga ang mga mayayaman? Mahilig magtapon nang pera?

Sa gitna nang deliberation nang utak nya kung tatangapin nya ang offer nito or hindi ay biglang tumunog ang kanyang cellphone. Papa nya, tumatawag na naman. Savior nya talaga ito, at least for the moment hindi sya mapapasubo.

"Pa? Opo pa. Pauwi na po" Tinignan nya ang ginang at nagsalita "Pasensya na po talaga. Kanina pa tumatawag ang papa ko hinahanap na po talaga ako sa amin." Tumayo na sya para umalis nang bigla nitong hawakan ang kanyang kamay at inabot ang calling card nito.

"Please pag-isipan mo" Pagsusumamo nito.

She nodded her head then started to walk out the door to leave. She looked at the card in her hand and remember Francisco smiling face. I g-grab nya ba? kailangan nya nang pera.