Not long after, bumukas ang pinto ng office and Eleanor walked in without preamble. Akala mo siya ang may-ari nung building habang naglalakad papasok. Mukhang kakagaling lang niya sa trabaho considering the clothes she’s wearing right now. Napansin ko din na bukod sa clutch niya ay may dala siyang isang long folder.
She immediately smiled when our eyes met and as if a reflex action, napangiti na din ako dahil doon. These past few days, napapansin ko na madalas na nga akong napapangiti. I just don’t know if that’s something good or bad.
“Hello babe!” Binaba niya ang mga dala niya sa table ko before sitting across me. Kinunutan ko siya ng noo, “Claire just let you in?” tanong ko. Bakit bigla-bigla na lang siyang nakapasok? Hindi ko naman na-inform si Claire that I was expecting her.
“Hindi naman ako killer para pagdudahan. Ang ganda ko kaya to be a murderer. And kilala na ako ni Claire kaya go lang.” She said non-chalantly, looking around my office.
“So,” She turned to me and asked, “How’s your day?” Bigla akong natigilan. I know this sounds gay, but I felt my heart skipped a beat when she said that. Why would she ask me that?
Kahit nga yung Mom ko, rare lang niya tanungin sakin kung kamusta na ako since I’ll always gave her the same answer, ‘It’s fine.’
Pinagmasdan ko lang siya dahil hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko. Alam kong hindi naman siya papayag basta-basta sa I’m fine. I studied her face and she was smiling―the genuine one that could take your breath away. It felt as though she really cares, that even when I am nothing but a stupid, bitter bastard, she cares for me.
Sounds dramatic.
And gay.
“The usual. Meetings, reports and everything. Why do you ask?”
“So are you busy right now?” tanong niya at umiling lang ako.
“Pina-advance ko kay Claire lahat ng dapat kong gawin hanggang next week kaya I’m free for this two weeks. Konting signing lang ng documents. May problema ba?” Umiling naman siya habang nakatikom ang bibig.
“So pwede kang umabsent for like, a day?” Tumango naman ako.
Kinuha niya yung folder at binuksan, bago inabot sa akin. Tiningnan ko lang siya bago balingan yung nakalagay sa folder. Listahan ng mga babae. Mga lagpas 50 siguro yung nakasulat dito.
I looked at Eleanor, confused. “Para san to?”
“Remember the deal we had? I’ll help you. Listed there are women who can be the one for you. May categories na din sila, depende kung ano ang gusto mo.” She explained. My face fell pero hindi ko na lang pinahalata. I didn’t know that she’s still pursuing that.
ESTÁS LEYENDO
No Strings Attached
Ficción General[For my beloved Chance Lucas Sandoval] Chance Lucas Sandoval meets Eleanor Kai Gonzales in the most unlikely place, and you can guess that the most unlikely thing happens. He agrees to date other women, as Eleanor has stated, to help him move on wit...
