I'm Yours to Keep

Chapter 32

Lumapit ako agad sa estante kung saan may nakabantay na assistant.

"Yes, Ma'am? Cellphones, may bagong labas, Ma'am."

Itinuro ko ang pinakamaliit na smartphone. "One like this." Agad na naglakad patungo sa isang pinto ang assistant at lumabas dala ang isang maliit na kahon.

Inilabas niya ito at bumaling sa 'kin. "Check natin, Ma'am."

Hinayaan ko siyang isindi ito at inabot sa 'kin kaya ngumiti ako at tumango. "I'll pay for this na." Inabot ko ang card ko at kinalikot ang cellphone habang inaasikaso niya ang payment. She came to me with a card reader. I entered my pin and waited for her to give me back my card.

"Thank you, Ma'am!"

I smiled at her at naglakad na palabas ng boutique. I tossed the box into the nearest trash bin at bumaba para magtungo supermarket. I slid my hands in my pockets as I scanned a shelf of wines. Kumuha ako ng isang bote at nagtungo naman sa estante ng mga tsokolate. I took a square-shaped one and headed to the cashier.

Nang makapagbayad ako, dumiretso ako agad sa CR dala ang chocolate at ang nakakarton na bote ng wine. Lumingon ako sa paligid at pumasok sa isang cubicle doon. I closed the toilet bowl's lid at binuksan ko ang karton ng tsokolate.

Inihagis sa bin ang laman nito at kinapkap ang celphone sa bulsa ko. I took my time setting up the phone at nang matapos, isinilid ko ito sa loob ng karton ng tsokolate.

Kinuha ko naman ang kahon ng wine para ilabas ang bote at saka ko maingat na inilagay sa loobb ang karton ng tsokolate na may lamang cellphone. Ibinalik ko ang bote ng wine sa loob at isinara ang box.

I took my phone and called Gerard habang palabas ako ng CR. He answered on the second ring. Wow, that was quick.

"Hey, you okay?"

Tumango ako kahit hindi ko siya nakikita at nagtungo sa escalator. "Can we meet? I'm in Megamall."

"Where exactly?"

Lumingon ako sa paligid para maghanap ng restaurant. "Marugame Udon?"

"I'll be there in 10."

"Wait, you're nearby?"

"I'm at work."

Saglit ako natahimik habang naglalakad na patungo sa restaurant. "Okay. See you." I ended the call and ordered lunch. He indeed came in 10 minutes kaya naunahan niya pang dumating ang in-order ko.

He's wearing a gray polo-shirt, a pair of black jeans, and a black cap with a white thunder embroidery. He said that he's at work, but he's dressed like this?

"Did something happen?" ang tanong niya habang nakapatong ang magkabilang siko sa lamesa.

Umiling ako at ngumiti sa kaniya. "Do you think I'd run to you if I need help?" Napakurap siya kaya lumawak ang ngiti ko. "I would." I sighed and look at him straight into his eyes. "How did you know that Diego was alive? How did you even know that he was Diego?"

He sighed too at tinapatan ang tingin ko. "It's part of my job."

His job. Maybe if he just told me what it is, baka nasagot na ang karamihan sa mga tanong ko. But he won't give me enough answers, so I have to get them from him. He knew something about Miguel and me that even us didn't know at first. I need to find Miguel's father and Gerard is my clue. If I can get him to talk, he could lead me somewhere.

"I need answers, Gerard. If you'll keep things like this, you're no use to me." Mula sa gilid, inusog ko ang kahon ng wine palapit sa kaniya. "I sincerely wish you well in life. But life seems to work in a different way."