Serendipity

Chapter 3

Start of life...

"Bye, babe!"

Ngumiti ng matamis si Celine at humalik sa pisngi ni Archer. Ngumiti rin naman pabalik si Archer sa nobya.

"I'll just call you later."

"You don't have to, babe, but alright!"

Hinarap ako ni Celine kaya naman tipid akong ngumiti.

"Bye!" paalam ko.

"Bye, Kiana! Congratulations again and don't forget my gift, okay?"

Tumango na lang ako sa kaniya bilang sagot.

Napatingala ako sa harap ng hotel na nasa harapan namin ngayon. It is owned by Celine's family.

"I'll go now..." Huling sabi ni Celine before going inside.

Hinarap naman ako ni Archer.

"Let's go..."

Tumango na lang ako. Akmang uupo na ako sa likuran kung saan ako nakaupo kanina nang tumikhim siya.

"I'm not your driver, Kiana."

"I'm sorry..."

Agad akong pumwesto sa upuan katabi ng drivers seat. Nagsimula na rin naman siyang magmaneho kaya naman wala na lang akong ibang nagawa kung hindi ang tumingin sa labas.

I can't help, but to steal a glance at him. It has been four years since i met him and it's been also four years since my view of things in life have changed because of everyone around me and of course, because of him.

"So, what are your plans now?" Maya maya'y tanong niya.

"I already told you, i'm going to work."

"You know that you don't have to. At least for now..." he said while still driving.

I sighed.

"And i don't need to have a vacation either, Archer. My answer is still no, so stop trying."

Mahina naman siyang natawa dahil sa akin.

"Okay, i'm sorry. Sinasabi ko lang na it's time for you to have a little break,"

"I've had my break already. That's enough."

"You're going to take my parent's offer?"

Saglit naman akong napaisip dahil sa tanong niyang 'yon. I already knew that this would happen. I already knew that they would offer me this, but i don't want to take it. Masiyado na silang maraming naitulong sa akin and instead of taking another help from them, i want to repay them even if they don't want me to do that.

"I'm not quite sure, but maybe no."

"Why?"

"Aside from the fact na madami ng naitulong sa akin ang family mo and ayaw ko ng madagdagan pa 'yon is it's because i don't want other people to think that i got hired because i know the owner of that company."

Saglit naman niya akong nilingon. Nakakunot ang noo pero hindi maitatanggi na talagang kahit anong anggulo ay napakagwapo pa rin.

"That's not true, Kiana."

I smiled at him.

"Even if it is or it isn't, i still don't want to. Hindi mo hawak ang isip ng ibang tao at kahit ang intensyon mo lang naman ay magtrabaho, people will still make a fuss about it."

"You know that Mom and Dad will take care of it. Even i and Celine."

"Thanks, but no thanks, Archer. Sa loob ng apat na taon ay kayo ng pamilya mo at ni Celine ang tumulong sa akin para makabangon ako at utang ko sa inyo lahat ng 'to. I wouldn't make it without you guys."