Kabanata 12
The next days passed like a whirlwind and it felt like a routine that is consecutively happening.
Sinubukan kong agahan pero palagi ko siyang naaabutang nag-wo-work out. Tapos lilinisin ko ang opisina at kwarto niya na hindi naman kailangan ng kahit anong linis.
Sa tanghali naman ay bibilhan ko siya ng lunch niya. Tapos sa hapon may pupunta ulit na magandang babae na hula ko ay mga potential fiancee niya na mukhang wala siyang pakialam. Mukhang hindi niya nga kilala ang iilan.
That's it. That became my daily routine at work.
"Oh? Bakit mukhang pagod na pagod ka?" pambungad sa akin ni Chelsea pagkauwi ko.
I didn't answer, I immediately threw myself on the bed.
"Hulaan ko, may kinalaman sa CEO."
Sinulyapan ko siya dahil sa sinabi niya. Humalakhak siya nang makitang bumusangot ang mukha ko.
"I'm not doing much but it feels more exhausting." I whined. "Mas gusto kong bumalik na lang sa paglilinis ng mga yate at barko."
"Bakit? Ano bang ginagawa?"
Natigilan ako kasi inisip ko 'yong mga nakalipas na araw. Wala naman talagang ginagawa sadyang napapagod lang ako sa presensya niya. Parang bilang lang 'yong kilos at salita ko dapat.
"I just..." I halted for a moment. "I don't feel comfortable with him."
"Bakit? Narealize mong crush mo na?" panunukso niya pa na pinang-ikutan ko lang ng mata.
"Gwapo siya pero ayoko sa presensya niya, hindi ko alam kung bakit. Ngayon lang ako naging ganito, dati naman ayos lang."
"Catching feelings for him?" she asked.
"No, definitely not."
I was so sure because I clearly know what's its difference. Kung may nararamdaman naman ako hindi ko naman itatanggi iyon. I will be aware of it and I won't deny it. Kung gusto ko, gusto ko.
Takot? Possibly. I might find being around him uncomfortable because I think he has something under his sleeves that emits danger. Like he could easily turn the table in an instant.
I plan to ruin his company, yes, but I don't want anyone to be involve with me if ever I got caught with this. Naging maingat ako sa nakalipas na mga taon kaya dapat kung may mangyari man ay sa akin lang dapat at hindi sa iba.
Pumasok ako kinabukasan ng maaga kagaya ng madalas kong ginagawa. I started sweeping the floor even though it still looks clean. Wala naman akong magawa dahil dito ako inassign at ayoko namang walang gawin kada araw.
Tinaktak ko iyong dust pan sa may trash bin at halos mapatalon ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang bumukas ang pinto.
And it was him.
Walang bakas ng emosyon ang mukha niya na nasanay na akong tignan. His hair is disheveled and is covering his dark jet black eyes a bit. He is breathing heavily but there's no sound, just a slight movrment of his chest and shoulders.
He's wearing a plain black shirt and some sweatpants. He's sweating a lot while he's holding a towel and his black hydro flask on each of his hands.
"Good morning po," I greeted politely.
As usual, no response. Siguro noong baby siya ay hindi man lang siya umiyak sa buong buhay niya. Parang ikamamatay niya ang gumawa ng kahit na anong ingay.
"Nag-jogging kayo, Sir?" I tried initiating a conversation.
Siguro dala na rin ng boredom. Iniiwasan ko siya sa mga nakalipas na araw kaya napansin kong masyadong halata iyon. Maybe if I talk a bit more then he won't find me suspicious.
"Mga ganitong oras po pala kayo nagja-jogging, 'no?" I added. "Wala pang araw at sobrang dilim pa. Ayaw niyo po bang masikatan ng araw. For Vitamin D?"
I chuckled, but stopped when he glanced at me.
Hindi ko na sinubukan gatungan ang pinagsasabi ko dahil baka mairita na naman siya. Malakas loob ko noong una pero ngayon, matapos ko makita ang ganitong parte ng katauhan niya, naalala ko 'yong linya na hindi dapat tawirin.
Inalis ko na ang garbage bag mula sa trash bin para itapon. Wala naman masyadong laman iyon pero baka lang ayaw niyang makakita ng kahit na ano roon. Alam ko naman kung gaano siya ka-organisa at kalinis sa kahit na ano.
"I don't like attention,"
Halos madapa ako dahil bigla siyang umimik. Agad na napalingon ako sa kanya dahil do'n. That was so out of the blue.
"Po?"
"That's why I chose to jog at this hour," he said. "I don't like people watching me."
Ilang segundo bago pa nagsink-in sa akin ang sinagot niya. He answered my question a while ago. Ano ba 'yon? May five minutes interval dapat bago siya sumagot? Pero in fairness, hindi ko inaasahang magsasalita pa siya bukod do'n.
"Ah, gano'n po ba." I don't know why I suddenly got excited when I get him to talk about it. "May alam po akong lugar kung saan wala masyadong tao at p'wede niyong pagjogging-an."
I bit my lip when I realized I probably went too far again and went back to my old habit. Akala ko hindi na siya magsasalita pero napansin kong nakatingin lang siya sa'kin na mukhang hinihintay ang sunod na sasabihin ko.
"Where?"
A smile crept on my lips when he asked.
"Doon po sa may likuran ng field. Sarado po kasi do'n at may mga bakod pero malawak naman at p'wedeng lakaran."
That was actually one of my favorite spots. Doon ako madalas nagmumuni-muni mag-isa tuwing magpapahinga pagkatapos kumain.
I like how solemn and quiet it is. Pakiramdam ko malaya akong nakakapag-isip ng kung anu-ano. Hindi ko pinagkakalat ang lugar na iyon kasi gusto ko sana ako lang ang nakakaalam. Hindi ko ba alam kung bakit sinabi ko sa kanya.
"That's a private property," he said as if he knew what place I was talking about.
Napalunok ako ng laway dahil sa kaba.
"You're trespassing," mas lalo lamang akong kinabahan dahil sa seryosong tono ng boses niya na para bang nakapatay ako ng tao.
Sabi na, e! Dapat hindi ko na lang sinabi!
I know it's a private property but there was no security around and I've been going there often. Bakit ko ba naisipang i-share sa lalaking 'to 'yon? Dapat hindi na lang ako nagsalita.
I ran out of words to say. I don't even know how I'd defend myself because I'm sure he knows what to say with his knowledge and logical reasonings.
"I want to go there tomorrow." he suddenly spoke making me stopped my thoughts. He then glanced at me. "Come with me,"
Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa sitwasyong 'to at kung paano ako nakarating sa ganito. I was just an employee of Navis and all my stay here was to ruin them. Gusto kong ikalat at ibulgar lahat ng kasamaan at baho na tinatago nila.
Kaya hindi ko alam kung paano na kasama ko ngayon ang CEO ng alas singko ng umaga sa tinutukoy kong favorite spot ko.
I never thought he was serious with what he told me yesterday. But who am I kidding? This man surely doesn't have any humor in himself. Kapag siguro nagsabi siya ng joke ay kailangan muna matuyo lahat ng dagat o kaya naman lumipad ang barko.
"A-Ang sabi mo private property ito at hindi p'wedeng magtrespass?" I used his words against his. He perfectly slammed it on my face yesterday so what the hell are we doing here?
"Not anymore,"
My eyes widen in a fraction upon realizing what he just said. Nalaglag ang panga ko habang siya ay parang walang paki at nagsimulang ayusin ang sintas ng suot niyang sapatos.
Don't tell me he already bought this?!
Hindi na ako nakaimik dahil sa pagiging presko at kampante niyang malagi rito ay parang gano'n nga talaga ang nangyari. He bought this like it was nothing. Like he just bought some candy on a nearby store.
And looking at the wideness of this place, I'm sure it costs a fortune. Sobrang lawak at lapad nito kaya paniguradong hindi ito basta basta kakarampot lang na pera ang presyo.
"Anong plano mo gawin sa loteng 'to?" hindi ko na napigilang magtanong.
He shrugged. "Jogging,"
Jogging? Jogging?! Jogging daw?!
"Just that?" I asked again.
He nodded, like it was just nothing.
"You have no plans on removing those fences?" I pointed at the old looking fences surrounding the property. Medyo sira at may kalumaan na iyon kaya mukhang abandonado ang lugar at hindi na masyadong pinupuntahan ng mga tao.
"Those fences are for them to not trespass."
"Some people would still go here though despite those barriers."
Napalingon siya dahil sa sinabi ko. Nawala tuloy ang ngisi sa labi ko. I was just stating facts. Ako nga nagawang makapasok dito, e. Paano pa ang iba kung simpleng bakod lang ang nakaharang?
"I'll put barb wires and change it into electric fence,"
He blurted it out randomly. Like whatever he thinks, he'd actually do it in an instant. No hesitations.
"I-I don't think that's necessary," hindi ko na napigilang umapila sa balak niya lalo na't ako ang dahilan kung bakit bigla niyang naisipang gawin iyon. "Wala naman talagang masyadong pumupunta rito kaya ayos lang kahit ganito lang."
Favorite spot ko ito kaya kung lalagyan niya ng mga kung anu-ano ay paniguradong hindi na ako basta-basta makakapasok. Ayoko namang mangyari 'yon. Ako na nga nagshare tapos ipagdadamot niya sa'kin.
He shrugged and pressed something on his wristwatch, I don't know if it's a timer or something. Nagsimula na siyang magstretching. I never thought of him as someone athletic, but looking at his body, I could say that he has all the muscles in the right places.
I could see the veins on his arms protruding while he do his stretching. He's wearing a tight fit sleeveless top and a black jogging pants. It was funny to watch him stretch because his face remained cold and expressionless.
"Sali ako, wala rin naman akong gagawin kasi sinama mo 'ko rito." I don't know why I suddenly felt comfortable acting like this again. My confident and thick faced self appeared again. Just this time, I'd use this chance to interact with him again.
Manipulations? Might be. I'm not sure anymore. But I'm still taking this chance. And if this would be a way, then good.
I am kinda athletic. After being alone for many years, I tried improving myself to be strong, both physically and emotionally. I don't think I've improved in the emotional aspects though but I'll get there soon.
He didn't say anything but I started stretching my body as well. I was wearing my usual shirt and jeans but it was stretchable so it doesn't matter.
He started jogging so I followed along. It was more like a slow jog but definitely could last long. He's sustaining his breathing and I think that was his way to jog for a long time.
Sa pagbibilad ko sa tirik na araw at sa paglilinis ko ng barko ay hindi ako madaling mapagod kaya madali lang sa akin sabayan siya kahit tagalan pa namin rito. Napapangiti ako minsan kapag napapalingon siya sa gawi ko.
The sun hasn't rise but the darkness from the sky is starting to fade. We kept on jogging on the wide field. His stamina is definitely good since I can feel my legs aching a little and I was already panting a bit. But him? He kept that blank face of him.
After almost half an hour, my pace slowed down. Hinayaan ko na siyang mauna dahil hindi naman ako obligadong sundan siya. Siya lang naman ang may planong may ganito at nakisama lang ako.
"Grabe," I panted a bit as I held both my knees to breathe. "Hindi ata talaga tao 'yong lalaking 'yon."
I raised my head and I almost lost my balance when I saw him in front of me. I was stunned seeing him stopped his jog. He was staring at me so I felt nervous if he heard what I said a while ago.
"B-Bakit?" hinahabol ko ang hininga dahil parang mas lalo kong naramdaman 'yong pagod ngayong nandito siya bigla sa harapan ko. "Bakit ka tumigil?"
He licked his lower lip making it redder. He fixed his hair a bit but it just became more disheveled. Bahagyang napawisan siya pero alam kong kaya niya pang diretsuhin iyon ng matagal na oras.
"You shouldn't stop abruptly," he said. "At least walk slower for cool down."
Umawang ang labi ko sa sinabi niya. Akala ko kung ano pero talagang nagawa niya pa akong lecture-an sa pagja-jogging! And I was nervous for no reason!
Hindi ko na napigilan ang paghalakhak ko. I should be used to this now. This rock never fails to surprise me. He's serious most of the time but he is funny in his own way.
His brows furrowed a bit, perplexed as to why I laughed. Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago umayos ng tayo.
"Okay," I nodded.
"I was being serious. If you do that then your muscles would tensed and it would be sore the following day. You should do a cool down before—"
He stopped because I laughed again. I couldn't help it. He really talks a lot when he's stating some random facts or accurate information. And I don't know why I find it funny.
"Really? Then tell my what are the benefits of cool down exercise."
He didn't respond for a second before he opened his mouth to talk again.
"To relax the muscles and to normalize breathing pattern, heart rate and body temperature."
I bit my lip to suppress my chuckle. I was not used on seeing him talk so eagerly before. It was definitely a sight to see.
"Okay," the smile on my lips didn't fade. "Then why did you stop, too?"
Hindi siya nakasagot agad kaya inunahan ko na habang nakangisi.
"To lecture me about the efficiency of cool down exercise?" my smirk grew more when he put that dull and emotionless face of him again. "Oh, I know. You don't want me complaining of body ache while I clean your office."
I took that as a yes because he kept his lips pursed, like he realized I was now making fun of him because he talked a lot.
"You're that again," he said.
My brows furrowed. "That?"
He just nodded like I should know what he's talking about but I don't even have a single idea. Imbes na isipin ay muli ko siyang binalingan ng tingin at ngumiti.
"Let's start cooling down like what you said." I teased.
Nagsimula na siyang magjogging, this time it was slow paced. I smiled because he actually stopped and went to me a while ago. And now he's slowing his pace just enough for me to follow along.
Nang makabalik kami sa opisina niya ay nagpaalam ako na babalik muna ako sa may maintenance locker room para magbihis. Pagod ako pero nabuo ang araw ko dahil nakakatawa siya kanina.
Pagkabalik ko ay tinuloy ko na ang paglilinis ko habang siya ay tahimik na ginagawa ang trabaho niya. Nang lumipas ang tanghali ay bumalik ako para naman ibigay ang lunch niya.
"Papasok pa ba ako?" tanong ko sa sekretarya habang bitbit ang tray. Nakita ko kasing may kakapasok lang na babae sa loob.
"Siguro huwag muna, mukhang galit, e."
Tumango ako dahil inasahan ko na. Isa na namang mayamang babae na gustong maging fiancee niya? Grabe talaga, sa dami nila pakiramdam ko kahit anong piliin niya ay ayos na dahil mayaman at magaganda naman 'yong babae. Tapos sila pa naghahabol sa kanya.
"Where's my lunch?" halos mapatalon kami ng sekretarya nang may magsalita sa intercom.
"Draisen! We're not done talking!" rinig kong reklamo ng babae na narinig namin sa intercom.
"It's lunchtime, I'm hungry."
"But—"
Biglang nawala 'yong mga boses mula roon. Napalunok ako ng laway at nagtinginan kami ng sekretarya.
"Ipasok mo na raw sabi ni Mr. Velarde." sabi niya sa'kin.
Kinakabahan naman ako habang naglalakad na patungo roon. Ayoko namang maki-usyoso lalo na't kinakabahan ako sa tuwing matalim ang tingin sa akin ng mga babaeng naghahabol sa kanya.
I knocked first before entering. And as expected, kung nakamamatay lang ang tingin ay baka sinaboy na ang abo ko sa dagat. Naglakad ako ng diretso sa may table nang hindi gumagawa ng kahit na anong ingay.
"You're still not going to leave?" diretsahang tanong ni Draisen do'n sa babae.
"Why can't you accept my invitations?! We should start getting to know each other! Your parents like me!"
"They do?" kunot-noong tanong ni Draisen. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalatag ng pagkain niya.
"Yes! They even talked about marriage! If only you could just agree—"
"I told you I'm not pushing this." he concluded. "Isabela Kim, is it?"
"Hannah!"
Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko para pigilan ang tawa ko. Sobrang layo ng mga hula niya sa mga pangalan ng mga babae. Ni isa wala man lang siyang itinama.
"Your father wants to push this engagement because your family's company is losing and he needs connection to prevent bankruptcy."
Nakita kong hindi nakaimik ang babae dahil sa diretsahang binitawan ni Draisen na impormasyon.
"Your father lost a huge amount of money in gambling and he's just hiding the fact that he's in debt for the sake of saving his face and reputation."
Sumilip ako para tignan ang reaksyon ng babae. Her face was all red, startled and probably mad. Hindi ko alam kung alam niya ba ang sinasabi ni Draisen o hindi.
"He chose Velarde because he knew he'd get that power for the sake of untainting your family's reputation and to avoid issues in the elite circle. Through setting an engagement, he thinks that his name and controversies would clear up in an instant."
"N-No..." nanghina nang bahagya ang boses ng babae.
"I could give you accurate details regarding Kim Corporation's sales. And also information about the debts he had from different casinos. Probably in two years, you'd be forced to shut down and there would be nothing left of you and your family."
Napalunok ako ng laway. He's so brutally honest. He didn't think how his words would affect anyone. He'd rather choose to kill you in an instant than slowly.
"I...I really wanted to marry you." nanghihinang sabi ng babae.
"Because you need help,"
"No,"
"Your family does."
"I sincerely like you."
Napalingon ako sa babae at nakita kong hindi siya makatingin. She looks like she's saying the truth about her feelings. Napaatras ako saglit para bigyan sila ng espasyo. I feel like this should be private.
Napatingin ako kay Draisen at wala man lang pinagbago ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya. Like those affections and feelings meant nothing to him.
"Too bad, I can't do anything about that."
Nakita ko ang pagtulo ng luha ng babae. I can feel her hope crumbling to pieces just because of that brutal rejection. I glanced at Draisen who probably didn't feel anything because his expression remained blank.
I know that he's just being honest but I hope he'd be mindful with his words. Confession takes courage and is difficult to do. He could at least turn her down in a nicest way possible.
But I don't think that he can do that.
"Leave," he coldly said, without mercy. "You're wasting my time."