"So you're saying na kaya hindi ka umuwi kagabi dahil nagkasakit si Kairo at ikaw ang nag-aalaga? Hindi ba uso sa inyo ang doctor? Nurse? Hello? Hospital?"
Agad na wika ni Nix ng makarating siya sa café ng tanghali pagkagaling niya sa condo nito. Naikuwento niya kasi rito kung bakit hindi siya nakauwi.
"Masyado nang malalim ang gabi saka lagnat lang naman!"
"Hindi naman siguro siya mamamatay kung iiwan mo doon noh? Dati tatanggi-tanggi ka pa na gusto mo siya tapos ngayon yung sweetness niyo malala. Kulang nalang talaga altar e para maikasal na kayo. Kakaiba talaga kayo maglandian."
Bumuntong hininga siya saka tumingin kay Nix. "I'm still confused and not sure about it. Besides maybe after days of observing about what we felt and realize this is not what we wanted, we'll end it!"
Tumabi ng upo sa kanya si Nix saka tiningnan siya.
"Alam mo, kilala naman kita, you don't do things you're not sure. So alam kung sigurado ka dito at yang inaalala mo ngayon dapat hanapan mo na yan ng solusyon. Not because di kayo sure, it's because you are doubting over something."
*——
"Excuse me, nandito ba si Miss Dasha?"
"Yes? Why?" tanong niya agad.
"May delivery po!"
Kinuha niya kaagad ang delivery kahit hindi naman niya alam kung saan galing. Kawawa naman kasi yung tao, he looks like a high school student.
Tinanggap niya ito saka naman agad na umalis ang lalaki.
"What's that?" tanong ni Nix saka kinuha ito.
Nagkibit balikat lang siya, saka inagaw ni Nix ang box at binuksan iyon. "Mukhang magandang pagkabalot ah!" ani nito saka dahan-dahan na binuksan iyon.
Agad naman itong napatalon at tinapon ang box kaya nilapitan niya ito. Agad niyang tiningnan ang nakataob na box at nagulat nang makita ang patay na daga. Agad naman niya itong niligpit saka tinapon sa basurahan sa labas ng café.
Halos ubusin ni Nix ang isang basong tubig saka pinapakalma ang sarili. Saka humarap sa kanya.
"Sinong nagpadala nun?" tanong nito.
Nagkibit balikat naman siya saka tiningnan ang maliit na card na nahulog.
Pinulot niya ito saka binasa ang nakasulat.
'Miss me? You better prepare! There's more ahead of you!'
"Ano yan?" tanong ni Nix saka kinuha ang card. "Jaime na naman? Kahit kalian talaga napakachildish ng pag-uugali nun.
Umiling lang si Dasha saka nagpatuloy sa ginagawa.
Tumunog naman ang cellphone niya kaya sinagot niya ito.
It was Kairo calling her kaya lumabas siya sa café.
"Hmm?" sagot niya.
"Wanna go out on a date?" agad na wika nitp sa kabilang linya. Ngumiti naman siya saka iniisip kung ano ang gagawin niya sa araw na iyon. Good thing she's free. As always.
"Okay!"
"I'll pick you! Where were you?"
"At the café!"
"See you after lunch!"
"Okay!"
Binaba niya ang tawag saka ngumiti. Inabangan naman siya ni Nix sa loob at tinaasan siya ng kilay.
"Iba talaga kapag inlove ka e ano? Pangiti-ngiti lang kahit nakakatanggap ka na ng death threats."
"Hindi naman ako ang nagulat e, ikaw naman, ba't kasi inagaw mo yan tuloy!" sagot niya saka natawa.
"Ano ba? E akala ko naman kasi galing kay Kairo kasi wala namang ibang nagpapadala sayo, si Darren Oo pero imposible naman yun, e pumupunta naman yun dito kapag may kailangan at ibibigay. Nagpapadala lang yun kapag nang aasar e wala naman dito si Kairo."
Umiling siya saka tinapik ito sa balikat saka pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa.
It was past twelve when Kairo arrives. He wears a very handsome looking outfit samantalang siya simpleng damit lang ang suot niya. Nix suggested it to wear something comfortable kaya yun ang suot niya. Knitted fabric short and a semi off shoulder shirt.
"Mr. Cool guy ang gara ng outfit ah, san ba punta niyo?"
"Outer space, kung saan walang maingay na tulad mo!" ani nito saka sila lumabas sa café.
"Huyy, di ako maingay. Ibalik mo nalang yang kaibigan ko rito!" habol na sigaw ni Nix ngunit di na sila nakinig saka sumakay sa sasakyan ni Kairo.
"Where are we going?" tanong niya habang nasa biyahe.
"Somewhere, Gavin gave me a list. I put it in the glove box."
Kunot noo niyang kinuha ang papel na nasa glove compartment saka binasa ang nakalista doon.
Mga lugar ito at di lang isa marami pa. It's more than ten kaya napakunot noo siya habang nakatingin roon.
"I don't know much about dates that's why I ask him to suggests. We can try all of them." prenteng sagot nito na nakatingin sa unahan habang nagmamaneho.
"Ano? Lahat to? Pwede naman siguro ako ang pumili noh?"
"Why? How many guys have you dated before?"
Tumingin siya rito saka natawa. "Why are you asking me that?"
"Just curious!"
"I've dated I think three guys before!"
"Three?" gulat pa na tanong nito na mukhang nagseselos sa tono ng pananalita. "And why did you broke up?"
"Kanino? kay Tristan, Miguel and Zaito?"
"You still remember their names?" di makapaniwalang tanong nito.
"Yes!"
"Do you still have a feelings for them?"
"Maybe?"
"Maybe?" di makapaniwalang ani nito saka siya ngumiti. She didn't expect Kairo would act that way. Kaya natawa siya saka tumingin sa labas ng bintana ng sasakyan.
"Chairman knows about them and urged them to leave me kaya ayun, sa hiwalayan ang punta! Bakit ba yan ang usapan natin? It's supposed to be our first date."
"Have you ever go out on a date with them?"
"Yes!"
Tumingin sa kanya si Kai saka siya ngumiti. "Well, it's not that memorable when you thought that you're dating the handsome guy. The feeling I felt right now is genuine unlike before!" aniya saka ngumiti.
She felt happy seeing Kairo widely smiles at her. Nakarating naman sila sa isang Museum.
"I thought you'd like to come here, we'll leave after thirty minutes."
Tumango naman siya saka sabay silang bumaba ng sasakyan. Kairo wrapped his hand on her back while walking to the entrance of the Museum.
Abala naman siya sa kakatingin sa mga naka-display doon.
"I have something to show you!" bulong nito sa kanya saka siya hinawakan sa kamay at hinila patungo sa pinakadulo kung saan may mga glass box na may lamang jewelries. Namangha naman siya habang nakatingin rito isa-isa saka inalala ang ina. Her Mom's works are similar to those kaya siya wala sa sariling ngumiti.
"This are the jewelries worn by the late first lady of the Philippines. It was all works of your mother when she was young." paliwanag ni Kairo saka siya emosyonal na tumingin rito. She didn't expect Kairo would be this thoughtful.
Tiningnan niya isa-isa ang mga gawa ng ina saka napapangiti. She haven't heard any of this before kaya nakakagulat lang.
"How did you know all this?"
"This is a private museum owned by the President during his term on 1990's. They opened it in public for three days. They also stated that the first lady loves your Mom's works so much that's why she hired her. But then she stopped working at the first lady when she married your father." dagdag nito kaya siya wala sa sariling napaluha sa tuwa. Pakiramdam niya naibsan ang lungkot niya ng marinig ang sinabi nito tungkol sa ina.
"You know all of that?"
"There's nothing about you that I don't know!" ani nito saka siya ngumuso. He's boosting. "Thank you!" aniya saka yumakap dito. "I didn't expect our first date would be like this!"
Tumawa ito ng mahina saka humalik sa ulo niya. Nang kumalas siya saka ito tumingin sa kanya. "We still had a lot of places to go!" ani nito saka siya hinila palabas sa museum.
DASHA FELT so happy the whole day of exploring and thinking nothing but enjoying and indulging herself in Kairo's company.
It was past eight in the evening nung hinatid siya nito sa condo ni Nix.
"Thank you!" aniya saka ngumiti rito.
Kairo leaned closer to her and was about to her kiss when Nix suddenly appear infront of them with her hands on her waist.
"Di pa ba kayo nagsasawa?" Ani nito saka tumingin sa kanila. Pekeng ngumisi si Dasha saka umiling at umiwas ng tingin kay Kairo. "Siya-siya, may lakad pa ako. Masasayang lang oras ko sa inyo!" ani nito saka dumaan pa talaga sa pagitan nilang dalawa.
Di makapaniwalang umiiling si Kairo habang tinitingnan si Nix papasok sa elevator. Kumaway pa ito sa kanila bago sumara ang elevator.
"I'll get going then!" ani naman ni Kairo ng sila nalang dalawa ang maiwan.
Tumango naman siya at ngumiti dito.
"Ingat!" ani niya.
Ngumiti si Kairo saka tumingin sa kanya saka dahan-dahan na tumalikod wari ba may sadya pa ito sa kanya.
Nang makapasok na sa elevator si Kairo saka naman niya binuksan ang pintuan. Hindi pa siya nakapasok ng tumunog ang phone niya.
It was Dexter, she almost forgot the time they scheduled for her to call them.
"Dex!" Sagot niya sa tawag.
"Have you done sorting his papers? I have something to do in Spain starting next month. No one would take good care of him!"
"I'm still doing it. Maybe after two weeks he'll be able to come here!"
"Okay, I'll hold onto it."
"How is he?"
"He's fine! He'd like to talk to you!"
Ilang saglit naman ng tumahimik ang sa kabilang linya bago magsalita ang anak niya.
Her son was not talkative. And very prudent with his words, pero pagdating sa kanya hindi ito nauubusan ng kwento. Kinukuwento nito ang mga natutunan niya sa tutor niya at kay Dexter.
"I miss you too! I love you, take good care of yourself. See you soon baby!" aniya saka binaba ang tawag.
May tumikhim naman sa likod niya kaya siya napatalon sa gulat. Kairo was standing two meters away from the door looking at her seriously kaya mapakla siyang ngumiti rito. Kinakabahan naman siya habang iniisip kung kanina pa ba ito roon at narinig nito ang usapan nila.
"K-kanina ka pa diyan?"
Umiling ito saka inabot sa kanya ang dala nito na paper bag. She forgot that they brought a materials for painting sa isang shop at naiwan niya sa sasakyan nito.
"Thank you!"
Aniya saka ngumiti rito. Isasara na sana niya ang pintuan ng pigilan ni Kairo ito gamit ang kaliwang kamay. Saka tumingin sa kanya na nagulat at kinakabahan.
'Narinig ba niya?'
Kinakabahan siyang nakatingin rito.
Lumapit pa ito lalo sa kanya kaya siya pilit na umiwas. Hinila siya nito gamit ang kanang kamay saka pumulupot sa bewang niya ang kamay nito.
"Good night!" ani nito saka siya siniil ng halik. Hindi naman kaagad siya nakatugon rito at nakatulala lang. Kairo stopped when he noticed her reaction and looked at her in the eye. "I'm leaving!" ani nito sa malamyos na boses saka humalik na naman sa pisngi niya at ito na mismo ang nagsara ng pintuan ng condo.
Di pa rin siya gumalaw sa kinatatayuan niya sa ginawa ni Kairo. That was the second time that they kissed, but that kiss was different. Dasha felt like something was wrong with that kiss. Kairo was too aggressive, he was holding at her tightly. And those stares and looks—they're too damn scary.
*—
"Ano bang pinagkakaabalahan mo nitong mga nagdaang araw? You look so busy!" ani Nix ng mapansin ang kinikilos ni Dasha. Ngumiti si Dasha sa kaibigan saka tinapik ito sa balikat.
They were working that day at sa araw na iyon lang nagkausap sila ng maayos. Lagi kasi sila parehong abala sa araw at kapag gabi naman nasa kanya-kanyang kwarto sila dahil pagod na. She was working on Kyrie's papers.
"Hey? I'm asking you! Bakit di ka makasagot?"
"JNC WILSONS will launch new collections in bundles. Kaya masyadong abala!" sagot niya saka tumulong sa mga staff doon.
"Wala na yata akong balita kay Kairo!" Dagdag nito ng makabalik siya sa counter matapos mahatid ang order sa mesa ng customer.
Bumuntong hininga siya saka inalala ang huling nangyari. Simula nung gabing iyon ay hindi na sila nagkita. He would sometimes call her and delivered foods for her but it seems like he's too busy with his work.
Hindi na rin siya nangulit pa at hinayaan nalang ito. Simula kasi nang nangyari iyon ay nagdadalawang isip na siya. They're rushing things. Kaya pakiramdam niya hindi niya pa kilala si Kairo. His attitude that night stunned her senses and felt like she never knew the Kairo she likes.
She even remember what Dexter told her when she told him about her complicated relationship with Kairo. He said, they're too fast, things could have be done in a slower way. Kaya nga napapaisip siya kung tama ba ang naging desisyon niya.
"Mukhang may nangyari ah, bakit di ka sumagot?"
"Wala!" tipid na sagot niya rito. "Anyways, I'll be working in the Museum any time now. Naisipan ko na din na lumipat na naman ng tirahan!" aniya sa kaibigan saka ito nagulat at hinila siya papasok sa mini-lobby.
"What did you just say? Lilipat ka? Why?"
"Wala, Darren told me few days ago if I would like to work in JK's Gallery. And I think it's time for me to focus on working into something that I truly loves to do. Besides the gallery means a lot to me and to my passion. That's why I want to work there permanently."
She realized everything and she can't be just an artist. She wanted to work onto something that was part of her job. Maybe handling the gallery would make her feel better in life. Lalo pa at makakasama na niya si Kyrie.
"I can't believe things like this happened to you! Wala pa naman si France at Zeke. Kaya ano bang magagawa ko? But to support you, I know the things between you and the Shaw's ain't fix yet but you can tell us if something happened and remember don't ever run away without telling me what happened and where were you!" ani nito saka siya natawa sa kaibigan.
"Things happened too fast and too weird in your life. Since Tita Amanda left, life became harder for you. I'm happy that you've overcome them all and right now I'm happy hearing you say those words."
Yumakap siya sa kaibigan. "Because all of you was there to cheer me up." Wika niya saka kumalas sa pagkakayakap. "... Actually I was hiding something from you and I don't know how to say it from the start. I hope if you'll find out one day you'll understand me."
"Of course!" nakangiting tugon nito. "By the way, what's your plan with Kairo?"
Bumuntong hininga siya saka tumingin sa kaibigan.
"I'm still confused. He's a good guy no doubt but I can't take off myself to the thought of hesitating over something."
"Whatever it is, as what I've always told you. You can overcome it."
They were seriously talking when their staff came. "May naghahanap po kay Miss Dasha!"
Tumayo naman siya saka sumunod sa staff.
Tinuro naman ng staff ang mesa kung saan may nakaupo na lalaki.
Nang makalapit siya rito at makita siya nito ay tumayo kaagad ito.
"Hi, Miss Gonzales right?" tumango naman siya saka tumingin rito.
"I am Attorney Kale Guanzon. Acquaintance of Ian Ezhekiel Corpus."
Ian Ezhekiel Corpus is Zeke's name in his work and he's using his Mom's middle name which is Corpus dahil Riki ang apelyido ng ama niya.
"Hi!" bati niya saka nakipagkamay rito. Umupo naman siya sa harap nito.
"He told me to help you about the case of Mr. Kyrie about his citizenship."
"Yeah about that. It was actually fine but thanks for coming. There are actually some things that I needed your help with."
Ngumiti ito sa kanya saka tumango. "Zeke already told me that, that bastardo even told me he left his ATM Card and used it. He's too much to bear, don't you think?"
Natawa siya sa sinabi nito saka tumango bilang pag-sangayon.