CHAPTER 36
OPTIONS
Iris' POV
"How do you feel?"
"Edgy. Tense. Nervous. Absolutely nervous."
Dashiell did his best not to chuckle. I pouted but he just smirked.
He squeezed my hand and fixed a loose strand on my hair. "You'll do good. I just know it."
I bit my lower lip and patiently waited for the elevator to open. "I hope so."
"Ms. Leona?" A woman wearing a neat well-pressed white sleeves and black skirt promptly greeted me the moment Dash and I entered the floor.
"That's me," I answered with a smile as I accepted her hand shake.
"Mr. Dashiell Lewis. Good morning." Dash just nod at her and placed his hand on my waist so he could pull me closer to him. Alam niyang kabadong kabado ako at makakalma ako kung mararamdaman kong nandiyan siya.
"Welcome to DLCDI." She introduced herself and informed us about her name and position in the company. All throughout my internship, she will be my direct supervisor.
Ms. A, as she likes to be called, is just a year older than me. She only started working here eight months ago but was already promoted due to her smooth performance. I wasn't even shocked since I could sense she's good at what she does. Sa tindig at tono ng pananalita niya pa lang ay halata ng matalinong babae na siya.
"This will be your station in which you will be staying at most of the time since we are not always required to go on site."
Oh my gosh, I have my own space? This is amazing! I have always dreamed of this!
"The Project Department will be at eleventh floor, sa 12th naman ang Purchasing, 14th Production, and 15th Marketing. I'll give you a list, don't worry."
Pinakilala niya na rin ako sa mga seniors ko na ngumiti lang at bumalik na uli sa trabaho. I guess they're all busy.
Then she handed me my own copy of company manual, ID and security card. "Don't lose it."
Isinuot ko na agad iyon at ngumiti kay Dash upang ipakita sa kanyang parte na nga talaga ako ng kumpanya nila, kahit sa maikling panahon lang.
"Any questions?" She asked after discussing some rules and reminders.
"Yeah, I'm just curious. Are I going to be the only intern here?" I noticed that she didn't introduce any students to me. Lahat ay mga empleyado na talaga.
"No, there are three more who will be joining us in a few. Why don't we take a break for the meantime. Be back here in thirty, sounds good?"
"Okay. Thank you so much, Ms. A."
Pagkaalis niya ay agad akong humarap kay Dash na nakataas ang isang kilay. "Bakit kaya mas maaga ang schedule ko kumpara sa mga makakasabay ko?"
We went inside the elevator before he spoke. Napansin kong pinindot niya ang button paakyat ng 45th floor.
Akala ko bababa kami sa cafeteria upang kumain? Do they also have employee lounge upstairs?
"I made them adjust yours."
"Huh? Bakit?"
"Pinakiusapan ko sila na kung pwede agahan 'yung iyo para masamahan kita bago ako umalis. I have to leave early since I'm meeting the federation committee later," He explained further.
"You should have told me you have plans today. Hindi mo naman ako kailangan pang samahan ngayon." Though I felt relieved that he did. Nawala ang kaba ko habang kausap si Ms. A dahil hawak niya ang kamay ko.
"I wanted to be with you." Ngumiti siya at lumabas na kami ng elevator.
Habang naglalakad ay napansin kong tumatayo ang mga empleyado at nagba-bow sa kanya. Everyone on this floor knows him. Hindi katulad sa baba na kaunti lang ang nakakakilala sa kanya.
"Where exactly are we going?" I whispered. Hindi sumagot si Dash. He just led me towards the end of the production floor. He knocked twice before opening the door.
"Pa?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. We're going to meet Tito and he didn't even mention it to me? Isn't his father a very busy man? Baka nakakaabala kami!
Tumingin lang sa amin ang tatay niya bago ito bumalik sa pagbabasa ng ilang mga papeles. We entered the room and I quickly caught glimpse of a familiar guy wearing an open tuxedo, sitting on the leather sofa just across Tito's table.
Damian...
He didn't look suprised at all. Parang expected niyang dadating kami ni Dashiell.
Why is he here? Sa lahat naman ng araw na bibisita siya sa kumpanya nila, ngayon pa talaga...
I took my eyes off him and stood in front of Tito.
"Hello po," I greeted him. He just nod his head to acknowledge my presence.
"I already talked to her supervisor, Pa. It's all set. Thanks again for allowing Iris to have her training here." Tumango lang ulit ang tatay niya at hindi man lang tumingin sa amin. I touched Dashiell's arm to let him know I'm okay. Sanay na ako sa hindi pagimik ni Tito. He doesn't scare me at all.
"Salamat po Tito. Gagalingan ko po habang nandito po ako," I added.
Bigla niyang sinarado ang folder na hawak niya. I thought he got mad at me but he looked behind me.
"Damian." Tila tumaas lahat ng balahibo sa katawan ko nang sambitin ni Tito ang pangalang iyon.
"Yes Dad?" I heard him answer. Nanatili ang mga mata ko sa table habang si Dashiell naman ay lumingon sa kapatid niya.
"Your orientation," maikling paalala nito.
Damian's going to stay here too? Hindi ba siya babalik ng Australia? I thought he was just visiting? And what orientation? Don't tell me---Oh gosh. No way! Makakasama ko ba siya dito? This must be some kind of a sick joke. Why would he agree on this? Is he insane? What we should do is stay away from each other, not be together most of the time!
"Right. See you later Pa. Don't forget your med---stuff." I peeped into Damian and saw him walking towards us. "Baba na 'ko, bro."
"Sabay na kami. Dumaan lang naman kami dito. Sige Pa, mauna na rin po kami." Dashiell immediately pulled me so I just gave a quick smile to Tito. Kaso hindi niya naman nakita dahil hindi na siya tumingin sa akin. Ang mga mata niya ay nakatutok sa panganay niya na naglalakad na palabas ng pintuan.
While walking towards the elevator again, I finally realized what Dashiell meant when he told me about his father's 'favorite son'. Malayo nga ang treatment nito sa kanilang dalawang magkapatid. Mas nakasandal si Tito kay Damian habang malamig ang pakitungo nito kay Dashiell. I wonder why he's like that.
Mabait naman na anak si Dash. Over achiever din ito at matino.
Dahil ba ang magiging tagapagmana ay si Damian kaya mas binibigyan niya ito ng pansin? Can't he hand over the company to both of them?
Sabagay, ganoon din naman ang parents ko. Mas maganda ang pakitungo nila kay Ate kumpara sa akin, because she will inherit our family business. They need her more than they need me.
But ever since I started dating Dash, they seemed to change. Mas binigyan na nila ako ng pansin at freedom na matagal ko nang gustong makamtam. Now, I can do whatever I want as long as Dash is with me. Kahit overnight pa yan or out of town, basta si Dash ang kasama ko, ayos lang kila Mama.
"Kakain muna kami sa cafeteria. Do you want to join us, Kuya?"
"No, it's fine. Didiretso na 'ko sa---"
"Bilis na. Tsaka para magkapalayagan na rin kayo ng loob nitong si Iris."
Damian gazed at me for a second before pursing his lips. "Sure, why not..."
Habang naguusap silang dalawa ay pumasok na kami sa loob ng elevator. Doon pa talaga ako sa gitna nila napapuwesto.
Good Lord.
It was quiet for a few seconds until my boyfriend broke the silence.
"Kuya, ikaw na muna bahala kay Iris ha."
I think I just died upon hearing Dashiell's words. Napapikit ako saglit.
"Pakibantayan muna siya habang nasa training academy ako. You know how much I love her, right? I don't want her to have a hard time while she's in here."
Tumingin ako kay Dash at sa puntong iyon, gusto ko na lang umiyak sa harapan niya at sabihin ang lahat lahat. Hindi ko na kayang umakto na para bang ayos lang ang lahat.
Hindi umimik si Damian kaya naman humarap pa sa amin si Dash upang makita niya ang mukha ng Kuya niya. I stayed frozen at my spot.
"Please take care of her."
Hindi nagsalita si Damian ngunit sa tingin ko ay tumango siya kaya naman umayos na ng pwesto si Dash. I looked down and did my best to hold off the tears.
Pagkalabas namin ng elevator ay hindi ko na napigilan pa ang sarili ko. I held Dashiell's hand tighter and stopped him from walking.
I can't continue keeping my past a secret to him. He deserves to know the truth.
If I'm lucky enough, maybe he'd still accept me afterwards. But if he doesn't, I won't give up on him. I'd do anything just so I can still stay beside him.
"C-can we talk?" nauutal na tanong ko.
"Of course. Why don't we do it while we're eating? I'm quite hungry."
Sobrang good mood niya ngayon. Parang mas excited pa siya sa akin sa pagsisimula ko sa internship ko.
Kapag sinabi ko ang totoo, alam kong mawawala ang ngiti sa labi niya at matatagalan bago iyon makabalik.
Pero kung hindi ko sasabihin sa kanya ngayon, kailan pa? Kapag magpapakasal na kami? Kapag magsisimula na kami ng pamilya? That would be too late. He'd hate me by then.
I have to tell him now.
"Actually, this can't wait." My voice was too low but I am certain that he heard me because his facial expression changed. He stared into my eyes, trying to read my mind.
"Okay. What is it?"
"I..." Hindi ko alam kung saan ako magsisimula.
"I think she's just nervous." I turned around and saw Damian scratching the back of his head. "It's fine, Iris. You don't have to. I'll guide you whenever I can."
Anong ginagawa niya? Why did he interrupt me?
Tinitigan ko siya habang nakakunot ang noo ko.
Halata sa mga mukha niyang may gusto pa siyang sabihin.
"See? Aalalayan ka ni Kuya, wag kang magalala. Mabuti nga at sabay kayo ng training. Hindi katulad ko na mag-isa lang dito last year nung nag-OJT ako," tatawa tawang sambit ni Dashiell.
I raised an eyebrow at Damian.
Ano bang trip niya at bumalik agad siya dito sa Pilipinas? He could have taken his intership in Australia. Is it really important for him to complete his units here?
"Halika na, kumain na muna tayo. Gutom na rin ako." Nagmadali biglang maglakad si Damian. Nilagpasan niya pa nga kami.
Dash put his arms around me and kissed my hair as we followed his brother towards the cafeteria. Wala akong nagawa kundi sumama na lang.
*****
I didn't have the appetite to eat so I just finished drinking my lemon juice drink until it we had to go back. I kept my mouth shut the whole time Damian and Dashiell were talking about some soccer games.
Hindi ko alam kung paano nagagawa ni Damian makipagusap sa kapatid niya na para bang wala siyang lihim na kailangang sabihin. He looks at me every now and then but he never showed any nervousness around Dashiell. Sobrang layo sa kung ano ang pinapakita ko ngayon.
"Hey, I can't leave when you're like this." Dash held my hand. "Relax, Iris. It'll be okay."
Pero hindi nga kasi ako magiging okay na hindi ko sinasabi sa'yo ang sikreto ko!
I hugged him and buried my face on his neck, not even caring if there are some employees who would see us. Alam naman ng buong mundo na girlfriend ako ni Dashiell.
"Can we go somewhere else please? Just the two of us? Usap lang tayo," I almost begged.
"Ano ba 'yung gusto mong sabihin? You can say it here."
"No. Not here. Not in the open."
"But you have your orientation in a few minutes."
"Yeah, Iris. We should go," Damian added.
"You shouldn't be late on your first day," Dash reminded me.
Sighing, I pulled away a little, just so I can look up to my boyfriend's face.
"Are you going to fetch me after work?"
"Of course."
Okay. I'll just talk to him tonight then.
Tumango ako at humiwalay na sa kanya. Nang matitigan niya ang mukha ko ay kumunot ang noo niya.
"I suppose we still have a minute or two before I leave. What is it you want to tell me?"
Magsasalita na sana ako nang biglang tumunog ang phone niya. Mukhang si coach na iyon, hinahanap na siya.
Well Iris, two minutes isn't enough for what you're about to reveal.
"Alis ka na?" malungkot na tanong ko.
"Yeah. I don't want them to wait for me. Mas maganda kung nandoon na ako bago pa sila dumating. Mamaya na tayo magusap ha. See you later, my life. I love you." He gave me a quick kiss before he bid goodbye to his brother. I watched him enter the other elevator leading to the basement parking.
Matagal kong tinitigan ang daan kung saan ko siya huling nakita bago ako tinawag na Damian upang pumasok sa elevator.
I badly wanted to admit everything to Dash even though I know it might ruin us. Sobrang nagi-guilty na kasi ako.
"I thought you wanted to forget about what happened..." It was just me and Damian inside, kaya malakas ang loob niyang magtanong. Malayo kami sa isa't-isa but for some reason, I feel crowded to stand beside him. "Didn't you want to erase your memory of me?"
"More than anything in this world," I answered in a low voice, staring at my hands.
As cruel as this sounds, all I could think of is Dashiell getting hurt because of my past.
Hindi agad nagsalita si Damian kaya naman tumingin na ako sa kanya. His eyes are already on mine when I looked at him.
"Then why do I feel like you were going to tell Dashiell?"
"Bakit Damian? Mali ba umamin sa kanya?"
"You said it yourself, masasaktan lang siya." Napailing pa siya.
"Pero mas lalo lang siyang masasaktan kung hindi natin sasabihin sa kanya!" A tear escaped my eyes and I quickly wiped it off. "Nahihirapan na ako humarap sa kanya araw araw at umaktong walang nangyari sa ating dalawa."
His jaw clenched. "I know how hard it is. Believe me Iris, I'm feeling the same way that you do but if we do this, he'll change big time. Trust me, I know my brother. Hindi niya basta basta matatanggap 'yon and even if he does, it won't ever leave his mind."
I shook my head. "Dashiell will understand if we explain it to him. Mahal naman niya ako e. And it's not like I cheated on him! Wala ka rin namang ginawang mali. It happened two years before Dash and I started liking each other."
Bumukas bigla ang elevator sa floor kung saan kami mago-orientation. Parehas kaming hindi gumalaw dahil hindi pa naman tapos ang usapan namin. Gladly, he pressed the top floor button.
Huminga siya ng malalim bago ako hinarap. "Gusto ko rin naman sabihin sa kanya. Do you think it's easy for me to act clueless in front of him? Magaling lang ako itago ang emosyon ko pero nakokonsensya na rin ako."
"Then let's admit it once and for all!"
"Think about the consequences of it, Iris. Kasi sa nakikita ko, walang magandang idudulot ang pagamin natin sa kanya."
"You're unbelievable. If we come clean now, atleast we don't have to deal with hiding anymore." I exhaled. "I know I said let's forget about it but I just couldn't. Tuwing nakikita ko si Dash, naaalala ko tayo. 'Yung mga nangyari sa Paris. I can't keep it from him anymore."
Damian ran a hand through his hair. "What I want is for us to talk about it. Because clearly, we never got the chance to resolve things between us. Dash doesn't have to get involved."
Bakit ba gusto niya pang pagusapan ang nangyari sa amin? There's nothing to discuss! We ended because he didn't call. Ang dapat iniisip namin ay 'yung taong masasaktan dahil sa amin.
"Dash is involved whether we like it or not because I'm dating him and he is your brother."
Tumahimik siya saglit. "Are you really ready to lose Dash?"
I bit my lower lip and stared at him.
Mawawala ba talaga sa akin si Dashiell kapag sinabi ko iyon?
"Cause I'm not ready to," He continued. "Sa lahat ng tao sa mundo, si Dashiell ang alam kong kakampi ko sa lahat ng bagay. In whatever I do, I know he'll always have my back. If I tell him that I had history with his girlfriend, he'll lose his sh*t. Kahit na sabihin nating ilang taon na ang lumipas, magbabago ang tingin niya sa'kin---sa ating dalawa."
Tumulo na ang mga luhang kanina pa gustong gustong lumabas.
"I'm not ready to lose him too! Si Dashiell lang ang nagmahal sa'kin ng ganito. He always makes me feel loved. Tingin mo gusto kong sirain ang kung anong meron kami ngayon? We have a healthy relationship! Sa buong taon na magjowa kami, isang beses lang kami nagaway ng malala! May hindi na nga kami nagtatalo dahil lagi niya akong iniintindi. We don't get jealous because we trust each other and I want to keep that trust! I can't continue lying to him! Dash has to know about us!"
Sumandal na rin sa gilid si Damian at inilagay niya ang mga kamay niya sa bulsa ng trousers niya.
"Dashiell's finally reaching his dreams. Ang tagal niyang pinangarap 'to. Kung aamin tayo ngayon, magugulo ang isip niya. He'll be out of focus and he'll lose his chance to be a renowned athlete not only in the Philippines but to the whole world. Hindi dahil magaling siya ay makakapaglaro na siya on a regular play. If he messes up, he'll be a benchwarmer, a substitute player who'd hate the two of us for ruining his soccer career. He needs to have his head on the game."
I remember Dash telling me he needs to prove himself to the federation, otherwise he won't make it.
Kaya ko bang sirain ang pangarap niya? Can I take it if I become the reason of his failure?
Napasandal ako sa gilid at tiningnan si Damian. Now I understand why he's so afraid of confessing. Ito ang panahon kung saan kailangang motivated si Dash. Kailangang wala siyang ibang iniisip kundi ang paglalaro ng soccer.
"Staying on the national team may lead to years, Damian. YEARS! Are you telling me I can't say anything within those years?"
Tumingin lang sa sahig si Damian kaya naman nanghina ako. I already knew the answer to my question but still, I prayed for some miracle.
Ngayon pa nga lang ay ang bigat na sa dibdib nitong sikreto ko, ano pa kaya ang patagalin ko ito ng ilang taon?
I groaned loudly in defeat. Umiyak na lang ako ng umiyak sa inis dahil alam kong talo ako.
Even if I wanted to tell my boyfriend the truth, I couldn't.
I shouldn't.
I was sobbing when he handed me a handkerchief, to which I only looked at.
"I'm sorry if we happened, Iris. Kung alam ko lang na magiging parte ka ng buhay ni Dashiell, hindi na sana kita nilapitan sa Louvre. I wouldn't talk to you, let alone flirt with you. I wouldn't even spend a day with you. Kahit sobrang attracted ako sa'yo noon, lalayuan kita para sa kapatid ko."
I felt anger towards his words. "If you only responded to me, we wouldn't be having this conversation now. Wala sana tayong problema, Damian."
It's not like I regret being with Dash now. I am eternally grateful I'm with him.
I just think things would be so different if only he contacted me. He ruined my hope of being with him. I left Paris but he left me hanging, my heart and my whole being.
"What do you mean? Iris, I don't even know your real name, remember? At paano kita mako-contact---" Biglang bumukas ang elevator door sa isang floor at tumumbad ang dalawang employees na halatang nagulat sa itsura ko. I immediately excused myself and walked out. I'm sure all floors here have a comfort room. I should wash my face to look composed before I go downstairs to face Ms. A again.
Pumasok ako sa isang cubicle at kinalma ang sarili ko. Ayokong magpunta sa orientation na namamaga ang mga mata at namumula ang ilong.
Sinarado ko ang takip ng toilet bowl at umupo muna doon. I sent a message to Ms. A that I'll be late for a few minutes because of an emergency. Hopefully, hindi pumanget ang first impression niya sa akin dahil dito.
"Have you girls heard the news? Dito pala mag-internship ang girlfriend ni Dashiell."
I heard some employees entered the comfort room.
Great. Now I can't get out.
"Dashiell? Ah. Yung anak ni Chairman? I'm not even surprised."
"Kaya nga. Malamang tutulungan nila 'yon. She's part of the Elite society. She's one of them."
"Pero ang unfair lang kasi hello, libo libo ang nagpapasa para makapag-OJT dito tapos siya, ganun ganun lang?"
"Kaya nga. Pinsan ko nga sobrang talino pero 'di nakapasa."
"I bet his girlfriend's dumb and all she knows is shopping."
"Mukhang ganda nga lang ang magiging ambag dito sa kumpanya. Yikes!"
Gusto kong lumabas at sabihin sa kanilang hindi lang ganda ang maiaambag ko. Besides, hindi naman ako nakapasok sa kumapanya dahil lang sa tulong ni Dash. I worked hard for it too.
Dumaan din naman ako sa hiring process. Dashiell may have given my resume to his Dad's secretary and although I have their recommendation, the HR deparment still asked me for an interview. Four interviews to be exact at sobrang dami nilang tinanong tungkol sa resume ko. In the end, they were impressed because I had answered all their questions and my background as a running Summa Cum Laude for the Engineering department at my school did help a lot.
Alam ng mga nakasabay ko sa panel interview ang confidence ko sa pagsagot. I was even shocked at myself since I usually get shy but during those days, I was direct and poised.
Psh. What's the point of arguing with them? Hindi naman sila maniniwala.
"Pero ito, I have good news for you girls. Damian Alejandro's here."
"Smokes! No way! Charmain's eldest son?"
"Yup! I saw him at the parking lot earlier and gosh, my panties almost dropped. As in, ang guwapo!"
"Inggit ako! Sana makita ko siya! Ang hot kaya non!"
That's right. Talk about him rather than gossip about my internship. Wala naman kayong makukuhang maganda sa panlalait sa kapwa.
Hinintay kong makaalis sila bago ako lumabas ng cubicle. Nanghihina man ay pinilit ko ang sarili kong maging maayos. I have to do great here or people will talk more about me, and that's the least that I want from this company.
Damian's POV
I hated the idea of lying to Dashiell but it's not like I have a choice. Besides, I'm afraid he'll rebel. Alam ko matured na siya pero may nangyari na kasi noon na muntikan na ring magbago ng pakitungo niya sa akin.
We were teens back then and he was trying to ask this girl out on a date. But I'm the girl's type and I wasn't aware that she's the girl Dashiell likes so I flirted back. Nang malaman ni Dash ang tungkol doon ay nagalit siya ng sobra at hindi niya ako kinausap ng ilang linggo.
He started drinking with his friends and tried smoking. He even almost got into a car accident because of drunk driving. Dad was so angry at him when the public heard about it. It kind of ruined the image of the Lewis family especially my father's reputation.
Nang kinausap ko si Dash ng masinsinan, umamin siya na masama ang loob niya kaya sa ganoong paraan niya inilabas ang galit niya.
Akala ni Dash inaagaw ko ang kanya. I have a gut feeling he'll feel the same way if he learns about me and Iris.
"Damn this life," I frustratedly cursed while waiting for Iris to get out of the comfort room. I can't just leave after seeing her break down.
"Omg. That's him."
"Who? Oh gosh. Hi Damian!"
"What brought you here?"
Napatingin ako sa grupo ng mga babaeng tuwang tuwa makita ako. They're all smiling so I smiled back.
"Just waiting for a friend," I simply answered, taking a step to the side so they can walk past through.
"Nice meeting you!"
"Sana makita ka pa namin madalas."
"Welcome to the company, by the way."
Naghagikgikan sila paglagpas nila sa akin. Ang isa nga ay halatang nag-picture pa.
Maybe I shouldn't stay here. Parang hindi magandang hinihintay ko ang girlfriend ng kapatid ko. The last thing that I want is for people to create rumors about us.
I'm trying to relieve some stress from my father, not add up to things he'll need to find solution with.
Sumakay na uli ako ng elevator at bumaba na sa 10th floor.
Amari welcomed me with grace. She's one of the first people I met here when Dad introduced me to them a few weeks ago. People address her as Ms. A but since we're at the same age, I told her we should call each other on first name basis. Masyado kasing formal ang Ms. A.
"We'll just have to wait for one more intern. She should be here in a few." Inabutan niya na lang muna kami ng manual at pinaupo sa isang meeting room.
I know she's talking about Iris. Sana ay maging okay na ito.
I didn't mean to make her cry. Alam kong hirap na hirap na rin talaga siya pero... nakakatakot ang magiging reaksyon ni Dash. She might cry more.
Iris finally came after fifteen minutes. Namumula pa ang ilong niya ngunit narinig kong sinabi niyang may allergy kasi siya. Good reasoning.
There are four of us on this table. Two girls, two boys. I heard the other two are both from Marquis Drishti University, a school like my brother's school, just less... intimidating.
"I'll be back once the video ended." Amari smiled and left the room.
May pinapanuod siya sa aming introductory vid about the company, which I already know since mula pagkabata ay alam ko na ang mga bagay tungkol sa kumpanya namin.
Sumandal ako sa upuan at dumungaw kay Iris. Tanging ilaw lang mula sa projector screen ang naging paraan upang makita ko ang mukha niya.
She's staring at the video but I can feel that her mind's somewhere else.
Kahit namamaga ang mga mata ay kita ko pa rin talaga ang ganda niya. I couldn't help but stare at her. Her beauty's really one of a kind. It's one of the reason why I saw her amidst the crowd at the museum two years ago. Nangingibabaw ang inosenteng mukha niya at ang malaporselanang puti ng katawan niya. Even if she doesn't try, she would still catch my attention. And her voice? It was like an angel is speaking to me.
F*ck.
I blinked a couple of times when I suddenly realized what happened. Umiling ako at umayos ng upo. I can't think about her like this. Mali ito. SOBRANG MALI!
But somehow, my eyes still end up going back to her.
My brother's one lucky man. Napakaswerte niya at sa kanya napunta si Iris.
Sighing, I just closed my eyes and hoped someone would hit my head pretty hard so I can get rid of these thoughts.
Iris' POV
We were only at the start of the video presentation when I heard a sigh on my side. I gently peeked to see who it was and was startled when I saw Damian with his eyes closed. Ang isang kamay niya ay nakapatong sa table habang ang ulo niya naman ay nakasandal sa upuan. Kung sisilip ka mula sa labas, iisipin mong nanunuod pa rin siya.
But why is sleeping? Is he serious? Hindi ba importante na malaman niya ang mga ito? What if Ms. A suddenly hands out a test paper after this? Ano na lang ang isasagot niya?
I rolled my eyes and continued watching the vid but for some reason, my eyes went back to Damian after a few minutes.
I just gazed at him...
Habang tinitingnan siya ay bigla kong naalala ang unang beses na nagkita kami. He still has the same stubble on his face. Hindi nagbago ang itsura niya pati ang ayos ng buhok niya.
When he approached me at the museum, he thought I could speak French. It was funny but at the same time, very natural. It was like two friends meeting each other after a long time. Indeed, we truly have gotten along well from our first conversation.
To my surprise, I felt dispirited remembering every moment in Paris especially the last hug that we shared. He told me I shouldn't say goodbye but instead goodnight. And I was so afraid of letting him go that I clung more to him even though there were other people at the lobby.
Back then we already have a feeling we'll be separated. It was like fate informing us that we'll be apart.
Bigla na lang lumakas ang sound ng video kaya napamulat sa gulat si Damian. My eyes widened when he caught me staring at him. Umiwas agad ako ng tingin at ginamit ang buhok ko bilang harang sa mga mata niya. Though I could really feel his gaze on me.
Sheez. He's probably wondering why I'm looking at him.
And so did I! Why did I do that? What is wrong with me? Why am I reminiscing our past?
I wanted to slap myself for having flashbacks.
Ugh, if only I can send a request to be moved to another department. Kaso anong idadahilan ko? Na ayoko kasing katrabaho ang kapatid ng boyfriend ko? That would be weird.
I guess I just have to endure two months working with Damian.
*End of Chapter 36*
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We will be giving away books and gcash money as prizes to nerdylovers who would win on our contests and games. Mechanics will be posted on our FB Page (Nerdyirel) within the week.
Stay tuned! :)