Rod's POV
I'm here at the site, busy checking the materials na kadarating lang ulit. I'm pissed right now dahil puro pa din marurupok! Kung hindi marupok, may problema naman. Tsk! I'm done. Ito ang ayaw ko eh whenever we start building those approved designs. Around 3:30pm, Franky, Angelo and I were busy discussing about blueprint kasi hanggang ngayon madami pa din silang hindi maintindihan which made me more pissed. After a couple of minutes, I was surprise dahil dumating si Steffie dito sa site. Habang papalapit siya sa amin, Franky speak up.
Franchesca: Bakit nandito yang babaeng yan, Roderick?
Angelo: Kaya nga, diba dapat nasa office lang siya?
Franchesca: Don't tell me pinapunta mo siya dito ha!
Rod: Tsk! Anong pinapunta? Ni hindi ko nga alam na pupunta dito yan eh.
Stephanie: Hi guys! (Then smile)
Franky and Angelo focused on the blueprint. They didn't bother to speak up so I don't have a choice kaya ako nalang ang nagsalita.
Rod: Hello Steffie (then smile forcedly)
Stephanie: Oh mukhang hindi maganda ang araw niyo ah. Bakit may problema ba?
Franchesca: Sa tingin mo ba ganto magiging facial expression namin kung walang problema? Tanga lang? (Whispered)
Stephanie: Huh?
Franchesca: Sabi ko sa sa tingin mo ba ganto magiging ganto facial expre— Aray! (Hindi na natuloy ang sasabihin niya dahil hinampas ni Angelo ang blueprint sa kanya)
Angelo: A-ah Architect Alvarez, what brings you here?
Stephanie: Ah wala naman, gusto ko lang kayong bisitahin dito besides wala pa naman ako masayadong ginagawa sa office.
Angelo: Oh okay.
Our conversation goes on until our foreman inform us na may dumating ng materyales ulit. I was about to check it but Angelo insisted na sila nalang daw ni Franky. Baka na naman daw kasi mainis lang ako. As Franky and Angelo left, lumapit agad sa akin si Steffie.
Stephanie: So dito ka pala pumupunta everytime wala ka sa office.
Rod: Yeah, minsan sa other sites but mostly dito.
Stephanie: Dinner tayo ulit mamaya?
Rod: What? (Look at Steffie)
Stephanie: Sabi ko dinner tayo ulit mamaya.
Rod: Ah okay. Ahm sorry, I'm having dinner with someone else kasi.
Stephanie: Sino?
Rod: Dr. Chavez.
Stephanie: Again?
Rod: Excuse me? What do you mean again?
Stephanie: Ah wa-wala. Can I join you? Sama naman ako para makilala ko na siya.
Rod: Sorry but as I've said earlier, she has something to tell kaya hindi pwede. Next time nalang (then walk away but Steffie followed him)
Stephanie: Something to tell? Do you have any clue kung ano?
Rod: Wala eh.
To be honest, naiinis na ako sa inaasta ni Steffie. Sobrang nakakapanibago talaga, hindi naman siya ganyan noon. While walking, she keep on asking me about Imee. Napakakulit! Until sa hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong tanungin din siya.
Rod: Bakit ba you keep on asking about Imee? (Stop then faced Stephanie)
Stephanie: Eh kasi naman whenever inaaya kita, palagi nalang siyang nasasali sa usapan. Tsk! Hindi ka naman ganyan dati sa Barcelona ah. You keep on asking permission to her eh hindi pa naman kayo. Nasa ligawan stage palang kayo diba? Eh bakit may pa-ganun na siya? Kailangan ba lahat ng lakad mo alam niya? (Then laugh sarcastically)
Rod: Eh ano naman kung hindi pa kami? Doon din naman papunta yun. You know what, nakakapanibago ka na. Hindi ka din naman ganyan dati nung nasa Barcelona pa tayo. You've changed a lot, Steffie.
Stephanie: I've changed kasi iniwan mo ako! Umalis ka ng hindi nagpapaalam tapos wala man lang paramdam nung nakarating ka na dito? Wow ha! Just wow! (Then rolled her eyes)
Rod: Bakit ako magpapaalam sayo? Ano ba kita?
After telling those words, she look at me and halatang naiiyak siya. Silence hit us for a couple of seconds so I speak up.
Rod: You know what, umalis ka na Steffie.
Stephanie: No.
Rod: Come on Steffie, bumalik ka na sa office.
Stephanie: Roderick ano ba! Ayoko nga sabi diba? Kausapin mo nga muna ako ng hindi nasasali yang Chavez na yan! Nakakainis na eh, alam mo yun?!
Rod: Huh? Eh ikaw nga tong tanong ng tanong tungkol sa kanya eh.
Stephanie: Only because binanggit mo siya kanina.
Rod: I have a lot of things to do. Umalis ka na, pwede?
Without any hesitation, she came closer then kissed me. I was shock, I wasn't expect na hahalikan niya ako. It took me a couple of seconds bago ko siya natulak then gave her a questioned look.
Rod: Ba-bakit mo ginawa yun? (Then look around)
Stephanie: Sorry Rod, hi-hindi ko sinasadya.
Rod: Paano kung may nakakita sa atin? Tsk! Umalis ka na Steffie.
I didn't wait for her to speak, basta iniwan ko nalang siya mag-isa. Good thing, she didn't followed me so pinuntahan ko na sila Franky. Around 5pm, pinauwi ko na ang mga workers cuz kulang din naman ang mga materyales, bukas nalang nila ituloy ulit. Sumabay na din si Franky kay Angelo pauwi while ako naman nandito pa din sa site. I changed my polo into white one dahil ayoko namang magmukhang haggard at madumi mamaya. First time mag-aya ni Imee ng dinner eh so I must look presentable.
It took me 25 minutes to reach the hospital. I sprayed my favourite perfume all over my polo then tinignan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin bago lumabas ng sasakyan. As I enter the hospital, the guard greeted me. He even mention my name HAHAH kilalang-kilala na ba ako dito? While walking, Nurse Jenny approached me.
N. Jenny: Sir Roderick! (Then walk towards Rod)
Rod: Hi. Is Dr. Chavez still busy? Madami pa bang pasyente?
N. Jenny: Sir maaga po umalis si Doc.
Rod: Huh? Saan daw pumunta?
N. Jenny: I don't know sir.
Rod: Ganun ba? Sige, salamat.
N. Jenny: Sige sir, maiwan ko na po kayo.
Rod: Sige sige (then smile)
"She's not here? Saan naman kaya pumunta yun? Pumunta na ba sa Resto? Pero maaga pa ah (in his mind)" As I hopped in the car, I immediately grab my phone then call her pero cannot be reached. I was planning to call kuya Anthony sana cuz I wanna ask kung umuwi ba siya sa kanila or kung alam niya kung nasaan siya pero wag na, I changed my mind. Baka kasi kung ano pang isipin niya, mag-aalala pa. I called her multiple times again but still the same, no answer.
To Imee:
Lizzy, nasa'n ka? I'm here at the hospital.
✅Message Sent.
To Imee:
Saang Resto tayo magdidinner?
✅Message Sent.
To Imee:
Nasa Resto ka na ba? Send me the location na, Doc. Pupunta na ako agad jan
✅Message Sent.
After sending those message, tinatawagan ko siya ulit. This time, ringing na pero hindi siya sumasagot. I even open my IG account baka kasi nakaonline siya but sadly, hindi din. While checking who's online I saw Samantha, naka-active siya so I've decided to send her a message.
*IG
RoderickL_Laurel: Hey Sam.
Sammy_Salazar: Hi Rod.
RoderickL_Laurel: Kasama mo ba si Imee?
After sending that message, she left me seen. She didn't reply na so naghintay muna ako ng ilang oras.
It's been 23 minutes and until now hindi pa din siya nagrereply so I've decided to send her a message again.
RoderickL_Laurel: Alam mo ba kung nasa'n siya?
RoderickL_Laurel: If yes, could you please remind her about our dinner? Baka kasi nakalimutan na niya😅 Salamat.
RoderickL_Laurel: Please tell her hihintayin ko nalang siya sa Italian Resto malapit sa village niya.
As I send those messages, her active status turned off. She didn't even read it. I just sigh deeply, turned off my phone and turned on the engine. When I entered the Resto, I immediately look for a table. As I sit, the waiter suddenly approach me then handed the menu but I told him na mamaya na muna dahil may hinihintay pa ako. I've been here for like an hour and a half. Kanina pa din ako tinitignan ng mga waiter and waitress, pilit nalang akong napapangiti sa kanila. I also keep on checking my wristwatch and calling her every minute pero ni isang tawag ko hindi siya sumasagot so I went out of the Resto na then directly drove my car papunta sa bahay niya. Pagbaba ko ng sasakyan, nakapatay pa lahat ng ilaw at wala pa din sa garage ang kotse niya.
As I hopped in the car again, I immediately grab my phone then send her a message.
To Imee:
Nasa'n ka na ba Imee?
✅Message Sent
To Imee:
You're not home yet. Could you please answer my calls or kahit magreply ka man lang? Nag-aalala na ako sayo.
✅Message Sent.
To Imee:
Please send me your location. Ngayon na! Ayoko ng ganito.
✅Message Sent.
To Imee:
May problema ba? You can tell me, I'll listen. Is it about your patient earlier?
✅Message Sent.
I was about to call her but I saw her car stop infront of her house na so I went out of my car na din. Nagulat ako ng bumaba siya. Parang umiyak siya cuz her nose turned red as well as her cheeks. Lalapitan ko sana siya but she told me not to. I was confused dahil okay naman kami kanina so I speak up.
Rod: Lizzy nag-alala ako sayo. Akala ko ba may dinner tayo? Hinintay kita. I even ask Nurse Jenny, ang sabi niya maaga ka daw umalis. Saan ka pumunta? Sinong kasama mo?
Imee: I'm with Sam.
Rod: Oh okay......Wait, umiyak ka ba?
She didn't speak. Basta naglakad lang siya para buksan ang gate so I had the chance para lapitan na siya.
Rod: Ako na, Lizzy.
Imee: Ako na. Lumayo ka, pwede?
Rod: No I insist, ako na (then smile)
Imee: Napakakulit mo! Sinabing ako na diba? Hindi ka ba nakakaintindi?
Rod: Oh sorry (then let Lizzy open the gate) Lizzy is there something wrong? May problema ba?
Imee: Wala.
As Lizzy answered, she turn her back then naglakad na siya pabalik sa kotse niya. I'm really confused right now. Kanina okay kami eh, medyo sweet pa nga siya but now parang bumalik kami sa dati. She was about to open the door but I stop her which cause her to gave me a death glare.
Imee: Ano?!
Rod: Anong nangyari, Lizzy? Okay ka lang ba? Umiyak ka, right? Come on tell me, makikinig ako.
Imee: Tsk! Stop calling me Lizzy and pwede ba umuwi ka na? Sinasayang mo lang oras mo kakapunta dito.
Rod: Huh? Diba sabi ko hindi ako uuwi ngayon? Sabay tayo uuwi bukas, right? We're having dinner sa bahay Lizzy and supposedly may dinner din tayo ngayon pero hindi ka dumating. Nakalimutan mo ata but it's okay, pwede naman tayo magpadeliver nalang eh. Kumain ka na ba?
Imee: Tell Tita Emilia, I'm really sorry. Hindi na matutuloy yung dinner bukas.
Rod: Huh? Ba-bakit? (Confused)
Imee: Sabi mo hindi ka na magsisinungaling diba?
Rod: Huh? Hi-Hindi kita maintindihan Lizzy.
Imee: Kapag ba tatanungin kita ngayon, magsasabi ka na ba ng totoo?
Rod: I always tell the truth naman eh.
Imee: May kasama ka bang babae sa site kanina?
Rod: Oo, si Franky.
Imee: Aside from Franky, sino pa?
Rod: Wa-wala na.
Imee: Liar! Napakasinungaling mo.
As she tell those words, nagulat ako. "Anong ibig niyang sabihin? God! Does she know na nasa site si Steffie kanina? Damn it, nakita niya kayang hinalikan niya ako? (In his mind)" She hopped in the car then parked her car at the garage habang ako naman tulala pa din. She was about to close the gate but I stop her then speak up.
Rod: Imee let's talk please.
Imee: No, I don't wanna see your face na muna. Umuwi ka na.
Rod: No, please Imee. Ayoko ng ganito tayo. Pag-usapan naman natin toh please? Hindi ako makakatulog nito eh.
Imee: I saw you kissing another girl sa site kanina tapos sasabihin mo wala? Now tell me, kelan ka pa nagsimulang magsinungaling sakin ha?
As Imee tell those words, lalo akong kinabahan. I don't know what to say and my tears started to fall.
Imee: You know what, umuwi ka na.
Rod: Imee please, let me explain. It's not what you think.
Imee: Explain? Para ano? Para magsinungaling ka ulit at gumawa ng kwento? Wag na, just leave.
Rod: Imee naman pakinggan mo naman ako oh.
Imee: Leave! Ayokong makipag-usap sayo, Roderick...... Don't force me na kausapin ka kasi baka kung ano pang masabi ko sayo, pagsisisihan mo lang.
After she tell those words, she walked away and unlock the door then directly go to the dining area. I followed her then speak up.
Rod: Imee kahit konting oras lang. Please hear me out. Hindi ako gagawa ng kwe—(didn't finish his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Umalis ka na! Mahirap bang intindihin yun?
Rod: Kung ikaw makakatulog ka ng hindi tayo okay, ako hindi. So please talk to me (then wiped away his tears)
Imee: Tsk! Gusto mo talagang mag-usap tayo ha?
Rod: Yes!
Imee: Okay sige. Tell me more about your lies, Roderick.
Rod: More about my lies? Ngayon nga lang ako hindi nagsabi ng totoo Imee eh.
Imee: Tsk! Stupid! Nung araw na hinatid mo ako dito, sabi mo si Angelo yung nagtext diba? Pero hindi! Yung araw na pumunta ka sa Hospital, tinanong kita kung sino ang kasama mo. Sabi mo wala diba? Pero sabi ni Stephen kasama mo si Franky. Yung araw na tinanong kita kung nasan ka ng around 8am, sabi mo nasa office ka. Pero I saw you with another girl eh. Sinundo mo siya diba?
Rod: I-I have reasons Imee.
Imee: Shut up! I'm not done yet. Kagabi, sabi mo you're having dinner with your mom and dad pero hindi! I saw you having dinner kasama nung babaeng yun! Tapos ngayon, nagsinungaling ka ulit (her tears started to fall)
Rod: Nagawa ko lang yun dahil ayokong magselos ka Imee. Please maniwala ka sakin. This time, I'm telling the truth.
Imee: Isa lang naman ang pakiusap ko sayo diba? Pero bakit hindi mo magawa? Ang simple lang non, Rod! (Then wiped her tears) You know what, hindi na ako sigurado kung ikaw pa ba yung Mr. R na nakilala ko.
Rod: No Imee, don't say that (his tears continuesly fall)
Imee: Yung Mr. R na nag-set ng standards ko ng napakataas? Hindi ko na makita sayo, Rod.
Rod: Imee naman, I'm really sorry okay? Promise this time, hindi na ako magsisingungaling. You have my words, Doc.
Imee: Promise?! You said promise na din kanina diba? Pero ano! Nagsinungaling ka pa din......Alam mo sana hindi ka na bumalik........Sana hindi mo nalang ako binalikan para hindi nasira yung high standard ng Mr. R na nakilala ko noon.
Rod: Anong pinagsasabi mo? Imee plea—
Imee: You know what Rod, I notice na everytime I was about to say yes, palagi nalang may nangyayari. Siguro hindi talaga itinadhana na maging tayo kaya tamana. Let's end this.
Rod: What the! No! I won't let that happen, Imee. Alam ko nagsinungaling ako. Nagkaroon ako ng kasalanan sayo but please wag mong gawin toh (holding back his tears)
Imee: Sinabihan kita pero pinilit mo akong kausapin ka diba? So I'm telling you, we're done. Itigil na natin kung anong meron tayo. Bumalik ka na sa Barcelona and be happy with Steffie.
She was about to leave but I hold her hand. I can't let this happen. Ayokong malayo ulit sa kanya.
Rod: No please! Ang tagal kitang hinintay Imee. Please wag mo namang gawin sakin toh oh. Minsan lang naman ako nagkamali eh. Wag mo naman akong saktan ulit (crying)
Imee: Palagi mo nalang sinasabi na ang tagal mo akong hinintay, Rod. Ako ba hindi?......Hinintay din naman kita eh. To be honest when you came back, I was so happy. Pero hindi ko naman alam na ibang Mr. R na pala yung bumalik.
As she tell those words, I wiped her tears. Sobrang sakit sakin na nakikita siyang umiiyak dahil sa kagagawan ko. To be honest, this is more painful than before.
Rod: Imee hindi naman ako nagbago eh. Look, I'm really sorry, okay? Give me another chance please?
Imee: I'm sorry, Rod.
After Imee tell those words, pinilit ko siyang yakapin. We can't end like this. Hindi ko kakayanin knowing na ako ang dahilan kung bakit kami magkakahiwalay ulit. But after a couple of seconds, napabitaw ako sa yakap cuz she pushed me hanggang sa makarating ako sa pinto.
Imee: Umalis ka na and pwede ba wag ka ng magpakita ulit sa akin? Tamana, just forget about me dahil kakalimutan na din kita simula ngayon!
I was about to speak but she immediately closed the door. I was so close! So close again pero wala eh. I keep on knocking the door asking her to open it pero wala eh. She didn't bother to respond. Damn it! The first time we parted ways, it has good reason. But this time, it's clear. Maghihiwalay na kami ng dahil sa katangahan ko and that made me mad about myself.
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