#OLAPlayPretend
Chapter 57
Food
Knoa's smile slowly vanished from his lips. His expression turned forlorn.
"I'm sorry for your loss..." He breathed heavily before he continued. "And on behalf of Xavi and our family, I'm sorry for everything."
I didn't know what to feel. As I tried to recall those distant memories of hardship and pain, I suddenly felt confused.
Hindi naging madali ang pagbubuntis ko kay Cami. I struggled a lot. My mother died, and I was living alone. I was lucky enough to have Macy's help every time she was free. But knowing Knoa knew all along, I kind of felt embarrassed and ashamed.
I was proud of myself for overcoming those challenges, pero ayaw kong malaman niya ang pinagdaanan ko at mas lalong ayaw kong makarating 'yon kay Xaiver.
I guess I didn't want them to pity me if their hearts were ever swayed by my sufferings. I didn't want them to change the way they thought of me just because of what I had been through. I also didn't want that to influence how they would accept my daughter into their family.
"Alam ba ni Xaiver?" nangangapa kong tanong.
Knoa shook his head. "He knew about your mother's death, pero gaya nga ng sabi ko kanina, I made sure he wouldn't hear about Cami," he said. "Naisip kong hindi magandang sa akin manggaling 'yon. I'm also not sure if you would want to tell him about her..."
My chest grew heavy. Huminga ako nang malalim upang gumaang kahit papaano ang pakiramdam. I didn't want to get too emotional. Kasama pa namin si Hari at hindi ko alam kung paano ko lulusutan kung sakaling makita niya akong umiiyak.
"Although Xavi's the father of your daughter, ikaw pa rin ang nagdala sa kanya. You're the one who gave birth to her and went through all that pain. You own the right to decide if he deserves to know her... or to meet her," he elaborated, then shifted in his seat. "Ayokong pangunahan ka. I'm sure hindi ka pa handa noon."
I honestly didn't expect Knoa to be this considerate. Akala ko, wala siyang pakialam sa mga ganitong bagay. I guess despite having an asshole reputation, he still has a kind heart.
"It was honestly hard for me not to tell him. There were a lot of times when I actually just wanted to drag him here, but given his condition after learning the truth about the case... I restrained myself and helped in any way that I could on his behalf that you wouldn't notice," he continued and inhaled a sharp breath. "He...."
Natigil si Knoa. His Adam's apple moved as he swallowed hard. The veins on the back of his hand showed when his grip on the wine glass tightened. Pakiramdam ko'y pwede niyang mabasag 'yon dahil lang sa paraan ng paghawak niya.
It was a rare sight for him to hesitate while speaking his mind. Madalas kasi ay hindi niya pinipigilan ang sarili at walang preno.
"Xavi made dangerous attempts to remember what happened during the accident..."
My eyes widened. Parang sandaling natigil ang mundo ko sa narinig. He made dangerous attempts? Dangerous attempts like what?
"He was frustrated that he couldn't remember anything. He was desperate for answers—for the truth..." he said, heaving a sigh. "He... He thought if he would try to reenact what happened that night or be in the same situation, he would remember. We had several trips to the hospital because of—"
"Reenact? Same s-situation? Ano... Ano'ng... g-ginawa niya?"
Nanlamig ako. I couldn't even speak. At anong several trips to the hospital?
"He would drive recklessly on pur—"
"Knoa." Pigil ko sa kanya. Hindi ko kayang tapusin kung ano man ang sasabihin niya. Hindi ko pala kayang malaman. Just the prelude of Xaiver's frenzied actions made me tremble. Nanuyo rin ang lalamunan ko. I couldn't imagine him risking his life just to remember.
At bukod pa roon, sa ginagawa niya, hindi lang siya ang pwedeng masaktan. Madaming tao ang pwedeng madamay. Kaya naman sa kabila ng takot, nakaramdam din ako ng galit.
I was mad at him for being so indifferent to his life. I was so angry that he didn't make his safety his priority. Is the truth more important than his life?
I shouldn't have asked.
"Sorry..." Knoa breathed. "But that's one of the reasons why I can't tell him about your pregnancy—about Cami. I don't think he's emotionally and mentally stable for that while working on the case and suffering from his trauma."
"Hindi siya nag-te-therapy?"
Bigong umiling si Knoa. "I tried convincing him, but he said he has no time for that. Ang tanging inaalala niya lang ay ang imbestigasyon at ang paghingi ng updates tungkol sa 'yo sa mga bodyguard mo," kwento niya. "I gave him that. Hindi ko siya pinilit na. But after Tita Mira was put behind bars, I asked him again if he was finally ready to get some help and heal, but..."
Muli siyang umiling at bumuntonghininga.
"Ayaw niya pa rin?"
"He's stubborn." Knoa showed a helpless smile. "Ang DVH naman daw ngayon ang may kailangan sa kanya."
My shoulders fell. Oo nga pala... The stocks of DVH plummeted after Mrs. Dela Vega's press conference. Nawalan ng tiwala sa kanila ang mga tao. Most investors almost pulled out. Balita ko rin ay may ilang ongoing projects na na-postpone.
Malaking kompanya man ang DVH, I'm sure it's still a huge blow that they had to take. And being the head of DVH, Xaiver seriously has to work twice as hard to recover losses and put the company back on track.
"That was why when Macy came into the picture, it was a huge relief. She took care of you a lot, noong pinagbubuntis mo si Cami. She was on your side," tuloy niya.
"Ganoon pa rin ngayon..." dagdag ko kahit na hindi pa rin mawala sa isipan ko ang tungkol sa pinagdaanan ni Xaiver. "Hanggang ngayon, kasama pa rin namin siya ni Cami. She's always been there for us. She never left."
Knoa nodded. "Kaya mas lalo akong nakampante na magiging maayos ang lahat para sa 'yo. I didn't think much of telling Xavi about Cami after that... Konti na lang. Paminsan-minsan. Like during her birth... her christening... her first birthday... or when you rushed her to the hospital because of an allergy and a high fever," he pointed out, then chuckled. "I made sure to note all them down in case you'd tell him about her. I have to pass a detailed report about Cami's life that he missed or he might kill me for keeping this a secret."
The way he mentioned those significant events in my daughter's life made me realize how serious he was about keeping an eye on us. For some reason, I felt reassured. Kahit na ayaw kong malaman nila ang paghihirap na pinagdaanan ko, masaya ako na bukod kay Macy, may iba pang nandyan para sa amin ng anak ko... that even if things came to worst that time, we wouldn't get abandoned. Hindi niya kami papabayaan.
And knowing that Xaiver wanted us safe even after everything, I was confident that things would go positively once I introduced our daughter to him. He wanted me safe at sa tingin ko ay ganoon din ang gusto niya sa anak namin.
Keeping me safe is also keeping our daughter safe. I was happy at that thought, pero hindi nga lang ako lubos-lubusang natutuwa. Madaming bumabagabag sa loob ko. Because while keeping us safe, he was risking his life over and over again.
"What are you two talking about?"
Umayos ako ng upo at mabilis na pinalis ang luhang nagbabadya sa aking mga mata. I smiled brightly at Hari and shook my head. It was a good thing she was looking at her cousin.
Magaling umarte si Knoa. Nagtaas lamang siya ng kilay kay Hari at pilyong ngumisi. Kaya nang wala siyang nakuhang impormasyon sa pinsan, nang lumingon siya sa akin ay naiayos ko na ang sarili.
"We were just catching up," I told her.
Naningkit ang mga mata ni Hari. She looked at us suspiciously, but she didn't push for information. Gusto pa sanang magkape at mag-shopping ni Hari kasama ako, pero nag-message si Macy na hinahanap ako ni Cami.
My daughter rarely looks for me whenever she's out with Macy and Wil. I couldn't just ignore her call. Kaya kahit na gusto ko pa ring makipag-bonding kay Hari o puntahan si Xaiver upang makausap, I had to attend to my daughter's needs. It was a good thing that Knoa got the signal right away and helped me out.
Nang hatakin siya paalis ni Knoa, agad akong tumungo kung nasaan sina Cami. I sighed in relief when I found her enjoying a scoop of strawberry ice cream. Macy smiled apologetically. Ayon na lang siguro ang naisip niyang paraan para hindi mag-tantrum si Cami. She could always be bribed with sweets.
"Sorry kung naistorbo ko kayo ni Hari. Tapos na ba kayo mag-usap?" tanong ni Macy, ngunit bago pa ako makasagot ay sumingit na si Cami.
"Mommy, ah!"
Sinubuan ako ni Cami ng ice cream. I gladly let her feed me.
"Hmm! So yummy! Thank you, baby!" I enthusiastically said to make her feel good about sharing.
She clapped her hands. Muli siyang sumandok nang konting ice cream para subuan ulit ako. I shook my head and smiled.
"You can eat it all up 'cause Cami is such a good girl. Thank you for sharing your ice cream with mommy."
Mas lalong napangiti si Cami. She happily ate and shoveled the spoon into her mouth. Pinunasan ko agad ang kumalat na ice cream sa gilid ng labi niya para hindi matuyo at maglagkit.
"So..." Nagtaas ng kilay si Macy sa akin, naghihintay ng sagot.
"Nakapag-usap na kami ni Hari. She was just sorry about everything at nakahingi na rin ako ng tawad sa kanya. It's all good. We're good," sabi ko. "Mukhang dito na rin siya mag-stay for good. She's starting her own business."
"A café? Coffee shop?" Macy probed.
I nodded and smiled to confirm her guess.
Napangiti rin si Macy. "That's her dream. I'm happy for her."
Nanatili ang ngiti sa aking mga labi. I looked at my daughter and was once again reminded how she resembled Hariette Dela Vega, which led me to think about her father.
Bumalik sa akin ang mga sinabi ni Knoa. Life has been tough for the both of us while we were away from each other. I was pregnant with Cami and was pressured to raise her well, while he desperately searched for answers by taking extreme measures and risking his life.
"Macy."
"Hmm?" Nakaabang si Macy sa tawag ko kaya naman agad niyang itinuon ang buong atensyon sa akin.
"Ayos lang bang iwan ko ulit sa 'yo si Cami?"
"Of course! That's mainly the reason why I came home with you," she agreed without any hesitation. "Saan ka pupunta? Mag-uusap kayo ulit ni Hari?"
"Kailangan kong makausap si Xaiver. Pupuntahan ko siya DVH," diretsong sagot ko.
As if my daughter knew it was her father's name, it stole her attention from the ice cream. She glanced at me with a curious gaze. Para bang nagdadalawang-isip siya kung tama ba ang nadinig o hindi. Pwede ring nag-iisip siya kung bakit ko nabanggit ang pangalan ng ama.
"Ihahatid ka na namin ni Wil," sabi ni Macy at nilingon ko siya ulit. "We'll wait just around the vicinity. If you need us, we'll be right there. Mabilis ka naming mapupuntahan."
Ngumiti ako at tumango. Sila ang nagpalakas ng loob ko habang papuntang DVH. Nakatulog si Cami sa kanyang car seat dahil siguro sa pagod at kabusugan. She wrapped my pointer finger with her small hand while sleeping.
Nang nakarating kami sa DVH, medyo nahirapan pa ako sa pagkalas ng aking daliri sa hawak niya. I kissed her cheek for good luck before getting out.
Hindi ganoong katagal ang pagkawala ko kaya parehong mga tao lang ang nakakasalubong ko sa lobby. Agad napangiti ang security guard nang nakita ako palapit. He stood tall and welcomed me with a warm smile. Mukhang naaalala niya pa rin ako.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Dela Vega!" He greeted me cheerfully.
I was caught off guard. My smile faltered, and I almost tripped on his words.
Mrs. Dela Vega?
"Buti po napasyal ulit kayo, Ma'am!" His energy didn't fade. Ganoon pa rin ang tono ng boses.
"Uhm, oo nga po. Good afternoon din po," sabi ko na lang.
Isang malaking ngiti ulit ang iginawad niya sa akin bago ko siya lagpasan. Palaisipan sa akin kung bakit Mrs. Dela Vega pa rin ang tawag niya.
Ang mga ibang empleyadong nakakakilala sa akin ay sunod-sunod din na bumabati. Hindi na ako hinanapan ng ID sa lobby kahit na hindi na ako sa DVH nagtatrabaho. They treated me with the utmost respect because I'm still Xaiver's wife in their eyes.
Siguro ay hindi nila nabalitaan ang paghihiwalay namin ni Xaiver? Our annulment didn't make it to the news while I was in the US. I guess they chose not to publicize it dahil paniguradong madudumihan ang imahe ng kompanya.
I didn't know if I should correct them, ngunit hindi na lang ako nagsalita. There must be a reason kung bakit hindi nila isinapubliko ang paghihiwalay namin.
At sa totoo lang, wala namang kaso sa akin kung ganoon nga ang tingin ng ibang tao. Because at one point in our lives, we still got married. Hindi ko rin naman ikinakahiya that he was once my husband. Kaya naman ipinagkibit- balikat ko na lang 'yon at nagpatuloy sa pakay.
As soon as I reached the executive floor, my heart pounded like crazy. I hesitated stepping out of the elevator, pero nandito na ako. I didn't want to chicken out. Madami kaming dapat pag-usapan, lalo na tungkol sa mga nalaman ko.
Si Joseph agad ang bumungad sa akin. His chair and table changed, pero doon pa rin ang puwesto niya. He was busy working on his computer. Just the sight of him made me smile. Ilang taon din kaming nagkasama sa trabaho, and I considered him my closest friend back then.
"Joseph."
Kumunot ang noo ni Joseph nang naistorbo ko. But the moment he lifted his gaze to spare me his attention, his eyes widened, and he jolted from his chair.
"Chantal?!"
Parang hindi niya alam kung ngingiti ba o magtataka dahil sa biglaang pagdating ko. I smiled and walked closer to his table. Tuluyan nang iniwanan ni Joseph ang trabaho para salubungin ako.
"Long time no see, Joseph..." bati ko.
"Talagang long time no see!" sabi niya at nangiti na. "Ang tagal mong nawala! Akala ko rin hindi ka bibisita. Kailan ka pa nakauwi tapos hindi ka pa bumibisita rito sa office."
"Pasensya na. Medyo na-busy lang din ako doon sa kaso. I'm sure you already know about that."
Naglaho ang ngiti ni Joseph. "Oo nga pala. Sorry. Nawala sa isipan ko..." he said, slightly embarrassed. "Masyado akong na-excite nang makita ka. Ang talaga kasi nating hindi nagkita tapos hindi ko pa talaga alam kung ano nangyari sa 'yo. Hindi ko rin naman matanong si Sir Xaiver. He seemed like a different person when you were gone."
"Like a different person?"
Tumango si Joseph. "Alam mo namang dati pa siya tahimik at seryoso, but his indifference was on another level after you left. Hindi mo siya makausap nang maayos kapag hindi tungkol sa trabaho. He often zones out, too. Laging malalim ang iniisip."
Napalingon ako sa opisina ni Xaiver. He must have a lot on his mind, lalo na't ongoing pa noon ang imbestigasyon. And after what Knoa told me, I could already tell how depressing and haunting those thoughts could be.
Hindi man kami parehas ng stiwasyon, but I knew what it felt like to have those intrusive thoughts that always kept me awake at night. Ang dami kong iniisip. I was anxious and scared that my life would not get better... that I would not be able to provide for Cami. Hindi rin ako makakain nang maayos.
But Knoa's right... When my path crossed with Macy's, unti-unting bumalik sa ayos ang buhay ko. Knowing that I have someone to lean on makes it easier for me to get through the day, no matter how tough it is.
"Nag-lunch na ba siya?" tanong ko't ibinalik kay Knoa ang tingin.
Joseph exhaled heavily. "He hasn't left his office since he came to work earlier this morning. Ayaw niyang magpaistorbo. He's just sending me instructions sa Viber kapag may ipapagawa siya."
"He's confining himself inside his office?"
Muli siyang tumango. "I'm sure you know DVH's currently in the rocks because of the issue. The board wants to see concrete plans from him tomorrow. They are also eyeing for Hari or Knoa to assume his post so... Gusto niya siya ang mismong gumawa ng report kaya heto... naghihintay lang ako sa mga iuutos niya."
"Kailangan niya pa ring kumain," sabi ko.
I checked the time, and it was past three in the afternoon. Malapit na ang hapunan, pero hindi pa siya kumakain. Kahit merienda, mukhang wala rin siyang balak kumain.
"Ah, eh... I think ikaw lang ang may kayang pakainin siya sa mga oras na 'to. I don't wanna step inside his office and risk losing my job, Chantal."
"Ha? Bakit naman ako?"
"You're his wife, of course! Ano na pa bang ibang dahilan?"
Hindi ko na naman naitago ang gulat. Kahit si Joseph ay hindi alam ang paghihiwalay namin ni Xaiver. I can't believe he kept it from him. Lagi silang magkasama dahil sa trabaho, but he never mentioned us separating.
Napakunot ang noo ni Joseph. "Bakit? May nasabi ba akong mali?"
Meron, pero itinikom ko na lang ang bibig ko.
"Kukuhanin ko sa baba 'yung pagkain niya. Ako na ang magbibigay," sabi ko na lang at hindi na sinagot ang tanong niya.
"I didn't ask them to prepare his food, though..." Ngumuso si Joseph. "Ipagluto mo na lang kaya siya? Baka sakaling ma-relax-relax siya kapag luto mo."
Kung sakaling hindi naihanda nag pagkain niya, I could buy him food outside, pero hindi ko masisigurong masustansya 'yon. Hindi pwedeng fastfood lang. He needs to eat something healthy lalo na't nalilipasan siya ng gutom at subsob sa trabaho.
Kaya naman kahit wala sa plano, bumaba na ako sa kitchen ng cafeteria. Joseph already told them I'd be cooking Xaiver's meal. Hinintay pa nila ako sa labas at sinamahan ako sa loob.
May mga bagong staff, ngunit ang mga beteranong nandoon na bago pa ako naging sekretarya ni Xaiver ay patuloy pa rin ang pagtatrabaho. They wanted to assist me, but I didn't want to disturb them. Sigurado akong napagod sila sa pagluluto at paghuhugas ng mga pinggan at pinagkainan noong lunch kaya ayaw kong abalahin pa sila.
Once the head chef finished touring me around the kitchen, I started preparing the ingredients and kitchen tools that I would need. Naging madali lang ang lahat dahil kumpleto sa gamit at sangkap.
Nagluto ako ng chopsuey at adobong baboy dahil iyon ang mabilis lutuin. Dinamihan ko na rin ang luto para ibigay sa mga kitchen staff ang sobra. I served Xaiver's meal with strawberries.
Cami has always loved strawberries for her dessert kaya iyon na rin ang inilagay ko para sa daddy niya.
Nagpasalamat ako sa mga staff bago pumanhik sa taas. Alerto na si Joseph sa pagdating ko. He gave the spare key to Xaiver's office dahil naka-lock 'yon. Medyo kinabahan ako dahil hindi naman gawain ni Xaiver ang mag-lock ng office. That only showed how much he wanted privacy to focus on his work.
Ayaw ko mang guluhin siya, pero hindi ko siya maiwanang hindi kumakain. We could talk some other time. Pwedeng pagkatapos ng board meeting niya bukas. I also wanted him to win this fight against the board—the people who are doubting his abilities as a leader—because I know he can. He wouldn't have all those achievements in a short period if he was incompetent.
"Galingan mong maghilot ah." Kinindatan ako ni Joseph. "Mag-lock ka na lang ulit ng pinto pagkapasok."
I'm not naïve to not understand what he meant. Umiling na lang ako, kinuha ang susi sa kanya, at saka itinulak ang cart kung saan nakalagay ang pagkain niya. Agad bumalik si Joseph na mukhang takot mahagip ng tingin ni Xaiver.
Maingat kong binuksan ang pinto pagkatapos susian. The office was so dead quiet that it almost felt eerie. Tahimik akong pumasok habang tulak-tulak ang cart. Pati ang pagsara ko sa pintuan ay halos walang tunog para hindi siya maistorbo.
However, it didn't seem like Xaiver would notice anyone coming into his office. Tutok na tutok siya sa trabaho. His brows were furrowed while he reviewed papers on his desk and typed at his keyboard from time to time.
You know he's dead serious about work when he's not wearing his coat and his sleeves are folded up to his elbow. Nakabukas din ang naunang tatlong butones ng kanyang damit at hindi na supt ang necktie. Bukod pa roon, he's also wearing his eyeglasses. I couldn't explain how he could still look clean and neat despite having disheveled hair and a lazy way of wearing his shirt.
Kahit na tuluyan na akong nakalapit sa kanyang lamesa, he still hadn't noticed my presence. It reminded me of the old times when I was still his secretary and we were in the middle of a huge project.
Ganito rin 'yon. Habang busy siya sa trabaho, ako ang naghahatid ng pagkain niya sa kanyang opisina. I would assist him with almost everything. It was honestly tiring but probably the most fulfilling job I ever had, especially whenever he would be rewarded with success.
Hinayaan ko muna siya habang nasa gitna ng pagbabasa. I went to the dining nook and prepared his meal on the table saka itinabi ang cart sa gilid. Nang ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kanya ay nagta-type naman siya ulit.
I don't think he'd stop to take a rest or even a short break kaya muli akong lumapit. I stood near him and sighed when his attention was still on the monitor.
"Nakahanda na po ang pagkain ninyo, Sir. Kumain po muna kayo," anunsyo ko.
"Just leave it to the—"
Xaiver abruptly halted doing his presentation when he finally realized who he was talking to. He then quickly turned to me. Mas lalong napakunot ang noo niya nang makita ako. He removed his eyeglasses, na para bang iyon ang dahilan kung bakit nakikita niya ako. It was only then that he realized that I wasn't an illusion or a fragment of his imagination.
"Chantal?"
I gently smiled at him. "Kumain ka na muna. Nandoon na ang pagkain mo sa lamesa."
"What are you doing here? Sino'ng nagpapasok sa 'yo..." He signed heavily, then massaged the bridge of his nose. "Joseph..."
Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi ko. Nag-alala naman ako para sa kaibigang nagmagandang-loob dahil alam ni Xaiver na siya ang nagbigay ng susi sa akin.
"Huwag mong pagalitan si Joseph. I asked for the spare key. Pinilit ko siya kahit na ayaw niya talagang ibigay," sabi ko agad para maipagtanggol si Joseph.
"For what?"
"I want to talk to you," I bravely answered. "Madami tayong dapat pag-usapan. Madami akong gustong sabihin sa 'yo."
"I-I'm..." he faltered and looked away. "I'm busy. Sa susunod na lang tayo mag-usap. You can leave now."
Akmang uupo siya ulit upang bumalik sa trabaho.
"Alam ko. Wala rin akong balak na guluhin ka sa trabaho ngayon. I know it's important to you," agap ko.
Muli siyang bumaling sa akin. "Then why did you still come inside my office?"
"Gusto kong kumain ka. Ihinatid ko ang pagkain mo rito," sabi ko at itinuro sa kanya ang lamesa kung nasaan ang inihain ko.
Xaiver finally glanced at the table. He unconsciously swallowed hard. He was obviously hungry.
"I'll eat once I finish my report. You can leave it there."
Muling uupo si Xaiver, ngunit mabilis kong hinatak ang kanyang braso upang pigilan siya. His eyes snapped to my hand on his arm, and his lips parted slightly.
"Lalamig na 'yon mamaya at mas lalo kang malilipasan ng gutom. You should eat while it's still hot," pilit ko.
"I can eat it cold."
"Niluto ko 'yon."
"You did?" The shock became more evident on his face. Hindi siya makapaniwalang ipinagluto ko siya.
Tumango ako at binitiwan ang kanyang braso. "At hindi ako aalis hangga't hindi ka kumakain, Xaiver."
I really mean it. I want to make sure he'll eat what I cooked for him. Ayaw kong mabalitaan na lang na nahimatay siya sa dahil sa gutom at pagod when I was already there to help him.
His gaze drifted back to the dining nook. Akala ko'y mahihirapan pa rin akong pakainin siya, pero para siyang batang naglakad palapit sa pagkain.
I followed him closely behind. He immediately sat on the dining chair. Sinuyod niya ng tingin ang mga nakahain na pagkain sa lamesa. He suddenly reminded me of Cami whenever she would throw a fit and not want to eat. Tinitingnan lang ang pagkain at hindi kumikilos unless I feed her.
"You'll leave once I eat, right?" Xaiver asked quietly after he surveyed the food in front of him.
Huminga ako nang malalim. "Oo."
Xaiver licked his lips, then started to pick up the serving spoon. He looked slightly possessed while putting food on his plate. Tahimik lang at tuloy-tuloy ang pagsandok ng kanin at ulam hanggang sa unang pagsubo.
I saw him hesitate for a second before shoving the spoon into his mouth. Mabagal ang kanyang pagnguya. I tasted the food at masarap naman, pero sa paraan ng pagkain ni Xaiver ay parang hindi. Parang napilitan lang siyang kainin 'yon.
Is it because he wants me to leave? Kaya wala siyang choice kundi kainin ang niluto ko kahit na ayaw niya?
"Aalis na ako. I hope you'll finish your food," paalam ko at saglit siyang nahinto sa pagkain, ngunit agad ding nagpatuloy. Hindi na rin naman ako nagtagal pa at umalis na gaya ng pinagkasunduan naming dalawa.