CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
"Felix, hindi ka pa ba magbe-break?" tanong ni Jerome, isa sa aking kasamahan dito.
Tumingin ako ng bahagya kay Jerome, saka bumalik ang atensyon ko sa desktop. "Sa konting oras pa, marami pa tao."
"Hala! May lunch break din naman, Felix!" natatawang sabi niya.
Umiling lang ako at tumawa sa sagot ni Jerome. Hindi ako makakilos mula sa upuan ko dahil wala ang dalawa kong kasamahan sa trabaho, kaya't hindi ako makakalabas hanggang hindi bumababa ang bilang mga kliyente ngayon.
"Salamat po, sir! Magandang araw po!" sabi ko sa kliyente bago sila umalis.
"Ms. Claire, maglu-lunch muna ako. Kayo na lang muna bahala rito. Gutom na ako," sabi ko sa nakatatandang kasamahan ko sa trabaho.
Sa wakas, makakakain na ako! Matagal ko nang gustong kumain!
As I walked to the nearby pantry, I felt comforted by the familiar sights and sounds. The pantry was conveniently located near my workplace, making it a good spot for lunch. When I arrived, I looked for a table but got distracted when I saw Jerome and Ella eating already.
"Ella! Jerome!" I called out, making my way over to join them.
"Tara, sumabay ka na sa'min." sabi ni Ella sa akin.
Ngumiti ako sa kan'ya at pumayag. "Sige, hintayin niyo lang ako, bibili lang ako ng pagkain."
Placing my sling bag beside Ella, I reached for my wallet. As I stood in line, my phone buzzed in my hand, prompting me to check the caller I.D. A grin spread across my face upon seeing Kenzo's name flashing on the screen.
[Hoy, tangina mo! Kumain ka na ba?] bungad agad ni Kenzo sa akin.
Nagkunot-noo ako kahit hindi niya ako nakikita. "Tangina mo rin! Hindi pa. Bibili pa lang ng pagkain, gago!"
[Nice, nice! H'wag ka na. May dala ako'ng pagkain ngayon,] I heard his chuckle. [Saan ka ba ngayon? D'yan pa rin sa dati?]
"Oo. Bilisan mo, gutom na ako!" reklamo ko. "
[Yes, accountant girl!] tugon nito.
Once, Kenzo surprised me at work, bringing Dion along when he missed me a lot. Just now, I noticed a man entering the pantry area, and his eyes locked onto Kenzo with a strong look. Kenzo was dressed in a light polo shirt and well-fitted black pants with a matching belt. He looked effortlessly charming and sophisticated. Every detail of his outfit seemed carefully chosen, from his neat shirt to his simple trousers. It's no surprise I found myself momentarily mesmerized, forgetting about work in his presence.
When our eyes met, he hastened his steps and made his way towards us.
"Alyzza, sino 'yan? Ngayon ko lang nalaman na may artistahing jowa ka pala, ha!" kinikilig na sabi ni Ella.
"Hoy, gago! Hindi ko 'yan jowa! Hindi kami n'yan talo, bhie!" depensa ko.
"Kung hindi kayo, ireto mo naman ako sa kaniya." nakangiting saad pa niya.
I didn't respond to her. It's not unusual for people to think Kenzo and I are a couple, even though we're just friends. What's even funnier is that when my son Dion is with us, some people even think we're married. We've gotten used to these mistaken assumptions over time, and my friends have too.
"Ly, naparami ang luto ko, e," nahihiyang sabi sabay kamot sa kaniyang likod ng ulo.
"Okay lang. H'wag mong kalimutan bukas, ha?" saad ko. "Kenzo, si Ella at Jerome, katrabaho ko."
I introduced Ella and Jerome to Kenzo, just as I did with my friends earlier.
As we parted ways, Kenzo flashed a smile and said, "I'm off. I just dropped by."
"Ulol! Kaya ka nagmamadali magkasama kayo ngayon 'no?" asar ko kay Kenzo. "Hindi ba kayo nagsasawa? Araw-araw naman kayo magkasama, ha!"
"Bakit naman kami magsasawa? Subukan niya lang," nakataas niyang kilay. "Balak ko na sana siya buntisin para wala na siyang takas sa'kin, pre!"
"Kung mabubuntis mo, gago!" natatawang sabi ko.
"Ako kuya, balak ako magpabuntis sa'yo!" biglang sabat ni Ella sa usapan na'min ni Kenzo.
"Hoy, Ella! Mahiya ka! Tarantado ka!" Tumatawang tugon ni Jerome.
"Ella! H'wag mo 'kong inaagawan ng asawa!" pabirong kong sabi.
"Sorry, Ms. Ella, meron na ako'ng Alyzza," kindat sa akin ni Kenzo.
We laughed together about the lunchtime mishap, the light-hearted moment relieving the tension. When Kenzo left, our short reunion came to an end, and we all went back to our workstations, getting back into our usual routines.
As the afternoon wore on, I greeted a client who approached my desk, my attention divided between them and the emails on my computer screen.
"Good afternoon," the client greeted, handing me her checkbook. "I need to withdraw some cash. Here's my cheeckbook,"
Smiling warmly, I glanced at her checkbook before closing the email tab on my screen. "Alright, Ma'am. Can you provide your last name?"
"Garcia," she replied simply.
An 'o' formed on my lips upon hearing her last name. Turning to face her, I realized she was Mrs. Garcia once again. Offering a wide smile, I greeted her enthusiastically.
"Hi, Mrs. Garcia!" I exclaimed. "Sorry about that, I was just checking some emails."
"No worries, Alyzza," she replied softly. "It's been a while!"
Chuckling, I processed Mrs. Garcia's withdrawal request, ensuring everything was in order. After completing the transaction and making the necessary entries in her checkbook, I was interrupted by a familiar voice calling out to Mrs. Garcia.
"Auntie!" a man's voice exclaimed.
While I counted the money with Mrs. Garcia, everything stopped when I heard the familiar voice. Even though I was annoyed, hearing him made me feel a lot of emotions.
"Come here, Zack. We're almost done," Mrs. Garcia said.
Trying to avoid any more interaction, I pretended to be interested in something on my computer screen, trying to distract myself from him. I didn't answer Kerson's plea. Instead, I concentrated on my work, acting like I was really focused on something on the computer screen, just to avoid looking at him. Inside, I just wanted to vanish, to get away from the pain he had brought me.
All that, I will never forget. Everything he said was not lost in mind and heart. It's already stamped, it doesn't want to be erased because it hurts so much.
"A-Aly. . ." Kerson called me weakly.
Suddenly Mrs. Garcia to me, smiled widely. "Do you know her, Zack?"
"Yes, Auntie." His eyes kept staring at me, his eyes seemed to want to convey something.
"Oh, really? That's nice!" surprised Mrs. Garcia. "But how?"
"She's my—"
"Is everything okay, Alyzza?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
I forced a smile and handed her the money, hoping to end the conversation as quickly as possible.
"Here's the money, Mrs. Garcia," I said, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears.
Kerson's gaze bore into me, pleading for my attention, but I refused to meet his eyes. I couldn't bear to hear his voice, to be reminded of the pain he had inflicted upon me.
"Can we talk, Alyzza?" he whispered, his voice barely audible above the din of the room."Just five minutes."
I stayed quiet, pretending not to hear his plea. I couldn't bring myself to talk to him, not after all that had happened. So, I kept acting like I was interested in the computer screen, trying to find something to distract myself from the turmoil inside me.
Tangina, sinabi ko na sa kaniya na h'wag na siya magpapakita, e! Ang kulit!
The gaze of Mrs. Garcia spoke volumes, revealing her confusion at Kerson's behavior towards me. However, she chose not to voice her questions.
"I'll wait for you in the car, Zack," she said, relinquishing her hold on Mrs. Garcia to Kerson.
"Kerson, nasa trabaho ako," mahinang kong sabi. "Umalis ka na. H'wag mong sayangin ang oras mo sa akin."
"I'll wait for you until the end of your shift," he replied promptly.
Ba't kaunti na lang ang client ngayon! Angas, bad timing 'to!
"Wala akong balak kausapin ka, Kerson. Umuwi ka na lang, naghihintay si Mrs. Garcia." hindi ko pa rin binabalingan ng tingin.
"I already picked him up from my uncle. So I'll wait here until your shift ends," he said decisively.
I didn't respond. It was pointless to argue; he'd always been stubborn. I'd just waste my breath. Kerson remained standing by the side of my workstation. I could sense the curiosity of my coworkers, whispering among themselves.
"Chef Zack?" Jerome exclaimed in disbelief. "Can I take a picture with you?"
"Of course," I replied with a smile.
He seemed accustomed to such requests. Back then, we rarely took photos together because none of us had anyone to take them with.
"Ako rin, Chef Zack!" kinikilig ang boses ni Ella. "Alyzza, picture-ran mo kami, dali!"
Ella extended her arms, offering her phone for me to capture a picture of her and Kerson. But just as I was about to take it, Kerson swiftly intercepted, taking the phone from Ella's outstretched hand.
"I'll hold onto your phone for a bit. Let Alyzza take a break while you don't have a client yet," Kerson said with a serious tone, addressing Ella.
His words reverberated through the room, catching the attention of almost everyone present. My co-workers looked visibly surprised by Kerson's statement.
Jerome approached me, leaning in to whisper something in my ear. "Wala na, may nanalo na."
I playfully jabbed Jerome in the stomach and reciprocated with a rude gesture. He responded in kind, playfully hiding behind his finger.
While at work, my other colleagues surrounded Kerson, asking him many questions. I decided not to join in, choosing to stay out of it. The questions kept coming, and I wasn't sure if Kerson felt pressured to answer all of them.
"Sino hinihintay mo, Chef?" biglang tanong ni Ella.
Kerson observed the playful exchange for a moment before responding.
"Alyzza," he said, offering a small smile.
Jerome, wearing a grin, chimed in, "You two know each other?"
"Hoy gaga!"mahinang bulong ni Ella. "Ba't wala kang binabanggit sa'min, ha?!"
I rolled my eyes. Hindi ako sumagot sa kanila at wala ako'ng balak makisama sa kanila sa usapan nila.
"Chef, masarap daw luto mo. Masarap ka rin ba?" birong tanong ni Cheska, isa sa beki kasamahan na'min rito sa trabaho.
"Ask Alyzza kung masarap ba talaga," nakangising sagot ni Kerson.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang sagutin niya. Ba't pati ako dinadamay niya ako sa karumihan ng utak niya! Doon siya sa Rhian niya, tutal malapit na silang pagpapakasal.
"Yes, I will cook for you all sometime if I have free time," Kerson replied once more.
Gago talaga si Cheska! Walang hiya, inutusan pa niya na ipagluto niya kami!
I quietly listened to their conversation without joining in, feeling a wave of confusion wash over me. Today, the office was strangely quiet with only a few clients, giving me plenty of time for my mind to wander. But as time passed, a feeling of unease started to grow in my stomach.
Suddenly, the atmosphere changed when the door opened, and someone entered in tears. Instantly, my heart raced, and a knot of nervousness and fear formed in my chest. I watched in silence as the person approached, each step sounding loud in the quiet room.
"M-Mommy. . . " Dion's cry pierced the air as he caught sight of me and Shainny.
Glancing over at Kerson, who stood by the side of the work station, I could see the surprise etched in his widened eyes upon seeing Dion.
They were so close! I was facing my worst fear head-on!
Turning to Shainny, I found her biting her lower lip in shock, her eyes reflecting the same mixture of emotions swirling inside me.
"Shush. . . don't cry, big boy. Your Mom is busy with her work," Kerson's gentle voice filled the room, attempting to soothe Dion's distress. "I'm here with you. Let's wait for your Mommy, okay?"
I hadn't realized that Kerson had moved closer to Dion until he knelt down to match our son's height. I bit my lower lip, my heart pounding fiercely as I grappled with a surge of uncertainty.
"But. . . I-I miss my Mommy so bad," Dion's voice quivered with tears, his sadness palpable.
"Don't worry, big boy. I feel the same way. I miss your mom too," Kerson's smile held a touch of warmth as he tried to offer comfort to the distraught child.
Zack was about to say something when Shainny suddenly spoke up, her voice carrying a mix of apprehension and concern.
"Bhie, iiwan ko muna siya sa'yo. Kailangan kong ayusin ang ilang bagay sa restaurant. Walang magbabantay sa kaniya. Si Erica, nagmumukmok pa 'yon. Si Kenzo, umalis sila. Wala rin tao sa bahay niyo," paliwanag ni Shainny, habang nagpapakita ng pag-aalala sa mukha.
Tumango ako sa kaniya. "S-Sige. Ingat ka, Shain. Salamat."
I was on the verge of approaching Dion and Kerson when Dion suddenly directed a question to Kerson, halting my movement.
"Who are you po?" Dion's innocent voice pierced through the tension in the room, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Anak, siya na ang matagal mong hinahanap. Ang Daddy mo.
As much as I wanted to speak up, fear held me back, leaving me unable to interject. Instead, Kerson stepped in with a gentle smile that seemed to lighten the atmosphere.
"You can call me Tito," Kerson replied warmly, his grin spreading from ear to ear.
Dion's face lit up with joy at the prospect. "Yehey! I have Tito now! Dumadami na po ang Tito ko!" he exclaimed happily, bouncing and clapping with excitement. "Mommy, Look! baby boy is happy! I have Tito now! Yehey!"
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