Ninety Four
His Favorite Place
(Jiagh's POV)
"Oy. Boss mo?"
Nanlaki agad ang mata ng malandutay na assistant ni Rutherford. Hindi naman kasi ako laging nagpupunta dito o kaya tumatawag para sa isang appointment. Si b2 ang madalas manugod dito, hindi ako. Bilang lang ang mga pagkakataong nagkaka-bwisitan kami ni Rutherford. Oh well. Mas mahaba ang pisi ng pasensya ko eh.
"N-Nasa loob ho, Ma'am. Iri-ring ko po ba ka—"
"H'wag na." Putol ko sa sinasabi niya bago lampasan ang desk niya at buksan ang pintuan ng opisina ni Rutherford ng walang paalam.
Nadatnan ko siyang may kausap sa telepono. Agad siyang umupo ng maayos at nagpaalam sa kausap niya. Then he scowled at me habang isinasarado ko ang pintuan. "Fabellar. Hindi ka na rin ba marunong kumatok ngayon?"
Nagtuloy-tuloy ako papasok. Humatak ng upuan sa harapan ng desk niya at nag-dekwatro do'n. Oh davah? Senyoritang-senyorita ang dating.
"Nah. Interesado ako sa madadatnan ko ng di ko sadya eh."
"May gusto ka bang ipahiwatig?" naniningkit na matang tanong niya.
Ngumisi ako. "Tingin mo?"
"Don't play games with me, Jiagh. Why are you here?"
"Ang atat mo naman. Namnamin mo muna ang kapayapaan mo bago kita bulabugin. May sakit ka ba sa puso? Baka atakehin ka, kargo pa kita."
Tinitigan niya ako ng matalim then he gritted his teeth in annoyance. "State your need. Wala akong oras makipaglokohan sa'yo ngayon. Bayad ang bawat oras ko, Fabellar. Mag-trabaho ka kung wala kang ibang gagawin sa opisina kung hindi ang manggulo."
Ang kapal ng mukha. Sarap lihain.
Inilabas ko sa folder na dala ko ang isang CD at inilapag sa desk niya. He simply stared at it. I grinned. "Kung nagtataka ka kung ano 'yan, I'll explain it to you. Mga baho mo 'yan, Rutherford. Nasa record room na hinayaan mo lang mabulok do'n dahil relax na relax ka sa binayaran mong technician para alisin ang records sa CCTV files."
A gasp. Sharp gasp. Then he stood in alert at kinuha ang disk bago itapon iyon sa basurahan. "Hindi mo pwedeng gamitin 'yan laban sa'kin!"
"Ows? I consulted my lawyer about that. I have Fabellar Industrials at my disposal to back up any of my moves against you. And you're just a what? An entreprenur? A veteran in businesses and bribing?" I chuckled and shook my head. "Believe me, Rutherford, it's more worth it for you if you sit down and negotiate with me."
He murmurs swears, threats, and every profanities towards Emerald and my family's corporation. Natawa lang ako. Minsan ko na nga lang gamitin ang pangalan ng pamilya ko eh. Hate niya?
Bumalik siya sa swivel chair niya, probably realizing na wala ring magagawa 'yang pagmumura niya. "Okay, Jiagh. What do you want?"
"Simple lang. NEVER EVER defy us. I will demote you to be the Chief Marketing Officer and an adviser to me while I take your position. Since I still work on productions, you'll probably be in charge in day to day activities on this position. It's still the same for you really, ang ipinagkaiba lang akin na ang posisyong 'to."
"What about the Board members?"
"I'll give you three days to control them. If you fail... well..." nag-shrug ako para dagdag panakot. xD "I'll throw you behind the bars."
"You can't!"
Pinaningkit ko ang mata ko. "You don't believe that, do you?"
I saw him swallow. Ngayon ko lang rin napansin na pinagpapawisan siya. Aba. Ang lakas-lakas ng aircon eh. Balat-kalabaw lang siya? Giniginaw na nga ako pinagpapawisan pa rin siya?
Mwahahaha. Ang cute-cute ko talaga. xD
"How can I guarantee na hindi mo ako ilalaglag? Give me the proof, Jiagh."
Umigkas ang kilay ko. "Tingin mo sa'kin, tanga? Ba't ko ibibigay yung original sa'yo? De naloko na. Wala kaming guarantee na hindi mo kami ilalaglag nung naging Head ka ng Board of Directors. Para kaming nakakapit sa manipis na lubid na sa kahit na anong maling galaw eh mapuputol. It's time you experience the same, Rutherford. You just have to trust me and hold on to that rope soooo tight!"
"I hate your guts, Fabellar." He gritted out na tinawanan ko ng malakas.
"Love me or hate me, I still exist." Then I shrugged at ngumisi. "Nothing could change that. And though you might hate my very existence, you might want to be contrite when I'm around because from now on today, you work for me. You are completely at my mercy."
Nag-frown lang siya habang tumatayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo. Then he breathed and swallowed. "I'm going to trust you not to turn on me, Fabellar. I need my job."
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Mag-trabaho ka, bayad ang bawat oras mo."
Oh, Zeus in a mini skirt. Revenge is sweet.
ooOoo
"Hi, Ma'am, may poging naghihintay sa opisina n'yo." Bungad ni Ned sa akin pagkabalik ko sa floor ko.
"Really? Who?"
"Tignan n'yo na lang."
Hala. Naloko na. Umiral ang kalanturan ng assistant ko. Nakakaloka. Anyhow, pumasok ako ng opisina ko. Nadatnan kong may lalaking nakatanaw sa bintana sa likuran ng swivel chair ko. I could only see his back but I recognized him that instant. He's not in a business suit today. He's dressed in a cassual baby blue polo shirt and jeans.
Wonder why he's here.
"Clyde. What a pleasant surprise." Dapat ibinalot mo na lang ang sarili mo sa box para may binabalatan ako. Mas pleasant na surprise 'yon.
Slowly, he moved from where he stood then he turned around to face me. "Do you think we can have... lunch?"
Na-weirduhan ako sa approach niya tsaka sa itsura ng expression niya. He seems to be like a bit troubled, sad and... what was that? Hurt? Basta. Clyde today looks like a lost puppy who don't know where to go or what to do. Somehow... it bothered me. It's like may kung ano sa loob kong ayaw na nakikita siyang ganyan.
Lumapit ako sa mesa ko at tinignan ang mga trabahong iniwan ko kanina bago ako nag-desisyong komprontahin si Rutherford. Wala namang masyadong gawain. "Mm... I think I'll be free for that."
"W-What about the whole day?"
Napatingin agad ako sa kanya. Jesus. Ngayon ko lang siya narinig na nautal. "May problema ba, Clyde? Anong nangyari?"
He shook his head at nag-iwas ng tingin. Muli siyang bumalik sa pagtanaw sa bintana. "Nothing. I just want to spend this day with you."
Napakunot ako ng noo. Why would he want to spend the day with me? Weekdays ngayon may trabaho. O baka nag-day off siya? Lul, siya kaya ang boss, pwede siyang mag-day off kung kailan niya gugustuhin. Isa pa, pwede naman niyang itaon ng weekend, binibisita ko naman siya ng weekend eh. Pero bakit ngayon?
Ano bang meron ngayon?
"Clyde. Huy."
"Will you spend this day with me, Elaejiagh?"
Argh. Payn. "A'rayt. I'll just change my clothes. Wait there."
Pina-cancel ko kay Ned lahat ng appointments ko today. Since second home ko 'tong opisina ko (I'll second b2, wala rin akong buhay) may extra akong damit tsaka sapatos na naka-store sa cabinet. Nagpalit ako sa restroom ng day dress tsaka flat na step in. Utang na loob naman ayoko nang mag-heels. Baka maipukpok ko lang sa ulo ni Clyde yung takong.
Pagbalik ko ng opisina, nakatanghod pa rin siya sa may bintana. I can sense na hindi niya namalayang pumasok ako. Kung anumang iniisip niya, it must have been that deep.
"I'm ready to go, Clyde."
Doon lang siya nag-snap from his evident reverie. "I uh... let's go then."
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko and then led me to the parking lot. Ang higpit ng hawak niya sa kamay ko na parang kulang na lang eh lagyan niya ng posas 'yon para habambuhay nang kadikit ng kanya. Sumakay kami sa Sedan niya na kulay black. It suits him, color black. No pun intended though.
Tahimik lang siyang nagmamaneho. If I hadn't know better, aakalain ko nang hindi niya alam kung saan kami pupunta. But apparently he does.
Pumarada siya sa harapan ng restaurant that is called Bellandini's. Halatang-halata sa pangalan na Italian restaurant 'to. Okay, good. I'm in the mood for pasta.
Again, hawak-kamay kaming pumasok sa loob. A guy which I assume is the maître d' eh lumapit agad sa amin. "Good afternoon, Sir, Madame. Table for two?"
"I called earlier for reservation. Clyde Gonzales."
"Oh Mr. Gonzales! Forgive me, forgive me. This way please."
Naysss. May Italian restaurant rin naman sa District Three ah. Kung gusto niya ng Italian meron du'n. Dumayo pa siya ng District Eight to dine with me sa isang restaurant na ni hindi kilala ang pagmumukha niya. Hassle 'yon ah. Naiirita ako kapag may hindi nakakakilala sa'kin eh.
Iginiya niya kami sa itaas, which I'll assume na mas private at mas maganda ang view. Yung wall sa may bandang kaliwa eh may effects pa ng makulay na ulan. Para kasing may kulay yung tubig na nagfo-flow sa pader. Pretty nice.
And the sun, though it lights the whole place, isn't that scorching. Naka-counter siya ng aircon. Tapos tahimik. Yung music lang sa background ang umiingay.
"Do you wish for the course now, Sir?"
Tumingin sa'kin si Clyde then he smiled. His first smile of the day. "Starving?"
"Yeah, a bit."
Tinanguan niya yung maître d'. Umalis ito, leaving me and Clyde with the bottle of champagne na nakababad sa bucket. Inangat ni Clyde 'yon, screwed the cork and it popped open. Smilingly, he poured equal amounts with both our glasses.
Okay this is weird. "Anong okasyon?"
"Masamang uminom?"
"Ng tanghaling tapat?"
"Some people does that."
I rolled my eyes at bumuntong hininga. "Seryoso. You know you can't hide anything from me. What's up? Anong meron?"
Nailigtas lang siya sa tanong na 'yon dahil dumating ang mga pagkain na apparently eh mga specialty ng restaurant. He's incredibly silent althroughout lunch. Kung wala nga lang akong kinakain feeling ko mapapanisan akong laway. But then sabi nga nila, kapag pagkain eh galit-galit na muna. Kaya pinabayaan ko lang siya.
And then it's time to leave. He's true, lunch nga lang ang ipinunta namin sa restaurant na 'to. Naka-dalawang baso lang ako ng champagne. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong okasyon.
"Clyde." I grunted nang paikot-ikot na lang ang sasakyan sa area namin. "Seryoso. Ano kasing okasyon? Ni hindi mo nga alam kung saan pupunta oh."
Bigla na lang niyang inihinto ang kotse sa tabi. I then heard him sighed. "It's my birthday."
Nanlaki ang mata ko. As in. "Your what?"
"Birthday."
"Eh ba't di mo sinabi ng mas maaga? Ulaga ka talaga! De sana mas may kwenta 'tong araw mo. Sana man lang nag-text ka o nagpasabi! Bigla ka na lang pupunta sa opisina tapos magyayaya ng lunch. Adik ka talaga! Adiiiikk!"
The only sound I heard is his chuckles before I was pulled for a sweet kiss. His hands were on either side of my face when he pulled away. "Being with you is enough for this day to turn out good instead of upsetting."
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Upsetting?"
He only nodded. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya na nasa mukha ko and then I looked out from the window. Idea! "May park na malapit dito. Tara!"
"Ah—" bago pa siya makapag-protesta, lumabas na ako ng kotse. Hinatak ko siya palabas at hinila pati tuloy-tuloy hanggang sa marating namin ang parke.
May ilang mga batang naglalaro. May swings, seesaws, monkey bars and benches kasi sa park na 'yon. Sayang wala kaming bike. It'll be more cooler kung meron kaming bike.
Smiling, I turned to look at Clyde just to realize na kanina pa pala siya nakatingin sa akin. He squeezed our hands na naka-intertwine sa isa't-isa then he smiled. "Never spent a birthday in a park before."
Nag-shrug ako. "There's always a first time for everything. Let's go walk!"
It was evident na bago nga si Clyde sa ganitong enviroment. Maybe sine-celebrate niya ang birthday niya sa engrandeng pamamaraan. Like host a party, get wasted or buy himself a private jet or something. Which reminds me... "How do you spend your birthdays, by the way?"
"In my room, wallowing."
Napahinto ako. Tinignan ko siya, that faraway look gaya kanina sa office ko eh bumalik na naman. "Wallowing? Why?"
Ngumiti siya. Pero halos hindi umabot sa tenga niya ang ngiting 'yon. "I'm the youngest of three, Elaejiagh. I actually had a twin brother."
"Really?" a bit dumbfounded pero whatever, gusto ko ring makita ang kapatid niyang 'yon. Sabi niya three. Edi may dalawa pa. "Where is he now? Settled?"
"He's dead."
My jaw dropped instantly. His face had that secluded vibe to me. Nung sinabi niya 'yon, it's like all the emotions was drained from his eyes. Ginagawa niya 'yon kapag may ayaw siyang marinig o may ayaw siyang isipin. I've learned that the hard way. Sa ilang pagtatalo pa lang namin nakikita ko na 'yan. But this isn't the same.
Because today it's like he's in regret. He's in too much pain and anger and sadness. What could've happen?
"H-How?"
"I was five years old when it happened. We were fighting over an action figure. I don't remember the details, how the fight began but I remember punching his stomach. He retreated a few steps, he didn't saw the stairs, he fell. He went into coma for weeks because of the head injury. He died on the same day we were born."
Lalong nanlaki ang mata ko. It means death anniversary rin ng kapatid niya ngayon. Holy crap! This is what the fuss is all about! "Clyde..." I muttered but he only shook his head.
"My parents had always blamed me for it. I killed their favorite son. I've never come to terms with that, Elaejiagh. I blamed myself for his death over and over again. I've always asked myself things like 'Why couldn't I be the bigger person and just let the damn go of that stupid toy?' Why didn't I think before hitting him? No one celebrated my birthday. They mourn for him, not celebrate for me." then his eyes focus on me na parang may gusto siyang iparating. My breath caught. God... "Except you."
My instincts act for me that moment. I pulled him to me and hugged him tight. My hands flew around his neck and his face landed on the right side of my neck. "Wala kang kasalanan, Clyde. Five years old ka lang nu'n. Aksidente 'yon, anong alam mong mangyayari 'yon? You were just a kid as well as your brother is. Your parents are wrong for blaming you. You can't blame yourself for an accident."
"You said it again..." he murmured. Hindi ko gaanong naintindihan.
"Huh?"
"Nothing." Sabay iling niya.
I sighed. Naramdaman kong pumaikot ang kamay niya sa bewang ko, finally accepting the comfort of my embrace. He buried his face further more into my neck and inhaled my scent.
"What's your brother's name, Clyde?"
"Clarence."
"Does he look like you?"
I felt his mouth curved into a smile. Pero ramdam ko sa vibe na binibigay niyang isang malungkot na ngiti na naman iyon. "I look like him. And my parents despised that fact. They can't even stand having me in the same room for a minute."
Humigpit ang yakap ko sa kanya. Clyde never did anything wrong. He's a child for goodness' sake! He's just acting like his age! Hindi naman niya alam na mahuhulog sa hagdan ang kapatid niya. Anong klaseng mga magulang ang hindi makakaintindi no'n? "Where are your parents now?"
"Dead. They're all dead."
Napalunok ako. Slowly, I inched his head away from my neck to be able to look at him. In his eyes rests those unshed tears. I ached for Clyde. For that poor little boy na hindi nabigyan ng tsansang magsaya sa kada araw na darating ang birthday niya. It was supposed to be a joyous celebration. But instead, he spends it by blaming himself for the lost of his brother na hindi naman talaga niya kagagawan.
Clyde is alone in life. And being alone sucks. It's something na hinding-hindi ko gugustuhing maranasan. I can't even begin to imagine kung paano nabubuhay si Clyde ng mag-isa.
Then an idea struck me nang makita ko ang silver strap sa leeg niya. I tug it na nakakuha ng atensyon niya. "Sentimental?"
"No, just accessory." Kunot-noo niyang sagot.
I smiled. Tinanggal ko ang hikaw ko na hoop lang. Hindi kalakihang hoop ah. Just the small size like the size of a wedding band. I tangled the two earrings tapos tinanggal ko ang silver strap ni Clyde and hook the earrings in there as pendant. "There."
Lito lang siyang nakatingin sa akin. Tumawa ako saka ikinabit ulit sa leeg niya ang kwintas na ngayon ay may pendant na which will be the earrings I gave him. I cradled his face and his eyes closed within the contact of my touch.
"Happy birthday, Clyde."
Nagmulat siya ng mata and his eyes stared at me in wonder. "What did you do?"
"Regalo ko 'yan. I'm not a fan of expensive gifts. I want everything to be of value. To mean something. That's all I have today that I can offer to you."
Reluctantly, he touched the pendant at tinignan iyon. Then his gaze darted back on me. The last thing I saw was his smile bago niya ako niyakap ulit ng mahigpit ang ibinaon ang mukha niya sa leeg ko. "This is my favorite place."
Napangiti ako. "The park?"
"No. Not the park. This. Here. In your arms."
Natigilan ako. Gusto ko siyang tignan pero mahigpit ang yakap niya sa akin. His muffled chuckles made me all the more confused.
"You are my favorite place, Elaejiagh."
***
A/N:
Ganito yata talaga kapag single, kay Clyde na lang kinikilig. Letse. Hahahahaha! XD
Anywayyyy, sa Saturday na 'yong bagong cover ng LOTBH. Nahihilo akong palitan lahat, ang dami pala. Wahahahaha. I hope you enjoye this chapter. Lemme know what you thunk! VOTE and COMMENT, caras! <3
-HR