Apricity (Published under PSICOM)

41st

Naingayan

I tried to focus on my food for the next couple of minutes. Ngayong papunta na pala si Elcid ay kailangan ko nang ubusin ito. I still got a few remaining on my plate. I diverted my attention on eating instead of staring at someone else's face.

Hindi nga lang maiwasang sumagi pa rin sa gilid ng mata ko ang galaw niya lalo pa't nasa bandang harap ko lang sya. Pansin kong nakatuon na rin sya sa pagkain ngayon.

"Ms. Leyva, don't hesitate to coordinate with the workforce anytime you need any detail about the construction.." saad ng Executive Head. "I hope the documentary unfolds the essence of this project,"

"Will do, Sir. I aim to highlight and draw attention on that part too.."

I picked up the table napkin and gently blotted the corners of my lips with it.

"It's also nice to hear that you're already familiar with Mr. Severo.. I hope you work well together," bumaling pa ito kay Ali. "I trust you on providing her with vital information regarding this matter, Engineer."

"Rest assured, Mr. Alvarado." he just casually said.

There's something about his polite tone that distorts my stomach since a while ago. Natural at tapat. Walang halong pagpapanggap. It's the way he unaffectedly reacts on everything that twists my insides. How he can stay nonchalant over any matter that involves me.

I inwardly cursed at myself.

Pull your shit together, Einj. Get a fucking grip. This is plain ass stupid.

Nahimasmasan ako matapos ang ilang saway sa sarili. Tama. The right thing to do is to act like Ali. Kung may dapat man akong gawin ngayon, yun ay tanggalin lahat ng ilang ko sa kanya.

We're going to work together. I don't want to mess things up. Hindi ko sasayangin ang pagkakataong binigay sakin dahil lang nangangapa pa ko kung paano aakto pag nariyan siya.

I must get rid of my issues. Sa kanya naman ay mukhang wala nang problema. Kailangan ko lang siguruhing maayos at malinaw ang lahat sa pagitan namin. I have to let this out of my chest. Mabuti na ring alam niyang masaya ko para sa kanila.

Kaya naman nang mamataan ko si Ali na nakatayo sa hilera ng drinks pagkagaling ko sa restroom ay sinamantala ko na ang pagkakataon.

Hindi na ko nagdalawang isip na lapitan siya. I made my way to the table of drinks and decided to get an empty glass for myself as well.

Pansin ko ang pagsulyap niya sa akin, marahil naramdaman na ang presensya ko.

I was just about to pour some juice in my glass when he reached for it himself.

"Peach or Lemonade?"

Saglit pa kong natigilan bago sumagot.

"Lemonade.."

Tumango siya at sinalinan na ng ganon ang baso ko.

Ngayong nakikita ko siya nang malapitan ay napatunayan ko lamang kung gaano kanatural ang kilos niya. There was no sign of dicomfort. Normal lang ang bawat galaw. Maging ang ekspresyon niya.

Matamlay akong napangiti.

Gusto ko ring magkaroon ng kapanatagan na meron sya. Gusto ko na ring tuluyang makalaya tulad niya.