The Unbreakable Glass (Costillano #4)

Kabanata 17

I remember that night when I had a conversation with Mommy Shady and my twin in our bedroom. She told us about the two types of love that a person could give. The first one was a love that would keep you no matter what, and the second one was a love that could give you the taste of freedom.

Dati hindi ko pa alam kung ano'ng ibigsabihin n'on. Kung paanong ang pagmamahal ay p'wede kang pamalagiin, at kung paanong p'wede ka rin nitong palayain. But then, as I grow and experience things, I gradually understand. The first one can give you everything you need to stay, and the second one can risk everything, even if it means letting you go.

Selfish and free love.

Ilang beses napabukol ang dila ko sa gilid ng aking pisngi habang sinisipat ako ng babae na nasa aking harapan.

"Be thankful you're an intern and that NCU recommended you to us. Pero uunahan na kita, sana man lang nag-ayos ka bago nagpasa ng application. And what's with your hood and your red hair?"

Napaiwas ako ng tingin sa babae. "Uh...it's my favorite color." Partially, my natural hair color is dark blonde, and I already had my red hair before we even flew into this country for a change.

"Bawal 'yan dito, Miss Catedras, pero dahil intern ka nga, hahayaan ko 'yan. Just fix yourself. Here's your uniform." Iniabot niya sa akin ang isang paper bag. "Your shift is around 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting tomorrow. Are we clear, Miss Catedras?"

I nod as a sign of response before thanking her and taking the paper bag where my intern uniform is. Lumabas na ako ng opisina at naglakad palabas sa COST bago ako tumungo sa parking lot kung saan nakaparada ang motor ko. Noong Biyernes lang ng gabi kami umalis ni Ferisha sa Cagayan de Oro patungo rito sa Quezon City. We rented an apartment, and I brought my motorcycle with me since we'll be counting months until we complete my task.

Papasakay na ako sa motor nang tumunog ang aking cellphone. Hinugot ko iyon sa bulsa ng aking pantalon at napansin ang mensahe mula kay Zideon.

Zideon: Dinner later this evening?

A small smile creeps on my lips.

Ako: Yes daddy. ;)

Malawak ang ngisi na umangkla ako sa aking motor.

Zideon: Silly.

I chuckle and put my phone in the pocket of my jeans. The firm that he has chosen for his internship is located in Pasay. Medyo may kalayuan, pero inaamin ko na natuwa ako roon dahil nasa iisang syudad lang kaming dalawa at may pagkakataon na p'wede kaming magkita.

Hindi na ako nag-reply pa sa kaniya nang mapansin kong malapit nang mag-alas dose ng tanghali; kakailanganin ko pang daanan si Ferisha sa kaniyang papasukan. Sabay kaming umalis ng apartment, kaya't sabay rin kaming uuwi ngayon. Ayaw pa naman niya ng nagc-commute lalo pa't maraming pasikot-sikot dito sa Maynila.

"So, you two are really together? I mean, like, officially?" Ferisha asks as I give her her helmet.

"We're together, but not officially."

"But why? Hindi ka pa niya ipinapakilala sa parents n'ya?" May kunot sa kaniyang noo na tiningnan ako. Sandali akong huminto at biglang naalala ang napag-usapan namin ni Zideon noong Biyernes sa library.

I was engrossed reading the book in front of me—because for the first time, I chose to read while sitting on a chair across the table, while Zideon was on my right side and was engaged playing with some strands of my hair, like he didn't have a book that he needed to review in front of him.

Naramdaman ko ang paggapang ng kaniyang mga daliri sa aking kamay habang ramdam ako ang titig niya sa akin mula sa nakaharap niyang pigura sa puwesto ko. A couple seconds had passed when I felt his hand hold mine, interlacing his fingers with my fingers.