The Ravages of Time

Kabanata 31

Kabanata 31

In Another Life

My lips started to form a small smile and stared at him from head to toe as he stared at me too with surprise written in his eyes. He was wearing a black suit and his hair are neat and clean.

"Kumusta?"

I faked a cough. "Okay naman... ikaw?"

He smiled and rubbed his neck. "Okay lang din, bibisitahin mo si Prosecutor Vinco?"

I nodded and smiled.

This is not the first time I saw him after several years that we walked different paths. I once saw him when I visited Kuya after his trial and Oren was the defense council back then. But this is my first time talking to him after those years.

I gulped. "Mauuna na—"

"Ano nang ginagawa mo ngayon?" he asked, not bothering what I just said.

"I'm now a teacher at... Sienna," I answered again.

I maintained my eye contact with him and noticed that his smile also changed. That was not the smile I was used for. It was different.

Kulang si Tariq kung wala 'yong ngiti niya.

"Mabuti 'yon. Galing ako sa office ni Prosecutor Vinco. Naroon siya, in case hinahanap mo..." he uttered.

I nodded. "Okay, thanks..."

"Pwede bang magtanong—"

"Love!"

Our conversation was interrupted when I heard Jace's voice. I felt his presence when he stood next to me.

"Nakita mo na si Kuya?" salubong niya sa akin.

Pasimple kong sinilip ang reaksyon ni Tariq pero wala kang mababasang kahit anong reaksyon sa kanya, kalmado lamang itong nakatingin sa 'min.

"Boyfriend mo?" he asked.

Natauhan ako nang bigla itong nagsalita.

I immediately nodded and smile. "Yeah, this is Jace. Jace, this is... Tariq, my old classmate."

I bit my lower lip and averted my gaze from them, but I felt Tariq's stare to mine.

Tariq offered him a handshake and Jace accepted it.

"May kamukha ka."

Mabilis akong napatingin nang kunot noo kay Jace at bakas din ang pagtataka sa mukha ni Tariq.

"The young lady we met the other day, they look alike, "Jace whispered but I'm pretty sure Tariq heard that.

"Kapatid ko siguro 'yon," sagot naman ni Tariq.

Naalala ko na naman si Lei. Magagalit siguro 'yon kapag nalaman niyang kinausap ko ang pinakamamahal niyang Kuya na ayaw niyang masaktan. But Tariq was the first one to approach me.

"Ah kaya pala! Parehos na pareho kayo ng mukha. Nice to meet you, bro."

Tariq nodded and smiled.

"I think we should go. Bye..." He remained silent and just nodded as we walked passing him by with Jace's hand intertwining with mine.

***

"Hindi mo sinagot ang tawag ko!" singhal ko kay Kuya nang makita siya sa loob ng office niya. Walang pasintabi akong pumasok doon habang nag-uusok ang aking tenga at ilong.

His forehead wrinkled.

"Why are you mad? You know where my office is, and you can just wait for me here. Why are you so pissed?" bungad niya sa akin.