Captivating Flower

35

"Ma'am, everything was already done." I smiled at Clarisse. 

"Thank you, Clarisse! Just call me if something happen, okay? Mauuna na ako."

Clarisse nodded to me and bid a goodbye. I walked to my car and drove away. I want to get home already so I can finally rest. 

Ilang araw na akong walang maayos na tulog dahil sa pag-aasikaso ko sa restaurant ko. My college friend chose my restaurant as their venue for their up coming wedding. 

They give their trust to me so I want it to be perfect. 

Now that it was all done, makakapagpahinga na ako. Bukas ang kasal and I'm invited so I really need to sleep. 

Dumiretso ako sa condo unit ko para doon magpahinga. Hindi ko muna inayos ang mga gamit ko at dumiretso higa sa kama. This day was so tiring. 

Kinabukasan ay maaga akong nagising. I still need to check the venue kahit nandoon naman si Clarisse. And also I need to do my makeup for laters event. 

"Good morning, Ma'am. All set na po." Bungad sa 'kin ni Clarisse. 

"Thank you so much, Clarisse. Kung hindi dahil sayo, baka mukha na akong zombie dahil sa stress ngayon." We both laughed from wha i've said. 

Clarisse was my secretary since my own restaurant opened. It was 3 years ago already. Ang tagal na din pala. Hindi pa din ako makapaniwala na may sarili na akong ganito ngayon. 

I was just a little girl dreaming to be a chef and building my own restaurant. Now, I successfully made it. I am so proud of myself. 

We get back to work. Noong isang araw ay nakapagpaayos naman na ako ng nails so no need pumunta ng salon. I don't want my hair to be short kaya no need mag parlor. 

The theme of the wedding was nude. I wore a nude beaded high-slit dress for today's event. I paired it with four inches heels. Nagsuot lang din ako ng neclace and bracelets. I also put on light makeup so it can match my outfit. 

Ako lang ang nag-ayos sa sarili ko dahil kaya ko naman. 

11:30 when the newlyweds arrived. I greeted them with a big smile on my face. I'm so happy for both of them. Dati ay pakipot pa silang dalawa sa isa't-isa, now they were already married to each other. 

"Grabe, super ganda ng venue, Heather! We loved it!" The bride complimented.

"Thank you, Alisha! Next time ulit para sa binyag," I joked. We just talked a little bit before they bid goodbye so they can greet other visitors.

Pumunta muna ako sa office ko sandali para ayusin yung damit ko dahil matatanggal na ata ang zipper sa likod!

Mas binilisan ko ang lakad ko pero hindi ko sinasadyang may mabunggo na tao.

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang matapon ang dala niyang dessert sa damit niya.

"Shit! I'm sorry, i'm really sorry." Paghingi ko ng tawad.

Mabuti nalang at may dala akong tissue sa dala kong small bag. I immediately get the tissue inside my bag and gave it to him.

"Sorry, I didn't-" I stopped talking when I saw who I bumped into.

Jake...

"It's fine, don't need to say sorry. Mauuna na ako, Miss."

I was still shocked even though he was already gone in front of me. I tried to find him with my eyes but I failed.

Sa dami ba naman ng tao ngayon dito.

Tulala ako habang papunta sa office ko.

He... he looks so different now. He looks more handsome and tall than before. His body becomes more muscular too. Halata dahil sa suot niyang coat na fitted sa kaniya.

Is he already taken? Kasama niya ba ang girlfriend niya ngayon?

Why am I even thinking of that?! Ako ang nang-iwan, wala akong karapatan na kuwestyunin kung ano ang kalagayan niya ngayon.

Tumayo ako at inayos ang dress na suot ko. Ayom naman talaga ang pinunta ko dito sa office ko. Kung ano-ano pa kasi ang iniisip ko.

After fixing my dress, I get out of my office.

May mga kakilala din ako dito na ka batch ko dati. May kaunting catch up lang. They are deciding if we can do a reunion and dito gagawin sa resto ko.

Okay lang naman sa 'kin. It's just, I'm not close to them. Wala naman akong ibang kaibigan kung hindi si Isabella.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kanila para i-check sa labas kung maayos ba. I still need to be professional, gusto ko perfect lahat.

Paglabas ko ay nandoon ang groom and some of his friends. Mukhang nagsisimula na silang mag-inuman.

"Heather!" The groom called me.

Lumapit ako sa kanila pero parang gusto kong umatras nang makita ko kung sino ang nandoon. Jake, Ryle, and some of their friends were there. Yung mga nakasama namin sa Island noon!

"This is Heather everyone. She's the owner of this reaturant and a friend of mine." Pakilala niya sa 'kin sa kanila.

"Uh, hi, nice to meet you all." That was the most embarrassing 5 minutes of my life.

Nang matapos kong magpakilala doon ay umalis din ako kaagad dahil hindi ako mapakali. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko.

Also, Ryle was there! Baka tanungin ako tungkol kay Bella. Baka kung ano pa ang masabi ko. I don't want to betray my friend.

Hanggang 12 am lang sila sa restaurant. I stayed there until 12 kahit inaantok na talaga ako. I spend my 4 hours inside my office.

"Ma'am, the visitors are already gone. Start na po kaming magligpit." Clarisse said when she came into my office.

"Okay, Clarisse. Thank you, maya-maya uuwi na din ako."

"Sige po, Ma'am."

Tumango ako sa kaniya. Inayos ko na ang gamit ko para maka-uwi na din ako. Gusto ko na talagang bumawi ng tulog.

I want to sleep 8 hours straight. Yung walang istorbo at walang iniisip na kahit ano.

12:30, I decided to go home already. Naabutan ko pa din silang nag-aayos doon. Binilinan ko muna si Clarisse bago lumabas.

Para na akong zombie papalakad sa sasakyan ko. Should I just get a taxi? Feeling ko mababangga pa ako kapag nagdrive pa ako.

"Hey," I was startled when someone spoke. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko sa gulat.

"Ryle! You scared me," I said to him.

"Sorry," he laughed a little.

He look so mature now. Hindi katulad dati na isang tingin mo palang ay alam mong pilosopo. Parang si Jake. Tumangkad din siya at mas lalong gumwapo.

"What do you need?" I asked him.

"Uh, it's about Isabella." I remained silent. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine, Ryle. Mauuna na ako. Ayokong magsalita tungkol kay Isabelka dahil kung ano pa ang masabi ko. But she's doing fine."

He nodded. "Thank you. Drive safely, Heather."

"You too."

After our short talk, I get inside my car. Wala akong karapatan na pangunahan si Isabella dahil hindi ko naman alam ang totoong nangyari sa kanilang dalawa ni Ryle.