The Calm and the Storm

09

09

I did not tell Ate Therese that I met Jeno Emmanuel at the night of their reunion. I did not check up on her about the event. Iniwasan ko siya kasi hindi ko alam kung paano sasabihin na nag-uusap kami ng kaibigan niya.

But I know I can't avoid her forever.

Buong umaga, hindi ako mapalagay. I was dying to see my sister. I was dying to ask her questions about what happened. Kaya isinara ko ang laptop at tumayo upang puntahan siya.

Her office was in the other wing. It was the time of the month where we hand monthly inventories and presentations. Kaya naman busy ang lahat.

I hesitated when I stopped in front of her office's door. Huminga ako nang malalim at kumatok.

"Yes?" I heard her from the inside. "Come in."

Ipinihit ko ang door knob at pumasok sa loob. Ate Therese was wearing her reading glasses. Her hair was tied into a ponytail. Halata na kulang siya sa tulog.

"Oh, hi. Anong ginagawa mo rito?" she softly asked, her eyes at the laptop.

The words were gone. Tuluyan akong napipi. I could only think of the guilt. Hanggang sa unti-unting sumakit ang tiyan ko. The constipation again.

"May... hot water ka ba rito?" dahilan ko.

"Meron sa dispenser. Bakit? What's wrong?"

I forced a soft laugh. "Constipation."

She was concerned with the way she lifter her eyes to meet mine. "Pumunta ka na ba sa doktor, Trinity?"

"Wala pa."

"I told you to go."

"Ate, hindi naman ito big deal. I'm just constipated."

Kumuha ako ng plastic cup at sinimulan itong lagyan ng mainit na tubig kahit may hot water naman talaga ako sa office ko. The questions were at the tip of my tongue.

"Nga pala, kumusta 'yung reunion?" I asked while my back was facing her. Sinadya kong bagalan ang pagsalin ng mainit na tubig sa baso para hindi siya matingnan sa mata.

"It was great. We had a good time. Ang dami naming pinag-usapan."

"Really? That's nice."

"Kaso wala si Jeno Emmanuel."

There was a lump in my throat. Nang humarap sa kanya, sinubukan kong maging okay. "Really?"

"Yep. I received a text na may emergency daw kaya hindi siya makakapunta. Sayang nga, eh. We were all waiting for him kasi he's the star of the party. Nadismaya rin ako kasi inaabangan ko na makausap siya o makita siya sa personal. But it's very unfortunate."

I did not press it anymore. After that, I thank her with the hot water and went back to my office.

It feels bad hiding this thing from my sister. Growing up, she knows everything about me. She's my confidante. My bestfriend. Sobrang weird na hindi ko 'to sinabi sa kanya.

It was lunch when Jaypee and Anabelle knocked at my door. Nakangiti sila nang pinapasok ko sila sa loob.

"Yes?" I asked.

Tumingin muna si Anabelle kay Jaypee bago tumingin ulit sa 'kin. "Ma'am Trinity, we just want to thank you for helping us yesterday."

"Sobrang laki po ng tulong ninyo," ani Jaypee. "Akala namin mapapagilatan kami ngayon."

"No problem. It's my job to check on you."

"Kaya gusto po naming ilibre kayo ng lunch," si Anabelle.

"Lunch?"