Living With The Game (Living Series #2)

Chapter 31

Pareho kaming tahimik sa loob ng sasakyan. Well he didn't forced me to get in here though. I told him magko-commute nalang ako kahit hindi ako sure do'n and then he insisted na ihatid nalang ako. I told him where I live at sinabi naman nitong alam niya raw. I suddenly remember the days kung saan palagi akong naghihintay na puntahan niya ako sa bahay. Mahina akong napailing upang alisin sa isipan ko ang mga alaala na 'yon.

"Are you alright?" He glanced at me before returning his focus on the road. 

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Sagot ko naman at nakita ko naman kung paano ito tumango. 

Itinuon ko nalang pansin ko sa bintana at ilang sandali pa nakarating na kami sa bahay. 

"Thank you." I said while unbuckling my seat belt. 

"You're welcome." He then stated before I go out.

Isinarado ko na rin agad ang pinto ng passenger seat at diretsong pumasok sa loob dahil sa totoo lang hindi ko na matiis ang awkward na atmosphere. 

Pagpasok ko sa loob at pagkasara ng gate, isang mahabang buntong hininga ang nagawa ko 'tsaka napahawak sa dibdib ko. What the hell am I being nervous?!

Dumiretso na agad ako sa kwarto at nag-asikaso, naligo at kumain bago pabagsak na humiga sa kama. I sighed heavily because I felt really tired. This day is so tiring. Kinuha ko saglit ang laptop ko to check some emails dahil kung hindi ako nagkakamali may event akong pupuntahan next week, isang fashion competition sa isang school. They invited us to be one of the judges of their competition. Ako at si Mr. Frano ang dalawa sa magiging judges. I responded on the email bago napagdesisyunang matulog na.

"Good morning, Ma'am. As per your schedule for today, you are scheduled to meet the Alienation Ph sa conference room together with fashion coordinators. After that is meeting the two which is Jairo Alegre and Roshette Pelegrino from Bloodline with their manager." 

I thank May for reminding me the schedule.

"Nailagay mo na ba sa memo that I will be attending a fashion competition next week?" I asked.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Saang school nga ulit 'yon?"

"Sa De Castro High School, Ma'am."

Tumango-tango naman ako bago umupo at nag-umpisang magtrabaho. May did her work as well. I spend my time working on papers and other documents. As I've checked the time, oras na pala para pumunta sa meeting. Nagre-touch ako before fixing my things at dumiretso sa conference room. I met different employees and greet them. As I've reach the conference room, I was the first one to arrive. Umupo ako sa pinakadulong bahagi ng mahabang table bago inayos ang gamit ko. Minutes later ay dinig ko na ang ingay sa pinto, at hindi nga ako nagkamali at pumasok sa loob ang team ni William. Our eyes met. Even his eyes are looking at me so empty, I tried my best to do the same. I cleared my throat to catch their attention. Sabay-sabay silang tumingin sa akin 'tsaka napayuko at tumahimik. 

Bakit ba ang hilig niyang tumingin? I mean bakit ba palagi nalang nagtatama ang paningin naming dalawa? I don't even know why am I being nervous everytime he's around, simula pa kahapon. I can't even focus properly, and last I can't even look him into his eyes having those empty look. It's been how many years, why am I feeling this way? 

I took the bottle of water in front of me at hindi ko alam pero naubos ko ang laman no'n. Ilang minuto lang ay dumating na ang team ni Mr. Frano and the meeting started immediately. Ipinakita ni Mr. Frano ang ilang customize shirts, hoodies and caps for the team's gift box. After that nag-discuss lang din siya regarding the other stuff. When Mr. Frano asked if there is any question, I instantly raise my hand at lahat sila ay napatingin sa akin.

"Is their a possibility na may advertisement sila with the brand?" Tanong ko while playing the pen I was holding. 

"Actually tomorrow is the schedule for their advertisement shoot, Ms. Tugafin." He then responded. Tumango-tango naman ako.

So bukas nandito na naman sila. I wanted to roll my eyes pero baka mamaya may makapansin sa akin. 

Ilang minuto pa ay natapos na ang meeting. Dumiretso ako sa cafeteria dahil nag-chat si Nash na tatambay siya rito dahil nai-stress siya sa trabaho. Ilang kilometro lang ang layo ng business nila rito kaya madalas talaga siya rito.

Pagbaba ko sa cafeteria nakita ko naman ito agad.

"Hey, itsurang stress talaga ah." Pang-aasar ko bago inilapag ang bag ko sa upuang katapat nito.

"May bagong pasok kasi sa trabaho and may mga palpak siyang nagawa." He said before scratching his brows. 

"Eh we cannot deny naman dahil baguhan and usually ganun talaga ang nangyayari. Wait me here I'll just buy something to drink." Usal ko bago pumunta sa counter. 

Since may milk shake naman na si Nash, um-order nalang ako ng akin. Pabalik na ako sa table namin nang pagtalikod ko halos mauntog ako sa dibdib ng taong kasunod ko. Agad akong napaatras at nanlaki ang mata nang makitang si William 'yon. 

I don't even know what to do, the heck! I was just standing in front of him and still looking at him with my eyes widened! I hardly gulped as I saw he was just staring at me being confused. He cleared his throat before looking forward, I even noticed how he gulped because of his adam's apple. Agad akong napayuko at napailing.

"I'm sorry." I immediately said before walking away. 

Nang makabalik ako sa table ay nakangisi akong tinignan ni Nash. Maybe he saw what happened because he was facing the counter.

"Tatanong ka pa eh halata namang nakita mo ang nangyari." I said with frustration before sipping on my milk tea.

"Ano nga ba ang nangyari?" 

"Shut up!" Usal ko na tila ba nauubusan ng pasensya. Tinawanan lang ako nito bago sumandal sa kanyang kinauupuan at nag-krus ng braso.

"Why are you being so irritated ba?" He then asked.

"Obviously because he's around?" Sarkastikong sagot ko. 

"And why?" Taas ang isang kilay na tanong niya.

"That's the answer already, because he's here."

Sandali kaming natahimik. I knew there's something wrong. I shouldn't be acting this way anymore. 

"Am I being sensitive and acting like still being affected?" I bit my lower lip before looking at Nash. Napabuntong hininga ito bago ipinatong ang mga braso sa lamesa para makalapit sa 'kin.

"Mismo." He then answered.