At all Cost

Chapter 05

Gaya ng napagusapan kanina, natuloy nga ang planong paglibre nito sa'kin. I was riding quietly in the shotgun seat while he was driving. Pinilit kong maupo sa likod ngunit mas mapilit siyang sa harap ako sumakay dahil ayaw niyang magmukhang driver.

Arte!

I told him he could wait me at the convenience store few meters away from the school, and so he did. Ayokong may makakita sa'kin na sasakay sa kotse niya dahil ayokong maisyu nanaman. Hindi naman gaanong kalayo ang convenience store sa paaralan ngunit alam kong hindi ito pinupuntahan ng mga studyante at mga guro dahil under renovation pa ito.

We're traveling for almost an half hour and I am growing impatiently. My stomach was growling too and I don't give a shit whether he's hearing it.

"Where are you taking me?" finally I got the courage to asked. Kanina pa ako tahimik at pakiramdam ko ay mapapanis na ang laway ko. He took a sideway glance at me and then back to the road.

"My place." he timidly utter.

"What?!" I couldn't help but to yelled again. I saw how his adam's apple move up and down, then he gradually take a glance again and then back to the road. He was smiling sheepishly.

"You hate issues right? So I did you a favor, instead of eating in public places let's eat in my place.... isn't it great? away from the eyes of judgemental people? don't worry I'll cook." he explained.

"Are you planning something?"

"Wala!" mabilis na sagot nito na tila takot na mapagalitan ng striktong nanay. Tinitigan ko muna ito ng mariin bago ko tinuon ang atensyon sa daan. Hindi na lang ako umangal at hinayaan sa nais niya.

He's right though. It's better not to eat in fast food places or in restaurant with him, especially he's not just known in the school I'm working at but also he's known in the entire country. And once they saw him eating lunch with a woman at the public places that would probably a breaking news. At iyon ang iniiwasan ko, ang mabalita sa media.

But is it impossible for me not to be in the news when the media found out about my intention to revolt at the prestigious school I'm working at? At kung maging matagumpay ang plano ko sa paglabas ng baho ng paaralan hindi lang sa tv, radyo o dyaryo lalabas ang pangalan ko bagkus ay magiging laman din ng social media at iyon ang iniiwasan ko. Ngunit paano?
Ang naturang paaralan ay prestihisyo at kilala na sa buong bansa. Isang maling galaw ay laman kana agad ng balita.

Maya maya rin ay huminto na ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang three storey house. Hindi ito gaanong kalaki at kalawak ngunit maaring tumira ang pitong myembro ng pamilya. It was a modern storey house. The home has an open terrace for relaxation or maybe it can also be converted into a family hall or another bedroom.

Hindi ko namalayan na bahagyang nakaawang ang bibig ko dahil sa pagkamangha sa ganda at disenyo ng bahay.

Ang ganda!

Hindi ko hinintay na magsalita si Sir Venzon ay inalis ko kaagad ang seatbelt at nagmamadali nang lumabas. A cold and fresh breeze touches my skin as I went outside the car. Napapalibutan ng naglalakihang puno ang buong lugar at iba't ibang klase ng halaman.

Iilan lamang ang bahay at bilang lang ang mga ito. It was already 12:47 in the afternoon ngunit hindi maalinsangan at mainit dito dahil sa mga naglalakihang puno. I closed my eyes. Pinakiramdaman ang buong paligid.

I suddenly felt comfort. Everything in this place gives comfort and solace. I never been in this kind of place.... a place like a home. The soundleness of nature really impressed me and really gives serenity.