H A U N T E D (NGS #11)

35th Haunted

Haunted

Engaged

"Your Mom is calling, Miss Cassey," si Pauline na ipinakita sa akin ang screen ng aking phone.

Tiningnan ko ang cellphone at kinuha iyon sa kamay ni Pauline. I even gestured to answer it while leaving just to send signals from someone's eyes who's watching since I know it's Anzai that... I'm... uh... answering my mother's call! At wala akong tinatakasan! Sadyang nagkataon lang.

Hindi ko nilingon ang stage. Deritso ang lakad, hindi naman halos tumakbo kahit gusto kong lumipad sa pagkakataong iyon makaalis lamang, ngunit dahil inaalagaan ang imahe na kunwari ay walang pakialam, hindi ako nagmadali.

"Mom, oh my gosh!" hindi ko na napigilan ang natataranta at nagmamadali kong tinig nang makapasok sa cubicle.

"Hija?! Are you okay?! Is everything okay?! Where's your bodyguards?! Ang huli nilang update sa akin ay nasa Okada ka!—

"Mom I'm fine! Calm down!" putol ko sa tinig niyang natataranta rin.

"Are you sure?!"

"Yes! I mean... Roche is here!"

Ilang sigundo siyang natahimik. Kaya noong muling nagsalita, hinahon na bigla ang tinig.

"Oh? Your ex?" she said maliciously.

Mariin akong pumikit. "He's the car designer of Porshe, Mom! Engineer!"

"Oh my God! Porsche! As in Porsche?!" she screamed dramatically.

"Yes!" giit ko at dumilat.

"Don't tell me you already change your mind? Baka hindi na kotse ang gusto mong subukang sakyan diyan huh?!"

Halos mamula ako sa bulgar na pinagsasabi ni Mommy. Oo at malandi ako at sabik pero hindi iyon sumagi sa isip ko ngayon!

"I need to drop the call, Mom. Baka pag nagtagal ako, isipin ng iba diyan iniiwasan ko ang ex ko," I said desperately.

Humalakhak si Mommy.

"What's the matter? Ano bang tingin ng lahat? Na baliw na baliw ka sa ex mo? It's been years! And maybe this is the right year to move-on, hija," her tone suddenly changed.

"I already moved-on!" giit ko.

If I'm not mistaken, he's taken! Siya iyong pinag-uusapan kanina ng mga socialite na may girlfriend! And I don't want to think that he's single after all this years coz he's waiting for me! Ayokong magmukhang assuming dito 'no!

"And Mom... He's... taken! Damn it," mariin kong bigkas at nasapol ang noo.

"Oh... and you're not. Oh...." it seems like a big realization to her.

"I was busy and I don't have time for boys!" giit ko para naman hindi ako kawawain dito.

"And you're not dating one currently. Alam mo naman ang isip ng mga lalake minsan pag single ka pa rin. They might think you're still stuck in the past..."

"I don't care! Isipin niya ang isipin niya!"

"But you have so many suitors, hija. Kahit papaano hindi naman pipitchugin ang mga 'yon. You have international admirers too! Isa pa, hindi mo naman pinangalandakan sa social media na single ka. Some were even curious if you're taken or not. Which means no one's aware with your nonexistent love life..."

Hindi ko alam kung nakatulong ba iyon sa nararamdaman ko o nagpabigat lang nang mapagtantong kahit sex life, wala rin ako.

Natahimik ako at nasapo ang noo. I groaned and shut my eyes problematically. Bakit ba sumulpot pa siya! Oo at nakamove-on na ako pero pwede namang hindi na magkita ah? Closure isn't for everyone!