The Calm and the Storm

23

23

Naging usap-usapan ang promotion ko sa buong kumpanya. For sure, umabot na rin iyon sa parents ko. Ano kaya ang masasabi nila? How about my sister?

It has just been two weeks but it felt like years. Parang kailan lang ay si Ate ang takbuhan ko sa tuwing may mga problema ako sa buhay. Ngayon ay wala na siyang kalam-alam. It was painful, but it should happen, right?

Para na rin akong nabunutan ng tinik nang malaman na niya. I can't keep secrets anymore.

"Mauna na po kami, Ma'am," paalam ng mga katrabaho ko. "Hindi pa po ba kayo uuwi?"

"Hindi na muna. May tatapusin lang ako rito. Mag-ingat kayo."

After we bid our goodbyes, iniwan na nila ako sa opisina. Nitong mga nakaraang araw ay madalas na akong nag-o-overtime. Mabuti na rin ito para ma-distract ako sa mga problema ko sa buhay.

Plus, I'm preparing all of the files before I leave this office. I want it to be hassle free kapag lilipat na ako.

It was around 10 p.m. when I decided to stop. Sumasakit na rin ang likod ko. Iniligpit ko ang mga papel sa mesa at isinara na ang laptop. After I made sure that all of the lights were off, I picked up my laptop bag and my purse and went outside.

Ngunit natigilan ako nang may napansin na nakaupo sa bench na nasa pasilyo. The lights were dimmed but from the suit and tie... from the physique... I already knew who it was.

I did not bother to hide my shock. Hindi na rin ako nagpatuloy pang lumakad. Hinayaan kong bumaling ang kanyang paningin sa 'kin.

Jeno Emmanuel's eyes looked angry. No... talagang galit ang kanyang mga mata. Like my shock, he did not bother to hide it, too.

"Trinity," he called as he stood up and took a very deep breath. I could imagine his muscles beneath his clothes contracting.

Naglakad siya patungo sa akin. Nakakapanghina. Ngayon ko lang ulit narinig ang boses niya. God, I missed it so much. I missed him so much. I badly wanted to hug him so tight. But my pride wouldn't let me.

"Tapos ka na bang maglaro ng tagu-taguan?" he said.

I did not speak. I only stared at his deep, dark, and angry eyes.

"Aren't you tired?" his voice broke as if he was so done with all of this.

His eyes were not angry anymore.

"Magsalita ka naman sa 'kin. Please..."

I looked down. Baka kasi 'pag hindi ako huminto sa pagtitig sa mga mata niya ay umiyak ako. Hindi ko rin naiintindihan ang sarili ko.

"You are always like that. Talk to me! Aren't you hurting? Because I am! It's killing me so much!" aniya pagkatapos umatras ng ilang hakbang mula sa 'kin.

Umiling lamang ako. Tama na...

"I keep on understanding you, Trinity. Always! Ayaw mong may makakita sa 'tin? Sige. Ayaw mong may makaalam tungkol sa 'tin? Sige. Ayaw mo akong kausapin? Sige. I always give you space. I always give you what you want. I always understand you even during the times that I couldn't... Why can't you do that to me?"

Namuo ang mga luha ko. His words pierced through my heart. I felt like the worst person in the world.

"Ako naman ang intindihin mo..." he pleaded. "What did I do wrong? Tell me, baby. Please... So I can make things right. So I can do it. Just please... Huwag ganito..."

Jeno Emmanuel sniffed. Both of our tears were choking us.

Come on, speak. Come on, tell him that you love him.