Secrets and Lies

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6: INTERN

MARIA YVETTE AMYLASE DEL FIERRO

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WE ARRIVED home pass 10:00 PM in the evening. Wala kaming masyadong paguusap habang nasa byahe, nababagabag pa rin kasi ako sa huling text ni Jerrich. I don't know kung paano niya nakukuha ang number ko, nakailang palit na ako ng sim dahil sa mga ginagawa niya, pero nakukuha at nalalaman niya pa rin. Dahil din siguro do'n that's why Simon didn't talk to me. I know and feel that he wants us to have a talk, but choose to keep quite. 

"Are you okay, Amylase?" he asked before ako bumaba ng sasakyan niya. Kinareer niya talaga ang pagtawag sa akin ng 'Amylase'. 

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya, "Yes. Okay lang ako. Just a bit tired pero goods lang." sagot ko. Pero iyong tingin niya sa akin ay parang hindi siya naniniwala.

"I know you're not." aniya sa seryosong boses. "Pero I will not force you to tell me kung anong nangyari sa phone call mo with someone kanina, but I want you to remember that I will always be one call away if you want someone to talk to." he added. I melted. Halos maiyak ako sa sinabi niya. I mean, siguro iba sa inyo will think na simpleng bagay lang iyon, but for me it is not just a simple thing. For someone who grew up alone with no siblings, no real friends, at magulong childhood, walang masabihan ng sama ng loob because she don't want her parents to blame themselves, it was a big deal. 

"Thank you, Si. Really." I said, smiling. He smiled back. Ngayon ko lang din napansin na ang ganda ng mata niya kapag nakangiti siya. His eyes are beautiful even though he's not smiling, but I didn't think na may mas maigaganda pa pala ang mata niya if he's smiling. OMG. I'm melting. 

"Ihatid na kita sa loob, para makapagpaalam and makapag-pasalamat na rin ako kila Tiyo at Tiya." aniya. He rarely speak straight tagalog, but if he does? Damn! So handsome pakinggan with his British accent. 

I smiled and nodded, "Sige. Thanks" 

Bumaba na siya at tsaka ako pinagbuksan ng pinto. Kahit na pinagsabihan ko na siya about opening door for me, ayaw niya pa rin talaga. He keeps insisting na pagbuksan ako ng pinto. I don't have a problem about him being a gentleman, hindi lang talaga ako nasanay. My Ma and Pa raised me to become a independent, iyong hindi umaasa sa iba. Naisabuhay ko na ang turo na iyon nina Mama at Papa, pero mukhang dito kay Simon ata ako bibigay.  

Just like he said, nagpaalam at nag-thank you lang siya kina Mama at Papa. Gusto pa nga niyang magtagal but I told him na umuwi na because it's already late at bi-biyahe pa siya to his place. Nagpaalam na rin ako kay Simon and went inside the house.

As I entered my room, I couldn't help but feel a wave of exhaustion wash over me. It had been an emotionally draining day, and the weight of Jerrich's phone call still lingered in my mind. I knew I needed to gather my thoughts and find a way to deal with the situation, but for now, all I wanted was a good night's sleep.

I changed into my pajamas and settled into bed, trying to push aside the thoughts that threatened to consume me. Closing my eyes, I took deep breaths and tried to relax my racing mind. But sleep seemed elusive, and my mind continued to replay the conversation with Jerrich.

In the midst of my internal turmoil, I felt a familiar buzz on the nightstand. I reached for my phone and saw a message notification. It was from Simon.

"Hey, Amylase. I know you're going through a lot right now, but I wanted to remind you that I'm here for you. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'm just a text away. Take care and get some rest. Good night."

His message brought a sense of comfort, knowing that I had someone I could rely on. My parents, my new friends, and Simon had always been a pillar of support, even when we were just friends. Now, as we delved into a deeper connection, his presence meant even more to me.