Synesthesia

Chapter XXII

I squint my eyes. Trying to tell if he's joking or what but he remain serious. I'm suddenly lost of words. We're just staring at each other for few moments. When I'm about to speak ay naunahan naman niya ako.

"Wrong timing yata na pagusapan 'to ngayon. But, I'm dead serious, Dulce." He said trying to dismissed the topic, I guess? I was just staring at him. Trying to sink that in. Ace Madrigal like me? Ace the CPA? Mr. CPA like me? Ain't no way.

"Earth to Dulce? We still have a lot of stuff to talk about." He casually said referring to the project plans we're brainstorming. I tried to erase the thought pero it's kinda hard. I can feel myself being awkward because of that. 

Minutes of talking about the project na mostly he does the talking because my mind just keep on spacing out, he sighed heavily. "I'm sorry for suddenly confessing, it seems like it's making you uneasy."

"N-no. Nabigla lang ako." I said. "Do you know that me and Wesley have a thing?" Paglalakas loob na sabi ko. Parang ang kapal ko sa part na 'to but I have to know.

"Yes, of course. I like you but I'm not ruining what you two have. I just want you to know that I like you, Dulce. That's all. I'm not going to pursue you or anything like that. Don't worry." He said in a very softly manner. I can't help but be amaze with the mindset that he has.

Tama nga ang tsismis, sobrang green flag niyang lalaki. "Thank you." That's all I can say. 

I don't know if tama ba response ko or whatsoever. After that talk ay medyo gumaan naman ang atmosphere. We finish brainstorming at nasimulan na din namin ang action plan na need naming matapos within the week. After that ay hindi na ulit nabring up ang topic. Sakto namang paglabas ni Ace sa office ko ay naka-receive ako ng text message from Ate Linet.

She's asking for us to meet. Dinalhan niya daw ako ng favorite kong strawberry farfait. Siyempre hindi ako makakatanggi do'n. Besides I have a big chika for her na for sure ay magugulantang siya. I finished all my remaining tasks for today and buti nalang I don't have to go overtime.

Himala at on time akong nag-out ngayong araw. What a productive day.

Me and Ate Linet meet at the nearest restaurant near at my place para daw diretso uwi na lang daw ako. Thoughtful as always, she never change. Malayo pa lang ay tanaw ko na siya. I wave at her while walking towards the table but I suddenly stop midway dahil may naramdaman akong biglaang kirot sa sintido ko. Pero sandali lang 'yon at nawala naman agad.

Maybe kasi kanina pa ako nababad sa PC. May kaunting kaba akong naramdaman pero binura ko agad 'yon sa isipan ko. 

"Ayos ka lang?" Bungad sa akin ni Ate Linet. "Parang bigla ka yatang namutla."

I shook my head. "It's nothing, Ate. Siguro fatigue lang kasi I have so much work that I finished awhile ago." I said while sitting across her. I notice na she still have some posters. "Naku, don't overwork. Mas mahal ang hospital bills, tandaan mo 'yan."

That's always her line. "It's alright, ngayon lang naman eh since we're preparing for a big project. By the way, kumusta naman? Any progress? I also asked Wesley for help but I have no updates from him yet eh." I said, referring to her missing husband.

She shrugged. "Wala pa rin, minsan naiisip ko what if he just ran away with his mistress? Pero hindi siya tipo ng lalaki na gano'n just to avoid the thought na baka he's somewhere dead."

"Ate Linet!" Gulat na sabi ko, she chuckled. "Nakakaloka ka. Don't say that and don't lose hope, we're gonna find your husband."

She smiled at me pero halata sa itsura niya ang pagod. "Thank you, Dulce. Pasensiya na pala for asking you to meet very suddenly, I just need someone to talk to so I can clear my mind. Kailangan ko nang distraction so I won't overthink." She said and handed me the parfait na I'm sure she made kasi she always made me parfait.