Master of my Inferno

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

I DON'T KNOW how to answer. I feel like there's something in my throat. My heart is beating so fast I think my chest will burst.

Do you love me, Dolce mia?

It keeps playing and playing in my mind. Before I could answer, Leandro's phone went off.

"Just a minute. I have to answer this call." Hindi siya nakatingin sa'kin, kunot ang noo niyang nakamasid sa caller.

"Sure. Take your time." Smiling, I said. Leandro kissed me on my forehead then he answered the phone.

I cannot understand what he's saying. They are speaking in Italian. Then he stood and left my office.

I waited, and waited but he never came back. Sa tingin ko ay importanteng tao iyong tumawag.

That whole day, I made my self busy. I checked our activities then organized the company's files.

Leandro didn't bother to visit me, and it's okay. Masyado rin naman akong naging busy kaya hindi ko namalayang alas-sinco na. Hanggang sa mapatay ko ang computer ay hindi na siya muling bumalik sa opisna.

Nang pumunta naman ako sa office niya ay nakita ko siya sa office table. Salubong ang kilay habang nakatingin sa laptop.

"Have you eaten lunch?" Agad na anas niya nang makita ako.

"Lunch? It's too late for that. Alas sinco na ng hapon. You didn't eat lunch?"

What happened? Did he forget to eat lunch? Even snacks?

"Huh?" Tumingin pa siya sa relong pambisig, "Didn't notice. Let's go." Dagdag pa niya at saka isinara ang laptop. Mabilis na tumayo at lumapit sa'kin.

"What's wrong? You've forgotten lunch." Nag-aalalang tanong ko. Ngayon lang ata ito nangyari sa kaniya. Sa tuwing magiging busy siya ay hindi naman niya nakakalimutang kumain. Ngayon lang.

"I was just busy answering calls, and my dad called me too, we had a little problem back home. I was preoccupied, I didn't notice the time. Did you eat lunch?"

Tumango ako, "Kasabay ko si Steph kanina. Let's go. I'll cook something for you." Kahit na siya iyong nakalimot kumain ay ako pa rin ang iniisip niya.

"Thanks, but I need to go to my Parent's. I'll just drive you home." Mataman akong tumango, muling tumunog ang cell phone niya. Leandro sighed and then he cancelled the call. "We'd better get going."

"S-Sure."

Maybe I'm just paranoid or there's really something wrong with Leandro after that call. I don't want to overthink but I can't help it.

Leandro pulled over right after we reached my apartment. We said our goodbyes, and he didn't even kiss my cheek. Lagi niya iyong ginagawa sa tuwing hinahatid niya ako. Ngayon lang hindi.

I know I'm too emotional, I want to cry. Simpleng bagay lang naman ito pero para sa'kin ay napakaimportante.

Hindi pa man ako nakakapasok sa kwarto ko ay tumunog ang cell phone ko. Leandro texted me and my heart broke into pieces just by reading his text message. Sinabi lang naman niya na busy siya at hindi kami magkikita bukas. Maybe I'm just jumping into conclusions. Maybe I am making a big deal out of nothing. Maybe he has problems, and I don't want to be a burden to him.

-*-

SATURDAY, I bullied Monnet to help me choose my gown. Okay, I cried last night because Leandro didn't text me. Kahit kaninang umaga ay hindi rin siya nagparamdam. I miss him.