MS #1: Jazrell Montralvez

Kabanata 4

Kabanata 4

DEAN RICEL

"MOM, I really don't want to have a bodyguard, okay?" wika ko.

She just ignored me and continued eating. I'm here in our house. Dito ako dumiretso matapos ang office hours. Kahit pa kasi may sarili na akong condo ay dito pa rin ako umuuwi.

"I already hired one." kaswal na sagot niya na ikinalaki ng mga mata ko.

"You what?!"

She glared at me. "Are you shouting at me, Dean?"

Her glare sent shivers to my spine. Kinakabahang napalunok ako at umiling-iling.

"No, mom. It's just that..." Ang dami kong gustong sabihin. Gusto kong ipilit ang gusto ko pero halata namang wala na akong magagawa kaya laglag ang balikat na bumuntong-hininga na lamang ako."Fine, mom. But who is this bodyguard of mine? Of course, I need to make sure if he can protect me."

Seems I can't do anything about it but to accept the bodyguard that she hired. Isa pa, para na rin sa ikapapanatag ng loob niya. I've been declining her suggestions for months now despite of knowing her worries. So, I think it's time for me to put her mind at ease

She smiled triumphantly. "I do believe in your bodyguard's ability. And for your information, he's a she and she's your secretary."

"What?! That walking traffic light?! Are you sure mom that she can protect me?!"

Damn! Nababaliw na ba ang nanay ko?! Saang lupalop naman niya nakita ang babaeng 'yon?! Itsura pa lang noon, kakaiba na sa mga agent na napapanood ko.

"She can, Dean. Malaki ang tiwala ko sa agency nila. So, shut up and eat." Pinandilatan niya ako ng mga mata at tinutukan ng tinidor na hawak niya.

"But mom, pwede bang 'wag na lang siya?" I looked at her pleadingly.

That girl doesn't look like a bodyguard to me.

"I like her, Dean. She reminds of someone." mahinang wika niya na may malungkot na ngiti sa labi.

"Iyon na nga, mom. She reminds me of her. Her voice sounds like her. She smells like her. Are you torturing me, mom?" nahihirapang saad ko. "Kasi kung 'oo', baka naman pwedeng tama na?"

"Yes. Kung hindi ka ba naman kasi isa't kalahating engot edi sana magkasama pa kayo." Inirapan niya ako at sumubo ulit ng pagkain niya. "At anong 'tama na'? Hindi ko siya paaalisin dahil bukod sa kailangan mo ng proteksyon, gusto ko ring malaman mo kung ano ang sinayang mo. You have to learn from your mistakes, so, it won't happen again once you find her."

Ouch. I know it was my fault but does she really need to repeat it? Like, paulit-ulit?

"Kaya nga hinahanap ko na siya 'di ba, mom?"

"Alam ko. Pero hindi ko pa rin papalitan si Jaz. So, exempted siya sa lahat ng company rules mo."

"Kahit 'yong pananamit niya?"

"Hmm... Depende sa kanya. I requested kasi na magdisguise ang kung sinumang magiging bodyguard mo para hindi mo malaman since ayaw mo nga ng isa. But if that's her style, then let her be. She know what she's doing for sure."

Mukhang wala na akong magagawa kundi tapusin na lang ang pagkain.

"But how did you know her if you didn't know who my bodyguard will be?"

She used her beautiful eyes to me. And I know what that means.

"Mom! How many times do I have to tell you that never go there without informing me? You know that there are people who want to kill me. Paano kung ikaw ang gamitin nila laban sa akin?"

Argh. I really do love my mother but there are times that I cannot handle her and this is one of it.

"You don't have to worry about me. Since tinanggap mo na ang pagkakaroon ng bodyguard, I'll be leaving the country next week. Susunod na ako sa Daddy mo sa Canada."

"Mabuti pa nga. Ayokong madamay pa kayo ni Dad sa gulo ko."

"Pero gusto kong sa pagbabalik namin ay may apo na kami." She playfully wiggled her brows that made me frown.

"Mom! Hindi ko pa nga siya nahahanap, apo agad."

"Ah basta bilisan mo."

Napanguso na lang ako.

Where on earth are you, Jazrell Jimenez?

"DEAN, hindi ka ba papasok sa opisina?"

I groaned when I heard my mom's voice. "What time is it, mom?"

"It's already 10 o'clock. Kanina pa kita kinakatok pero hindi ka naman nagigising. Ngayon lang ng pasukin kita sa kwarto. Kung papasok ka ay bumangon-bangon ka na r'yan."

"Yes, mom."

I opened my eyes when she left. I'm not feeling well but I want to go to the company. I want to hear my secretary's voice. It feels like I'm hearing my wife's voice, too. And that's why I'm not looking at her. Boses lang ang magkapareho sa kanila pero magkaiba sila ng mukha. Lalo na ng paraan ng pananamit.

I forced myself to move. Nakapagpolo ako pero hindi ko na naitali ng maayos ang necktie. I didn't bother to comb my hair and let it messy. Wala si mom ng bumaba ako kaya hindi na ako nakapagpaalam pa. I even asked my driver to drive for me this time.

"Good morning, Sir Dean!" Kuya Carlo greeted me. Siya ang gwardiya sa entrance ng Ricel Empire.

"Morning."

Sumakay ako ng elevator. I stared at my reflection while waiting to reach the right floor. I saw how messy I do look. If she's still here, she'll be the one to properly tie my necktie. She won't let me go to the office because I'm sick. If she's only here, she's now taking care of me. If only I listened to her, she won't left me. Masaya na sana kami ngayon na nagsasama.

"Sir? Ayos lang ba kayo?"

I didn't notice that I'm already at the right floor. Nasa loob pa rin ako ng elevator na pinipigilang magsara ng sekretarya ko.

Tumango ako at nilagpasan siya. I didn't heard any footsteps from her, so, I thought that she's not following me. But when I turned around, her face bumped on my chest. A familiar scent filled my nose.

She also smells like her.

"Sir? Okay ka lang po ba talaga?"

"Yes, I am." I answered and continued walking.

"By the way, may package pa lang dumating para sa iyo, Sir. Pwede bang ako na lang ang magbukas? Tutal naman ay alam mo na rin kung sino ako."

Her voice sents shiver to my system. Naging seryoso ang boses niya sa huling sinabi at mas naging kaboses niya ang asawa ko.

"Yes, you can. I think it's a threat again since I'm not expecting any package from anyone."

Kinuha niya ang kahong nasa mesa at inalog iyon sa tapat ng tainga niya. She raised her brows and started unboxing the box.

I saw a picture inside but I can't see it clearly. Kinuha niya ang picture at tiningnan ang likod niyon. Nakita ko pang napangiwi siya matapos amuyin 'yon at iabot sa akin. Kinuha ko iyon at unang tiningnan ang picture. I felt my blood boiled when I saw that it was my wedding picture. Pero ang ikinagalit ko talaga ay ang dalawa at kulay pulang 'x' sa tapat ng mga mata ni Jazrell. Pinatungan din ng hubad na larawan ng babae ang wedding dress niya. Binasa ko ang likod ng larawan.

'Hindi muna kita papatayin, Ricel. Ipapakita ko pa sa'yo kung paano ko pagsasawaan ang pinakamamahal mo.'

My hand formed into fist as I gritted my teeth. Nagusot din ang larawan na hawak ko. I entered my office without a word. I even closed the door with a loud thud.

I need to find my wife as soon as possible. If I need to hire hundreds of invetigators, I'll do it. Mahanap at maprotektahan lang siya!