Loving the Nation's Idol

#WTMH Roll 6: A Cupid named 'Boyet'

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A/N: ⚈ ̫ ⚈ OY! Magbasa at Mag-vote. ⭐

Enjoy!

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

Nabitin ang pagsubo ni Alban nang burger kinagabihan sa dinner nila ni Margaret sa isang burger-pop soda junction-restaurant. "Wait, what?"

She shrugs. "He rejected my offer." Nilapag niya ang folder kung saan kitang-kita ang mga papel na kunot sa loob dahil sa pagmamadali niyang isilid iyon kanina. After her... failed meeting with Isaiah, tinulog lang niya muna ang inis sa hotel niya para wag siya madala sa emosyon na umiyak at makaramdam ng panghihina na wala na siyang pag-asa. Gabi na nang nagising siya at laking pasasalamat talaga niya na inanyayahan siya ni Alban na samahan ito sa hapunan kundi mag-se-self pity na naman siya sa loob ng kaniyang kwarto.

Nakaupo siya sa harapan ng kaibigan at gaano pa katakam-takam ang burger & fries at milkshake sa harapan niya'y di makayanan ng tiyan niya ang kumain. She's down and pressured of her limited time.

"Why?" Alban wipes his mouth with a tissue. "Did he not like your presentation? Did you say something offensive?"

Umiling siya at nilalaro ang mga fries sa tinidor niya.

"Darlin', tell me... don't leave me hanging. What happened?"

She pouts as she leans on the chair. "The past is just...haunting us."

"Past?" Alban sips on his coke-float drink. "What past?"

She puffs her cheeks and looks outside.

"Seriously? Every time I asked, you'll just zip your mouth as if you didn't said anything?"

Marga rubs her forehead. "There's...." How should she say this? "There's just too much to consider on this proposal, Alban."

"Ano nga 'yun." Dumaan muna ang ilang tahimik na minuto bago nagsalita uli si Alban. "Helloooowwwww... Earth to Margaret?"

Inihilamos nalang ni Marga ang mukha sa mga palad. "Basta..."

"May di ka ba sinasabi sa akin, Marga?"

Biglang nakaramdaman ng kosensiya si Margaret na tiningnan ang kaibigan. He has helped him more than she can imagine. The least she could do is to tell him the backstory why the approval of the proposal has too much... personal issues on it. "The thing is..." She bit her lower lip.

"Go on." Subo ni Alban sa kamatis na topping ng burger. "I'm listening."

"Isaiah and I... were..." She swallows a lump on her throat. "... were ex-lovers."

Napakurap pa ng ilang beses si Alban at mabilis na humigop ng softdrinks gamit ang straw.

Nahihiya siyang yumuko. She was not embarrassed about her past. She was embarrassed for hiding a crucial fact that has an big impact on all of these happenings.

Di pa rin makapaniwala si Alban na nakatingin sa kaniya. "Tell me you're joking."

"I'm... not."

Napaawang nalang ang bibig ni Alban at sinapo ang noo sabay tingala sa kisame. "God, Margaret!!!"

"Shhhhhhh!!!" Pilit niyang patatahimik rito baka may makarinig dahil iilan sa customers roon ay lumingon sa direksyon nila.