Breaking His Callous Heart (Part 1 of 3)

12: Almost

Ayder stood up the moment she went inside the restaurant. He was in his plain gray shirt, jeans and white shoes.

"Please have a seat," sambit nito nang makalapit siya. They sat across each other.

All her nervousness flew when she saw the suitcase beside Ayder. Baka ibibigay lang nito kaya nakipagkita.

"Your suitcase," he said with a serious tone. Ngumiti siya ng tipid at tumango. Nakalimutan niya iyong kunin noon sa kotse nito dahil sa halik. Kumurap siya para tanggalin ang kalakip na damdamin ng ala-alang iyon.

"Pinabalik ko kaso wala raw nakakakilala sa iyo doon sa address mo na nasa file ng VLF," he told her. It wasn't her real address. Biglang umakyat ang kaba sa dibdib niya pero pinilit niyang kumalma. Her mind wandered.

"Bago lang kasi ako doon at lumipat rin ako sa maliit na condo pagkatapos kong magresign," alibi niya.

Ayder stared at her. She felt like he's gauging her sincerity. Nakahinga siya nang maluwag nang marahan itong tumango.

"Oh, I see," he replied. Hindi na siya nagsalita pa. They were both silent until the waiter came to take their order. She was starving but she didn't have the appetite. Ayder took the liberty to order their food.

"So, how's the life of a manager?" he ask breaking the silence.

Kinabahan pa siya na baka ang tinutukoy nito ay ang trabaho niya sa carshop pero naalala niyang iyon nga pala ang ibinigay niyang rason noon kaya siya nag-resign.

"Maayos naman. A little stressful but manageable," she answered vaguely. Ayder nodded and smiled.

"Alright, do you want to unwind after dinner bago kita ihatid sa inyo?" tanong nito. She suddenly felt nervous.

"Naku, huwag mo na akong ihatid, Kaya ko na. Nakakahiya kasi dati kitang boss," pagtanggi niya.

"No, I insist," he answered. Hindi na siya nakasagot pa. Masyado na kasing halata kung tatanggi pa siya.

Hindi siya masyadong nakakain. Iniisip niya kasi kung saan magpapahatid. Ayaw naman niyang tumuloy sa condo ng kahit na sinong kaibigan niya. They are all in first class condo units, even her cousins. The thought of her cousins gave her an idea. Shane is a real estate broker.

Nagpaalam siyang pupunta ng washroom pagkatapos nilang kumain. Naisip niyang tumakas na lang pero nakusensya siya.

She immediately called Shane hoping that she's in the country.

"Hey! I haven't heard from you in a while. Your phone number is always out of reach," bungad ng pinsan niya pag-angat ng tawag. She inhaled deeply. She doesn't have so much time to explain or make an alibi.

"I need a small condo unit ready for occupancy now," saad niya rito.

"Wait, what for?" Shane asked. She can even imagine her raising an eyebrow.

"Saka na ako magkukuwento, okay?" tugon naman niya. Tinawanan siya ng pinsan at kinantiyawan. She even suspected her having kinky affairs. Hindi na lamang niya pinansin.

Sinabihan siya nitong imi-message na lang sa kanya ang address kapag natawagan niya ang in-charge ng condo tower.

"You owe me gazillion of explanation for this," Shane told her before ending the call.

It took few minutes before Shane sent her a message. Okay na raw, magpakilala lang siya sa front desk at ibibigay na sa kanya ang keycard. Saka lang siya nakahinga nang maluwag.