Between Dusk and Dawn (Love Lies in Ilocos Norte) COMPLETED

XXXVI

I thought I was gonna commute again dahil sabi nga ni Therence may tratrabahuhin siya, but he came early in the morning nang papasok na ako.

"Wala ka bang trabaho ngayon?" I asked him nang sinamahan niya akong maglakad papasok ng nunisipyo.

"Tapos na." he replied.

"Wala ka bang pupuntahan ngayon?"

His brows furrowed, "Meron."

"Pumunta ka na. Kaya ko nang pumasok mula dito."

"I'm heading there now."

Hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi niya pero tumahimik na lang ako.

Pumasok ako sa office ni Mayor at nakita siya doon, nakaupo sa swivel chair niya.

She looked at us delighted. Mas lumiwanag ang mukha niya nang nakita ang kasama ko.

"Good morning Engr. Gonzalez!" she greeted.

Napatingin ako kay Therence. He smiled at Mayor.

"Just Therence, Mayor."

"Then just Jesse, Therence," sagot rin ni Mayor. "How may I help you?"

Napansin kong kahit pala dito sa office ni Mayor, na medyo maluwag at maraming papeles ay naiiba pa rin ang presensya niya.

He's just wearing a dark long sleeve and trousers, yet he's still mesmerizing as ever. His stubble is getting thicker pero maayos pa rin ang itsura. He looks more mature by it.

"I want to excuse Roxette, Jesse." he formally said.

Nanlaki ang mata ko habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"Bakit?"

"Okay!"

Sabay kami ni Mayor na nagsalita. Kuryoso rin akong tumingin kay Mayor na nakangiti ng malawak sa amin.

"Thank you Mayor." inignora ako ni Therence.

"But may I ask where are you going?" Mayor asked.

"Manila. We are going to meet my parents."

"Ohh. Pamamanhikan! That's great!"

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. We are finally going to meet Tita Martha and Doc Renzo.

"We'll be away for a while."

"That's okay. Hindi ko pa naman kailangan masyado ang tulong ni Veraughn. You can take her no matter how long you like."

Hindi ako makapaniwalang pinaguusapan nila ako na parang isang bagay na hinihiram lang.

"Veraughn."

My head snapped at Mayor, "Po?"

"Be safe." sumeryoso ang mukha niya. "Don't do stunts na katulad nung ginawa mo noon sa bundok."

Napatango nalang ako. Next thing I know we are inside the car at bumusina na si Therence kay Mayor na inihatid pa kami dito sa baba.

"Are you okay?"

Nakatulala akong nakatingin sa labas ng bintana. The pressure and nervousness are too much, pakiramdam ko masusuka na ako.

"Yeah." I answered in a tiny voice. "You could've told me."

"I'm sorry, I thought it would be better if it'll be a surprise."

Tumango ako dahil naiintindihan ko naman siya. Like before, he knows how to surprise me.

"Are you mad?" nagaalalang tanong niya.