That One Match

Chapter 24

"Bakit ba kailangang magsinungaling kung maaari namang magsabi ng totoo?"

I don't want to ruin our morning. I am mad at her for lying in my face. I never even once imagined her spitting lies to me.

Why, Heptane?

"Anong pinangsasabi mo? Saan banda ako nagsinungaling?"

She slightly raised her voice. Napatayo ito sa kanyang kinauupuan samantala ako nama'y tahimik lang na nakaupo pa rin.

"I heard about your conversation with Blank's mom, Heptane."

Nang marinig nya ang sagot ko ay napalunok ito at mabilis na umiwas ng tingin.

"Don't worry. I will not judge you. It's on you. Maybe that's how you protect me."

I added in a sarcastic tone. I don't want to discuss further. Maybe she has her reasons why she did what she has done. I've known her for years and she is always backing me up. Sa ngayon, hindi lang ako sigurado kung may pupuntahan kaming dalawa kung magpapatuloy ang sagutan sa ganiyang bagay.

Galit ako. Naguguluhan.

I felt betrayed.

"Eat. I prepared all these foods for us sana pero nawalan na ako ng gana. I'm going upstairs."

"Pent.."

I smiled at her. Umiling ako.

"I'm not mad at you, Hept. I understand you naman eh. It's just that," I paused and looked away. "Ikaw na lang ang natitira sa tabi ko pero pati ikaw sinasaksak ako patalikod."

"Pentaliticia..."

Hindi ko na sya pinansin. I went upstairs and even with a heavy heart, I pulled myself to go to my office.

Nagkasalubong kami ni Heptane sa sala nang paalis na ako ng bahay. She tried talking to me but I didn't give her attention. Dumiretso ako sa kotse ko at nagdrive na papuntang opisina.

You know what I realized from today? That there will always be a time that we will be left alone— hindi lahat na parati nating nakakasama ay mananatili hanggang dulo.

Maybe I am overreacting now. Siguro masyado akong nagiging judgemental ngayon dahil hindi ko man lang pinakinggan muna si Heptane. Maybe yes. Inaamin ko. Can you blame me, though? Sa dinami-rami na nangyari sa taong ito, hindi ko na alam kung sino ang paniniwalaan.

NANG makapasok ako sa kompanya, lahat halos na empleyado ko ay abala. Essey and Jeric are busy answering calls. The others are walking back and forth, looking for something.

"Essey, Jeric, to my office, please."

Everyone stopped moving on their positions when they heard my voice. Dumiretso ako sa taas. The two followed.

"What do we have now?" I asked after placing my bag down.

"Ang mga kliyente po natin for the next two weeks tumatawag. They called to confirm about the news at may iilan pong nananakot na magpupull out daw." Essey spoke first.

Naupo ako sa silya. I was massaging my temple.

"Buti na lang po at hindi nagpu-pull out." Jeric added.

"And we received a call just before you arrived, Ma'am Pent." Essey informed.

I looked up to her.

"From?"

"The other party, ma'am."

Her worried look faded and there's hope in her face now.

"They said the complaint has been trashed."