How to Avoid Heartbreaks

31

"Engineer Farello," Orion called while snapping his fingers, bringing me back to reality. "Are you listening?"

I wanted to glare at him but controlled myself not to do so. Instead, I got up from my seat and looked at him. "Yes, I am listening, Mr. Alvarez. You just said that we'll start working on the project next month because of our busy schedules."

He didn't reply so I continued, "Our meeting's done, right? Now, for the third time, I have to go."

I carried my things and looked at him, then giving him a smile. "Have a good day, Mr. Alvarez."

"Why are you in a hurry?" Napatingin ako sa kaniya dahil sa biglaan niyang pagtanong. He was intently looking at me with both hands on his hips.

Why are you curious? Iniwan mo 'ko, remember?

Before I could even answer, my phone started ringing. Inalis ko ang tingin sa kaniya at sinagot na ang tawag.

"Hello, Zio?"

"Ate! It's meee," magiliw na bati ng kapatid sa kabilang linya. It was Melbourne. "Kuya Zio and I will go shopping."

Napangiti ako dahil sa kapatid. She's so bubbly and she's like my ball of sunshine.

"Sure, baby. Which mall?" I lowered my voice when I realized that I was still with Orion. He was giving me an unusual intense look but also looked like he was suppressing it.

My sister then handed the phone to Zio and he was the one who told me which mall they're in.

Sa totoo lang, hindi ko inasahan na magiging magkaibigan kami ni Zio. We only met at the plane but then we also saw each other in Europe.

I can't remember how we became friends but I guess, we just "clicked".

I ended the call and brought my eyes back to the man who was now back on the swivel chair. Iyong ulo niya ay nakatutok sa mga papeles pero kitang-kita ko naman ang kaniyang mga mata na nakatitig sa akin.

I muttered another goodbye then left, not bothering to wait for his reply.

Dumiretso ako sa mall kung nasaan sina Zio at Melbourne. Hindi ako nahirapang hanapin sila dahil alam kong ang toy store ang pinunta nila dito.

"Ate!" My sister ran towards me and greeted me with a hug. She then showered my face with kisses before running back to the store.

"You're spoiling her." I gave Zio a dry look. He only shrugged and continued to lean on a shelf with both hands on his pocket. "Feeling maangas ka?"

Umalis siya sa pagkakahilig sa shelf at tumabi sa akin. Inakbayan niya ako sabay gulo ng buhok ko. "I prefer to call it despidida gift."

I rolled my eyes at him before leaning on his side. "How 'bout me? What's my gift?"

"Me," aniya sabay turo sa sarili. "I'm the gift."

Natigil ako sa paglalakad dahil sa narinig. I suddenly remembered someone because of his line.

I said the same thing to someone years ago but I prefer not to think about him.

"It's a wonderful trip to memory lane."

I went back to my senses when I heard Zio's singsong voice. When I brought my eyes to him, he was wiggling his brows while sporting a mischievous grin.

"I hate you!"

Padabog akong umalis sa tabi niya at umaktong galit.

"I'm sorry my stunningly gorgeous and oh-so talented baestie—"

Tinabunan ko ang kaniyang bibig dahil kung ano-anong kabaliwan na naman ang lumalabas sa bibig niya. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin pero inalis lang ng baliw ang kamay ko sa kaniyang bibig at inakbayan ulit ako.

"Kaya tayo napagkakamalan eh!" Aniya.

We then both laughed on what he said. It was true, though.

Days after my sisters and I moved to Europe, we saw each other in a cafe. After that, we started hanging out.

Zio's a good guy and a really good listener. I shared to him what happened and even offered to help me.

That time, I thought he was just a normal guy. But then I found out from a magazine that he's one of the heirs of a prominent family and also one of the most sought-after bachelors.

Zio's a typical heartbreaker. From his looks to his sweet gestures, he's just like someone I know.

Good thing I don't like him romantically because if I do, then I'd probably be suffering from my second heartbreak already. He also doesn't like me more than as a friend. And I guess this is the reason why we became friends in the first place.

Another thing that made me comfortable around him is that he's also a Filipino. I don't know why but every time I find out that someone's a Filipino, I feel comfortable with that person. Mas gumagaan ang loob ko. And I guess it's because Filipinos remind me of my first home, the Philippines.

"Sus, as if may pake ka," sagot ko.

"Yeah, right..." He rolled his eyes then shrugged. "Anyway, how's your meeting?"

"We met."

Siya naman ngayon ang huminto sa paglalakad at malaki ang mga mata akong binalingan. He gasped dramatically though amusement was evident on his face.

"So... are you back together?"

Ako naman ngayon ang napasinghap. "What?! No! It's purely business!"

"Yeah, love business." He winked at me before running away while laughing.

Umalis siya sa tabi ko dahil alam niyang makakatikim siya ng batok. Pumunta siya sa kapatid ko na may cart na punong-puno ng mga laruan.

He carried Melbourne and asked the salesperson who was helping my sister to bring the cart to the counter.

The reason why he has these "despidida gifts" for my sister is because he's going back to Europe tomorrow.

Sinamahan niya lang kami pabalik dito sa States ni Melbourne dahil aniya raw na mabait siyang kaibigan at napalapit na siya sa kapatid kong tinuturi niyang baby. Ang panghuli niyang dahilan ay dapat niya raw akong samahan dahil baka kay Orion daw ako dumiretso at ipahiya lang ang sarili ko.

The latter reason is lame and unneeded. Hindi naman kasi namin alam na nandito rin si Orion eh.

"Hey, pagkabalik mo ng Europe, paki-check ang mga kapatid ko please," pakiusap ko.

I was pertaining to both Brooklyn and Paris who were now studying there. Ayaw ko silang iwan doon pero kabubukas lang ng bago kong firm dito.

My firm just opened last week but we now have lots of projects and one of those is the one with the Alvarezes. I also have a firm in Europe but I already have some trusted people there who can manage it while I'm here.

"London, tulala!" Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang pinitik ang noo ko. "Alam mo ba, nakita ko si Orion."

I gritted my teeth before facing him. "Alam mo ba, walang nagtanong."

I gave him a fake smile before walking towards the parking lot. We went back to my condo and I helped him pack his things.

Dito siya nanatili dahil isang araw lang naman siya dito. My condo is still the one that I had years ago and only had it renovated before I went back here.

"So, what's your plan?" Tanong niya habang inaayos ang maleta.

"Well, after you leave, my dad's gonna fetch Melbourne while I'll be going to Greece to meet my friends," I answered, then dropping myself to the bed. "And then... I'm gonna start working with the project with Orion."

And just like planned, Zio left and dad fetched Melbourne while I also headed to the airport.

At kung minamalas ka nga naman, sa dinami-rami ng pwedeng makasabay sa isang 12 hours na flight, ang ex ko pa talaga...

Si Orion pa talaga...