Up Where We Belong

Chapter 04

Strange

Is this some kind of a joke?

"What dinner date are you talking about?"

Oh. I can't seem to control my tongue these days. Sa katunayan hindi naman talaga madulas ang dila ko kung hindi lang naman hinihingi ng pagkakataon.

He sighed. "Calm down, Miss Gomez," kalmadong sabi niya. "Let me explain."

I rolled my eyes. "You're telling me that some guy in the person of Atty. Alcantara just asked you to tell me about our dinner date tonight?" may diin na pagakakasabi ko.

Bahagya siyang tumango.

"You see? Then, how am I supposed to calm down? Don't you find it strange, do you?" Napabuga na ako ng hangin. "I don't even know you and that Atty. Alcantara you're talking about!"

Pinagsalikop niya ang daliri ng mga kamay at tinukod ang magkabilang siko sa kanyang mga hita. He rested his chin on his intertwined fingers and narrowed his eyes as if weighing the situation.

"But you know your cousin, Joriel. And for sure, he told you something about this, " kalmadong sabi niya.

I raised a brow. "And what does my cousin have something to do with this?"

Kumunot ang noo niya at napalabi. He stayed like that for few seconds then he let out a deep sigh. He looked as though he realized something.

"Regarding that matter, Miss Gomez, I couldn't answer it myself. Atty. Alcantara just asked me to see you, and assist you if you need any help," he stated.

"And do you expect me to believe you and come on that stupid date tonight? Kung totoo nga ang sinasabi mo, and if my cousin knows about all this, he should have told me about this himself. At bakit ikaw ang nandito? Saan ba iyang Atty. Alcantara na sinasabi mo?"

"He's dealing with a case as of this moment and won't be here to meet you, Miss Gomez. He's a very important person. I am here to- " tumungo ito at tila nag-isip ng salitang idududtong, "To represent him."

"Wow, a lawyer needs another representative when he should be here representing himself," I said sarcastically.

"I told you, Miss Gomez. He's a very important person."

"I am a very important person, too, Mr. Escudero and if you don't mind, I should be leaving already," I took my bag beside me and stood up. "...before I have you thrown out of this office."

Nakita ko ang gulat sa mukha niya at dali-daling tumayo. Umamba siyang pipigilan ako ngunit tinapunan ko lamang siya ng matalim na tingin. Nagmamadali akong lumabas ng opisina at iniwan si Mr. Escudero sa loob.

Sino ba kasi ang nagpapasok sa lalaking iyon doon? At bakit walang katao-tao sa opisina maliban sa lalake nang datnan ko?

I couldn't believe I just talked to a strange guy telling me strange things. Sino ba ang Atty. Alcantara na tinutukoy niya? Kilala ba ni Joriel ang mga taong ito?

Dinner date mamayang gabi? This is ridiculous! I think I just wasted my 15 minutes hearing a trivial matter when I should be at hacienda right now and working my ass off especially when Mom isn't around.

Wala akong sinayang na oras at pinaharurot agad ang kotse ko pagkalabas ng gate ng preschool. Hindi man lang ako lumingon upang tingnan kung sinundan ako ng Ralph Escudero na iyon. Everything he said was just too much to take. If ever my cousin was involved with this, then what was he up to?

And what's with my mood? PMS? Haist.

Mabuti na lamang at hindi ako kailanman naging iritado sa harap ng mga bata. Children live in a world of their own, a world where all is pure bliss. Kaya hindi sila mahirap intindihin hindi gaya ng mga may edad na tila bata pa rin mag-isip at magdesisyon sa buhay.