A Hope to Lose (Friend Series #2)

Chapter 34

They say unplanned things are the best. Noon ay ayaw kong maniwala pero dahil kay Harvey ay naniniwala na ako. I'm becoming like him as I started to adapt one of his characters. I'm becoming a spontaneous person.

I put more carrots and peas in the plastic container. I have no work and schedule today so I'm planning on visiting my fiancé. May proyekto siya kasama si Chase. Iyong proyekto ng de Silva company kasama ang Villabrille company.

The thought of him as my fiancé made my heart flip. I sighed and looked at my ring finger in satisfaction. Tuwing tinitingnan ko ito ay awtomatikong dinadala ako sa araw kung kailan siya nag-propose sa'kin.

I parked my car on the parking area near the site. I'm wearing a full lace maroon dress and white sandals. I applied a minimal makeup before I left the penthouse but I want to check myself again before I go.

Kinuha ko ang press powder sa loob ng dala kong bag at tiningnan ang sariling mukha sa maliit na salamin. I pouted my lips, blinked my eyes countless times and tucked my hair against my ear trying to look cute. I even forced myself to laugh to see if I look good at it and then creased my forehead to see for myself if I'm ugly if I'm mad. Tumigil ako sa ginagawa nang mapagtanto na para na akong baliw sa ginagawa.

I looked sideways.

"E-engineer!" I startled when I saw Chase looking at me! Kagaya ko ay mukhang kapaparada lang ng kanyang BMW sa tabi ng kotse ko. Bakit ko ba kasi nakalimutang isara ang bintana? Ugh!

Chase is all smiling while unbuckling his seatbelt. He's probably seen it! Nakakahiya ka Sofia!

Sabay kaming bumaba sa aming sasakyan.

"Wala kang nakita?" I asked as we walked together. It sounded like an order more than a question.

I heard him chuckle before he speaks.

"Wala akong nakita." he said that made me at ease.

Isinuot ko ang spare hard hat na iniabot niya sa'kin saka kami tuluyang pumasok sa gusali. Tiningnan ko siya na tahimik na naglalakad sa tabi ko hanggang sa mapansin ko ang kulay ng suot niyang damit. He's wearing a maroon dress shirt.

"We're same." I surprisingly said pointing the neckline of my dress.

He didn't say anything but I caught how his eyes rested on my hand. Mabilis kong tiningnan ang kamay at napagtanto ang tinitingnan niya roon.

"I'm glad you noticed my newly manicured fingernails. I had it done˗"

"You're engaged." He cut me off. His eyes are still on my hand.

"Huh?" Tiningnan kong muli ang kamay at napagtanto na ang engagement ring ko pala ang tinitingnan niya.

"Uh, yes. Finally." masayang sabi ko. Wala na sa amin ang umimik pa pagkatapos noon.

I feel awkward with him and this is all Kuya Arthie and Julian's fault! Nakakainis. They fed me ideas that Chase likes me and my mind was starting to accept it.

Nakarating kami sa ikalawang palapag na walang nagsasalita sa aming dalawa. Tumigil kami sa paglalakad nang makarinig kami ng kalabog sa opisinang dadaanan lang namin sana.

"Engineer de Silva this is not how I expected you to lay out and construct the floor plan on the top floors of the building! Hindi mo sinusunod ang advice ni Architect Alvarez? Hindi ba't napagusapan na natin 'to?"

The old Engineer threw papers in front of Harvey. Bukas ang blinds ng opisina kaya kitang-kita namin silang dalawa.

"We all have our shared opinions, Engineer. As an Engineer, I like to add˗"

The senior engineer raised his hand stopping Harvey from talking. He nodded his head like he understood him when all he did is to cut him off from talking.

"Alam ko Engineer de Silva pero hindi kailangan ang opinyon mo sa proyektong ito. Our clients' opinions matter. Felix Villabrille and your father agreed with Architect Alvarez and Engineer Almirañez's idea at iyon ang masusunod."

Umupo ang matanda at minasahe ang sariling sentido. Harvey kneeled down to pick up the papers. He was treated harshly while I was here, painfully and silently watching him.

"I'm sorry to say this but you may be a de Silva pero wala ka pang napapatunayan. You're the only de Silva who lacks of recognition. Hindi rin ikaw ang Head Engineer sa project na 'to kaya huwag kang umastang mataas."

That's so below the belt! Tiningnan ko si Chase na ngayon ay nakakunot na ang noo, hindi rin yata nagustuhan ang narinig. I wanted to defend him pero ayoko ring malaman niya natunghayan ko kung paano siya tratuhin sa kanyang trabaho.

"Engineer Buendia!" The senior called. Pumasok sa opisina ang isang batang enhinyero. "Call Engineer Almirañez."

Tiningnan ko si Chase na ngayon ay nakatingin na rin sa'kin. I saw Harvey leaving the office. Kaagad kong hinila si Chase sa likod ng pader bago pa niya ako makita. I quickly wiped my tears and looked up at Chase.

"Sorry for dragging you here. Ayoko kasing malaman niya na nandito ako at... at nahuli siyang pinapagalitan. It will upset him even more." bulong ko. Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa hawak-hawak na container.

"Puwedeng favor?" Kahit nahihiya ako ay kinapalan ko na lang ang mukha ko. "Puwedeng pakiabot 'to sa kanya?" tukoy ko sa dala-dalang container.

"Pakisabi na rin na nagkita tayo sa parking area. That I have an urgent meeting kaya hindi na ako nakatuloy sa kanya." I said and quickly rummaged the sticky note pad in my bag. I tore a piece of it. I pursed my lips when I don't have a ballpen.

Napansin agad iyon ni Chase kaya kinuha niya ang ballpen na nasa bulsa ng kanyang dress shirt at inabot sa'kin. I quickly write a note.

Work smart at your work, we'll work hard later ;) i love you <3

Tumatawa ako habang sinusulat ko iyon, sana ay ganoon din siya habang binabasa niya 'to. Kaagad ko itong ikinabit sa container at tiningnan si Chase. Siya na ang kumuha ng paper bag sa kamay ko.

"Thank you so much. It means a lot to me." Nakangiti kong sabi sa kanya.

"I'm going." Paalam niya at tinalikuran na ako. Tiningnan ko ang papalayong bulto ni Chase at nang hindi na siya tanaw ng aking mga mata ay saka ako nagpasyang umalis na.

I prepared for Harvey that night. I know he would go home devastated. Sinisindihan ko ang kandila sa mesa nang marinig na bumukas ang pinto ng penthouse namin.

I ran towards the door and saw him stumbling on the floor. Kaagad ko siyang dinaluhan.

"Drunk?" I asked as I helped him get up.

"Sof." he called.

"Hmm" I hummed.

"Hindi naman scam 'yong trabaho natin ngayon?"

"Hindi. Saan mo ba gusto?" I asked and as if on cue, he pulled me behind the sofa.
​
"Salamat, babe." he breathed out.

Ngayong engaged na kami, inakala ko na magiging madali na lang ang lahat para sa'min. We've been together for more than six years and living together for three years. We should have adjusted and compromised with our differences a long time ago but I couldn't just go easy on him when he kept on being like this.

"Lasing ka na naman?"

Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses ko nang nabitawan ang tanong na iyan sa linggong ito. Gabi-gabi na lang siyang umuuwing lasing. Tiningnan ko siya na pasuray-suray na lumalakad palapit sa akin. Umalis ako sa pagkakaupo ko sa sofa at lumapit sa kanya.

"Jo." I groaned when he threw his full weight on me. Kahit nabibigatan ay pilit ko siyang dinala sa room namin.

"Tangina. Ayoko na Sof. Pagod na pagod na akong patunayan ang sarili ko sa kanila."

"Hey, it's alright."

He slid his head inside my shirt. I bit my lower lip as he flared up. Tuwing nakikita ko siyang nasasaktan at umiiyak, nasasaktan at umiiyak din ako.

"Hindi ayos 'to." he sobbed.

"Ilang taon na akong nandito sa trabaho ko pero hindi pa rin ako umuusad."

His position in his father's company was consistent as our relationship. Kung saan siya noong nagsimula siya ay nandoon pa rin siya hanggang ngayon. He didn't step up, not even a single step. Isa pa rin siyang baguhang enhinyero pagkalipas ng ilang taon niyang pagtatrabaho. He didn't receive any special treatment at work but rather was treated harshly by his superiors. Tito Hubert is really pushing Harvey to hate his current work.

"Pakiramdam ko ako na ang pinakabobong enhinyero."

"That's not true."

"Si Papa, he's doing it on purpose. So I'd quit my job and take over his position." sumbong niya.

"Ayoko. Tang ina. Ganyan din ang ginawa niya sa mga Kuya ko. Pinatayuan niya ng ospital si Kuya Hunt hindi para maging doktor kung hindi para mamalakad ng ospital niya. Si Kuya Hade naman ay pinagawaan niya ng airline, hindi para maging piloto kung hindi maging negosyante. Puta. Alam ko na ang mangyayari sa'kin. Gagawin niya rin akong katulad nila. Ayoko. Gusto kong maging engineer babe, ayokong maging negosyante."

Ilang beses na niya itong sinabi sa'kin. And by the looks of it, he's right. Tito Hubert wants his youngest to take over his company once he retires. Hindi ko lang gusto ang pamamaraan niya para makuha ang gusto niya. It makes Harvey feel less of himself.

"I may not be the best engineer but I value my profession a lot." he said.

I feel him. Kaya hindi na ako nagulat nang makita ang sarili sa tapat ng opisina ni Tito Hubert kinaumagahan. I wanted to talk to him about this.

"Tito."

"Sofia." He seems surprised upon seeing me in his office. Hindi nagtagal ay bumalik na rin ito sa pagiging kalmado at iminuwestra ang upuan sa harap ng kanyang mesa.

"What brings you here?"

"I just want to talk about Harvey, Tito." I started.

Kaagad na kumunot ang kanyang noo nang marinig ang pangalan ng anak niya sa akin.

"Bakit? May ginawa na naman ba ang anak ko?"

I shook my head. "Wala Tito. It's about his work."

He laughed inwardly and reclined his back on his chair.

"Sa kanilang tatlo, siya ang pinakasuwail pero pinakamahina."

"His work upsets him. Sa tingin ko ay dahil iyon sa pagiging stagnant ng posisyon niya sa kumpanya." I told him directly.

Tito heaved a sigh. "Maybe that's a sign that being an engineer isn't for him hija. I can see that he can do more if he tries participating and engaging in business meetings. He can be an engineer and businessman at the same time."

This is what Harvey's telling me. Ginagawa na ng ama sa kanya ang ginawa nito sa mga nakatatandang kapatid. This would be the same end for him if no one would stop his father.

"He prefers working on a construction site than in an air-conditioned office. Gusto niya po ang trabaho niya ngayon Tito." I said trying to make him realize that.

"Minsan ay kung ano pa ang gusto ay iyon pa ang hindi nakukuha. You know Harvey as much as I do. He lacks of focus and direction. He doesn't have the will to soar high and that's the problem. He'd rather choose to settle for less as long as you're with him. At hindi iyon ang gusto ko para sa kanya, para sa inyo at sa magiging apo ko sa inyo. Alam kong ganoon ka rin."

I pursed my lips. Somehow, his father has a point but still not enough to convince me.

"Sa tingin mo ba ay mapapanatili niyo ang estado ng buhay niyo ngayon kung magpapatuloy lang siya sa pagiging mababang engineer? You and Harvey are not used to mediocrity, Sofia. He can't survive without my money."

Tito Hubert was right. Harvey was so sheltered all his life. I couldn't imagine him having a hard time living his life. Tiningnan ako ni Tito gamit ang nangungusap na mga mata.

"Kaya sana tulungan mo ako. Alam kong makikinig siya sa'yo."

I looked at him and forced a nod.

"I-I'll try, Tito." I unsurely said.

He smiled triumphantly.

Hanggang makapasok ako sa loob ng kotse ay dala-dala ko ang mga sinabi ni Tito. Kung hindi lang nag-ring ang cellphone ko ay baka tuluyan na akong nalunod sa kakaisip ng pinag-usapan namin ni Tito.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ang pangalan ni Kai sa Caller ID.

"Ku˗"

"St. Matthew Hospital now." he said in rush and the call ended.