Kabanata 6

Lunch

We were able to use five magazines of bullets before we decided to go home. It's unexpectedly a wonderful experience for me. Wala iyon sa plano ko ngunit hindi rin ako nagsisi na sinubukan ko.

He taught me how to shoot properly. At sa ilang beses niyang pagtuturo, I'm already thinking that I can shot expertly the next time I will visit the shooting range. Kahit bahagyang malayo sa syudad, kaya ko pa rin naman sigurong pumunta kapag naisipan.

We came home at 6 pm that day. Bago niya ako inihatid sa condo, dumaan muna kami sa isang restaurant para mag-dinner.

It's been two weeks since we went to the shooting range. Madalas kaming nagkikita dahil sa pag-imbita sa kanya ni Papa kapag lunch.

I know it's already quite disturbing to his job, but I didn't bother to stop Papa. I waited for Ares to decline on my father's invites, but until now, it never happened.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit niya pa sinasayang ang oras niya rito. I mean, it's for the benefit of our business, but then I'm also aware with his situation.

He can't even eat properly because of his hectic job. Hindi siya kumakain dahil sa hindi niya gusto, hindi lang talaga siya nakakakain dahil wala siyang oras.

I'm not sure if having meals with him almost every day is a good thing, knowing the hidden agenda of my father. Yes, he can eat properly, and I can see it, but he can also eat all by himself. Mas maayos siguro iyon dahil pwede niya pang ma-manage ang sariling oras.

Ang nasa isip ko lang ay maganda sana if my father's intention was pure, pero hindi ganoon. I'd rather choose him to eat alone, than eating with my father.

Hindi ko alam pero sa ibang kadahilanan, dahan-dahan na akong napupuno sa panggagamit ni Papa. He's already using me for years, hindi pa ba sapat iyon para manggamit pa siya ng ibang tao?

Lalo pa ngayon na mukhang tinutulungan niya na si Zoey na makipaglapit kay Ares. Zoey never failed to be with us during our meals. Palagi siyang sinasama ni Papa.

He's already aware that his daughter likes a successful man. Kaya ngayon, nadagdagan na ang kanyang agenda na magkatuluyan si Zoey at Ares.

Ares Madriaga as our shareholder will hugely benefit our company. Iyon ang unang rason kung bakit halos desperado si Papa. At ngayon na may alam siya tungkol sa nararamdaman ni Zoey, mas lalo lamang siyang naging desperado dahil sa posibleng mabilisang paglago ng kompanya kapag nagkatuluyan ang dalawa.

Tuluyan niya na nga kinalimutan ang sinabi ni Ares noon na may iba itong gusto dahil sa makamundo niyang mga pangarap.

I went out of my father's office after doing my everyday report. Kagaya ng mga nakaraang araw, he gave me a heads up that we will have our lunch with Ares again. Hindi na ako magugulat kung darating na rin maya-maya si Zoey.

Zoey graduated in business management, but up until now, she's still not working for the company. Hindi ko alam kung anong eksaktong balak niya. Especially now that she has a sudden dream to do modeling.

I attended meetings in the morning. It's almost 12 pm when I started to get ready for lunch. Marami akong gagawin pero dahil sa lunch na kailangan ko pang puntahan ay parang matatambakan pa ako ng trabaho.

Nang lumabas ako ng sariling opisina, nagulat ako dahil papasok na rin si Papa kasama si Zoey.

I stopped at the opening of my office. I simply looked at Zoey. I immediately noticed her unusual outfit.

She's usually wearing sexy tubes and tops that were typically paired with jeans or skirts. Kaya ang makita siyang naka-puting blouse at pencil skirt ngayon ay medyo nakakapanibago.

She looks like an office worker... very similar to my everyday outfit.

She didn't speak when she saw me surveying her outfit. Tinignan ko na lamang si Papa.

"Kami na lang ang pupunta. I don't want to disturb you anymore. I'm sure you have plenty of paperworks to do. Tapusin mo na ngayon para maaga kang makauwi mamaya at makapagpahinga."

Sasabihin ko sanang ayos lang na sumama ako pero dahil sa kakaibang tono niya, tumango na lamang ako.

"Okay,"

My father nodded swiftly before he turned around together with Zoey. Pinanood ko silang maglakad patungo sa elevator ng floor hanggang sa tuluyang nakapasok ang dalawa.

I went back to my office, still confused on why he said that. I won't believe that he cares for me, he has a main agenda for sure.

He's my father, but I never trusted his words, at kahit siya mismo. Mas lalo lang tumitindi ang hinala ko na may iba nga siyang pinaplano, lalo na't sa suot ni Zoey ngayong araw.

There's no way she would lead the company, or even manage some stations. She's exposed to business, but I know to myself she's not yet ready. I'm not judging, but when it comes to traits, I'm certain she lacks of it.

Kahit si Papa ay alam iyon. The reason why he never makes Zoey lead any branch of the company for the past years is because he's aware she needs guidance.

Kahit wala siyang sinasabi, alam kong ganoon na ang kanyang iniisip. I wouldn't be here in higher position if Zoey is ready in holding a business.

Pasalampak akong naupo sa swivel chair at saglit na natulala. Masyado akong kuryoso sa mga ginagalaw nila Papa at Zoey na sa tingin ko'y hindi ako makakapagtrabaho ng maayos ngayon.

I sighed and stood up from my seat. Lumabas ako ng office at nagtungo sa pantry ng floor. It's lunch kaya medyo maraming tao sa pantry para kumuha ng drinks o magtimpla ng kape.

"Coffee po, Ma'am?" salubong ng isang lalaking employee sa akin.

I smiled and nodded. Ngumiti siya at nagpatiuna na patungong pantry.

"Ipagtitimpla ko na po kayo."

Hindi na ako nagsalita at pinanood na lamang siyang kumuha ng kape na nasa baso na at sinalinan iyon ng mainit na tubig.

"Hello po, Miss Anais! Kumain na po kayo?" a friendly girl employee approached me.

Kahit hindi pa kumakain, ngumiti ako at tumango. Kasunod niya sa paglapit sa akin ay iba pang employee na nanggaling sa left wing.

I recognized their faces, but I'm not sure of their names. Kaya habang nakikipag-usap, wala akong minemention na pangalan. They're all nice to me. I don't want to call them names that I'm not even sure of.

I should be in my office working, but instead I'm here in the pantry talking to my employees. Hindi rin naman iyon naging masama sa akin. Bahagya kong nakalimutan ang iniisip tungkol nila Papa.

Magaan ang utak ko nang pumasok ako muli sa sariling opisina. Naupo ako sa swivel chair at kasabay nang paglapag ko sa kape ay ang pag-vibrate din ng cellphone ko para sa isang text.

Kinuha ko ang cellphone at nagulat sa bumungad na mga mensahe. It's three in total and it's all from one sender.

Ares:

Why are you not here?

Ares:

Your father told me you're busy.

Ares:

I'm leaving. Have you eaten your lunch? I'll pick you up.

My lips parted when I realized what he texted. Mabilis akong nagtipa ng sagot.

Ako:

What do you mean you will leave? You're having a meal with my family.

Ang mabilis na tibok ng puso ay halos hindi ko mahabol. I tapped my table nervously while waiting for his response. Ilang segundo lang ay nakatanggap din ako ng sagot niya.

Ares:

I told your family I have an emergency meeting. Have you eaten your lunch?

Hindi ko maiproseso ng maayos ang sinagot niya. What's the purpose of him making an alibi to my father? Hindi ako sigurado kung alibi lang ba talaga iyon, pero dahil sa pag-iimbita niya sa akin, ganoon ang nakikita ko.

Para siguraduhin na alibi lamang iyon, agad akong nagtipa ng panibagong mensahe.

Ako:

Don't ask me for lunch. May meeting ka naman pala.

After a few seconds, he replied.

Ares:

I told them I have a meeting because you're not there.

I coughed a little bit. Sandali akong natulala at ibinalik ang mga mata sa cellphone nang may sumunod na mensahe.

Ares:

I'm now in the parking lot of your building. Let's eat.

Kumunot ang noo ko at muli na namang natulala. His messages are too shocking for me that I can't almost handle it.

Nang maiproseso ang huling message, dali-dali akong tumayo at kinuha ang handbag. Nang makalabas sa opisina, nakita ko ang mga nagbabalikan na mga employee sa kanilang mga station.

I only smiled to those employees who greeted me. Dali-dali akong pumasok sa elevator at pinindot ang basement.

I can't believe what's happening right now. He can have his lunch alone, hindi niya dapat ako imbitahan. And why would he even make an alibi because I'm not with my father.

Ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ay halos nakakahiya na sa akin. Why would I even feel excited when this is all nothing. I'm sure he has a purpose on why he's doing this.

I went out of the lift when it finally arrived at the basement. Nang makalabas ako, agad na may bumusinang sasakyan na nasa malapit lang nakaparada.

I looked at the black sedan and walked towards it without thinking twice. I wonder how many cars he owned.

Papalapit ako nang lumabas siya at nagtungo sa passenger seat para pagbuksan ako. He's wearing a black long sleeve folded until his elbows and black slacks paired with black leather shoes.

I pursed my lips and glared at him before I went inside his car. Isinara niya ang pintuan bago nagtungo sa driver seat.

Unang langhap ko pa lang ng hangin sa sasakyan, ang mamahalin niya ng bango ang agad kong naamoy. I shifted to my seat uncomfortably and silently watched him went inside of the car.

Naghintay muna ako na makarating kami sa daan bago magsalita.

"Why did you lie? You can have your lunch with them."

He glanced at me as he did a right turn.

"You're not there," mahinahong sabi niya.

Kumunot ang noo ko, hindi makuha ang kanyang punto.

"But what's the difference? You can still eat without me!"

His jaw clenched a bit and glanced at me again.

"I can, but I don't want to." he said coldly. 

Natigilan ako at napatitig sa kanya. Ang mabilis na tibok ng puso ay halos hindi ko na mahabol. Umawang ang labi ko, may gustong sabihin pero hindi rin nakapagsalita.

Natahimik na ako sa biyahe. Kita ko sa gilid ng mga mata ang bawat pagsulyap niya sa akin na binabalewala ko dahil sa iniisip.

"Your sister is trying to impress me." biglang sabi niya.

Ibinalik ko sa kanya ang tingin. He glanced at me.

"What made you say that?"

Hindi ko sigurado kung nagmamayabang ba siya dahil masyadong seryoso ang kanyang tono.

"She dresses and speaks like you."

My forehead slightly knotted. We dressed the same today, but I don't think she's copying me. Because in the first place, for what reason?

"I'm not sure of that, but you should date her. She likes you," wala sa sariling sabi ko.

Naiproseso ko lang ang binitawang salita nang nilingon niya ako. He raised a brow, almost challenging me to speak again. It's a mistake that I told him that!

"May iba akong gusto..." may diin na sabi niya.

Tumikhim ako at nag-iwas ng tingin, tahimik na pinapagalitan ang sarili kung bakit iyon nasabi. I'm aware that he has someone he likes, kaya bakit ko siya itutulak ng ganoon kung alam ko namang may iba siyang gusto. I should at least be sensitive and respect his feelings.

Ngumuso ako at tumingin sa labas ng bintana. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nakaya ko siyang itulak kay Zoey. Alam ko ang plano ni Papa, at dahil sa nagawa, mukhang tinutulungan ko pa ang ama na magtagumpay sa plano niya.

Itinigil niya ang sasakyan sa harapan ng isang resto. I unconsciously waited for him to open the door for me. Saka ko lang napansin ang wala sa sariling paghihintay nang makalabas ako. Palagi niya iyong ginagawa kaya ngayon bahagya na akong nasasanay.

He put his hand on my lower back as we walked towards the entrance of the resto.

"I'll be having a medical mission in Siargao next week. I want you to be with me," sabi niya nang itulak niya ang glass door ng resto.

Tiningala ko siya, bahagyang nanlalaki ang mata sa biglaan niyang anunsyo. I was about to speak when a waiter approached us and guides us towards our table. 

Gusto ko nang magsalita pero hindi ko magawa lalo na't sa pag-upo pa lang ay nag-order na siya. I don't have a choice, but to order mine too.

Siargao is too far from Manila! I just can't leave my position in the company for days. I can't even have a vacation for myself, kaya ang pagpunta ng Siargao ay masyadong malabo, lalo na't nakabase ako sa desisyon ni Papa.