Chapter 7
1299 Words
Gusto ko siyang sundan at habulin nang makaalis siya, pero nagtatalo ang isip ko. I don’t want to leave Erick alone here lalo na at nagsisimula na ang deal namin. I am not the type to back out of something like this. Baka kung ano pa ang isipin ng ibang tao.
Pero sa tuwing naaalala ko ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Nash, hindi ko mapigilang hindi mag-alala. It was for a brief moment, but I saw hurt and exhaustion in his face. He looks like he has a problem and that he needs me. For the first time, he looked at me like he was asking for help.
Minsan lang niya iyon gawin dahil as much as possible, ayaw niyang hinihingi ang tulong ko. Pero isang positive na tao si Nash. No matter what comes in his way, mayroon siyang paraan na maiisip at agad niyang nalulusutan.
He will not let any problem gets in his way. Ayon sa kaniya, nakakapangit ang ganoon. At masasayang lang ang kagwapuhan niya.
I know.
Mapapairap na lang talaga ako. But that is what makes him a lovable guy. Iyon ang isa sa mga dahilan kaya naging magkaibigan kami, at isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit nagkagusto ako sa kaniya noon.
“He looks upset.”
Nagising lang ako mula sa malalim na pag-iisip nang magsalita si Erick. Napabuntonghininga ako. “I know.” I sighed again before sitting at the couch.
“If it bothers you so much, why don’t you follow him? He is your best friend, right?”
“Yeah. And how did you know that?” Kumunot pa ang noo ko dahil hindi ko pa naman naikukuwento sa kaniya ang tungkol kay Nash.
“I deduced it. You are an only child, right? Both your parents are also only children, so you don’t have a cousin. Then, you asked me to impregnate you, so it is unlikely that he is your boyfriend. A best friend is the last thing I can think of.”
I smiled. “You are right. He is my best friend. But I can’t leave you here. You prepared something for us today.”
“And how did you know?”
“I deduced as well. My secretary said that you asked her to clear my schedule for today. Sadly, compared to your deduction, I have only one reason.”
He chuckled, then he stared at me. “Honestly, yes. I have something for us today. But I don’t want you to have a bad relationship with your best friend because of this. It is one of the things listed in the rules. We need to maintain things and relationships that we have before the deal.”
Napabuntonghininga na lang ako bago siya tingnan nang medyo alanganin. “I am sorry, Erick. I will make it up to you. Next time, I will prepare something for us.”
He grinned. “I am looking forward to that.”
I grabbed my bag, then I went outside. Nakasunod naman sa ‘kin si Erick kaya lumawak ang ngiti ng secretary ko. I don’t want to lie to her, but the lesser people who know about this, the better. Mas mabuti nang kami na lang ang nakaaalam. And I should tell Nash about this, too.
“Clear my schedule for the day, please,” sabi ko, “I have plans.”
“Sure, Ms. Shatzer! Enjoy your date.”
Bahagya akong napangiwi pero agad ko ring binawi gamit ang pagngiti. “Thank you. And you can go home early, too.”
“Thank you, Ms. Shatzer.” Yumuko pa siya sa ‘kin kaya umalis na ako.
Dumeretso kami ni Erick sa elevator at agad kong pinindot ang ground floor. Hindi ko na tiyak maaabutan pa si Nash, but I know places where he can go. Pwede ko munang i-check ang mga lugar na ‘yon bago ko puntahan ang bahay nila.
Nang makarating kami sa lobby, may ilang bumabati sa ‘ming dalawa. They must have heard about Erick and I’s relationship kaya sobrang lawak ng mga ngiti nila sa ‘min. I am glad that the plan is working, but I can’t help but feel guilty for lying to everyone.
I know, ako ang naglagay sa sarili ko sa posisyong ito. But I can’t help my feelings. Alam kong mali, pero what can I do? I met Erick, not someone else. I just wished everything will be fine after our little scheme worked. Gusto kong ma-meet itong uncle ni Erick para tigilan na niya ang balak na pagkuha sa company. I wonder how serious the problem about the company is, though.
Pinagbuksan ako ni Erick ng sasakyan kaya napakunot ang noo ko. Katabi ng kaniyang Mercedes Benz ang aking Lexus car kaya nagtaka ako nang buksan niya ang passenger’s door ng kotse niya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan kong sumakay roon kung narito naman ang kotse ko.
“I’ll give you a ride.” He smiled sheepishly.
“You don’t have to. I have a car, you know.”
Imbis na sumagot, tiningnan niya lang ang ilang mga employee ko na naglalakad sa likuran ko. Napabuntonghininga na lang ako. “Don’t leave me, okay? I don’t want to take the cab later.” Sumakay na ako sa loob at hinintay siyang makapasok sa kabila.
“What about your best friend? Doesn’t he have a car?”
“He doesn’t. He normally takes the bus or rides in my car.”
He nodded. “What about a motorcycle? I heard some guys prefer it than cars.”
I shook my head. “He…” I trailed with my thoughts. “He doesn’t want the car or the motorcycle I gave him.” I glanced at him.
His eyebrows creased a little, then a realization dawned on him. “Oh, you mean, he doesn’t have the money…” He pierced his lips before he could even say anything more.
“He is just that kind of guy. He doesn’t want anything from me. At least anything related with money.” Bahagya akong natawa sa sinabi ko.
It is true. Even things like a watch, or a shirt, hindi niya tinatanggap. Kahit sobrang mura na lang ng bili ko sa bangketa, ayaw niya. Lagi kong in-i-insist na birthday naman niya and he deserves it, pero ang kulit niya. Ayaw talaga. He always says that my presence on his birthdays is enough.
“I can understand him, though,” he said. “If I am in the same position, I will not accept them as well.”
Natuon na ang atensyon ko sa kaniya dahil sa sinabi. “Why? What is wrong with accepting gifts? When I was a kid, people always gave me gifts even though I didn’t need them. It is the thought that counts, right?”
“Well, was he born with a silver spoon? Is he used to getting gifts from someone, especially expensive ones? It will step on his ego, Architect. Some guys are like that.”
“Are you like that?” I wondered.
“I am, actually. I don’t like gifts, too, since I can buy them on my own. But trust me, do not force something like that on a guy. I don’t know him well yet, but that is the impression it gives me.”
Muli akong napabuntonghininga.
Talking about this with Erick, a guy, kind of enlightens me. Si Nash lang naman kasi ang kaibigan kong lalaki, no one else. Ni wala na akong ibang kaibigan maliban sa kaniya, sa nanay niya, at sa kapatid niya. He is the only person, who accepted me as I am. Not because of our money, my money. But because of who I am.
I smiled, remembering the first time we met.
- Writer
