So, I Met A Bear

Chapter 7

Nawala ang lahat ng kulay sa aking mukha nang marinig ko ang boses ni Kuya Clint. Anong gagawin ko? Tiyak na sasabihin niya ito kay Uncle. Ayaw kong pumasok nang napapaligiran ng mga body guards!

"It's better for them to know the truth," bulong ni Ash pagkatapos ay nagsialisan na silang lahat. Kami na lang ni Kuya Clint ang natira.

"Clementine, sabihin mo sa akin kung sino 'yung stalker mo."

Napaka-amo ng mukha ni Kuya Clint kaya masasabi kong isa siyang social butterfly. Ngunit alam namin ni Uncle na once na nanlisik na ang kanyang mga mata ay kailangan na naming magseryoso.

Napabunting-hininga ako at doon na ako napilitang ikwento sa kanya ang tungkol kay Roger. Kumukunot lamang ang kanyang noo habang nakikinig sa akin.

"Mukhang nagkatotoo ang biro ko."

Nakatingin lamang siya sa baba at nakatukod ang kanyang siko sa kanyang hita, which reminded me of a very famous bronze statue.

"Sige. Hindi ko sasabihin sa kanya na may stalker ka."

Nagningning ang aking mga mata. Napapalakpak pa ako.

"Sa isang condition."

Muli akong napaupo at napabusangot. Bakit nga ba hindi ko inisip na hindi madaling makumbinsi si Kuya Clint?

"Pagkatapos ng swimming practice, ihahatid kita sa bahay. In case na hindi ako makasabay ay uutusan ko sina Ash."

"Can't I commute?"

Nag-puppy eyes pa ako dahil ayaw kong makasabay si Ash sa pag-uwi. Naku! Baka sabihin niya pang pabigat lang ako no!

"No comprises when it comes to your safety."

This time bahagyang kong hinila ang damit niya.

"Paano pala kung hindi siya mapagkakatiwalaan?"

He stared at me blankly.

"You know I don't like discord with my swimming team."

Wala nang effect ang pagpa-pacute ko sa kanya. I guess, hindi naman kami laging magkakasabay umuwi.

Tama. Mas maigi na ito kaysa sa bodyguards.

Inilahad ko ang aking kamay at sinabing "Deal!"

Gusto kong mangagat ng kamay dahil ginugulo niya ang aking buhok.

"Good! I know you're smart, Clementine. Let's go to your welcome dinner. Napagpaalam na kita kay Hunter."

"Puwede pang bukas na lang?"

"It's possible. Kaso, paano pag sumama sa atin si...

"

Dali-dali kong binuksan ang pintuan.

"Ano ka ba Kuya, di ka naman mabiro. Let's go."

-Erin-

"Yves, Blake, could you please go to the Korean restaurant and reserve a table for us? Alam niyo namang mahirap magpa-reserve on a Friday night."

Tumango lamang ang dalawa. Nang nakasigurado na akong nakaalis sila ay saka ko naman hinampas si Ash ngunit nakailag siya dahil bigla na lang niyang binuksan ang kanyang payong. This cheeky bastard!

"Ano bang problema mo kay Clementine? She's not a creep, unlike those other assistant managers."

"I know."

Napatingin na lamang ako sa aking likuran dahil nakahawak na si Sage sa aking mga braso.

"Let me talk to him."

I don't know why this man's presence always calmed me down. Was it his penetrating gaze? Or his voice that was smooth like butter?

"You'd better not eff this up."

There he was again. I knew he was one of the few with the brightest smile. Why did he have to boast about that though?

"I promise. Since when did I break it?"

Even though I didn't like to nod, I did.

"Bro, huwag mo siyang idamay."

I furrowed my brows. Anong ibig sabihin ni Sage? May hindi ba sila sinasabi sa akin?

"What do you mean?"

Sage put his hand on my shoulders.

"It's much better if you don't know for now."

Men. They made my head hurt. I didn't say a word. I let him confront Ash.

"I know. And that's what exactly I was doing."

Ash kept saying without looking away from this phone. The nerve of this guy to play games while we were confronting him!

"Sabihin na nating you're looking out for the team. Was it necessary to say hurtful words like that? Puwede mo naman siyang pagsabihan in a professional manner?

"Why do I have to cater to someone's feelings? Why was she hurt? I was telling the truth."

I shook my head. I didn't know how I befriended this man.

"Yes. For sure, she understood your intention..."

"Then why are we having this conversation?"

This time, ay ibinulsa na niya ang kanyang phone. He even pulled the sleeves of his uniform.

Napaatras pa si Sage.

"Bro, relax. We want to tell you to take it easy on her. Don't be too harsh."

"I apologize. I don't know how to sugarcoat words. And I'll try not to be harsh as long as she won't do anything stupid."

Inakbayan ni Sage si Ash at pinuri siya. If that was me, baka nasampal ko pa siya. Nagpaalam ang dalawa na pupunta lang sila sa CR. For sure, may pag-uusapan sila na hindi ko gustong marinig.

I bit my fingernail. What's the topic they didn't want to tell me? Why did it concern Clementine as well? Should I be worried? Should I tell her?

I shook my head. Worrying about those things wouldn't help us. Sakto naman na bumalik na ang dalawa galing sa Korean restaurant. I gave them two thumbs up for a job well done.

After the welcome dinner, I added Clementine to our group chat and sent her the schedules and meetings planned for this month.

During the dinner, I expected Ash's apology, but I didn't hear it. Maybe they had a private conversation but I won't let Clem go! She was a good friend of mine after so many years! My fingers hurt from texting, so I just sent her a voice message.

I apologized on behalf of Ash. I could always kick his a*s in case he didn't plan on apologizing.

"It's alright, I know Ash was doing his job as the captain."

I squinted at what I read. Why was she so nice?

"Don't be so good with him! This was the reason why your stalker won't leave you alone!"

"I like Ash."

What did I hear that right?

I listened to the same voice message thrice. The words didn't change. She said she liked Ash. But why?!