❦ Third Person’s POV ❦
Huminto sila sa paglalakad, “I can actually help you. Pasasalamat na din sa pag-aalaga mo sa akin kagabi.” wika ni Russell,
Carla looked at Russell, a mix of surprise and curiosity in her eyes. She wasn't sure what Russell meant by his offer, but there was a warmth in his tone that made her feel reassured.
"Help me? Ano ang ibig mong sabihin, Sir Russell?" tanong ni Carla, tila hindi alam kung ano ang iniisip ni Russell.
Russell smiled gently, his eyes reflecting sincerity. "I mean, I can give you some advice, if you want. About... well, you and Glen.”
Russell's words lingered between them, inviting Carla into a conversation she hadn't anticipated. His offer to give advice about Glen made Carla's heart race with both excitement and apprehension. She looked at him, her eyes searching his face for any hint of what he might say next.
"Advice?? Bibigyan mo po ako ng advice para kay Glen?" tila hindi maitago ni Carla ang pagka excite sa boses niya.
Russell nodded, his smile warm and understanding. "Oo. Nakita ko na mayroong nabubuo between you two. And if you ever want to talk about it, nandito lang ako to listen. Maybe offer some perspective."
Tumakbo ang mga iniisip ni Carla habang iniisip ang alok ni Russell. Pinahalagahan niya ang pagiging bukas nito na pag-usapan ang isang bagay na napaka-personal, lalo na't matagal nang nasa isip ni Praise si Glen.
"Salamat, Sir Russell," Carla replied softly, her gaze sincere. "I... I think I might take you up on that offer. Pero medyo hindi ko pa alam kung paano uumpisahan."
Russell nodded encouragingly. "Okay lang, Carla. These things take time. Sometimes, talking it out can bring clarity."
Napangiti si Carla, "Natutuwa ako na naiintindihan mo. Malaking bagay 'yun sa akin."
Nagpatuloy sila sa paglalakad. Ngayon ay tahimik na tinatahak ang kahabaan ng pampang. Ang tanging ingay lang ay ang alon ng dagat, ang kaluskos ng mga puno at ang mga yapak nila. As they strolled, Carla found herself reflecting on the complexities of her budding feelings for Glen and the unexpected connection she felt with Russell.
"Sir Russell," Carla spoke up after a while, breaking the silence. "Paano mo ba... I mean, paano mo ba malalaman kung ano ang gagawin kapag may gusto ka sa isang tao?"
Russell chuckled softly, his expression thoughtful. "Well, Carla, iba-iba 'yan para sa bawat isa. Pero sa tingin ko, kapag may gusto ka sa isang tao, mahalaga na maging totoo ka at hayaang mag-develop ang mga bagay nang natural. Tiwala sa sarili at maging pasensyoso."
Carla nodded, absorbing his words. "Tama ka naman."
“BUT—” dugtong ni Russell at lumingon kay Carla, “In perfecting the art of seduction, kailangan, marunong kang mag-tiis. Don’t show too much interest in a guy unless he does first. I assure you, if a man is going to be serious, it's because he started to.”
Carla blinked in surprise sa hindi inaasahang komento ni Russell, na lalo pang nagpukaw ng kanyang kuryusidad. Ang kanyang mga salita tungkol sa Art of Seduction ay nakakapukaw ng interes. She glanced at Russell, trying to gauge his expression to understand if he was being serious or playful.
Russell chuckled, may maliwanag na paglalaro sa kanyang mga mata. "Well, more like offering a perspective. Hindi lang ‘to tungkol sa paglalaro, pero minsan ang kaunting mystery ay nakakaakit. You know, keeping someone guessing."
Kumunot ang noo ni Carla, maingat na pinag-isipan ang kanyang mga salita. "So, it's about balancing interest with restraint?"
Tumango si Russell, ang kanyang ngiti ay mahinahon. "Exactly. Gusto mong ipakita ang interes, pero hindi agad-agaran. Let him make some effort too."
Carla mulled over his advice, realizing it resonated with some of her own experiences and observations. "Naiintindihan ko. Parang... binibigyan mo siya ng puwang para maghabol kung tunay na interesado siya."
Tumango ulit si Russell, natutuwa na mukhang naiintindihan ni Carla. "Exactly, Carla. Trust me, kung interesado talaga ang isang lalaki, magpapakita siya ng effort."
Ngumiti si Carla, nagpapasalamat sa mga perspektibong ibinigay ni Russell. "Thank you, Sir Russell. I appreciate your perspective on this."
"Sir Russell," bumanat ulit si Carla pagkatapos ng ilang sandali, "Ano kaya... paano kung hindi ako sigurado kung gusto rin niya ako?"
Matahimik na tinitigan ni Russell si Carla, medyo may kulubot ang kanyang noo. "Good question, Carla. Minsan, hindi ka agad sigurado. Pero magmasid ka ng mga senyales. Gumagawa ba siya ng effort na makasama ka? Nakikinig ba siya kapag ikaw ang nagsasalita? These are good indicators."
Carla nodded, absorbing his advice. "I'll keep that in mind. It's just... it's hard to know sometimes."
Russell nodded sympathetically. "I understand. It can be confusing. Just take your time, observe, and trust your instincts."
“Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask you because I’m impressed. Saan ka natuto mag english?” dagdag ni Russell.
For Carla, it was a random question pero dahil nakita nya ang kuryosidad ni Russell, sinagot nya ito, “Nung nasa orphanage pa po kasi ako, maraming pumupuntang mga ibang lahi para mang-ampon. Isa po yung dahilan na yan kaya ako natutong mag english. Yung pinaka main naman po ay, tinuturuan po kami sa simbahan ng salitang english, hindi lang po iyun, spanish din, at iba pa.”
Napansin ni Russell ang pagiging bukas ni Carla sa kanyang pagtatanong, at bumalik ang kanyang ngiti. "That's impressive, Carla. You've learned quite a lot."
Napangiti rin si Carla, na natutuwa na naa-appreciate ni Russell ang kanyang kuwento. "Thank you, Sir Russell. It's been a journey."
After a while, may tumawag sa phone ni Russell kaya kinailangan na nyang magpaalam kay Carla. “Just remember, don't make it too easy for them to catch you. It's like leaving a trail of breadcrumbs in a forest—make them work for the treasure at the end.”
❦ Russell’s POV ❦
Nang makalayo-layo na ako, sinagot ko na ang tawag. “Hello, Albert! How was the meeting?” tanong ko,
“Thanks to your handsome and wonderful COO, na convinced ko sila na gawin ang art gallery natin na cover nila for the upcoming art exhibition sa Italy. ” rinig ko sa tono ni Albert ang tuwa, “Pero hindi pa nila tayo totally na hawak dahil may kondisyon sila. Kailangan daw natin sumali at manalo sa isang art exhibition na gaganapin sa Italy para maging partner na natin sila finally.
“Yes! Thanks Albert. Buti na lang talaga at nandiyan ka. And also, yes, I am more than happy to join that art exhibit. I know we could win their votes.”
“No problem! And yes, we will!”
“You know what? I’ll get you a flight to the Philippines. Kailangan natin ‘tong i-celebrate.” sabi ko. Hindi ko na inantay pa ang sagot niya bago ko patayin ang tawag.
I immediately went in the house and find a flight for my friend. Can’t wait to go pubbing with him.
As soon as nakuha ko na ang flight, hindi na ako nag-atubiling i-send kay Albert ang details.
Kumuha ako ng alak na natira sa bar stand at nilagyan ko ang isang baso bago ko ito tinungga. As I was sipping my drink, binuksan ko ang mail ko at nakita ko nga ang mga documents na kailangan kong pirmahan.
I smiled. Alam kong kaya ni Albert mag present without me or anyone else. Well, hindi naman ako papayag na magkaroon ng kaibigan na tatanga-tanga, so expected ko na makukuha namin ang malaking investment na iyun from Italy. Can this get any better?