CHAPTER 12 She Needed Her
Margaret Norwood POV:
I was walking too fast. Too fast for someone who claimed she wasn’t mad.
The hallway toward Celes office felt longer than usual. I couldn’t believe she fired Amor. According to Miss Stella, her performance was good. Clean records. No complaints. No warnings.
So why?
I didn’t bother waiting for permission.
I knocked once and opened the door.
She looked up from her computer.
“Why are you here?” She asked. confused, but still composed.
What can I say?
She’s Celestine Emery Walls.
The kind of person who never loses control.
The kind who stays calm even when everything around her is already falling apart.
The kind who can break someone and still look untouched after.
“Why did you fire her?” I asked calmly. No raised voice. No accusation. I just wanted the truth. Both her eyebrows lifted slightly.
“Who?”
“Miss Reyes,” I said, crossing my arms.
She turned back to her screen like it was nothing.
“Insufficient. She doesn’t work professionally.”
Flat. Detached. As if she were talking about a broken printer.
“Is that really the reason?” I asked.
Because I knew her and that wasn’t it.
“Yes.” Still not looking at me.
“Then bring her back.” I said.
Now she leaned back slowly, crossing her arms.
“Why would I?”
“Because you have to.”
The way I said it almost sounded like before when we were younger. When I used to convince her to stop running from things she didn’t want to face.
“No.” She said. Simple and Infuriating.
“Then it’s your fault,” I said. That made her eyes flicker she hates blame.
“It is not my fault,” She replied, jaw tightening. “She confessed to me.”
There it was. I almost smiled but stopped myself before she noticed.
“So it’s truly your fault,” I said gently.
Her eyes hardened.
“What do you mean?”
“Walang nahuhulog kung hindi mo pinaparamdam na kamahal-mahal sila,” I said.
“No one falls in love if you don’t make them feel lovable,” I repeated this time in English, just so she would understand it more.
Silence.
“You saw him in her, didn’t you?” I asked. That made her freeze. I knew it.
Since the day Amor entered this company, I had seen it the way Celes would pause half a second longer when Amor spoke. The way she watched her when she thought no one noticed.
They had similarities.
The same stubborn courage.
The same fire.
But also differences and that’s what scared her.
“Why does this concern you?” She asked sharply. This time, I let her see my smile. Because I finally understood.
“I’ve seen it in her eyes,” I said softly as I took a seat. “But you need to realize something. They are different.”
“I don’t know what you’re trying to say,” she replied, reaching for her phone as if she could escape the conversation.
“You need to bring her back,” I continued. “Even if she’s no longer your assistant. Even if it’s just… for Collie.” I said. Now that made her look at me.
“What can she possibly do for Collie?” She ask.
I leaned forward.
“She makes her happy.”
Silence.
“The joy that little girl lost two years ago? It comes back whenever Amor is around.”
Her jaw tightened again.
“You know that.”
And she did.
It’s been almost two years since the accident. Collie was 5, A bright, loud, joyful child. The kind who filled every room with laughter.
Then the fire happened.
She almost died. Thank God the firefighters saved her but something changed after that.
She became quiet.
Withdrawn.
She barely talked and, I was the only one she opened up to. not until Amor arrived. Suddenly, Collie laughed again.
Ran again. Smiled without forcing it.
“Collie needs her,” I said softly. “Malayo na ang loob niya sayo, Celes. Don’t make it worse.”
That hit.
Because that was the wound she never admits.
“You’re too busy,” I continued gently. “You bury yourself in work. I understand why. After his death, everything changed.”
That shattered her.
She never healed and she just became colder.
“I’m not saying you’re a bad mother,” I added. “I know you’re trying. But trying from a distance doesn’t reach a child.”
Her breathing shifted slightly.
“She needs her,” I repeated. “Not as your assistant. Not as anything else. Just… in her life.”
For a long moment, she said nothing.
The silence between us wasn’t anger.
It was conflict.
Then finally-
“I’ll check what I can do,” She said quietly. “But I can’t promise anything.”
That was the closest thing to surrender she would ever say. I stood and walked toward her. For a second, she looked like she would pull away.
But she didn’t.
I hugged her.
Because before she was CEO
She was Celestine Emery Walls
My little sister. Tita Jade’s only daughter.
She stayed still at first. Then, very slowly
Her hand tightened slightly at my back.
Just slightly. And that was enough to tell me she wasn’t as heartless as she pretended to be.
She was just afraid.
Afraid to love again.
Afraid to lose again.
And maybe…
Afraid that this time...
It wouldn’t just be her heart at risk.
It would be her daughter’s too.
---
Celestine Emery Walls POV:
The office was silent.
Too silent.
I tried to focus on the screen in front of me, but the numbers blurred. The words meant nothing.
Margaret’s voice kept echoing in my head. Collie needs her. I pressed a button on my desk. The CCTV monitors flickered to life.
I don’t know why I did it. Maybe I just wanted to prove her wrong.
Camera 3.
Lobby waiting area and there she was.
Collie.
Sitting on the long gray couch near the reception. Her small legs dangling, shoes not even touching the floor. She was holding that worn-out stuffed toy she hasn’t let go of since the accident.
She looked at the entrance doors.
Then at the elevator.
Then back to the doors again.
Waiting.
My chest tightened. I checked the time.
4:12 PM.
She had been there since 3:00. Waiting.
“For who?” I whispered to myself even though I already knew.
Camera 5.
Entrance.
Every time the glass doors opened, her head would lift. Hope. Then it would fall again. Disappointment.
Over and over. Back and forth.
I leaned back in my chair.
I could call the nanny to bring her upstairs.
I could pretend I didn’t see.
I could choose work. Like I always do.
But then-
Camera 3 again.
Collie stood up suddenly when someone entered. It wasn’t her. And the way her shoulders dropped…
That was the kind of disappointment children don’t know how to hide. I stood up before I could change my mind.
After A Few minutes
When I stepped out of the elevator, she didn’t notice me at first. She was staring at the door again.
Waiting.
“Collie.” I called. She flinched. Then turned. Her eyes widened not with excitement. Just acknowledgment.
“Oh,” She said softly. “Hi, Po.”
Not Mama.
Not Mom.
Not Mommy.
I walked toward her slowly. Controlled. Careful.
“Why are you downstairs?” I asked.
She looked at the door again instead of me.
“I’m waiting po.”
“For who?” I asked. She hesitated.
Then-
“Ate Amor, I haven’t seen her for a week po,” She said. The words landed heavier than I expected.
“I see.”
“She said she just needed to fix some stuff… and after that, we’ll play,” Collie continued.
“She promised.” There was hope in her voice. Hope I didn’t know how to give anymore.
“Collie,” I said carefully. “ Miss Reyes won’t be coming.” I said more careful. Her head snapped toward me.
“Why?”
“She doesn’t work here anymore.”
Confusion filled her face.
“What do you mean po?”
“She won’t be coming back.”
I kept my tone even. Professional.
Like discussing a terminated contract.
But she wasn’t an employee. She was my daughter.
Her small fingers tightened around the stuffed toy.
“You fired her?”
The accusation in her tiny voice stung more than any board meeting ever had.
“It was necessary.”
“Why?” Her voice cracked.
“She was… unprofessional.” I said.
The word felt wrong the moment it left my mouth.
Collie stared at me. For a long time.
Then something shifted in her eyes.
It wasn’t sadness anymore.
It was anger.
“You always do that po,” She said.
“Do what?”
“You make people go away.” She said.
The air left my lungs.
“That’s not true.”
“It is!” She cried, tears forming. “Daddy is not here anymore. Ate Amor went away. Everyone goes away because of you po!” She said crying. Her words weren’t logical they were pain.
“Daddy didn’t leave,” I said softly. “It wasn’t his choice.”
I wasn’t even sure how to explain it to her.
I didn’t know what words would make it lighter-
how to soften something I still didn’t fully understand myself.
So I just said it.
Even if I wasn’t sure.
Even if it wasn’t complete.
Even if… it wasn’t enough.
“But you made Ate Amor leave!” She shouted. People in the lobby were starting to glance at us.
I didn’t care.
“Collie-”
“She makes me happy!” Her voice broke. “When she’s here, it doesn’t feel scary anymore.”
Scary.
The fire.
The hospital.
The nights she run crying.
“She listens to me,” Collie continued, tears falling freely now. “You’re always busy. You’re always working.”
“I’m working for you,” I said.
“I don’t want that!” She said. Her words were small but they cut deep.
“I want you,” She whispered.
Silence wrapped around us.
I didn’t know how to respond.
I know contracts.
I know negotiations.
I know how to close deals.
But I don’t know how to fix this.
“Please bring her back,” She begged.
I opened my mouth-
But nothing came out.
Because bringing Amor back wasn’t just about Collie. It was about me, And I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough.
When I didn’t answer, something inside her shut down. The same way it did two years ago.
She stepped back.
“I don’t like you when you’re like this,” She said quietly. That hurt more than the shouting.
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
She turned away and this time.
She didn’t look back.
I stood there in the lobby, surrounded by glass walls and polished floors, feeling smaller than I ever have in my own company. On the CCTV monitor upstairs, it would probably look like nothing. Just a mother standing still. But inside-
Everything felt like it was breaking.
And for the first time in a long time.
I wasn’t sure work could fix it.
Seraphine’s POV:
“Hindi, ikaw yung mali-”
“Excuse me? Ako pa?”
“OO, kasi-”
“Wait, wait, wait!” Singit ko habang tumatawa. “Pareho kayong mali, okay? Ang ingay niyo.”
Napairap silang dalawa.
“Wow, neutral queen.” Sabi ni lara
“Hindi ako neutral,” Sagot ko. “Mas tama lang ako sa inyo.”
“Edi wow,” Sabay nilang sagot.
Sabado ngayon walang silang work. Walang problema at least for now.
Nasa mall kami, paikot-ikot lang, walang plano.
Typical us.
Kwentuhan. Asaran. Tawanan.
Ganito naman lagi simple at tahimik sana kung hindi lang biglang nag-vibrate yung phone ko.
Napatingin ako sa screen.
Miss Stella. Napakunot noo ko.
“Uy, sino yan?” Tanong ni Lara, sumisilip.
“Wala,” Sagot ko agad sabay reject ng call. Binalik ko sa bag yung phone ko.
“Secret?” Pang-aasar ni Hana.
“Hindi,” Sagot ko. “Ayoko lang sagutin.”
Pero ilang segundo lang-
tumunog ulit same name.
Napabuntong-hininga ako.
“Grabe, persistent,” Bulong ni Lara.
“Obsessed,” Dagdag ni Hana.
Sinagot ko na at baka di pa tumigil.
“Yes, Miss?” Maayos kong bungad.
“Amor, where are you?” Agad niyang tanong.
“Sa mall po.”
“Good. I need you to come back tomorrow. May offer si Miss Walls-”
“No po.” Diretso kong sabi. Tahimik sa kabilang linya.
“…Excuse me?”
“I’m not interested po,” Sabi ko, mahinahon. “I already left for a reason.”
“Amor, listen this is better than before. Mas mataas, mas-”
“No po.” Mas mahinahon. Mas final. Pinutol ko na ang tawag tumahimik saglit.
Then—
“WOW.” Sabay na sabi at tingin sakin nitong dalawa.
“Ang tapang mo dun ah,” Sabi ni Lara.
“Character development,” Dagdag ni Hana. Napailing ako.
“Ayoko lang bumalik.”
“Or…” Ngumisi si Lara, “may trauma.”
“Tumahimik ka nga.” Sabi ko. Pero hindi pa tapos tumunog ulit phone ko.
“Grabe, hindi sumusuko,” Sabi ni Hana.
Sinagot ko ulit.
“Yes po?”
“Amor, please. Think about it. This is a good opportunity.”
“I understand po. Pero no.”
“Even if we double the offer?” Napatingin ako sa malayo. Sandali lang.
Then—
“No po.”
Pinutol ko ulit ang tawag.
“AYYYY GRABE,” Sigaw ni Lara.
“Hindi natitinag!”
“Totoo ba ’to?” Natatawang sabi ni Hana.
“Arte niyo,” Sagot ko, pero napapangiti na rin ako. Akala ko tapos na.
Pero—
Tumunog ulit. Napatingin ako sa phone ko, tapos sa kanila.
“Last na ’to,” Sabi ko.
“Yes, Miss?”
“Where exactly are you?”
“…Mall po.”
“Don’t move.” Sabi nya. Napakunot noo ko.
“Po?”
“I’ll be there. Fifteen minutes.” Sabi nya. Pinutol nya ang tawag ako nagkibit balikat lang
“Anong sabi?” Tanong ni Hana.
“Pupunta daw siya dito.”
“HA?!”
“Dito sa mall?”
“OO.”
“ Yung cold na bossy na si Miss Stella na parang pinag-lihi sa sama ng loob… pupuntahan ka??”
Walang prenong sabi ni Hana.
“As in personally in actual life?? Hindi via email?? Hindi via ‘regards’??” Dagdag pa niya.
Napairap si Lara. “Wait lang si Miss Stella yung sinasabi nyong parang may sariling aircon ang aura sa lamig?”
“OO ’YON NGA!” Sabat ni Hana. “Yung tipong kahit ‘good morning’ niya parang may kasamang termination letter!”
Napahawak ako sa noo ko. “Grabe kayo-”
“Hindi pa ako tapos!” Taas-kamay ni Hana. “You telling me na yung babae na hindi marunong ngumiti kahit may bonus is going here?? For you?? Personally yours??”
“Personally yours?!” Ulit ni Lara. “Ano to, delivery package?!”
“Yes, naka express shipping si Amor!” Sagot ni Hana. “Same day delivery, cash on trauma!”
“HOY!”
Pero tuloy pa rin siya.
“Amor, this is very unbelievable situation. I cannot process my brain right now. My mind is buffering 99 percent!”
“Percent lang, walang percent sign?” singit ni lara.
“Technical issues!” Sagot niya agad.
Napatawa ako.
“Baka mag-crash na system mo.”
“Already crashing!” Sabi ni Hana, hawak ang ulo. “Reboot me please!”
“Hindi kita aayusin,” sagot ko.
“Betrayal! From my own friendness!”
“FRIEND LANG WALANG NESS!” Sabi ni lara
“English evolution!” Depensa niya.
Napailing ako habang pinipigilan tumawa.
“Pero seryoso,” Sabi ni Lara, sabay tingin sakin. “Bakit ka pupuntahan nun? May utang ka ba sa kanya? Emotional damage? Unpaid bills ng feelings?”
Napatahimik ako sandali.
“Grabe naman yung unpaid bills ng feelings.”
“May interest pa yan,” dagdag ni Hana. “Compound heartbreak!”
“Hindi na math to-”
“Everything is math kapag may trauma,” sagot niya, proud pa. Napahawak na ako sa mukha ko.
“Pwede bang tumahimik kayo kahit isang minuto?”
“Pero Amor…” Bulong ni Hana, nakangiti. “Parang Main character ka ahh.”
“OO NGA,” Sabi ni Lara. “Kasi kahit kami hindi kami hahabulin ng boss namin kahit mawalan kami ng trabaho.”
“Hindi nga kayo hahabulin,” Sagot ko. “Iba yung hinahabol.”
“Ay deep!” Sigaw ni Hana. “Quote mo yan! I-post mo!”
“Wag na!”
“Caption: ‘hinahabol pero hindi pinipili’,” Dagdag ni Lara.
“STOP!”
Nagkatinginan kaming tatlo. Then
“WAIT SERIOUS?” Kulit parin ni hana.
“OO NGA.”
“Ang intense naman nun!”
Napatawa ako ng konti. “OA lang siguro.”
Pero after Ten minutes to Fifteen.
“Miss Reyes-”
Si Miss Stella papalapit. Naka-heels. Naka-formal.
Hingal.
Literal na hingal.
“Miss Reyes-”
“Miss Stella?!”
Lumapit siya, halos hindi makahinga.
“Traffic… We had to… run…”
“Miss, okay lang po ba kayo?”
Hindi pa ako nakaka-react-
Bigla siyang…
lumuhod.
“Please come back.”
Biglang tahimik ang paligid.
“Miss-”
“Please,” Ulit niya. “If you don’t… mawawalan ako kami ng trabaho…”
Napatingin ako sa paligid. May tatlo pa siyang kasama paluhod rin, mga head ng bawat department ng company.
“Miss Chel-” Sabi ni Hana, sabay takip ng bunganga. Hindi naman nakatingin nang diretso yung tinawag niya.
At sa paligid, may mga tao na nakatingin.
May nagbubulungan.
“Miss Reyes” Bulong ni Lara sa tabi ko.
Pero ramdam ko naiiyak na sila sa kakapigil ng tawa. Si Hana? Nakatakip na yung bibig. Nanginginig.
“Miss, please tumayo po kayo,” Sabi ko, kinakabahan.
“Not until you say yes.”
“Miss-”
“Please.”
Mas lalo akong nahiya.
“Ang daming tao” Bulong ko.
“Amor”
Napapikit ako. Napabuntong-hininga.
“Okay okay po. I’ll... think about it.”
“Promise?” Tanong niya. na parang bata.
“Yes po,” Sabi ko. Dahan-dahan silang tumayo.
Ako?
Hindi ko na alam kung saan titingin.
Sa sahig? Sa kanila? Sa mundo?
Tahimik kami saglit.
Then-
“PFFT-”
“HAHAHAHAHAHA-”
“TAMA NA!”
Hagikgikan yung dalawa.
“LUMUHOD TALAGA?!”
“AMOR ANO YON MAIN CHARACTER MOMENT?!”
“Tigil na kayo!”
Hindi ko alam kung anong mas nakakabigla yung pagpunta niya o yung dahilan kung bakit hindi ko magawang tuluyang tumanggi.
“Grabe ka talaga, Miss Reyes” Hingal pa ring sabi ni Miss Stella habang inaayos yung sarili niya.
“Miss, kayo po yung grabe,” Sagot ko, mahina. “Lumuhod po kayo sa mall.”
Napatingin siya sa paligid. Doon lang yata nag-sink in sa kanya yung ginawa niya.
“…Please forget that.”
Napatingin ako kina Lara at Hana.
Pareho silang nakatingin sa ibang direction pero kitang-kita ko yung nanginginig na balikat nila.
“Hindi ko po kaya yon i-forget,” Sagot ko.
“Same,” Bulong ni Hana.
“Same,” Dagdag ni Lara.
“Girls,” Warning ko. Napapikit si Miss Stella sandali, parang gusto nang mag-disappear.
“Amor,” Sabi niya ulit, mas mahinahon na. “Please. Just hear her out. That’s all I’m asking.”
Tahimik ako. Hindi ako agad sumagot.
Kasi kahit anong pilit ko bumabalik yung umaga na yon. Yung mga sinabi niya.
Yung tingin nya na parang wala lang ako.
“I said I’ll think about it,” Sagot ko. Tumango siya agad.
“Okay. Okay, that’s enough.”
Halata yung relief sa boses niya.
“Tomorrow?”
Napabuntong-hininga ako.
“I’ll see.”
Pagkaalis ni Miss Stella,
tatlong segundo lang…
“TAMA NA HAHAHAHA”
“AMOR ANO YON”
“LUMUHOD TALAGA?!”
Napahawak ako sa noo ko.
“Pwede bang tumahimik kayo kahit isang minuto?”
“Hindi,” Sagot agad ni Hana.
“Hindi talaga,” Dagdag ni Lara.
“Grabe, ikaw na talaga main character,” Sabi ni Hana habang pinupunasan yung luha niya sa kakatawa.
“Hindi yan main character,” Sabi ni Lara. “Final boss na yan.”
“Pwede bang wag niyo na palakihin?”
“Teh, lumuhod sa mall. Hindi na namin kailangan palakihin,” Sabi ni Lara.
Napailing na lang ako habang naglalakad
“Pero seryoso,” Sabi ni Lara habang naglalakad kami, “babalik ka ba?”
Napahinto ako.
“Hindi ko alam.”
“Hindi mo alam or ayaw mong aminin?” singit ni Hana.
Napatingin ako sa kanya. Hindi ko pa nakwento sa kanila ang nangyari. Ang alam lang nila, gusto ko si Miss Walls nothing more.
“Anong ibig mong sabihin?”
Umangat lang yung kilay niya.
“Alam mo na yon.”
Tahimik ako. Kasi alam ko. Pero ayoko lang sabihin.
Nagpatuloy kami.
Biglang nag-vibrate ulit yung phone ko. Napatingin ako agad. Hindi ko alam bakit pero kinabahan ako.
Unknown number.
Saglit akong nag-alangan. Then, sinagot ko.
“Hello?”
Tahimik. Ilang segundo. Then-
“Miss Reyes.”
Nanigas ako. Kilala ko yung boses na yon.
Kahit hindi ko marinig ng isang linggo, dalawa, tatlo kahit hindi ko gustong marinig ulit makikilala ko pa rin.
“Miss.”
“Why didn’t you block this number?” Tanong niya.
“Bakit po kayo tumawag?” Walang paligoy-ligoy. Ayoko nang paikot-ikot.
Tahimik siya sandali. Then-
“Come back.” Diretso na parang tauhan pa rin niya ako at inuutusan. Dalawang salita. Pero parang ang daming laman.
Napapikit ako sandali.
“Hindi po ako babalik,” Sabi ko.
Ramdam ko yung bigat sa kabilang linya.
“Is it because of what I said?” She asked, na parang hindi niya pinaramdam sakin na ito lang ako.
Napatawa ako nang mahina.
“Which one?”
“Aray” Bulong ni Hana. “Ramdam ko yung lamig hanggang dito.”
“Parang freezer,” Dagdag ni Lara.
Hindi pa ako nakakasagot kay Miss Walls nang-
“Amor?” Pamilyar na boses. Napalingon ako at doon ko siya nakita.
Si Elena.
Nakatayo, hawak ang isang bulaklak, may ngiti na parang wala lang pero hindi mo ma-ignore.
Namatay ang tawag sa kabilang linya.
“Good to see you here again.”
Simple. Pero ewan ko parang biglang gumaan yung paligid.
“Ah yeah,” Sabi ko, medyo napaayos ng tayo. “Hi.”
Napatingin siya sa phone ko. “Busy?”
Umiling ako. “Not anymore.” At hindi ko alam kung bakit pero parang may konting diin yung sagot ko.
“Good,” Sabi niya, saka ngumiti.
Napakamot ako sa batok ko. “Ah—Elena, these are my friends.” Tinuro ko yung dalawa. “Si Lara and Hana.”
Pareho silang nakatingin kay Elena. Tahimik. Hindi gumagalaw. Parang naka-pause.
“Hi,” Sabi ni Elena, maayos, calm, very composed. “Nice to meet you.”
“Are you okay?” Tanong ni Elena, napatingin sa kanila. Doon lang sila gumalaw at doon biglang nag-restart ang dalawa.
“YES!” Sabay nilang sabi. Napaatras si Elena ng konti. Napapikit ako. Lord…
“Hello po-I mean, hello ma’am-I mean… hello you-” Sablay na bungad ni Lara.
Napapikit ako.
“Hi! Hello! Good afternoon in this fine malling day!” Sablay na bungad ni Hana.
Napahawak ako sa noo ko.
“Malling day?!” Bulong ko sa sarili.
“Let me talk,” Singit ni Hana, sabay tulak kay Lara. “Hello, I am Hana. I am very friendly and also emotionally not damage.”
“NOT DAMAGED,” Bulong ko.
Tahimik sandali si Elena. Tapos natawa siya. Hindi yung pilit, hindi yung polite lang, kundi yung totoo.
“Interesting introduction,” Sabi niya.
“Thank you,” Sagot ni Hana, proud pa.
“Hindi compliment yon,” Bulong ko.
“Tinanggap ko na,” Sagot niya. Meanwhile si Lara nakatingin lang kay Elena, parang ini-scan.
“Amor” Bulong niya, pero rinig pa rin. “Ang ganda niya.”
“Alam ko,” Sagot ko.
“Hindi, as in.. ANG ganda niya.”
“OO NGA.”
“Like… pang main character.”
“LARA.”
“Sorry, honest lang.”
Napailing ako. Si Elena? Ngumiti lang. Parang sanay.
“Nice to meet you in your personal person,” Dagdag ni Hana. Napalingon ako sa kanila. “Anong-”
Pero si Elena? Ngumiti lang. Hindi tumawa. Hindi nang-judge.
“Nice to meet you too,” Sagot niya, smooth pa rin.
“Your English is very… fluentness,” Sabi ni Lara, pilit.
“Fluency,” Bulong ni Hana.
“Yun nga!” Sagot niya agad. “Fluency person.”
“Person?!” Singit ko.
“Let her cook,” Bulong ni Hana.
“Hindi siya nagluluto, nasusunog tayo.”
Napatawa si Elena. Mahina, pero totoo.
“At least you’re trying,” Sabi niya.
“Of course,” Sabi ni Hana. “We are very trying hard people.”
Napatingin ako sa kanya. “Hindi mo na kailangan sabihin.”
“Support me,” Bulong niya.
“Hindi ko kaya.”
“Betrayal.”
Napailing ako habang tumatawa.
“Sorry,” Sabi ko kay Elena. “Ganito talaga sila.”
“Interesting,” Sagot niya. Napatawa ulit si Elena. At this time… hindi na awkward. Hindi na pilit. Parang natural na.
“So,” Sabi ni Elena, maayos pa rin ang tindig, “you guys are her friends?”
“Yes,” Sabi ni Hana. “Bestest friend in the whole wide universeness.”
Napapikit ako.
“Universe,” Bulong ko.
“May extension,” Sagot niya.
“Wala.”
“Practice ng Englisher to.”
“Hindi mo na kailangan.”
“Okay, I like you already,” sabi ni Elena.
“SEE?!” Sigaw ni Hana. “APPROVED!”
“So, mall day?” Tanong ni Elena, nakatingin sakin.
“More like… chaos day,” Sagot ko.
“Sounds about right.”
Sandali kaming natahimik. Pero hindi awkward, hindi mabigat, hindi katulad kanina. At sa unang pagkakataon simula nung nangyari napangiti ako.
Okay na sana nang magsalita uli si Lara.
“Miss Elena,” Biglang formal na sabi ni Lara, sabay straight ng tayo, “ What is your intention to our friend Amor?”
Nagulat ako sa tanong niya.
Si Hana, sumunod agad. “ Yes, we need clarification for your future plans and visions.”
“HR ba kayo?!” Tanong ko.
“Protection unit,” Sagot ni Hana.
“Security agency,” Dagdag ni Lara.
“Clown department,” Bulong ko.
“Hoy!”
Si Elena, napataas kilay pero may ngiti.
“Hmm,” Sabi niya, kunwari nag-iisip. “Good question,” Dagdag niya.
Napatingin siya sakin.
“Well.. I think your friend is interesting.”
Biglang tahimik.
“INTERESTING??” Sabay ng dalawa.
“Amor, upgrade ka!” Sabi ni Lara.
“From maasim to interesting!” Dagdag ni Hana.
“Progress!” Sabay high five at tawa nila.
“Hoy, ano ako?” Sabi ko. Kulang na lang hilingin na kainin sila ng lupa.
“Character development,” Sagot ni Hana.
Napailing ako habang tumatawa. Si Elena? Nakatingin lang. Tahimik. Pero yung ngiti niya hindi nawawala.
“Actually,” Dagdag niya, “ I think she’s more than that.”
“AYYYYYYY!” sabay sigaw ng dalawa.
“SHUT UP!” Sabi ko agad sa dalawa. Ramdam ko pamumula ng mukha ko.
“Hindi kami!” Sabi ni Lara. “Kusang lumalabas!”
“Automatic reaction!” Dagdag ni Hana.
Napapikit ako.
“Please stop.”
“Hindi kaya,” Sabay nilang sagot.
Si Elena, natawa na naman.
“Are they always like this?”
“Yes,” Sabay-sabay naming sagot.
“HEY!” Sabay reklamo ng dalawa.
“Self-aware kayo,” Sabi ko.
“Proud kami,” Sagot ni Hana.
“Anyway,” Sabi ni Elena, “I was about to grab coffee. Do you guys want to join? My treat.”
Tahimik. Nagkatinginan sila. Tapos-
“YES,” Sabay nilang sabi.
“OF COURSE,” Sabi ni Lara.
“WE LOVE COFFEE,” Sabi ni Hana.
“WE ARE COFFEE PEOPLE.”
Napatingin ako sa kanila.
“Kailan pa?”
“Ngayon lang kasi libre,” Sagot ni Hana.
“Character development ulit,” Dagdag ni Lara.
“Hindi na kayo natuto.”
“Learning process.”
At this time wala nang awkward, wala nang hiya. Puro ingay, puro gulo, puro tawa. Pero habang naglalakad kami
may isang boses na hindi nawawala sa isip ko. Yung sa kanya. Yung lamig. Yung distansya.
At kahit anong pilit kong sumabay sa sayamay parte sakin na gusto siya makausap.