Walls between us

“What do you think, Architect Amora?” Dad asked. We’re having a meeting and apparently, I wasn’t paying attention. That’s why he asked for my opinion. “It’s great. The interior design matched the color of the house,” I simply said. “That’s it?” “Yes. A house with a four bedroom is good for a big family. Especially if it’s spacious. And the veranda part, it was my favorite,” I lazily said. “How much do you think it is?” He raised his brow. “23 million is good for a friendly budget. But in my estimated price… maybe, 25 million?” He smiled at my answer. Bakit ba sa akin tinanong iyon? It’s not even part of my job. “Ah-huh, you got it all right, Architect Amora. Now, I want you to handle our one of our biggest project in Bataan.” My jaw dropped. At least give me a rest, gosh. It’s like, everyday may new project! Okay lang sana if it’s just a simple project, but no! Malalaking project ang ibinibigay. But there is a part of me na masaya. More project, more money, it is. He discussed some more things before he finally dismissed us. Kaagad akong lumabas at dumiretso sa office ko. Ugh, finally, makakapagpahinga na! That meeting longed for an hour and it was so boring. Sumilip ako sa bintana at napangiti ako nang mapansin kong ang ganda ng panahon! Sunny day! I just continued doing my unfinished plates since the weather brings back my mood! What a day to feel motivated. I will just give myself a reward because I’m becoming a workaholic day by day. Nang nae-enjoy ko na ang ginagawa ko ay siyang pagsunod-sunod na tunog ng cellphone ko. Siguradong nagkayayaan na naman ang mga impaktita. Employed girlies; Daphne: tomorrow, 5 pm at my condo. Sage: oh, anong gagawin namin sa condo mo? Daphne: magdadasal Valentine: gaga HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Daphne: ano pa ba? Edi syempre nom Sage: ang hirap naman mag pass! Me: pass. Valentine: ayan na ang laging pass. Daphne: bukas lang naman, ria. Hindi mo pa ba pagbibigyan? Me: hectic ng sched ko :(( but I’ll try. Sage: Ayan ang gusto ko sa ‘yo Ria, e! I just rolled my eyes and pinatay na ang phone ko at pinagpatuloy na ang ginagawa ko. 4:30 nang matapos ako kaya inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko para umuwi when my phone vibrated. My friend Shaun texted me na pumunta raw siya sa qc dahil may failed daw at may iibahin. Napahilamos ako sa mukha ko. Pupunta ako ngayon doon to see kung anong ipapalit niya. I was walking down the street, not minding everyone. The rain was falling so heavily at parang galit ito. It got me irritated because I don’t have an umbrella with me. Luckily, I stopped by the store dito sa tapat ng school namin dati. Sa rami ng lugar dito sa Quezon City, bakit kailangang dito pa ako ma stuck?! Ah, I hate my life! At isa pa, ang ganda ng panahon kanina! Ngayon uulan. Ang ganda pa nang mood ko kanina tapos ngayon masisira dahil sa ulan na ‘to. Kainis! Lumabas muna ako since it has a bench outside the store, at nasasakupan parin ng bubong kaya hindi ako mababasa rito. I looked back at my things, at napapikit na lang ako sa inis. Ugh! My bag is so wet! I used it earlier as an umbrella kasi, that’s why. Pero ang mahal kasi no’n! “Tumigil ka na,” I whispered, pertaining to the rain. I sat down at the bench at wala akong ibang choice but to watch the rain, I looked up only to see a black clouds who’s like having a revenge. I saw the kids from the school in front of this store, enjoying the rain. Naliligo sila sa ulan at ang saya-saya nila. How I wish I could enjoy things like this again. I used to love the rain, but now, it’s giving me a heartache. I shook my head with that thought. Ano na naman bang pumasok sa utak ko at naisip ko ‘yon. Biglang may dumaang sasakyan at tumalsik papunta sa akin ang tubig ulan! Ugh! Naka-white polo ako! May putik putik pa! Ano ba naman ‘yan, akala ko pa naman magiging best day ‘to! When I’m about to scream, my phone suddenly rang. When I saw the caller, I answered it immediately. It’s Shaun, sigurado magka-dikit na kilay nito ngayon kahihintay. E, kainis na ulan kasi ‘to, eh! [Hoy, nasaan ka na?! Kanina pa kita hinihintay rito, oh!] I moved my phone away from my ear dahil sumisigaw ‘to sa kabilang linya! “I got stuck! Ang lakas ng ulan, wala pa akong payong! Ayoko naman maligo nang ulan kasi baka magkasakit ako, kawawa naman ako, ‘di ba?” Tuloy-tuloy na sabi ko para hindi na siya makapag reklamo [Daming sinabi, ah? Hindi na lang sinabi na malakas ang ulan.] Masungit na sagot niya. [Dito rin naman umuulan. Nasaan ka ba? Sunduin na kita!] Aba, malamang! Alangan namang umuulan dito, roon hindi. Akala mo naman napakalayo niya rito, ha. “Seryoso ka ba? Nakakahiya! Nandito lang ako sa convenience store sa tapat ng Castillo High,” [Nahiya pa— Castillo high?!] from his tone, alam kong nagulat siya. [As in?!] “Ano naman? Bilisan mo na nga!” Iritang sagot ko, I rolled my eyes pa even though he can’t see me. [Sus, oo na! Diyan ka lang, ha? Huwag kang aalis diyan, papunta na ako] He said and ended the call. I just waited for him like what he said. While I was waiting, I scrolled down a bit on my i********:. I also received a text from my Mom, but I just ignored it. Alam ko it’s just about our project sa Bataan. I saw a lot of posts from my friends, living their lives in peace, to the fullest. Posting their wedding pictures, such things like those. While me, turning 29 next month and still has no plan. As long as I have money, I don’t care. As long as I can buy things without looking at the price tag, I don’t care. Maybe I’m the happiest when I’m alone. With a dirty top, tumayo ako to buy bottled mineral water dahil nauhaw ako kahihintay kay Shaun. Thirty minutes din yata ang byahe mula rito hanggang doon sa firm namin. I was about to pull the door but someone pushed it kaya natumba ako. Ugh! Ano ba namang araw ‘to! Puro kamalasan na lang ba?! Nahulog pa ang mga gamit ko! Nakakairita! Tumayo ako at pinulot ang mga gamit. The person also helped me pero hindi ko pinansin sa inis. Puwede naman itulak nang mahina! “I’m so sorry! I’m really in a hurry,” My body suddenly froze when I heard his voice. After all so many years, all the memories came back. It cannot be him. No. “It’s… it’s okay,” I simply said, trying my best not to stutter. Papasok na sana ako when he suddenly grab my arm. Marahan akong napapikit bago ko siya tignan, only to confirm who really he is. He looks more manly than before, yet looks miserable. I don’t know what to feel, pero galit ang nananaig. Marahan at parang gulat ang tingin niya sa akin. His awful eyes screams so many questions. “Laurene…” He says my name.