IV: YOU CAN CRY ON MY SHOULDERS, BABE
1092 Words
IV.
Kinagabihan ay tinawagan ni Aryana ang kanyang sekretarya na kasalukuyang nasa New York to mand their new branch of the D’ Chrysanthemums. Hindi nya kasi mahagilap ang kaibigan at kasosyo, marahil ay pinagtataguan na naman sya nito dahil paniguradong may kalokohang nagawa o dili naman kaya ay nagmumukmok dahil iniwan na naman ng dyowa.
“Hello Trisha, how’s everything going on there?”
“Everything’s great, Miss Fuentes. How are you?”
“Hey Trish, how many times did I ask you to drop the formalities? You’re making me an old lady.” Napangiting saad nya dito. Ilang beses na kasi nya itong sinuway sa pagtawag sa kanya ng Miss Fuentes sa tuwing kakausapin nya ito, ngunit sige pa rin ang babae.
“Okay, okay, Aryana, you don’t have to get mad at me.” Paglalambing na nito. “But how are you, really?”
“Great, thanks. Is Jake there?”
“No, he went to meet a client for lunch. Do you have a message?”
“Yes please. Tell him to call me once he gets back. And is there anything you need me to sign? Any documents needed now or can it wait for a few more days?”
Their call lasted for about an hour. She went through to all the details for the new dresses and other accessories that they’re launching next month. “I really need to go back to New York or to Pittsburgh.” She thought.
“Oh, he’s here. I’ll pass the phone. I’ll go over with the details now Aryana then I’ll send shoot you a IM before sending you the email.”
“Thanks Trish.”
“Hey love, how’s Pinas?”
“Eto, Pinas pa rin, wala pa ring ipinagbago.” Malungkot nyang turan.
“Why the sad tone, love?” pansin ni Jake.
“A lot is happening that I don’t think I can handle for the moment.” Naiiyak nyang tugon.
“Then come back here for now and take a breather. And anyway, so sorry to hear about your dad. I wish I was there with you.”
“It’s okay, dad is free from all aches and pains now. I still miss him and I’m so ashamed for what I did.”
“That’s understandable love, and I bet your dad loves you so much. Ikaw ang nag-iisa nyang taga-pagmana.” Anito.
“Yeah, I’m the sole heiress but if I don’t get married to my former bodyguard, I’ll lose everything.” Hikbi nya. “And the worst thing is that half of it will go to him.” Hindi na maampat pa ang pagtulo ng kanyang luha habang naglalabas ng sama ng loob sa kaibigan.
“Is he that bad looking that you’re crying right now?” curious na tanong ni Jake. He remembers that she told him before that she was inlove with his bodyguard but he ignores her all the time, that’s why she decided to study in the US.
“Not that, but…..” napahagulgol na ang dalaga. Hinayaan lang naman sya ni Jake na iiyak ang sakit na nararamdaman. He knows how painful it is to be rejected by the one you love. “Sorry, sa iyo pa ako naglalabas ng sama ng loob.”
“I’m happy that you talk to me about your current situation love. Come back here for a while and let’s figure out how you can get out of that marriage arrangement.”
Hindi sya nakaimik. “Or you can think about it first. You can decide what to do later. The Chrysanthemum is waiting for you. We’re waiting for you.”
“Thanks, best. I’ll be there soon before the launching of our new products. I have some stuff that needs to be addressed first before I can head there and see you.”
Iniba na ni Jake ang topic upang hindi na sya malungkot. Ilang sandal pa ay tawang-tawa na sya sa mga ibinabalita ng kaibigan patungkol sa mga nakakasalamuha nitong mga artista. Karamihan sa kanilang mga kliyente ay mga bigtime actresses and actors kaya naman nag-iisip sila na mag-branch out sa Hollywood.
But everytime she paused to take a breath from laughing, his scent lingers to her nose. As if he’s just a few steps from her, and hindi nga sya nagkamali, dahil paglingon nya sa kanyang likuran ay anroon ang lalaking bumabagabag sa kanyang puso’t isipan. Ang masaklap ay makulimlim ang mukha nito. Tinaasan nya ito ng kilay na mas lalong nagpakulimlim sa mukha nito. She grinned at him just because she just feels like it.
Napabusangot ang dalaga nang muling ibalik ang atensyon sa kausap sa telepono. Ngunit sa halip na boses ng kaibigan ang marinig ay ang mahinang pagtunog na lamang na hudyat na wala na syang kausap sa telepono. Asar na tumayo na sya upang pumunta na lamang sa kanyang silid ng mabangga sya sa dibdib ni Jeffri. Alam nyang si Jeffri ito dahil nakamarka na sa kanyang pang-amoy ang amoy ng cologne na gamit nito.
“What the hell?” aniyang nagulat. Nakita rin nya na hawak nito ang cord ng telepono na natanggal sa saksakan. Ito pala ang dahilan kung bakit naputol ang usapan nila ng kaibigan.
“The phone’s on fire, babe.” Pang-aasar pa nito.
“Ugh!” tanging sagot na lamang ng dalaga pagkatapos at dumiretso na sya sa kanyang silid. Doon sana nya balak na ituloy ang naudlot na usapan nila ni Jake ngunit ipagpapabukas na lamang nya. Nawalan na sya ng ganang makipag-usap kahit kanino.
Hindi na nya nakita pa ang paglamlam ng mga mata ng binata. Nakalugong pumasok na rin ito sa inuukupang silid sa mansion ng mga Fuentes. Gusto nyang isipin na wala syang pakialam sa nais gawin ng dalaga sa buhay nito ngunit kahit anong pagtanggi nya ay naroon pa rin ang katotohanan na mahalaga ang dalaga sa kanya.
No one knows that he has a fiancée back in the US but he chose to break up the engagement when Don Crisanto ask him to come home and marry his daughter. At that time, he can’t find a good reason why he said yes to babysitting Aryana Fuentes. He has his life well planned after six years of no communication with the Fuentes family. But only one name, one person, can shatter all the resolves he had made for years.
And now, he is here. But does he really belong here? Can he make a home here with her? Will she ever accept him as a lover?
- Writer
