Complicated Love Affair

Chapter 04

Lorenzo

Nandito ako ngayon sa office ko para magpahinga dahil kakatapos ko lang maglibot libot sa bawat barangay ng munisipalidad namin. I admit that it’s a bit tiring thing to do but I have to ensure all is well.

Hindi pa nga nag-iinit puwetan ko dito sa kinauupuan ko bigla naman ulit pumasok ‘yung secretary ko. “I told you to not entertain visi-“

I took a deep sigh when I realized that the person who came in isn’t my secretary, it was Harry! Nag angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya at napailing na lang ako.

“Bro, long time no see ah!” Nakangising salubong nito sa akin sabay ngisi. Tss. Maka long time no see kala mo naman one year kaming di nagkita eh isang linggo lang naman!

Napangiti ako nung maisip ko na hindi pa nga pala alam ni Harry kung anong nangyari after he left during that day, in the coffee shop. I know he somehow interested to know Essie knowing that she came from manila and chose to stay here in province but I can also feel that he has a secret crush on Shaina, Essie’s friend and his old employee.

“You know what, Shai left after you left too, I wonder why, something like a coincidence, isn’t?” What I said shocked him and I got his attention.

“No! Wait, you were left with that Estelle?” Gulat na tanong niya at parang interesadong interesado siyang malaman ang mga nangyari nung araw na yo’n.

“No, no! Lorenzo!”

“Don’t tell me you are interested with that Estelle ha?” Sambit niya pa at napangiti na lang ako tapos maya maya pa ay lumapit at tumingin siya ng diretso sa akin at ngumisi.

“Well, she is really interesting nga naman, can’t blame you.” Sarkastikong sambit nito kaya tumango ako at napangisi sa sinabi niya.

“Yeah, must agree with that.” Patango tango ko pang sambit sa kaniya.

“But let me just remind you that she’s not the typical girl you like to hang out with.” Maloko at sarkastikong sambit pa niya na parang nang aasar kaya naman nag angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya.

“I know.”

“She’s NBSB, could you believe? That pretty looking girl who look so nice, innocent and smart hadn’t had a boyfriend.” Hindi makapaniwalang kuwento ko kay Harry.

“One thing is for sure, you don’t have a chance on her.” Pang aasar pa nito sabay halakhak kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

“Well, let’s see.” I smirk while still looking at my laptop and checking some emails.

I shook my head and I took a deep sigh. “Okay, that’s enough. I have lots of things to do pa, go get out. Kalalaking tao nito napaka-tsimoso.” Singhal ko sa kaniya kaya humalakhak siya at napa-iling iling na lang.

“Fine, basta ba balitaan mo ko kung may progress ah!” Malokong sambit nito bago lumabas sa opisina ko. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapailing dito kay Harry at sa mga pang aasar niya, hindi ko alam kung suportado niya ba talaga ako eh. Tss.

Napangiti na lang ako nung makaalis si Harry at natuon ang atensyon ko sa schedule ko at nagtaka ako nung makita ko ‘yung note na kasamang nakasulat do’n.

This is about a company’s invitation for me to be there speaker on one of their event and I forgot to send my confirmation to them because of my hectic schedule, I tend to forget things. Buti na lang at ugali ko talagang mag-notes for reminds

I was about to call my secretary to tell her to send confirmation on that event when I suddenly received a call from my other friend, Lucas na matagal ko ng hindi nakikita at nakakausap dahil ilang buwan na din akong hindi nakakaluwas sa syodad.

I gladly answered the called and greeted him. “Hey, Bro, what’s up? What’s with this sudden call, you missing me?” Sarkastiko at pabirong sagot ko sa kanila mula sa kabilang linya.

“G*go! Kapal mo!” Mura pa niya sa’kin kaya natawa ako kasi na imagine ko ‘yung itsura niya kung nasa harapan ko siya ngayon. And I am sure he is cringing right now.

“Anyway, I called because I just..” I heard Lucas on the other line, he seems so hesitant to state his real reason why he called me.

“Because?”

“To invite you to Nadia’s birthday party tomorrow.” He plainly said and a moment silences took over.

“You..”

“You are just kidding me, aren’t you?” Sarkastikong sambit ko sa kaniya. Rinig ko ang malalim niyang paghinga at sandali siyang natahimik.

“No, I am not.”

“Bro, don’t tell me that you hadn’t move-“

“I already moved on, Lucas but I think being there makes no sense at all.” Putol ko sa sinasabi niya at depensa ko pa sa naging reaksyon ko.

“Past is past, that is what you told us.” Sambit pa niya kaya napahinga ako ng malalim at sandali akong napaisip ulit.

“Fine. I’ll check my schedule and think about it.” Sambit ko at agad ko nang binaba ang tawag.

Honestly, I don’t wanna go and see her again but I don’t want her and including my friends to think that I hadn’t move forward. Besides, Lucas is right, past is past already.

Pero hindi ako sigurado kung handa na ba talaga akong makita siya pagkatapos ng mahigpit dalawang taon simula nung maghiwalay kami ni Nadia. She came back to the states when we broke up and I stayed here in the philippines to focus on my career path.

Siya ang nakipaghiwalay sa akin, ginamit niyaang dahilan ang pagkakaiba ng mga landas na gusto naming tahakin para umalis at lumayo sa akin pero sa totoo lang nung mga panahon na yo’n, nararamdaman ko na lahat, ang mga pagbabago sa knaiyaa at alam kong may mali. Hindi naman ako bulag at tanga para hindi makita at maramdaman yo’n eh, hindi rin ako manhid pero nung sinubukan kong ayusin ang lahat at makiusap sa kaniya ay huli na. She doesn’t want anything to do with me anymore and ended everything between the two of us.

Damn! I shook my head as I tried to focus and get back to work but I just couldn’t. Hindi ko alam pero hindi ako mapakali kaya naisipan ko na lang na bumili ng regalo para kay Nadia nakakahiya naman kasi if I’ll go there without anything to offer or just a simple gift. I close my laptop and decided to leave my office early. Pagkalabas na pagkalabas ko pa lang ng opisina ay nagtinginan na sa kin ‘yung mga staff ko na nakasalubong ko at sa tingin ko papunta sila sa office ko kaya nagkasalubong kami sa pinto.

“Cancel all my schedule for the rest of the day, Aira. I have something important to attend to.” Utos ko sa secretary ko na sumalubong sa akin pag bukas ko pa lang ng pintuan ng office ko. Tumango lang siya at nagmamadaling bumalik sa work area niya.

“You can go home early, I’ll go alone.” Bungad na bili ko sa driver ko nung makita ko siyang naka abang sa tapat ng sasakyan ko.

I look at my security as well and signaled them to the same and go home early. Yeah, of course, I am the Mayor but I sometimes prefer to do things alone, quietly without security. Mas malaya kasi akong nakakagalaw kung walang nakasunod at nagbabantay sa akin at saka mas lalo kasing ramdam ng tao ang presences ko kapag gano’n unlike pag wala akong security para lang akong normal na tao sa paningin ng bawat taong nakakasalubong ko.

I started the engine and drove as fast as I can. And it just took me ten minutes and here am I at a nearby perfume store. I'm not fond of scents or perfume but I remember that, Nadia loves it so much. So, ito ang the best gift for her, I guess.

Agad kong nahanap ang scent na hinahanap ko pagoasok ko pa lang sa store kaya naman agad na din akong pumila sa cashier para bayaran yo’n. It was like a vanilla, ít small like Imperial Majesty perfume. Not pricey but not that cheap either and I am sure she’s going to love the scent knowing that she loves perfume and love the scent vanila fragrance.

I smiled as I handed to the cashier my order. “Your girlfriend will surely love this, Sir. That is such a good choice po.” Nakangiting komento niya pa na para bang kinikilig pa siya.

“No, that’s just for a friend.” Nakangiti kong tugon sa kaniya at saka ko pina-swipe ang card ko para magbayad.

I didn’t bother to look at the receipt, kinuha ko ‘yung binili ko at dumiretso ako sa kotse ko. Nakasakay na ko sa driver seat at nalapag ko na ‘yung paperbag sa may passenger seat nung bigla naman dumulas sa kamay ko ang susi ng wallet ko at nahulog yo’n sa sahig kaya pilit ko ‘yung inabot sa sahig ng kotse ko pero imbes na ‘yung wallet ay may iba akong nakapa. It's a one pair earring. What the-“

“Kanino to?!”