Between Hate and Love

Chapter 24

Hindi ko alam kung narinig ni Khal lahat ng sigaw ni Sarah, pero siguro dahil sa facial expression ko at sa sinabi ko ay alam niya na kaya ako lumabas sa kwarto ay dahil kay Sarah.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

I did not say anything.

“I need you to stay with me, Ms. Reyes. Marami tayong gagawin, and it will not be efficient kung palagi kitang tatawagan para pumunta rito,” Khal explained. Alam ko naman ‘yon, pero kasi, ang hirap kumilos kasama si Sarah.

“I’m sorry, Sir, if I’ll be complaining. Mahirap lang talagang pakisamahan si Sarah. I don’t know if she’s your girlfriend, Sir, or if she’s someone so special to you. But can you at least, please calm her down and refrain from being a brat and spoiled? Forgive me, for my wordings, Sir…”

Nauubos talaga ‘yung mahaba ko’ng pasensya dahil sa babae na ‘yon. I saw Khal smirked, but I wasn’t so sure about that.

Khal did not admit nor denied that Sarah was his girlfriend, but he did acknowledged that she had an attitude.

“Come, I’ll talk to you about it over lunch.”

I couldn’t help feeling weirded out a bit. He really was nicer! What was happening to the world? Hindi ako sigurado kung matutuwa ba ako. What was even wierder was the fact that I was weirded out by his kindness.

Kailangan ko na yata ng pahinga dahil pakiramdam ko ay nababaliw na ako.

Love is crazy.

We went to the cafeteria, and even though it was already lunch time, they were still serving breakfasts. It was included in everything that Khal paid for.

“I know Sarah is a hard-headed girl,” Khal began as we sat in front of each other on a two-seater table, with foods between us, like it was just a casual day. I couldn’t help staring and admirining him, and just process the fact that we were eating together in a beautiful hotel with a grandeur view of beach.

“She is a spoiled brat,” I commented. “I mean… she is, Sir.”

Napalunok ako. I should know my place right now and Khal was still my boss because of this business trip, so I should keep my calm and I should talk to him with respect.

“Her moher died two years ago. She coped up for the past two years, by being how she is now. She may seem tough, but she still has a mind of a teenager,” Khal explained.

I knew about that already, but he thoroughly explained to me everything. Until the only feeling I had for Sarah was pity.

“She got through everything by being that tough, not letting anyone in, and bossing around everyone else.”

Sarah was an only child and losing her mother had a great impact on her and her father. She became bitchy, she did not became friends with anyone anymore since she feared getting attached and then being left behind. She had her issues. Just like everyone else.

“She kind of… remind me of you,” Khal admitted, which made me raised my brows immediately. But I composed myself again.

“What do you mean… Sir?”

Khal did not answer. He shook his head.

We had a few seconds of silence until I spoke my mind. “Do you think it’s alright to act that way because you are hurting?”

“We all do the unimaginable when we are hurting,” tugon ni Khal.

I sighed. “Someone should tell her that there are other ways to save her heart from breaking…”

“Like, what? Leaving everyone else behind so you don’t break your heart, but break somebody else’s heart?” tanong ni Khal. Sa tono niya pa lang, alam ko na’ng hindi na si Sarah ang pinag-uusapan namin.

I finshed my mac and cheese along with my garlic bread quietly.

Yes. Mali na naman ako. Dapat hindi na naman ako nagsalita.

“Just keep up with her for a week. Don’t worry, I’ll pay you an extra for this business trip.”

Tumango ako at saka siya tinanong kung may iba pa ba kami’ng gagawin sa araw na iyon bukod sa dinner meeting mamaya.

“Nothing, just take all the rest you need today.”

Nang matapos kami ay nagpaalam ako’ng pupunta malapit sa beach.

It was my first time na pumunta sa beach. I’ve never been to one, and I remembered back then how much I often talk to Khal about going to a beach someday.

I was already wearing a slippers, and when my feet reached the sand, I removed it and enjoyed the white and brown grains that massaged my feet.

The wind was now warm and there were a few people enjoying the waves. The water was blue and I only allowed myself to stand at the shore, not minding the sun shining above. All I felt was the water and how much it was hitting my skin.

Takot ako sa tubig. Takot ako sa lalim ng dagat. Takot din ako sa mga lamang-dagat. Pero malakas ang loob ko na mag-aya noon because Khal would surely take care of me. Now, it was happening. Kasama ko siya sa isang beach, kaso for business naman.

Well, I guess that was enough than nothing at all.

The depth of the sea was scary. You adore it because you were enchanted by the beauty of its surface, but there were greater things down below, only if you’re brave enough to dive for it.

Maybe it was the same thing I had with Khal before. I loved him for his surface, and when I was going deeper, I got scared. I feared how much I would dive for him, because what if the beauty beneath him was something that I didn’t deserve?

Nang masakit na ang balat ko ay nagdesisyon na ako’ng bumalik sa loob ng hotel. Glady, Sarah was not inside the room anymore, so I was able to take a shower and changed my clothes.

I sat on the couch and checked the ipad if Khal had new messages. Then, I found a message from Mr. Sangson.

From: sangsonJ@gmail.com

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to extend my sincere gratitude for the kindness and care you have shown towards my daughter. It brings me great joy to hear her speak so fondly of you and the support you have provided. Your presence in her life has undoubtedly made a positive impact, for which I am truly grateful.

However, I would like to address a delicate matter with you. While I deeply appreciate your attention to my daughter, I feel it is important to ensure clarity in your intentions. If your feelings towards her do not mirror her own, I kindly request that you communicate this openly and honestly with her. Such transparency will prevent any potential misunderstandings and spare her unnecessary heartache.

In the spirit of genuine care and respect, I ask that you continue to treat my daughter with the same level of consideration and dignity that you have displayed thus far. If your feelings for her are genuine, I urge you to regard her as the mature, capable woman that she is, rather than merely as a girl.

Regarding my professional aspirations, I am wholeheartedly committed to the prospect of working under your esteemed company. Please rest assured that there are no terms or conditions that would impede this opportunity.

Respectfully Yours,

Mr. Sangson