One Five Three

Chapter 17

Pak!

Isang malakas na tunog ang umalingawngaw sa loob ng hotel room. 'How dare he kissed me?'

Hawak niya ngayon ang pisnging sinampal ko, not looking at me.

"Let me explain. I -"

"Stop it! Get out of this room.", I said sternly said even if my voice is shaking.

"I'm sorry," he said softly then quickly stormed out of the room. The moment he got out, hindi ko na napigilang maluha sa mga nangyayari. This is why you should not meet your ex, I thought to myself.

After calming down, I started packing all my stuff because I can no longer work here. But, today is my last of being professional.

I cleaned up and took a shower. I still need to work!

I arrived at the project site as early as I could get, I managed not to be late. He was not around the office when I came, I was glad I don't have to play pretend.

At lunch, I went to the nearest cafeteria, and there is where I saw him eating with our colleague. I'm guessing a safety officer or a foreman on site. I quickly fall on line so as not to be noticed by them. But after I got my tray of food, Mr. Foreman/Safety Officer called me up. So much for the camouflage huh? I was blaming my arrogant head claiming I won't be noticeable, when there's limited numbers of women in this field. Out of chivalry or pagpapanggap, my ex stood up and approached me and offered to take the tray. I wanted to snub him but different eyes were on us, so I just obliged to avoid hurting his ego or pride. Di ba, ang bait ko? Bat ba ako iniwan nito? Erase.

As soon as I sat down, as if on cue, Mr. Foreman/Safety Officer was called for an emergency meeting and we were left alone in the table.

I sat and eat quietly even though he's just in front of me, waiting for me to finish. He's not even saying anything. After I finished my plate, he spoke "Let's talk later?"

"About?"

"About us. And sa nangyari kanina"

"What's there to talk about?", I'm afraid to even continue this conversation.

"Please? Can we just talk?"

Maybe this is the closure we needed for ourselves to finally move on. I'm not sure if I wanted this but this is what I wanted from him in the past which he could not give. With a fear in my heart, I agreed.

"Thank you, Austin. Let's meet at the coffee shop we went to last time. I'll wait for you there."

The hours were so slow in the afternoon, I wish it won't end. Somehow I find myself wishing there'd be a meteor striking this area right then to avoid talking to him. And as if the destiny is siding with me, I was shocked when I returned at the hotel. A familiar guy was waiting at the lobby, flowers in hand looking at me. It's Angel, in flesh.

"No way! Why are you here?", I smiled as I received the bouquet of red roses.

"I just miss you", he said then hugged me.

"Wala man lang I miss you too dyan?", he pouted.

I sighed, and while I can't reach for words, he added. "Joke lang, ang seryoso mo masyado. I just.. came to pick you up"

I just let out a flat and nervous laugh.

"How did you know tomorrow's my flight?"

"I have my ways", then he winked. Then it dawned on me. 'Ugh. Katrina, you're making my life hard!'

"Have you eaten?"

"No, I was waiting for you but I saw a cozy cafe that you might like. Let's go?"

I was hesitant to go because I had plans with Shaun. I'll just let him know while on the way. I was looking for his number on my phone then realized, hindi ko pa pala nahihingi ang number niya!

I was stoned for a moment when I realized that the cafe Angel is referring to is the one where we agreed to meet and when we entered, Shaun was already there, looking at us, looking at me.