07
1675 Words
from Alaire Ezekiel:
Its on me, I'll pick you up.
Nanlaki ang mata ko nang mabasa ang reply niya. Halos mahulog din ang panga ko at di makapaniwala sa nakita.
Hindi pwede yon, hindi siya pwedeng pumunta dito, makikita siya ng mga katulong, driver, at trabahador dito sa bahay na tiyak ay magsusumbong kila mom at dad.
Hindi pwede yon, wala pa, at wala pang nag badyang lalaki na pumasok o bumisita man lamang dito sa bahay.
to Alaire Ezekiel:
Ezekiel hindi pwede, makikita ka ng mg katulobg namin.
I straightforwardly said, hindi naman talaga pwede iyon. Nakita ko pa lamang ang reply niya at namuo na agad ang kaba sa loob ko. Iniisip pa lang kung sa papa-anong paraan ako gagalitan ng magulang ko.
Napa-igtad ako nang tumunog ang cellphone ko at agad ko itong tingnan.
from Alaire Ezekiel:
Ano naman?
Napapikit ako ng mariin at napabuntong hininga.
"May kakulitan ka rin pala." I mumbled before proceeding on typing a reply.
to Alaire Ezekiel:
Kapag nakita ka nila, sasabihin din nila kila mom and dad na may lalaking sumundo sa akin. At never, never, not even once, na may lalaking pumunta dito para lang sunduin kami ni Ellie.
to Alaire Ezekiel:
So I suggest na sabihin mo nalang kung saan tayo magkikita, and what time.
I put down my phone and sigh.
Its foods, kakain kami, masamang tumanggi sa grasya. And I haven't tried foods from other places. Its always the school food or the fancy restaurant's foods.
I wonder kung anong pakiramdam kapag andun na kami.
I suddenly felt excitement explode in my body.
May kwek-kwek kaya dun?! Turon? Maruya? The thing they called betamax? And the other street food I can't try because I can't even go anywhere after school like my classmates, cause our driver is always there, leaning by the van and waiting for us.
from Alaire Ezekiel:
Buendia Food By The Court, 3pm, is that okay?
I pursed my lips as I look by the ceiling, Buendia? Food By The Court? Now where is that place?
I shake my head, removing those thoughts before typing a reply
to Alarire Ezekiel:
Sure! I'll be there!
from Alaire Ezekiel:
Great, see you tomorrow then. Goodnight Angel!
to Alaire Ezekiel:
Goodnight!
I immediately jump out of bed right after I hit send, I rush to my bedroom door and run through the hallway of our house and stopped by Ellie's door.
"Ellie?" I called while knocking, it took me 2 calls and several knocks before the door opened.
Ellie look at me with furrowed brows, her headphones around her neck.
"Lets talk, dali!" I said and push her in her room and close the door.
"Anong trip mo Angel?" Tanong niya nang maka-upo sa kaniyang swivel chair. Napa-upo ako sa kaniyang kama at napabuntong hininga.
"Can you cover up for me tomorrow afternoon and night?" I said, playing with my hands and my head hang low.
"W-What was it again Angel? I can't quiet hear it. Did you just said to cover up for you?" She said and my head snap up. Frustration suddenly printed all over rmy face before I throw myself on her bed and let out a frustrated grunt.
"Ellie... yes, kasi... kasi I'm going to Buendia Food By The Court, but the thing is I'm not familiar to that place! I should be there by 3pm, and I don't know until what time I will or can be. Hindi pa nga ako nakakapag paalam." I exclaimed, feeling so frustrated just by the thought of asking mom and dad for permission.
"Huwag kana mag paalam." My eyes snap up at Ellie's direction as I see her sitting comfortably on her swivel chair. One knee up to her chest and one is hanging down.
"Hindi ko naman pwedeng gawin yon. Hahanapin ako nila mom and dad." I said and she scratch the back of her head.
"Gustong mo bang hindi ka payagan?" She ask and I pouted before sitting down on her bed.
"Siyempre gusto, kaso... I don't know how to ask permission." I said and I hear Ellie laugh.
"Kaya nga cover up, you did that to me for several times already. Its time for me to pay sa lahat ng pagtatakip mo sa akin." She said and I pouted.
We sat there silently for few seconds until I got an idea.
"What if sabihin natin na magkasama tayo, then lets leave the house. You can go anywhere, then text nalang tayo if uuwi na." I said and she squinted her eyes before shaking her head.
"Papasamahan nila tayo sa isang driver. No." She said and I pouted.
Again for few moments, I try to think of an excuse for less risk of getting caught or scolded.
"What about... lets say school project?" I ask and she rolled her eyes.
"They will pull the, 'Do it here then' card. Ellie naman, parang hindi kana nasanay sa dalawang yun." She said and I pouted.
"I just want less risk na mahuli ako. Ellie, its my first time going out with someone else na hindi dapat makita ng kahit sino." I said and I saw how Ellie furrowed her brows.
"Someoene else? So you're not alone in this?! Oh my God Angel! I'm your sister! Tell me who it is!" She exclaimed and I immediately cover her mouth.
"Don't be too loud! Baka may makarinig sayo!" I scolded her and she rolled her eyes.
"So sino nga?" She calmly ask this time.
I look down and took a deep breath, "Si Ezekiel, he had been... well, he asked me if pwede daw ako yesterday but I said I can't. He also helped me a lot of times na, so I think I should really pay him some time." I said and Ellie slowly nod.
"Gosh, Angel, you're really an angel. Hindi mo gets ang mga bagay-bagay sa mundo." She said and I squinted my eyes.
"What do you mean?" I confusedly ask, she look at me and chuckle before shaking her head and standing up.
"Go to your room na, I'm doing something. Sleep cause you need it." She said before pulling me up and push me out of her room. I cant protest anymore and just let her push me out of her comfort place.
I lay down on my bed before letting out a frustrated sigh.
If I'm gonna sneak out, I want it to be less risky and dangerous. I don't want my life to end like this.
I've been laying down there for minutes when suddenly I got an idea. And I know this is the most not so risky excuse I can do.
The for almost an hour I'm facing my laptop, taking down some notes and information. Its part of my excuse and I made sure I don't mess up anything.
The next morning I woke up early and took a body wash early. I'll just wash my hair later. I also took another glance on the paper from last night before heading out my room. Me and Ellie bumped to each other by the hallways and she gave me a teasing smile which made me pout.
We went down and eat breakfast with mom and dad.
When I saw that everyone is in the middle of their meal, I put down my utensils and fake coughed.
"Mom, dad, I have to say something." I said and catch both of their attention. I even saw from my peripheral vision on how Ellie look at me with confused eyes.
"Anything for my princess." Mom softly said and I nod.
"Have you heard of Guillermo Group and Company?" I ask and I immediately saw how dad squints his eyes.
"Yes, and mahirap silang maka-usap. Their... company is so strict when it comes on contracts or even meetings. Why did you ask?" Dad said, looking at me with piercing eyes.
I took a deep breath, "Well... their only son, Alaire Ezekiel Guillermo is a friend of mine. From the past foundation day in our school, we have gone closer as friends, and yesterday, or the other day rather, he ask me if we can hang out and have some talk and foods. I'm wondering if you need me to tell him anything regarding business..." I paused and took a deep breath.
"I heard that there are currently 4 projects on going from their company. One for a factory, one for a plantation, one for a restaurant, and one is still unsure but there was a rumor that they are planning to launch another product. I'm wondering... they're gonna start a plantation? And that plantation... will compete with our farm in the charts and market, don't you think we should get involve there?" I ask, I saw how dad adjusted his glasses and before he can even speak I once again opened my mouth.
"And by having a so called 'hang out' with their son... I can also... or may also talk about business with him. I can ask him more about their project, more about the plantation, and find out information if what are their plans or what type of plants or products they will sell. We can see if the plantation is really meant to compete against us. But that can only happen, if you let me go with him later 3pm." I confidently said. Dad slowly nod and once again adjust his glasses.
"That's a good one Angel. I'm impressed on how you got interested in our business." He said and I nod,
"Thanks dad." I said and gave him a smile.
"That's a pretty good idea. I have also heard about it. And if I can't have a meeting with them. Lets do your plan." He said and I tried to conceal my excitement that they will let me go. Mom and dad look at each other before nodding.
Dad look at me, "Lets do your plan Angel. Go talk to their son and make sure he will agree on that."
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- Writer
