Love Me Again, Sweetheart

Chapter 7

“COME on, it was just a simple celebration. Wala namang ibang pupunta. Tayo-tayo lang ng mga kasamahan natin dati, to introduce you na rin sa mga bagong kasamahan pa natin.” Sabi ni Leah.

Nag-uusap kami pagkarating ko dito sa kanila. I'll be back to work tomorrow and of course; I've got my uniform. The same uniform I've been wearing before since Leah's keeping it in her closet. Mabuti na lang at kasya pa rin sa akin.

I’ll be back to the company owned by Leah’s cousin, where I also worked as a secretary before.

Tamang-tama kasi at naghahanap ng worker si Victor kaya naki-usap si Leah na ako na lang. So far, I passed without an interview and without submitting my resume, my application letter or my biodata. Maybe because I was Leah’s friend and I’ve been working with the company way back.

Xandros is a private detective and their firm was located in front of our building a short distance away from us. Well, Leah told me that he became a private detective already and not just a mere bodyguard at iilan lang ang nakakaalam nun.

“He wouldn't be there, right?” I asked her referring to Xandros. Matalik silang magkakaibigan ni Victor kaya hindi malabong makapunta siya.

“Yeah. Ayaw daw pumunta sabi ni Corazon. He's been very busy tracking someone raw.”

Well, he's literally good at it. But who is he tracking anyway? Nawawala na naman ba si Mildred?

“Hindi naman na-kidnap si Mildred. Sino kaya?” Leah asked out of nowhere.

“Ahh baka may nag-utos sa kanya.” I answered.

“Ewan ko.” Leah said.

Hindi na ako nag-komento pa. Maybe he's been tracking the enemies.

Well, I don't care anymore because it's his life. He can track someone anytime he wants.

“Shall we go later? I'll ask the maids or Ashton to look after your son. Pretty please?”

“Naku, huwag na! Nakakahiya kay Ashton. Mas mabuti pa na kayong dalawa na lang ang pumunta.”

“Ay ayaw ko rin. Gusto ko rin na magka-bonding din tayong dalawa kasi next week back to work na tayo.” Sabi nito. Well, I really thank Leah for helping me to be back on service. And maybe if Xandros and I are still together now, maybe in God's will, I'll pursue becoming a detective too. But that dream with Xandros was long gone, it’s gone the day we parted ways.

“Sige na nga. Saan ba?”

“Syempre sa bar.”

Hindi ko rin pwedeng isama ang anak ko at baka kung ano pa ang mangyari. Halimbawa, matunton kami ng mga taong laging sumusunod sa amin at gawan ako ng masama. At least, safe ang anak ko. It's better that he's with Ashton kasi safe siya sa tabi nito.

Magkasama kami ni Leah na pumunta sa sinasabi nitong bar. Nandoon na ang iba naming kasamahan dati at mga bagong empleyado din na nandito.

Nagpaalam din ako sa anak ko kanina na aalis lang ako saglit at babalik din agad.

“Don't you want to drink?” Tanong ng isa sa mga kasamahan namin pero umiling lang ako. I am not really a fan of drinking hard drinks even soft drinks. Ewan ko ba, I prefer water than those.

“Sige na, ngayon ka lang naman iinom eh.” Sa pamimilit ni Leah ay nakainom nga ako hanggang sa namalayan ko na lang na lasing na pala ako ng konti.

I went to the center and danced with Leah and some of our colleagues. It might be the effect of the alcohol.

Mas dumami ang tao at mas marami ang lumapit sa amin para makipag-sayaw na tinanggihan naman namin.

I don't mind them at all. Until I felt someone's arm holding my arm and his presence from behind. I stilled.

Fear enveloped my whole body, afraid that this might be one of the goons. Ayaw kong gumawa ng eksena pero agad ko naman na hinahanap ang presensya ni Leah para makahingi ng tulong. I badly want to kick the balls of whoever this man was.

Itinaas ko ang mga kamay ko at unti-unti itong hinarap. Ayaw kong magkagulo dito sa loob at baka madamay pa ang iba. Doon kami sa labas magtutuos.

As I faced whoever was holding my arm, I could feel my body stiffened.

Oh no! Tell me I'm dreaming.

Kumukurap-kurap pa ang aking mga mata ng ilang beses para makasigurado because it's not the goons with guns.

Nilusob ng kaba ang buong pagkatao ko.

Xandros!

I can't help but admire him again. He looks more mature and more manly right now than before. Was it because of his few stubbles? I couldn't take my eyes off his handsome face.

Still the same face, the same aura, the same feelings that I have for him. The same heartbeat every time he's near, nothing changes.

I wanted to cry in happiness because here's Spade Xandros Ruston, standing in front of me.

“Maya.” Parang may nag-aawitan na mga anghel nang tinawag niya ang aking pangalan. Why does it sound so sweet kung siya na ang tatawag nun? Why does it feel so different whenever he calls my name?

Leah held my arms but the presence of Xandros caught her attention.

“Oh, hey there, Detective Ruston.” Bati ni Leah.

How should I address him? Should I call him by his name?

“H–Hi, long time no see.” I just said. I sounded like I'm very happy to see him but my heart was aching deep inside.

Aching to hug him, to touch him and to kiss him. Nagsisisi tuloy ako kung bakit pa ako nagsalita eh wala namang nagtatanong sa akin.

Leah became silent too kaya tinignan ko pero wala na ito roon sa kinaroroonan niya. Saan pumunta isang yun? I tried looking for her pero hindi ko na siya mahagilap pa. Where on earth is she? Kanina pa ba siya umalis? Bakit hindi ko namalayan na umalis na pala siya? Sinasadya ba niyang iwan ako rito kasama si Xandros? Humanda talaga sa aking ang babaeng iyon!

But wait, ang sabi niya ay hindi pupunta si Xandros pero bakit nandito ito ngayon?

“Are you with Leah?” I heard him speak. I missed his voice. God, help me. I'll pass out anytime upon hearing his voice.

“Yeah. I'm with her.” I answered him.

“I guess you're drunk. Hmm, alcoholic drinks, umiinom ka na pala ngayon?” Mahinahon nitong tanong sa akin. My feelings for him really never changed. Instead, I fell for him even more. But wait, when did he notice that I didn’t really drink alcohol? Ewan ko!

“Ayaw ko naman talaga sana na uminom pero pinilit ako ni Leah dahil ngayon lang din naman daw ito kaya pinagbigyan ko na. Tsaka hindi ako lasing.” s**t! Why am I even more talkative? And why am I even explaining myself?

Gusto ko na sanang umalis sa harapan niya kasi naiilang ako. He looked at his phone and I saw how his brows narrowed.

“Uhm, excuse me lang ah, I'll just go and look for Leah. It's nice seeing you, bye.” Nalampasan ko na siya at binilisan ang mga hakbang ko pero tinawag niya naman ang pangalan ko kaya ako napahinto.

“Maya, wait.” Oh gosh, that deep baritone voice sent shivers to my whole being.

“Yes?”

“Hazel brought her home already. She passed out at the bar counter while waiting for her drinks. Ang sabi ni Hazel ay i-uuwi na lang daw niya.” I'm disappointed with Leah. How could she leave me here? Humanda talaga sa akin ang babaeng iyon!