Back to where we belong..

I was about to rest when I heard a knock on my door. Kakatapos lang ng stressful meeting with my clients this morning. Which is I think is a good thing for me. Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Faith, my personal assistant. She has been loyal with me since day one, she gained my respect and trust. Dahan dahan siyang pumasok at nginitian ko siya. "Ms Ellie, may appointment po kayo in 20 minutes with Mr. Romero." ''Mr. Romero? Wait, I don't remember the name. Is he outside?" "Yes ms pero may hinihintay din daw po siyang partner." "I see. Let them in at exactly 11am. Thank you Faith." "No worries Ms" malapad.ang kaniyang ngiti. She has this vibe na mapapangiti ka rin. Napasandal na talaga ako sa swivel chair ko. I feel so stressed out all of a sudden. Nag retouch ako ng make up ko at napatingin ako sa sarili ko. I am not as soft as I was before. Ayoko na bumalik sa ganun, yung mahina madaling umiyak. It's already time at kumatok na si Faith sa pinto at muhkang kasama na nito ang bagong client ko. Nagbatian kami at nagkausap sa event na ihohost nila. Mr Romero received a phone call ang looked at me. "My partner arrived. Can we have him here?" He asked "Sure, I'll call my secretary to assist him." Tumawag ako kay Faith para samahan sa office ko yung business partner ng kliyente ko. Kumatok sila sa pinto at kasabay niya pumasok ang taong gusto ko na ibaon sa lupa. This is bullshit! Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko. No, I don't want to be affected by his presence. I stayed cool and as much as possible iniiwasan ko ang eye contact with him. This is purely business so dapat walang feelings involved. "So buddy, this is Ms Lagdameo, the one that I'm telling you about. She is great and very dedicated to work. Isa pa she's so beautiful." He winked at me. Na ikinabigla ko. I saw how his jaw clenched and his expression became darker. "Thank you mr. Romero." Sabi ko nalang sa kaniya "Call me Mark, Ellie. She's great buddy. I'm telling you." Proud na sinasabi niya sa business partner niya. Nakailang projects na rin kasi kami ni Mark. "Of course, I know her." Halos pabulong na sabi niya "Talaga? That is awesome. I guess we will see each other more often then." The meeting ended and we all agreed to the concept and I just closed a deal. Isasara ko na sana ang pinto nang biglang sumulpot siya sa harap ko. "Can we talk?" Seryosong sabi niya sakin. "I thought we already agreed to our deal sir?" Pinipilit kong ipakita na malakas na loob kong harapin siya ngayon. "Seriously? This is about my business with you." Nagtiim bagang siya. Hindi ko na kaya kailangan ko umalis dito. "We don't have any personal business with each other sir so please excuse me." Akmang lalabas na ako nang bigla siyang magsalita. "You're not the same Ellie I knew years ago." Halos mairita ako sa sinabi niyang iyon sa akin. I did change for the better. Malakas ang loob kong tinignan siya sa mata nang wala nang nararamdaman na kahit ano pa man. Galit o awa wala na. I guess I've freed myself from all the hate and unwanted feelings. Is this the prize that I acquired for prioritizing other's happiness? I've grown enough to always be independent. You really can't depend on someone even on your own family. I don't have hate or grudges on someone. I've learned to stay still and hold on to my principles. After years of finding myself and searching for things that will make me happy, there are these little spot in my heart that is still soft for something. I don't know. I don't want to know either. "I'm sorry. I need to go." wala na akong alam pang sabihin. Yun nalang yung natural na lumabas sakin. Sana lang dumating na yung sundo ko. Lumabas ako at nagbabaka sakaling hindi niya na ako masundan ulit. I don't want to face him right now. I just can't. "My so ever gorgeous bestie!" yumakap nalang ang bestfriend ko sakin at inaya ako maglunch. Hindi ko na siya tatanggihan isa siya sa mga rason kung bakit masaya ako ngayon. Tanging siya ang nakakaalam ng lahat ng pinagdaanan ko sa tagal ng panahon na inaahon ko ang sarili ko May mga bagay na kailangan kong harapin ng ako lang. I am responsible for my own action. Yan na yata ang motto ko sa buhay ko. I know I am at my best now. I've changed myself into a better version of me. I won't hold back. I wish....