HE WANTS ME (Hendrickson Sy)

Wrong thought

Throughout the remaining office hours, walang segundo na hindi ako patingin-tingin sa relo ko. Ang aking team ay kasalukuyang nagkakaroon ng isang presentation kay Sir Hendrickson, ang CEO ng kompanyang pinagtatrabahuhan ko ngayon na never ko pang na sight-seeing, I mean – nakikita.

Their faces fell when I was confronted. Mas mabilis pa sa kidlat akong tumayo at lumapit sa kanila.

"How was it?" nakangiti kong tanong.

I'm not expecting good feedback kasi ilang buwan ko na rin na papansin that Sir Hendrickson has hidden hatred in my team, pero anyway, good mood ako ngayon.

Weird silang ngumiti sa akin ng hilaw.

"It was good Ms. Brielle, he complimented us.. Well, at least right, guys?" sagot ni Eris na sinusubukang i-cheer up ang team.

"Yeah..." sagot naman ni Joselle.

I smiled at them. "It's okay. Don't let him get the best of you, everyone! Fighting!" I said cheerfully.

They gave me a thumbs-up and that was my cue before running away.

"Elle!" rinig kong tawag sa akin ng pamilyar na boses.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad.

"Elle!" sigaw niya.

Tumingin-tingin ako sa paligid hanggang sa matigilan ang mata ko nang makita ang isang babaeng winawagayway niya ang kan'yang kamay sa akin habang nakangiti ito ng malawaka.

Here we go again...

"Let's go, it's lunch break!" she hooked her arm around my arm.

"I knew it, iyon kaagad ang una mong sasabihin!

"Hindi kaya! Elle kaya ang una kong sinabi!" Inikot niya ang mga mata niya sa akin."

I just laughed at her. Chantria is my best friend or should I say, we grew up together and I had no choice but to be her friend.

Just kidding.

Fashion designer siya tulad ko, kaya sobra akong na-disappointed no'ng nalaman ko na magkasama na naman kami sa iisang kompanya.

Joke lang 'yong part na may sobrang disappointed.

"Natuwa siguro si Sir Hendrickson sa presentation ng team ni Kiana,” sabi niya habang kumakain kami.

Actually, I was too busy thinking about the ring so I didn't realize that our topic was different. Speaking of the devil — I mean Sir Hendrickson, I had never spoke to him within my five years of working here. May mga pagkakataon na nakita ko siya pero laging sulyap! Kung hindi side view, lagi kong naabutan ang likod niya sa tuwing papasok ako. I guess he rarely talk and he was like an invisible boss for me.

Was I too harsh?

Inaamin ko. Yan lang ang mga sentimyento ko dahil palagi niyang pinapagalitan ang team ko. Walong taon na rin ang nakalipas mula nang ilunsad ang kompanya nila, and only a year after it began to boom in the industry until it became one of the most successful and well-known fashion company.

Naabutan ko rin si Ma'am Camila Sy, ang dating CEO three years ago. Iyon lang ang background information na alam ko tungkol kay Sir Hendrickson.

"What was he like, anyway?" I asked curiously.

She looked at me suspiciously.

What the hell, right?

"Hoy ikaw! Siguro may crush kay sa CEO 'no? Well, I know your ideal man, is a mysterious type!" pang-aasar niya.

Tiningnan ko siya ng masama dahil sa lakas ng boses niya. Mabuti na lang mukhang walang nakarinig sa kan'ya. I grabbed the burger and stuffed her mouth.

She choked.

"You and your loudmouth. Kahit kailan talaga!" inis kong sambit.

"Okay, seryoso na. Kahit ako rin naman! I've never talked to him in person, so I really don't know anything about him. Unless... if you force me, why not?" Her eyebrows are moving up and down.

She's teasing me. This girl!

"I don't care," sagot ko sabay titig ko sa kan'ya.

Tria's grin grew even bigger. "Kidding aside, hindi ko pa siya nakikitang lumilingon!"

"Baka may stiff neck," natatawa kong sambit.

"At alam mo ba..."

Mabilis ko siyang tiningnan.

"Oh akala ko ba hindi ka interestedo?" Natuwa siya ng malakas.

Kainis!

Napailing na lang ako habang nakangiti.

Gosh!

Lumapit sa akin si Tria at bumulong. "Sabi nila, certified womanizer daw si Sir Hendrickson, and rumor has it that his girl comes here in the company but Mrs. Lauren Sy doesn't know!"

My mouth formed an ‘O’ what I find out. Good thing Dion is not like him.

The tables have turned!

Got you best friend! "Looks like you're the one who's interested, huh?" saad ko na may halong malisya.

Tumawa siya. "Nahiya ka pa, helpful naman 'yong information ko." She even winked at me.

I’m not really going to win here with this girl!

"Hindi ko naman sasabihin kahit kanino, okay?" Nanlaki ang mga mata niya.

Pfft.

"Don't worry Tria, your secret is safe with me," I teasingly told her.

Naiinis na siya.

"It was all over the news, okay? Kasal na rin siya and duh! I'm not into playboys. Just a big no, no," paliwanag niya.

"I see," I continued teasing her.

Dahil diyan, na balutan na ang isip ko ng pagtataka tungkol sa boss namin. It was as if I had completely forgotten about the ring from Dion.

PATULOY pa rin kaming nag-uusap habang kumakain kami. When I saw her munching some onion rings, then I just remembered the picture of the ring I received from Dion earlier. Gusto ko na lang kurutin ang sarili ko nang muntik ko nang makalimutan ang tungkol doon.

Binigyan ako ni Tria ng confused look nang ipakita ko sa kan'ya ang basag kong cellphone. Parang hindi pa siya makapaniwala sa text message na galing kay Dion. Like, do I like I'm inventing?

Binigyan ko siya ng seryosong tingin bago niyang tiningnan muli ang phone number ni Dion.

She was stunned. "I'm out of words," she said.

"Obviously, your eyeballs just need to zoom-in on the screen." I rolled my eyes.

Makalipas ang ilang saglit...

Our eyes met, and then she slowly smiled until at the same time we stood up and jumped like crazy. Hindi talaga namin pinansin ang mga taong nakatingin sa amin dahil nagmumukha nga kaming baliw. Alam mo 'yong tao na bigla bigla na lang tatawa out of nowhere sa loob ng library? Gano'n ang eksena.

Even against our will, we were forced to sit down because the owner of the restaurant looked at us badly.

"But still... I still really doubt Dion, Elle. How? They're the same as Sir Hendrickson, matinik sa mga babae!" pagbibiro niya.

Napailing na lamang ako. Sanay na ako sa pagbibiro ni Tria tungkol kay Dion dati pa, kaya hinahayaan ko na lang. Hindi ko nga alam kung pinagtitripan niya lang ba ang boyfriend ko o sadyang naiinis lang siya sa kan'ya. She's Dion's number one basher.

"Dion is different. He would never do that to me, I trust him, Tria." I gave her a sweet smile.

"I know. It's just that... there seems to be something wrong..." she paused, then she checked the message again. "Tingnan mo, hindi ka niya tinatawag by 'Hera', right?"

It was expected that she would notice that because even I, was very surprised. I'm not going to lie, I hesitated at first but I realized, it doesn't make any sense to doubt a person over a lame reason. Yes, tinatawag niya akong Brielle, pero hindi 'ton big deal dahil ako rin naman 'yon.

Kahit gano'n, hindi pa rin masusukat ang excitement ko. Mukhang dismayado pa rin si Tria pero kaibigan ko pa rin siya. Naiintindahan ko kung saan nanggagaling ang rason niya. Still, my excitement is immeasurable. She's just worried about me but in the first place, it's not necessary.

I gave her a puppy eyes, "You know, you're just worrying about nothing. Aren't you happy for me?" I felt sad even though my intention was just a joke.

Hinawakan ko ang noo ko nang makaramdam ako ng sakit doon. Kahit kailan talaga sadista ang babaeng ito!

"Yes, yes! I'm really happy, actually. I'm so happy, I look like Pennywise," she said.

Pilit pa rin. "Sa susunod tatawagan ko na talaga si Wesley para maranasan mo ang saya at kamandag ng mga Terrelles," pang-aasar ko sa kan'ya.

I burst out laughing when she gave me a cold look. And last, Tria was speechless. She really hates it every time I'll mention about Dion's cousin.

SAKTONG 2pm, nagpaalam na kami sa isa't isa habang mabilis pa rin ang t***k ng ouso ko dahil sa sobrang kaba. I had a hard time choosing what to wear. Sa huli, pinili ko ang dress na graduation gift sa akin ni Dion. Wala akong chance para sukatin iyon dati, dahil iba ang theme color ng graduation event. I was amazed at how beautiful it was lalo na fit na fit siya sa katawan ko. It's a peach-colored cocktail dress. At the back, its hem was a little longer. I only paired it with white heels.

Nagtatalo ang isip ko kung itetext ko ba si Dion o ano. Sa huli, natagpuan ko ang aking sarili na nakarating sa lokasyon. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko at tila ba hindi nawawala ang kaba ko dahil nas lalo lang itong lumalakas.

Dalawang pamilyar na mukha na magkatapat na nakaupo at kanina pa ako pinagmamasdan. Mga pinsan sila ni Dion. Nagulat man ako ay parang inaasar nila ako dahil agad silang napatayo ng makita nila ako. Although I was shocked, they seem to be expecting me because they immediately stood up when they saw me.

"Hey! What are you doing—" Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko.

"Hera." Harris cut me off.

Kumunot ant noo ko nang mapansin ko na hindi sila makatingin sa akin. Meron silang expression na hindi ko maipaliwanag.

There was a moment of silence and I'm dying of curiousity because they look like they're in mourning. They looked so helpless and I don't even know why.

"Anong nangyayari?" nagtataka kong tanong.

"Nasa dulo sila." Tumingin si Rina at tinuro ang direksyon kung saan madaming tao ang nagkukumpulan. Mas kinagulat ko nang tumingin ako sa gilid ko para tanungin sila muli, bigla silang nawala sa paningin ko.

What's happening?

Halos ma-out balance ako dahil naapakan ko ang sarili kong damit. Ang nakakapagtaka ay biglang tumahimik ang mga nagkukumpulang tao, gumawa sila ng paraan para makadaan ako sa lugar.

Weird.

I really had no idea what Harris was talking about. What's even weirder to me is that I can't stop myself from walking at the end of the path. It was as if my feet had minds of their own. Agad akong napatingin sa relo ko at nang makita kong pasado alas siyete na, tumigil na lang ako doon.

Late na ako!

I roamed my eyes to find Dion, I couldn't concentrate because people were still screaming. It felt like I was in a wrong place. Binuksan ko ang pouch ko para hanapin ang cellphone ko, pero na-realize ko na lang na hinahalikan ko na ang sahig dahil mabangga ako ng isang lalaki. My cheeks heated up when I realized my awkward position. I quickly stood up only to see a familiar face, hugging someone else.

Pinagmamasdan ko ang paligid ko kung namamalikmata lang ba ako pero no'ng makita ko ang nga decorations sa likod nila, at doon ko naramdaman na gumuho ang mundo ko.

No...

He isn't Dion. He's not my boyfriend. Namamalikmata lang ako.

I laughed at myself. Gusto ko nang umatras pero tila ba nanghina ang tuhod ko. Nawala ang lakas ko na mabuka ko ang bibig ko because it felt so numb that even I can already taste my blood, it doesn't hurt at all.

I don't feel anything but emptiness.

I felt the surroundings become quiet, as if I could only see the two of them and no one else. Nang magtama ang aming mga mata, parang gusto kong umatras bigla. Gusto kong umalis sa harap nila. Gusto kong lumayo sa kanya. Gusto kong i-rewind ang mga pangyayari at makinig na lang sa best friend ko.

We just stared for each other... and I've never been this pathetic in my whole life. He seemed to come to his senses and he quickly let go of the hug. Hindi na ako nag-abala pang tingnan ang babaeng kayakapan niya kanina dahil sa inis ko. Naramdaman ko si Harris sa likod ko, hinawakan niya ang likod ko at sinabi niya ang salita na hindi ko ine-expect.

"K-katatapos lang ni Dion mag-propose."

As if on cue, it was like rain falling with tears I thought I could only shed on the day I was happy, but everything I think about now seems like a reality slapped on me face to face. Tumingin ako sa dress na suot ko, madumi at isa sa heel ng sapatos ko ay hindi ko namamalayan na nawawala na pala. Mas nakaramdam ako ng pait nang mapansin ko na nagbubulungan na ang mga tao sa paligid ko.

My eyes started to get blurry, I felt so humiliated, and broken. I averted my eyes and quickly turned my back on them all.

"B-Brielle!" sigaw ni Dion.

Pag naririnig kong tinatawag niya ang pangalan ko, nakakaramdam ako ng galit. Parang ang galit ko ang nagbigay sa akin ng lakas para tumakbo sa ganitong sitwasyon. I wanted so bad to calm my nerves, but my emotions won't let me. Wala akong nararamdaman kundi galit at hinanakit. Paulit-ulit na naglalaro sa utak ko ang eksena. Napahawak ako sa kamay ko nang hawakan ni Dion ang braso ko.

"Let me go," I said coldly.

Nang mapansin niya ang seryoso kong boses, dahan-dahan niyang binitawan ang kamay ko.

"Brielle... I-Im sorry," sambit nito.

I just stared at him blankly. "Since when?" tanong ko.

He suddenly looked so miserable. He has no right.... Bakit? Mahirap ba ma-explain? O dahil ba ito ay magmumukhang masyadong pilit?

"I... I just felt it. I love her, Brielle. Forgive me..." Kitang-kita ko sa mukha niya ang pagsisisi, pero wala pa rin akong nararamdaman. Hindi man lang ako naapektuhan.

Kumusta ako?

"So, ano 'yon? You just fell out of love?"

"I tried... you know, I really tried, Brielle... Please..." sagot niya at sabay luhod niya sa harap ko.

Nang marinig ko ang dahilan niya, parang gusto kong matawa sa sobrang sakit na dulot nito.

"Godd*mn it, Dion! I'm ot st*pid! Why can't you just say that it was your choice to cheat on me! That's all!" sigaw ko sa kanya.

"I'm sorry... Please, Brielle... Believe me," sinubukan niyang hawakan ang mga kamay ko. "I loved you, God knows how much I've loved you! B-but it has to end..."

It has to...

Pain washed through me as I buried my face to hide my tears. "W-why... Why, Dion?"

Tinitigan niya ako ng malungkot at tumayo. May inilagay siya sa palad ko at nang makita ko iyon ay parang mas lalo akong nagising. "We were happy, we felt like it will be a happy ending for us...” sabi niya.

Lalo akong napahagulgol nang makita ko ang locket na binigay ko sa kanya noong naging official na kami. Binuksan ko at nakita ko ang mukha ko, napailing ako.

"I can't... Dion, we can still fix this. Please! Maawa ka sa akin!" pagmamakaawa ko sa kanya.

"I don't deserve someone like you, Brielle.... I don't want you to suffer like this, so please!" Narinig ko siyang humikbi. "Hate me, kalimutan mo ang isang tulad ko... Gusto kong maging masaya ka..."

"I f*cking hate you!" Nanginginig kong turo sa kanya. "I... I trusted you, Dion! Mahal na mahal kita..." Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko.

Sobrang sakit na muntik na akong mawalan ng malay. Nakita ko siyang dahan-dahang lumuhod sa harapan ko. Lalo lang akong naiirita sa galit.

"Yeah! You don't really deserve me, Dion! Because you're a cheater! H-hindi mo man lang ako naisip? Wala... Wala kang kunsensya!" sigaw ko.

He tried to hold me several times, but I stubbornly refused and shove his hands away from me.

"Please... Forgive me," he pleaded.

"Let me go—" Nagpumiglas ako nang hawakan ako ni Harris.

"Enough, Hera..." sabi ni Harris.

Naikuyom ko ang sarili kong kamao. "Harris... y-you knew? All along, you all knew..." galit kong sabi, matagal na nila akong niloloko.

Hindi na siya umiwas ng tingin sa pagkakataong ito. Pero ramdam ko ang awa niya sa akin, and I hate it. Lumapit ako sa babae ni Dion. Lalo akong nainis nang makita kong nag-smirk siya sa gawi ko, doon na ako nawalan ng kontrol.

"Hi, Pasampal ha?" sabi ko sa kanya sabay fake smile.

"Tumigil ka, Brielle!" sigaw niya sa akin.

Nakarinig ako ng buntong-hininga at lalo pang sumigaw si Dion sa akin. Nang maramdaman kong lumapit siya ay hindi niya inaasahan ang mas malakas kong sampal. Hinawakan ko yung kamay na namumula, natawa ako ng konti. "Gosh, it felt so good."

Hinanap ko ang pouch ko at kalmadong inayos ang sarili ko. Namamaga ang mga mata kong binigyan ng malamig na tingin ang bawat isa sa kanila. Sandaling nagulat silang lahat. Kasabay ng pag-ihip ng hangin ay ramdam ko ang pagsunod nila sa aking mga galaw. I noticed a little cut on the hem of my dress, I think I got it earlier when I was having trouble. I don’t know what went through my mind and tore it up.

Pagkatiklop ko nito ay lumapit ako sa babae ni Dion na ngayon ay hindi maipinta ang mukha. Hinawakan ko ng marahan ang mukha niya, saka marahang diniin ang pisngi niya gamit ang hinlalaki ko.

"I'm sorry, your lipstick was smudged," I wiped her lips.

I heard sighs, their breathing hitched for a moment.

"Everyone, the show is over. Hera Brielle Merrick is the name, don't you dare forget." That was when I gave them an emotionless look before I made my exit.