The Love Exchange

iv

*Phone Call*

I grab my phone from the table and answered.

“Hello?”

“Aya, this is Tita Ly.” sagot naman ng nasa kabilang linya.

“Good morning po, Ma’am Ly. May kailangan ka po ba?” in-emphasize ko talaga ang salitang ma'am dahilalam kong ayaw na ayaw niyang tinatawag ko siyang ma'am. Napangisi nalang ako ng makarinig ng 'uhh' sa kabilang linya. Na pi-picture out ko na ang pag irap nito.

“No, but I want to see you here in my office by 20. Is it fine with you?” 20 minutes? Well, hindi naman kalayuan sa resto na kinaroroonan ko ngayon sa opisina niya.

“Okay po. I’m on my way.” Agad kong pinatay ang tawag matapos akong magpaalam sa kaniya.

Tinawag ko ang waiter at humingi ng tubig at bill.

“Thank you.” Huling saad ko pagkatapos mag iwan ng tip. Agad naman akong lumabas sa restaurant at pumara ng taxi.

“Where to, ma’am?” Tanong ng taxi driver sa akin.

“CNO Building 356 Ave.” Sagot ko naman rito at ti-next si Jas at nagpaalam na pupuntahan ko muna si Tita Ly.

A few minutes later

“Thank you.” I paid the driver and quickly exit the cab.

I went inside and was greeted by the staff with a small bow. I did the same to them and continued walking. CNO Company is owned by my manager which is Tita Ly. Actually, her full name is really Angly Montesso Sarmiento. She got married with a well known actor Augustin Sarmiento two years ago.

“Come in” I slowly opened the door and was welcomed by Tita Ly herself.

“Aya!” She said and walked towards me and wrapped me for a hug. I hugged her back and she guided me down for a sit.

“Why did you call me here, ma’am Ly?” She rolled her eyes at my statement.

“You know what, habang kausap kita sa telepono kanina prang gusto kong pagsasabunutan ka.” Banta nito at napatawa naman ako ng wala sa oras.

“I was just messing with you, Tita.” she nodded her head and got out an envelope.

“So, mind telling me what’s inside this envelope, Aya.” I gulped hard as I know enough what was inside it. It was the invitation.

“Well, I just received that a few days ago.” I replied.

“And? What’s your plan?” I looked at her in disbelief.

“What do you mean, tita?” She shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, this involves your personal life, Aya. You decide if you’ll go or not.” I looked down, hesitating.

“I don’t really know, Tita. There’s a part of me that wanted to forgive and forget, though there’s also a part of me that just wanted to leave everything and everyone behind. I saw her walked towards my seat and patted my back softly.

“Aya, in order to move forward, you must face everything. And by everything I mean everything, which includes your bitter past.” I look at her and hugged her tightly letting my tears fall down.

“Shhhh. Let it out. Cry.” I pulled her closer, still crying.

“You know why I chose to manage you aside from someone forcing me to handle your career?” I look up at her wiping the tears on my face.

“What do you mean?” She sighed.

“Just before I saw you auditioning for a modelling company, you caught my attention. You were standing among the crowds. You look so graciously beautiful. Though, someone who has a huge crush of yours ever since, begged me to help you, in short, he asked me to guide you all throughout the way. You now, modelling isn’t really my thing, you’re just an excemption.”

Someone who has a crush on me? That means that person is related to Tita Ly.

“Who is it, Tita?” I asked. She shaked her head in disapproval.

“I can’t tell you just yet. You just have to wait for his appearance, in fact I think you’ve already met him. Now if you may excuse me. Babalik ako kaagad.” She stated and left the room.

“Who could you be?” I whispered to the thin air.

I have decided na maglibot-libot muna sa opisina ni Tita at napagtantong pumunta sa isang mesa na may mga pictures.

I scanned my eyes on the photos until I saw one which really caught my attention. I got a hold of the frame and stared at it thoroughly.

"Ruizo?". I gasped and cover my mouth with my hands.

"Why are you here? Are you somehow related to Tita Ly? How is it possible, you're a Macau.". I mumble to myself, still staring at the photo.

In the photo, there's Tita Ly, with her sister and her sister's husband, a young boy and a young woman. The young boy is Ruizo. How is Ruizo in this picture?

I heard the door opened and close. I turned around and saw Aunt Ly waking to where am standing at.

"What's wrong, Aya? " I put down the frame and walked towards the sofa and sat down.

"Who's that boy in the frame, Tita? " She turned her head to take a look at the frame and turned back at me.

"He's my nephew. ". She replied and sat down opposite.

"How is Ruizo Macau your nephew? " Her eyes widen at my comment.

"You knew Ruizo? " I nodded my head abruptly.

"It's a long story. How did you knew Ruizo, Aya? ". I released a sigh.

"I first knew him when we we're at 4th Grade. I saw him sitting at the swing alone so I talked to him. He said nobody wanted to be his friend , so I volunteered. We became closer and people envy our bond. Till-". I look away, remembering the past.

"Then he left. He left me. And I was left behind with no one to be with. He left without a goodbye.". I whispered. I can feel my eyes tearing up.

"Oh goodness". Aunt Ly exclaimed.

"I just wanted an explanation from him, why he left. Why he left me all alone. " I released a huge sigh at the thought of asking him why he left.

I was so scared back then. I had no one except for myself and my family. Though I wanted him, he's my heaven.