Nanatiling tahimik ang hotel room habang nakatayo pa rin ako malapit sa pinto. This man looked exactly the same. From the faint scar above his eyebrow, down to the way his shirt sleeves were folded, the Malcolm way. But something about him just didn’t feel right.
Huminga ako nang malalim. Kalma, Helena. Play along for now. Bilin ko sa sarili.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” sabi ko habang dahan-dahang isinara ang pinto.
Ngumiti siya. “I know. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Lumapit siya sa akin, trying to offer a hug. Nagulat pa ako dahil mula sa likuran ay may dala pala siyang isang bouquet ng red roses.
Umiling ako, saka nagbiro. “Uh-uh. I’m too sweaty from the conference. You don’t want this hug.”
Tumawa siya, pero kitang-kita ko ang disappointment sa mukha niya kahit pilit niya iyong it
