CHAPTER 36

"Can I asked you for a favor? You see, there's no available worker today, its just you and me at mamaya pa daw darating si Steven. May tinatapos pa daw sya. Si symon naman busy sa office. I can't ask him to come."

"Okay, spill it" I answered.

"A company ordered a 150 pieces pack lunch and drinks. I would like to asked for your help sana if you can deliver it. Malapit lang naman"

I just nod my head. I'll support kalee's business like this. Just like what I told her a few days ago, wala naman akong ginagawa sa bahay.

"Thanks! You're the best bestfriend!" I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah whatever" labas sa ilong na sagot ko.

Buti nalang ay dala ko ang sasakyan ko ngayon kaya madali lang na i-deliver ang pagkain.

"Text me kapag nandon kana okay? I'll call the customer. Ingat ka"

Sandro didn't bother me for the past few days and its a good thing. Nakaka pag focus ako sa pag-tulong kay Kalee sa resto nya at panandalian kong nakakalimutan lahat ng mga iniisip ko.

Minsan hindi ko maiwan na inisip kung ano kaya ako ngayon kung hindi nangyari lahat ng ito?

Kung si Steven ang ginusto ko noong una palang masaya sana lahat kami ngayon.

"I'm here"

"Palabas na daw. Tinawagan ko na din kanina"

"Okay, I'll call you nalang ulit later"

Isang construction site ito. Kaya pala madami silang inorder dahil madami din ang nag tatrabaho.

"Hello po ma'am. Sino pong hanap nyo?" Tanong saakin ng security guard.

Ngumiti ako "Orders lang po sir. Packed lunch"

"Ayan na po pala si sir"

Paglingon ko, nagulat ako dahil si Sandro ang nandito.

Right. I forgot na isang Civil Engineering si Sandro.

Alam kaya ni Kalee na sya ang tumawag kanina?

Sana hindi.

"Dala mo na ba?" Casual nitong tanong.

Pinilit kong ngumiti. "Oo. Nasa sasakyan na. Ipapabuhat ko nalang sana. Or do you want me to carry it all?"

He chuckle. "You cannot carry it all, Allison"

Nakalimutan ko na Sandro can make every impossible to possible just like when we're still in college. Mananahimik lang ito ng ilang araw tapos babalik na naman.

Looking at him right now I know he can achieve more. I'm so proud of him.

"Here's the payment"

"Thank you"

Aalis na ako ako ngunit hinatak nito ang aking kamay "Wait, kumain kana ba? Let's eat together"

Dahan dahan kong inalis ang pagkakahawak nya saakin. "Kumain na ako"

Some days, I remember him with a smile, got chocked with so much tears.

But everyday, I was slapped by the reality that,

In my heart he'll stay but in my life he'll no longer fit.

"Please?"

He beg.

I want to say yes.

"I'm sorry, Sandro"

and I walked out.

"Have you heard anything from Grayson, Kalee?"

She looked at me. "No. But the last time we talked he said aalis daw sya at matagal pa bago bumalik"

I'm wondering if everything is okay sa family nya.

"How can I contact him kaya?"

Pag alis ko hindi na ako naka pag sabi sakanya at hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa din sya nakakausap.

He's still a good friend kaya I want to know if he's doing okay.

"Sa instagram account nya kaya? Last time I saw him posted a photo"

"You know, I was thinking about him too, after we graduate bigla nalang din syang naglaho" she added.

Walang alam si Kalee sa naging usapan namin ni Grayson noon. Ayokong itago sakanya but I feel like ayaw ni Grayson na malaman ng iba.

Kinuha ko ang instagram account ni Grayson and I sent him a message.

"Hey, its me. Reese. How are you? I'm sorry if I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to you bago ako umalis. Im just wondering if you're doing okay? Btw, nasa philippines ako. If you're available I want to meet you sana. Take care always"

Nagulat ako dahil bigla nalang tumunog ang phone ko and its him.

"Hey reese, How have you been? Its good to know na you're back na but I'm currently out of the country kase. I'll let you know once I'm back. Maybe next week and I'm doing great, Reese. Thanks for asking. How about you? I hope you're doing okay, too."

"He reply to my message" I blurted out.

"Really? What did he say?" Gulat na tanong ni Kalee.

"He's currently out of the country daw but he'll let us know kapag nandito na sya"

"Who?" Tanong ng bagong dating na si Steven na mukhang may bitbit na naman na bagong recipe.

"Its none of your business" sagot ni Kalee sakanya.

"What's that?" Turo ko sa bitbit nyang paper bag.

"I made a new recipe for you resto, Kalee"

"Really?"

Kinuha ni Steven ang lunch box sa paper bag nya na may laman na meat. I'm telling you, sa itsura palang ay mukhang masarap na.

"This is beef bourguignon"

What?

"Bour-- what?" Naiiritang tanong ni Kalee na tinawanan lang ni Steven.

"Beef bourguignon is essentially a stew made from beef braised in red wine, beef broth, and seasoned vegetables including pearl onions and mushrooms."

"And reese" they both looked at me.

"Remember what we cooked when we had a festival sa university?"

"Flamiche?" Di siguradong sagot ko.

"Yes! We'll do that too!"

Until now, I'm still amused whenever Steven do something like this. Bagay na bagay nya ang profession nya ngayon.

"Okay. Let's do that!"

When I am around people like them, those who genuinely care for me, I can't help but feel overwhelmed. They keep me going, they inspire me to help myself to get better.

"Sa table number 3 yan, reese." She said.

Kinuha ko ang coffee at inihatid sa table na sinasabi ni Kalee.

"Your Affogato, sir"

He stared at me for about 5 seconds. Parang hinuhubaran nya ako sa titig nya.

I think we're about the same age lang.

"What is your available dessert for today?" Tanong nito.

I don't like the way he talk, the way he look at me.

"Here's the menu po for today" Iniabot ko sakanya ang Menu na nasa mesa lang naman.

"Wala ka bang ma re-refer saakin? Na masarap?"

Diniinan nya talaga ang pagkakasabi ng masarap.

Pervert.

I smiled "Want to try our Cappuccino Mousse Trifle, sir?"

I was shocked because he suddenly grabbed my hand na may hawak na plate.

"Oh-sorry" kunwari'y paumanhin nito.

I want to slap his face.

Calm down, Reese.

"What do you think, sir? Would you like to try it?"

He smirked. Damn this jerk.

"Sure, and one more thing. I'd like to order some companion? You see, nakaka lungkot kumain mag isa"

This jerk! He's getting on my nerves. Ano bang tingin sya sa resto? Isang club?

Ngumiti pa din ako sa harapan nya "I'll be back in a minute sir. Enjoy your coffee"

"Damn, that jerk"

"Is there something wrong?" Tanong ni steven.

I convulse my head. I don't want to make it a big deal. Baka magulo pa dito.

Pero nakakainis! I know he's hitting on me.

"I saw the guy, sa table 3. Kilala mo ba? He keeps looking at you. Kanina ko pa sya pinagmamasdan"

Akala ko, ako lang ang naka pansin.

"He's getting on my nerves." Steven tap my shoulder.

"Ako na ang mag dadala sa order nya. If he ask about you, I'll tell him na break time mo na. Don't worry."

I grabbed Steven hand. "No, let me serve him, sisigaw ako if something is wrong."

"Are you sure?" I just nod my head.

Naglalakad palang ako titig na titig na ito saakin. Isang maling galaw nya, hindi na ako magtitimpi.

I'll slap him.

"Here's your order sir. Cappuccino Mousse Trifle"

"What about my companion?" Hinawakan na naman nya ang kamay ko.

I take a deep breath "Would you please let go off my hand? Wala po kayo sa Bar, sir. This is a resto. Food restaurant. Not a club or whatever. So stop hitting on me."

I tried to stay calm as much as possible. I'm not a attention seeker.

"Is that how you serve your customer?" He start yelling, kaya napalingon na ang ibang customer.

"Napaka bastos mo" dagdag pa nito.

Natatawa akong tumingin sakanya "Excuse me? Kanina mo pa ako binabastos dito"

He was about to hit me when someone grabbed his hand and push him.

Its Sandro

Anong ginagawa nya dito?

"You don't know how to stop huh?"

Hinatak ni Sandro palabas yung lalaki at humingi sya ng paumanhin sa mga kumakain.

"Are you okay?" Nag aalalang tanong ni Kalee. Hindi ako sumagot, sumunod ako kay Sandro sa labas.

"Don't you dare show your face infront of her face huh?!"

He punched the guy, kaya bumagsak ito sa daan.

"Sandro!" I grabbed Sandro's hand to stop him from hitting this pervert again.

"Stop it"

"Hindi mo ba ako kilala?" Sigaw ng lalaki.

"I don't care who the fuck you are"

"I'll sue you." Pananakot nito.

This time, ako naman ang natawa. I step forward and slap him real hard.

"Go! Sue me! You pervert! Kung na titigang ka mag sarili ka! Tangna mo ka!!"

Tumakbo ito palayo saamin at sumakay sa sasakyan nya.

"Damn it"

"Are you okay?"

I look away. "I'm fine"

"I like how tough you are."

I didn't say anything. I just stared at him.

I'm really sorry for breaking your heart, Sandro. I really want to stay by your side.

But I want to pull myself together first.

"I'm sorry for asking you to come back to me. How selfish I am to asked that when in fact you lost someone precious to you. I know its not easy, but you'll get through that. I've been through that pain and its not easy."

"I'll wait for you, Allison. No matter how long it is as long as you'll come back to me"