I was blinded by the sunlight. My alarm rang so loud the heck! Sumabay pa ang pag tunog nang doorbell. This morning is so chaotic.
When I opened my door, I'm still on my jammies, my hair is kinda messy but i still look fine in the morning, niluwa nang lupa ang lalaking nakatayo ngayon sa harap ko wearing a trouser and a dress shirt that is tucked in and his hair is fixed on the side.
"Good morning prinsesa." He said smiling.
"It's so early Alfer." I said and sighed.
Pumasok na sya sa loob at sumunod ako sakanya. He sat on the couch and i lay down on the couch, I placed my head on his lap, he didn't mind.
"Akala ko ba isasama mo ako sa Baguio ngayon? Bakit nagtutulog tulugan ka pa dyan?" He softly said and brush my hair with his fingers.
"Your eyes are swollen." He then touches my eyes.
I shook it off and stared at him. Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa utak ko at niyaya ko siyang sumama sa Baguio trip namin ni Alfonso. Siguro nahihiya kasi ako kay Alfonso sa nangyare kagabi but I informed him that Alfer will be tagging along with us because and in my mind, I'm doing this, so he won't throw me a lot of questions.
"Alfonso is not here yet?"
I nod and stood up to prepare. I packed my clothes for 3 days na puro sweater and knitted sweaters and some formal clothes to wear. Alfer volunteered to cooked. Kaya pag tapos ko ay may nakahanda nang bacon and omelet.
"Your breakfast. Your coffee." He handed out the espresso he made.
I didn't say a word. Umupo sya sa harap ko with the same breakfast he cooked for me. Naka apron pa din sya at nagsimulang kumain.
"Why are you so quiet Astrid? The last time I see you want tear apart your father and his witch side chick and now you look like you lost something."
I shrugged. Wala ako sa mood mag maldita ngayon. I felt tired for crying last night, in fact I did lost something... My family.
"You seem so weird today. Meron ka ba?" He asked.
"Nang what?"
"You know... period? Menstruation?"
I rolled my eyes. "None."
Napaisip pa siya kung bakit ang tahimik ko pero hinayaan nya nalang akong kumain. I was feeling blue and I really just wanna finish this Baguio trip and file a leave.
"Hindi ako sanay na ganyan ka. Pwede ka bang mag maldita? May sumapi ba sayo?" He was checking my face and keep looking at my eyes.
"Alfer, shut the fck up." I whispered.
He laughed at my reaction, looking at what he did I was wondering what it feels like to be his partner. Sobrang swerte talaga nang makakatuluyan nya. I erased that thought when he start to talk.
"You can hug me if you want." He spread his arms waiting for me to hug him.
Tinitigan ko lang siya hanggang sa narinig namin ang doorbell.
"Damot." I heard him.
I opened the door and Alfonso is there. He's wearing his Puma sweater, a sweatshorts and sneakers. I started to remember the things I did last night. He did save me from dad but it's too much embarrassment for me to let others see the vulnerable side of me.
"Let's go?" He asked.
"Yes." I answered.
I need to wear a mask for now, so it won't feel a little awkward.
"I brought my car pala, saan mo gusto sumakay?" Tanong sakin ni Alfer.
"Sakanya kana lang pala sumabay Astrid. I'll convoy with you guys." After that he just left.
Alfer dragged my baggage out. I grabbed my phone to entertain myself while we're going down. I read messages from last night, Shane's the first name on the top and the message was earlier.
Shaniee:
I asked Alfonso to tag along he said yes.
That's the latest text. So, kaya pala, Shane probably went with Alfonso.
I read the last messages he sent me.
Shaniee:
Are you okay? Dad told me Alfonso dragged you out.
Astrid? Answer my calls!
Damn Shaznae! I'm getting worried Where are you?!
I'm still texting you although I know you won't reply the hell! Please be safe. I love you.
I replied just so he won't worry that much mamaya pag nagkita kami.
To: Shainee
Calm your balls I'm alive dimwit.
"Do you mind?"
Bumalik ako sa katinuan ko at tumingin sa labas, nakababa na pala kami. Agad naman akong lumabas at bumungad saamin ang parking lot.
Alfonso is leaning on his car's trunk my brother is taking selfies. Mukha syang magbabakasyon sa Alaska, he was wearing his fluffy sweater and a pants for winter.
"You didn't tell me Antarctica ang destination mo." I said blandly.
Alfer laughed, Alfonso smirked and my brother's smile fade and glared at me. Like it was an offensive joke for him.
"Tara na nga. Mukha kang aattend nang slumber party!" Pahabol nya bago sya pumasok nang kotse ni Alfonso.
Hindi ako sanay na parehas kaming tahimik ni Alfonso so when Alfer went to the back of his car I pulled Alfonso to stop him getting inside.
"Do you need anything?" He said, his facial expression are still the same. Blank actually.
"Thank you..." I whispered.
My heart melt when he smiled and patted my head.
"You're always welcome. Wag kana manahimik okay? Be the baddest bitch you are and stop acting like I changed because I didn't. Your secrets are safe with me." Ginulo nya pa ang buhok ko bago tuluyang pumasok sa kotse.
Alfer was waiting for me to go inside.
"Nag away ba kayo kaya ka tahimik?" Tanong nya.
"It's a long story. I'd rather not tell you." I said and buckled up.
"Okay." He sarcastically said and made face.
"Patugtog ako ha." Him asking for my permission.
I laugh though. "Kotse mo to bakit ka nag palaam sakin!"
"Baka kasi ayaw mo nang patugtog kasi gloomy ka ngayon e. Although I'm glad you laughed." He winked at me that made me rolled my eyes.
I felt like a heavy weight was actually lifted when Alfonso told me that. It made my day. Alfer played a Reputation Album of Taylor Swift and we just jammed through the whole album because the traffic is so bad too.
When the lyrics of the song came, I actually sang it.
"And all at once, you are the one I have been waiting for
King of my heart, body and soul, ooh whoa! And all at once, you are all I want, I'll never let you go! King of my heart, body and soul, ooh whoa"
After that Alfer with his trying so hard high-pitched voice sang the second part.
"And all at once, I've been waiting, waiting Ooh whoa, ooh whoa! And all at once, you are the one I have been waiting, waiting! Body and soul, ooh whoa! And all at once."
We burst into laughter when his voice cracked on the last part. We moved to the beat of the song. It felt good that we did that.
We got tired and switched to Billie Eilish's playlist to chill out and relax after that jamming session of his. He also admitted that he really loves Taylor Swift and me too. Now that was the one thing we can agree at the same time.
"Astrid... can I ask you about that necklace your wearing? It's distracting my eyes." He pointed at the necklace.
"Someone special gave it to me." I just said.
"What's the meaning of it? It's a rare one."
"Oh, it's a black sapphire gemstone and the chain was shaped as veins it also guarding the stone. It's a sign of loyalty." I explained.
He was amused by it. "That is so rare huh."
"Yeah it's the only one that's why is rare. It was personalized to be mine."
Naalala ko yung araw na binigay saakin ni Vien ang kwintas na ito. That was the day he promised me he will take me to The Vault, but it didn't come. We broke up. Napahawak ako sa kwintas at inalala ang sinabi nya.
"Hi my love."
I stood up when he came and gave me a kiss on my forehead. Today is our special day kaya I set up a rooftop date with him.
"Grabe this place is awesome love. Dapat ako ang gumagawa sayo nito." He said.
His eyes were so genuine it reflects his emotions.
"Sobrang liit lang ng mga ito kumpara sa mga ginagawa mo sakin ngayon." I said.
He then offered his hands to me.
"Do you want to dance?" He asked.
"Walang tugtog!" I said and laugh.
"Okay lang yan." He pulled out his phone and put a familiar music that both of us knew what it meant.
"Will you dance with me mi 'lady?" He bowed and offered me his hands again.
My heart is fluttering that I curtsy in front of him before taking his hands.
"Gladly."
The song was playing so he gracefully guided me to dance.
God sent those eyes to get me through the night
And all the shadows of the past fade into white
When all the memories in my head subside
You remain here, you remain dear inside, ooh
"I want to give you something."
We stopped dancing and he pulled out a burgundy velveted box in his pocket.
"This is a sign of my loyalty for you. God sent you to me and I will not let you slip away from me. Shaznae, i love you so much." As he says that he gently opened the box.
It was a black gem guarded by a chain of veins representing the veins. A tear escaped in my eyes.
"Vien, this is so beautiful."
"Perfect for you."
After he put it on me, he said something that will forever in my heart.
"This is actually the symbolism of an organization that soon will be mine. Nagiisa lang ang kwintas na ito and I'm giving it you, to represent that you are my heart, I need you to live Shaz so better not take it off. Because that will forever signify that you are important to me no matter what." He said and sealed my lips with his under the moon.
"Andito na tayo. You're spacing out."
Naramdaman ko ang pagtapik saakin ni Alfer kaya napatingin ako sa paligid ko. Andito na kami sa Baguio sa resthouse nila Alfonso.
We decided to eat first and then go to our main plan which is to meet up with Dad's business partners to talk about the merging of a big company in Spain.
Alfonso was with me while Shane and Alfer stayed in the house. When we arrived there a jump in my heart happened when I stepped in the meeting room. It was odd so I just ignored it.
"Ms. Astrid, Im Klio from GH Corporations."
Isang matangkad na lalaki ang tumayo at inoffer ang kamay nya sakin. I smiled and gladly accepted it. They presented their plans for the company and future renovations in our power plants. Pero there is something in their renovation that doesn't fit in our company.
"I kinda disagree for that, we are generating power energy for the people, that is building a nuclear plant." I pointed out.
It was supposed to be a corny joke to describe their plans as a nuclear bomb.
"It will produce more energy, more than a simple powerplant can produce." He explained.
"No, it's like putting a ticking bomb to the environment."
The argument didn't end well. Their plan is to use rural places as a test method to their nuclear plantations. But it's not good, nuclear are is a good source of power but it will affect the people. Ginagawa nyang mga test ang mga tao to represent their plans. I strongly disagree to their contract of merging with us.
The Klio guy is not happy with it so he burst out of the meeting room leaving his secretary.
"That's not good." I commented.
"I agree." Alfonso added.
It was exhausting arguing with him he plotted a lot of plans if it didn't go well pero he is risking people's lives for fck sake!
"Una kana sa parking lot may kukunin lang akong mga papers sa taas para sa bahay mo na gawin." He explained.
I nodded and went straight to the elevator.
I was thinking why dad decided to make me the person to meet with this guy, he is arrogant and doesn't understand constructive criticism. He went all in. Di ko alam kung bakit sya nag tayo nang greenhouse tapos sisirain nya din pala ang mga likha nang diyos by creating a toxic plantation worst is a nuclear one.
I walked straight to Alfonso's car pero hindi yun nakabukas. Damn he forgot to give me his keys. I sighed and leaned on the door at tsaka kinuha ang phone ko.
The signal was bad, so I just waited for him. Napalingon pa ko sa paligid at wala masyadong tao na andoon. My heart went crazy.
But I heard someone whispered so I was checking the elevator if Alfonso was there na. When I turned around a guy was behind me.
"Excuse me." I said and walked pass him.
Pero bago pa ako makalayo ay hinatak nya ang kamay ko at tsaka may tinakpan nang panyo ang ilong ko. Pilit akong nagpumiglas, I was trying to kick him from the back but when I succeeded nakaramdama na ako nang hilo and everything went blank.
—
- .... . . -. -..