CHAPTER 03

It's already ten in the evening. Only the light from the lampshade made from precious capiz shells pacifies the study room. I'm currently keeping myself busy to divert my mind thinking into something. I need to finish my paperwork because I'll be having an important meeting with an International client on Friday.

"Argh!"

I messed up my hair out of frustration. I'm slowly losing my attention to what I am doing. I'm hungry right now, and I want to eat something cold and sweets. Kumain na ako ng hapunan kanina pero parang hindi ako na-satisfy sa kinain ko. Parang sa pakiramdam ko ay may kulang.

I twitched my lips about that thought. Napatingin ako sa orasan at nakitang mag-aalas-diyes nap ala ng gabi. Mas lalo tuloy akong tinamad na bumaba ng condo para magpunta sa pinakamalapit na convenient store para sa cravings ko.

My body has been craving something different to eat ever since I discovered I was pregnant. That sensation of wanting something that can be ordered from a distance or that comes in an odd culinary combo.

Pregnancy hormones are causing me to have cravings, mood swings, and excessive sleepiness lately.

Ngayong nagsisimula na akong maglihi ay hindi ko maiwasang hindi mangamba dahil alam ko na hindi ko mapipigilan ito.

I stared at the five pages of paperwork in front of me, trying to focus. I reviewed the first three pages after making some changes, and I'm currently working on a couple more before we discuss it on Friday.

Nakailang basa pa lang ako sa panghuling pahina pero hindi pa rin ako mapakali lalo na ng biglang kumulo ang aking tiyan at makailang beses akong napalunok.

I got an idea!

Kinuha ko ang aking phone na nasa tabi at tinipa doon ang number ni Elisha. Siya lang talaga ang maaasahan ko kahit pa magha-hatinggabi na. Hindi rin naman kalayuan ang condo niya rito sa akin.

[Es ist spät, und ich habe mich in eine Disney-Prinzessin namens Dornröschen verwandelt, also wende dich bitte an Joseff, wenn du geschäftliche Anfragen hast. Auf Wiedersehen─] {It’s late, and I've transformed myself into a Disney Princess named Sleeping Beauty, so please contact Joseff for any business inquiries. Bye─}

"E, it’s me." Agap ko.

When you disturb her, she always answers the phone in German. Whether she is not in the mood for a conversation, is busy, or is enjoying a relaxing time, and you disturb her, you will receive a pleasant German greeting.

[Hey B! Sorry. What happened? Are you okay? Napatawag ka?] Sunod-sunod niyang tanong sa akin.

"Ahm, Did I disturb you?" I asked her.

[Not really. I just got home from Vietnam. So, bakit ka napatawag?]

Ang busy naman ng friend kong ito. Kahapon lang siya dumating galing Singapore para doon sa client meeting namin at sa Fashion Festival na dinaluhan niya. After ng event doon ay dumiretso na siya ng Vietnam para lang maging isa sa mga judge ng Miss Universe-Vietnam.

Nag-aalangan na tuloy akong magsabi sa kanya. I know she's tired. Kanina, hindi na ako pumasok sa office dahil maaga akong sinumpong ng sama ng pakiramdam. Pinahatid ko na lang sa sekretarya ko ang mga importanteng dokumento na kailangan ko nang aralin at pirmahan para ma-approve.

[Huy! Ano na? You won't call me if you don't need anything.]

"Elisha kasi ano, ah─"

[Say it now, Bilis!] She sound's annoyed.

“Thélo pagotó!” {I want ice cream!}

Mabilis kong sagot at isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang aking pinakawalan.

A long church-like silence filled between the lines. The clock's tick-tock and our breathing were the only sounds I could hear clearly.

"Oh god! Cravings!"

“Sorry, E. I know you’re tired. Ako na lang ang bababa para bumi─”

[Sus! Tigilan mo ako B. Eto na, tatayo na saka pupunta d'yan. Naku! Kung hindi lang kita kaibigan!]

Hindi ko alam pero napangiti ako nang marinig iyon. Hindi talaga ako matitiis ni Elisha.

“Thank you E. Ang dami ko nang utang sayo,”

[Tse! Mas Malaki pa rin yung utang ko sayo.] I heard her laugh. [So, what flavor do you want?]

I tell her I want strawberry and avocado pistachio flavor. Hindi naman makapaniwala si Elisha sa flavor ng ice cream na gusto ko. Sa huli ay sinabi niyang paalis na siya ng kanyang condo.

Iniisip ko pa lang yung ice cream na pinapabili ko naglalaway na ako sa takam. Hindi na rin nagtagal ang tawagan namin at siya na mismo ang pumutol ng tawag.

I rested my back in the chair I was sitting in. I felt so relieved because Elisha was there to the rescue. Imagine how weird my craving are? Gosh! Sana hindi tuwing ganitong oras ako sumpungin ng paglilihi sa pagkain dahil mahihirapan talaga ako ng sobra pagnagkataon.

While waiting for her, I shifted my attention to the City Lights though my glass wall. I’ve been living here for three years but I think, this is the first time I was able to acknowledge the beauty and solemnity of the night life here in Metro.

Even if it’s going to eleven in the evening, the streets down there were still busy. There are tiny silhouette of human, walking down the lane experiencing the freedom from exhausting daywork. The luxurious lights across those towering building nearby making the whole metro alive.

Siguro nga, sa nakalipas na taon ay masyado kong ginugol ang aking sarili sa pagtatrabaho at pagpapalago ng aking kompanya. Hindi ko namalayan na marami na rin pa lang nagbago sa paligid ko.

How about him? Has anything changed in him since the last time our paths crossed?

It's been decades since I've heard anything about him. When our paths crossed a month ago, I couldn't ask or find out how he was doing in his life. Anything was too late for me to do so because I just discovered that it was him when I dared to peek beyond that mask.

Out of nowhere, I grab my laptop and opened the G****e site. I tried searching for his name on it. I don’t I know why I am doing this. I mean, I am just curious about his present doing. His profession, career and his lovelife.

Wala namang masama dahil hindi naman niya malalaman at wala siyang malalaman.

Gusto ko lang malaman ang tungkol sa buhay pag-ibig niya para alam ko rin kung paano ko masisigurado na hindi niya malalaman ang tungkol sa amin ng anak ko. Ayoko lang na makasira pa ako ng relasyon ng iba dahil lang sa nangyari sa amin.

I don't feel any freaky feelings as I started to spell out his full name on the search bar.

Architettura de Casteliogne's Billionaire Bachelor Founder & CEO once again won three prestigious awards in Architecture; (Pritzker Architecture Prize), (The Aga Khan Award for Architecture), and (AIA Gold Medal) which also made him the Architect of the year and proved that he truly deserved to be called as the world hottest renowned Architect of all time. His company won 5 awards under the Architecture Category Global Future Design Award in London.

Hindi ko maiwasang hindi humanga sa kanya. Malayo na rin pala ang kanyang narating at naging isa nga talaga siyang tanyag na Architect.

He did a great job establishing himself. These honors carry far more weight than gold medals, and winning one required exceptional achievement in your chosen field in order earn this kind of recognition. In addition, I recall that my company took home three awards in the interior design category and one in the product design category from the Global Future Design Awards.

I attended that event before I went to Italy the following month after. Hindi ko siya nakita during the awarding dahil nauna na akong umuwi noon dahil may hinahabol akong meeting sa isang Investor sa Westminster at hindi din naman ako ang nakakuha ng mga plaques naming dahil doon at pinadala na lang sa akin a week after.

He never failed to amaze me.

Masuyo kong hinimas ang aking tiyan. Kung sana hindi lang mali ang pagkakataon ay buo ang kasiyahan ko na ikuwento sa anak ko ang tungkol sa kanya.

"You must be proud of him too, baby…" sambit ko na halos pabulong lang.

Hindi ko magawang ngumiti nang totoo dahil na rin sa katotohanang hindi naman siya makikilala ng anak ko pero kahit na ganun ay masaya ako para sa tagumpay na tinatamasa niya. He deserved it, afterall.

I tried searching for more to delve info about her personal life but I failed to locate one. Nakalagay sa halos lahat ng article na nananatili pa rin itong binata. May mga nali-link sa kanyang mga babae, mula sa mga sikat na Artista, Businesswoman o mga modelo pero walang kompirmado na nakarelasyon nito.

Natigil ako sa pag-iisip nang marinig na tumunog ang doorbell. I exit the g****e web page immediately and cleared the searched history. Tumayo na ako at pinagbuksan ang kung sino man ang bisita ko.

"Here comes your ice cream, Ma’am!" bungad sa akin ni Elisha pagkabukas ko ng pinto.

She's holding a paper bag, but that's not what I noticed the most. I tried my best not to laugh at her. She's wearing a silk pink nightgown with a channel sling bag on her right shoulder. Her feet fit a woman's Nike Benassi JDI Swoosh slide sandals in pink color.

Fashionista talaga ito kahit nakapantulog lang.

"Thanks, Eli." I smiled at her and got the paper bag.

She simply rolled her eyes and entered my home. We headed straight to the kitchen, where I watched her grabbing a bowl and spoon from the organizer. I place the ice cream on the island counter and take it out of the paper bag. I can't wait to take a taste of it because all the flavor I wanted were granted.

“Oh!” Inilahad ni Elisha ang isang maliit na mangkok at kutsara sa akin.

"Hindi ka galit?" I asked her.

Ayoko lang na baka isipin niya na inaabuso ko siya just because I'm having unexplained mood swings and cravings.

Elisha arched her right brow. "Do I look like one?"

I can't help but to smile. "Thanks, Eli! Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Mabilis ko siyang niyakap at pinanggigilan. Rinig ko pa ang bigla niyang pag-ubo.

"Hey! Kalma, baka maalog 'yong inaanak ko d'yan sa sinapupunan mo! Umayos ka nga!" Pilit niyang tinatanggal ang mga braso ko sa kanya.

Hindi na ako nangulit at isa-isang binuksan ang mga tub ng ice cream. "Mauubos mo ba lahat ng 'yan?" she asked me with a sleepy eye.

Tumango naman ako saka sinimulang mag-scoop sa bawat flavors saka inilagay sa bowl. I mixed the three until it has a weird color. Nakita ko naman si Elisha na parang naduduwal at nang hindi na niya matagalan ay dumiretso na siya sa sink.

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at tinuloy ko na lang ang ginagawa ko. Elisha really hates it when she saw something weird especially with the food.

She squinted in amusement when she saw me enjoying the mixed ice cream on the bowl.

"Maghinay-hinay ka nga lang at baka mangilo 'yang ngipin mo," paalala pa niya.

"It's okay, don't worry!" I assured her.

Hinayaan niya na lang ako saka naupo sa isa sa mga high chair dito sa kitchen counter.

"I'm gonna sleep here tonight. Can’t drive home since I’m really sleepy na," she said while she keeps on busy with her phone.

“No problem. The other room is always ready for you,”

“Yeah, thanks!”

Akala ko ay tutuloy na siya sa kuwarto pero hinugot lang niya ang isang upuan at saka naupo kaharap ko. Nakita niya ang strawberry ice cream na natira na hindi ko pa nahalo kaya balis siyang kumuha ng mangkok at nagsalin.

“Akala ko ba inaantok kana?” tanong ko.

“Oo pero hintayin na kitang matapos.”

Naku! Baka dito na siya makatulog kung gagawin niya yan.

“No need. Matulog ka na at baka may importanteng lakad ka pa bukas. Ako na bahala rito.”

"Hmmm… Wala naman akong meetings or gig tomorrow pero bukas na tayo pupunta kay Geordane since hindi tayo natuloy noong nakaraan."

Oo nga pala, bukas na yung check-up ko. Hindi kasi kami natuloy kinaumagahan noong nakaraan matapos naming tawagan si Geordane dahil may biglaang lakad si Elisha at ako naman ay may importanteng meeting din sa Board tungkol sa gaganaping Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) sa World Trade Center Kuala Lumpur next week.

It was Geordane who rearranged our visit to fit her schedule. Therefore, I must be there tomorrow.

Nakita kong naghikab ang kaibigan ko. Bakas na rin sa kanyang mata ang matinding pagka-antok. Parang na-guilty tuloy ako dahil sa pang-aabalang ginawa ko sa kanya. Hindi na siya kumuha ng ice cream matapos niyang maka-ubos ng isa at kalahating maliit na mangkok.

Binilisan ko na lang ang pag-ubos sa ice cream para makapgpahinga na rin siya. Sa sobrang sarap kasi ay hindi ko na namalayan na masyadong marami na ang nakain ko. Isang scoop pa ang kinuha ko nang may maramdaman akong kakaiba. Para bang biglang hinalukay ang tiyan ko at mabilis akong napunta sa sink at naduwal.

This time, I cried because of the pain I had within my tummy and my throat to exert effort to puke.

"What happened?"

I felt a soft hand massaging my back. A worried face of Elisha is what I saw when I look back.

"I t-throw up."

"Yan kasi! Lamon ng lamon ng malamig,"

Patuloy pa rin ako sa pagduwal kaya naman kumuha na si Elisha ng tubig sa fridge at inabot sa akin. Nahimasmahasan naman ako nang kaunti dahil doon. Nanghihina akong bumalik sa island counter habang sapo ang aking tiyan.

Elisha asked me if I am okay now, and I said yes. Tiningnan ko ang bowl ko kanina at nakitang hindi ko naubos ang ice cream. I suddenly lose all my appetite to finish that.

"Magpahinga ka na, ako na mag-aayos nito."

"Are you sure?" I said when I unexpectedly yawn. Oh damn! I can't be sleepy.

I still have paperwork to get done. Hindi ko iyon pwedeng ipagsabukas dahil maantala ang iba kong gagawin but I can't help but to yawn again.

"You better get some sleep. Kanina ka pa humihikab diyan," rinig kong sita ni Elisha matapos ang huli kong hikab. "Go ahead!" she added.

Wala akong nagawa kundi umalis doon at dumiretso sa kwarto ko. Bumungad sa akin ang mga dapat ko pa sanang gagawin pero hindi ko na kayang pigilan pa ang aking antok.

I did a quick shower and blow-dried my hair before getting laid. Inayos ko na lang din ang mga papeles sa aking mesa at nilagay sa isang folder ang lahat ng mga natapos ko. I want my things organized first thing in the morning.

Before I went to sleep Elisha finished cleaning the kitchen and she dropped by to say good night.

May mga gamit naman siya rito kaya baka hindi na rin siya uuwi bukas sa condo niya. Meron kasing dalawa pang kuwarto rito maliban sa kwarto ko. Yung isa ay ginagamit ni Elisha o Geordane pero madalas si Elisha ang gumagamit lalo na kapag nagagawi siya dito galing modeling stint o kung may pag-uusapan kami tungkol sa Solstice. Yung isa pang kuwarto ay nilalaan ko para kay Kuya. May mga pagkakataon kasi na gusto niyang bumisita rito at mag-bonding kami kaya sa kanya yung isang kuwarto.

Si Kuya kasi nasa Villa Solandis pa rin nakatira dahil hindi naman niya kayang iwan na lang ang mansion at baka magalit si Lolo. Hindi din naman kasi kalayuan iyon sa Medicus Civitas kaya wala ring problema.

It was seven thirty in the morning when we woke up. I prepared a typical German breakfast of Bircher Muesli and Semolina Pudding. We’ve talk about business and the upcoming MIFF.

Hindi ko maiwasang hindi kabahan habang binabagtas namin ang daan papuntang Medicus Civitas. Mabuti na lang at nagpresenta si Elina siya na ang magda-drive. Hindi rin kasi ako makapag-focus sa daan kung sakali dahil marami na naman akong iniisip.

I sighed. I am hoping that everything will still be okay today.