CHAPTER 6

Napakatamis nang aking ngiti na sumunod sa kanya sa elevator. Of course, I prepared myself to face him without being intimidated by his ruthlessness. Hindi ko sinasabing takot ako sa kanya ngunit may silbi pa ring nakilala ko siya noon nang lubusan dahil alam ko na kung paano ko tiisin ang ugali niya kapag naubusan ng pasensiya.

My smile fades when I realized something. Do I still know him? Will I still know the man I’m chasing if anytime soon, truth reveals itself? I’m not  holding the precious time. It passes by wihout my consent. As long as I want to hold it back, it runs as fast as it could.

“Wait for me!” I said loudly and didn’t mind his employees on that floor.

Gustavo problematically landed his palm on his forehead when he saw me. Bago pa magsara ang elevator, ginamit niya ang mga matitigas at maugat niyang kamay para pigilan ang pagsarado nito.

Ilang minuto pa akong nakatayo sa harap ng elevator. He wandered on my outfit from head to foot. Hindi ko nga alam kung insulto ‘yong tingin niya o may iba pang iniisip bukod sa mapang-insulto niyang tingin. When he stepped back from where he was standing, I entered the elevator.

“Which floor are you going? To where Alex is?” he asked teasingly.

I turned my head to him with my glaring eyes. His lips twisted and almost betrayed him to form a smile.

Ang akala niya’y mabilis pa rin akong mapikon sa mga banat niya. Buti  na lang matalino ako para mag-isip din ng ikakatigil niya.

“Is he here, Gustavo? Damn, I missed him.” I almost whispered.

Binulsa niya ang kaniyang kamay at nag-iwas ng mga mata. He wouldn’t annoy me anymore. Kilalang-kilala ko na ang isang’to kung paano niya makukuha ang pasensya ko kaya naman alam ko na rin kung paano ko siya paghihigantian.

Taas pa rin ang aking kilay nang muli siyang magtanong.

“Which floor are you going and I’ll send you there.”

“Kung saan ka pupunta, doon ako,” tipid kong sinagot.

I heard him heaved a deep sigh and pushed the button. Tinignan niya ako na parang wala na siyang magagawa kaya naman hinilig niya ang sarili niya sa gilid. Sumandal siya roon at tinignan ako.

“Hindi ka pa talaga nakukuntento, Audra? You can get whatever you want. Pati kahinaan ng ama ko, inaabuso mo.”

Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib at wala na ring ibang reaksiyon kun’di ang matawa sa kaniyang harapan.

“Inaabuso? It’s not my fault I am the one they need for you,” I fired.

He chuckled. “It’s like they knew every single detail of your anomalies.” He turned his head on the other side.

Kusa kong binaba ang aking hand bag at marahas na pinigilan ng aking palad ang hawakan nito. “Given the fact that I have imprinted something inside you, they knew my quality as a woman.” Inako ko na naman ang lahat ng kasalanan.

Patagilid niya akong tinitigan matapos niyang iangat ang kaniyang sulok ng labi. “What is your quality as a woman?”

She’s now questioning my quality and capacity. Hindi ko alam kung manliliit ba ako sa sarili ko dahil sa kaniyang tanong ay man lalo kong naalala ang isa kong pagkakamali.

I saw my reflection behind him. The brave woman who conquered through ups and downs and deals with her own demon every night. My quality as a woman is a multifaceted tapestry woven with myriad colors, composed of my unwavering strength that surges through my veins, enabling myself to overcome adversity, my unyielding determination that propels me forward, defying limits and shattering glass ceilings, my radiant grace that emanates from within, captivating hearts with its elegance and poise, and my unwavering empathy that cradles the wounded and uplifts the weary, my profound wisdom that comes from a well of experiences, guiding my decisions and illuminating my path, my tenacious spirit that dances with resilience, accepting challenges as stepping stones towards growth, my nurturing instinct that fosters love, warmth, and protection, fostering harmony and unity in my presence, and my audacious courage that empowers me to stand up for justice, advocate for equality, My unbreakable bond with my identity, rooted in self-acceptance, authenticity, and self-love, empowering me to celebrate my uniqueness and embrace my individuality, and most importantly, the quality of a woman lies in my unparalleled capacity for love, as I nurtures, uplifts, and empowers those around me, infusing the world with warmth, composure, and beauty.

Smirking at him, I lifted up my chin and gave him a high pride atmosphere. “Would you like to know my quality, Gustavo? Kung inaakala mong kilala mo pa rin ako, ako ang nagsasabi sa ‘yong hindi na. My quality transcends mere description, encompassing my strength, resilience, grace, and  boundless capacity for love and compassion.”

Hindi na niya kailangan pang malaman kung ano ang aking kalidad bilang babae. I’m done slapping the truth in front of him that the things I’ve done are way far to sum up my capacity right at this moment.

I only need his name to cover up my issue. Gagamitin ko lang siya para maghiganti sa mga nananakit sa akin. Ipamumukha ko sa kaniya na kaya kong makuha ang lahat nang gusto ko, at ang pagpapakasal sa kaniya ay isa ring paraan nang paghihiganti ko sa kaniya.

Gustavo will madly deep in love with me again, but I will leave him once I feel that he’s slowly falling on my sweetest bait of revenge.

He cleared his throat after how many minutes of being silent. My gaze remained on him, hindi ako nagpatalo dahil una sa lahat, hindi ako katulad ng mga babaerng inaakala niyaang susunggaban siya agad.

May galit pa siya sa akin? Ako rin. Marami pa. Kung wala lang akong kahihiyan na iniisip, aanhin ko naman siya? Gagamitin ko rin siya katulad nang ginawa niya sa akin.

“Alright, I’m sorry,” he said huskily.

My brows shot up. Ang mataas ang pride, nagso-sorry?

“You don’t know how impressed I am,” dagdag niya.

Hindi ko alam kung saan niya kinapa ang sinabi niya. Basta ang boses niya ay napakahina at parang hindi ko pa nga narinig dahil napakahina ng kaniyang boses. Hindi ko nga rin alam kung guni-guni ko lang ‘yon.

Napataas ang aking labi sa kaniiang sinabi. “Bakit? Anong klaseng babae ba ang mga babae mo, Gustavo? Why were you impressed by me? Sino ba naman ako para iparamdam sa ‘yo ang ganiyang bagay? Ano ba ang kalidad nila bilang babae?” dire-diretso kong tanong.

Hindi na nga rin siya makapagsalita dahil masyado nang diretso ang bibig ko. He looked away and didn’t answer my questions.

When Gustavo shifted his weight, it was exactly the elevator opened. Agaran ang pagtaas ng aking kilay at inayos ang pagtayo dahil mukha pala akong barubal sa kanto. Ellie waas contemplating to enter the elevator but it would be so itronic for her to back out.

I didn’t take my eyes off on Gustavo’s direction. Iyon na rin ang pagkakataon ni Ellie para pumasok. Grudges filled my existence when Gustavo smirked at me while I was watching Ellie pushing the button exactly to the floor we are going.

At alam patalaga niya ang pupuntahan namin? Para naman siyang nananadya?

I chuckled between silence to stop him smirking at me. Tinignan ko ang dibdib ni Ellie, lumandas ang aking mga mata roon sa kaniyang ulo at binaba sa puwitan niya. I wandered her piose and pride the way she stands. She was so intimidated by that analyzation.

“Where were we, Gustavo? Were we talking about impression and quality? Don’t bother yourself answering my questions. She’s the very good example.”

Gustavo was so stunned with my vulgarity. Ellie was so insulted as she turned her eyes to me. I smirked.

“Excuse me…”

“You’re excuse. Masama ang loob mo? Magsumbong ka na sa social media”

I was ready for a fight but Gustavo took my arm and slightly took Ellie on the other corner. Bumalik siya sa aking direksyon at umiling.  

“Stop it, Audra! Do not put down your level.”

Humalakhak ako sa sinabi niya nang pabulong para lang hindi marinig ni Ellie ang mga sinasabi niya.

“Gustavo, honey…” I said sweetly, “Don’t stress yourself answering my questions. I’m not that demanding enough to please you and demand something I don’t deserve. Kung sagot lang ang hindi mo kayang ibigay, the answers has entered the elevator.”