07

Stalker

"Goodevening, Ma'am. May I have your order?" Tanong ng babaeng waitress. Ako ang kausap pero nakay Jacob ang tingin.

Mabuti na lang at may cap ako, hindi niya ako nakikilala.

"I'll have one mocha frappuccino with 2 pumps of caramel syrup." Sabi ko tsaka nilingon si Jacob na umiinom ng coffee niya.

"Yun lang po ba, Ma'am?" Tanong muli ng waitress dahilan para mapunta muli ang atensyon ko sa kanya. She's still looking at Jacob.

"Yes, thank you," pagkasabi ko non ay umalis na siya.

"Are you busy? Sorry for wasting your time. It not my intention to drop my wallet that day. I was in a hurry." I said.

"It's fine." Uminom muli siya ng kape.

"Uh... H-how are y-you?" Hindi naman siguro masama kung tatanungin ko siya diba?

Tumikhim ako. "Uh, sorry, I should've not ask-"

"I'm fine." Simpleng sagot niya.

Ilang minuto pa akong naghintay, umasang magtatanong rin siya sakin.

"How about me? H-hindi mo ba ako tatanungin kung kamusta na ba ako?" Nagulat ako dahik kusang lumabas sa bibig ko iyon.

Damn it, Aeri. What the hell are you doing?! Its so embarrasing. Gosh!

"I wasn't planning to ask you but, sige, how are you?" Seryosong tanong niya.

"G-good." Napapahiya na ako shit.

Kinapa niya ang coat niya at may kinuha sa bulsa niyon. It was my wallet. Nilapag niya iyon sa table at inilagay sa harap ko.

"Sorry, hindi na ako magtatagal. I have to go now. I just went here to give you this." Tumayo na siya. Nanatili lang akong nakatingin sa kanya.

"Thank you, Jacob." I sincerely said.

He just nod at me. "Btw, Congrats, I heared you got engaged with Architect Elisha Gonzales. Best wishes for the both of you. I'll go now." Aniya tsaka dirediretsong naglakad paalis. He didn't let me talk.

Pero when he said that, I saw anger and pain in his eyes. Hindi ko inakalang magkikita kami ulit. Hindi ko rin inakalang sinlamig niya ang yelo.

"Ma'am, here js your order." The waitress said.

"Where is the bill, Miss?"

"Uhm, binayaran na po ni Engineer Jacob Ma'am." Aniya na may halong landi sa boses.

Napairap ako sa kawalan. "Oh, okay. Thank you."

Tumayo na ako at umalis sa coffee shop. Buti na lang nasa plastic cup yung order ko at hindi ko na kailangang ipatake out.

Since malapit kang dito ang condo ko, mabilis akong nakauwi.

Kumain ako ng dinner tsaka nagshower. After kong gawin ang usual night routine ko, humiga na ako sa kama habang kausap ko si Elisha.

"How's your day?" He asked.

"Fine. Nakakapagod. How about you? Did the conference went well?"

"Yeah, I had the chance to meet other famous and greatest Architects in Asia. I really enjoyed talking with them. They were all kind and friendly."

"Well, that's good. Pupunta ako sa La Union bukas. I'll be there for a shoot. I'm staying over tapos uuwi rin ng morning. Vacation ko na after nun."

"Ah, I see. Take care and don't forget to enjoy."

I sighed. "Hey, what's wrong? Did something happen? What's with that sigh, huh?"

Hindi ako umimik. Umiling lang ako.

"Naku, miss mo'ko 'no?"

"Yeah, I miss you. Walang nangungulit sakin." I laughed.

"Sus,"

"Elisha,"  he raised his brows. Still looking at me waiting for me to say something.

"I uh... I m-met Jacob, e-earlier."

"Why?"

"He got my wallet." Kwinento ko kung paano napunta kay Jacob iyon.

"Oh, eh bakit ka malungkot? Nakita mo na siya diba?"

"I don't know. Siguro hindi lamg ako sanay na ganun yung tratuhan namin sa isa't isa."

"Aeri, what are you expecting? Na maging ganon kayo ulit sa dati? Hindi ganon kadali yun. Syempre ganun yung trato nun sayo kasi wala naman na kayo. Alangan naman halikan ka non eh mag ex nga kayo diba?"

"I don't know. I just feel uncomfortable. Ngayon lang ulit kami nagkita. Nanibago lang nga siguro ako."

"Stop expecting things. You're hurting yourself. Kung kayo talaga, gagawa ng paraan ang tadhana para magkabalikan kayo."

"Okay, I'm sorry. Kilala ka niya. Binati niya ako kanina ng congrats dahil nalaman daw niyang engaed tayo. Sasabihin ko sana na hindi kaso umalis na siya eh."

"Yeah, I met him twice. Sa abroad. Conference rin. He's actually good and nice."

"He's so casual na. He's so successful."

"And so are you. You've reached your dreams... Pareho lang kayo."

I smiled and stayed silent.

"You should rest now. I know you've had a long day. Tapos may shoot ka pa bukas."

"Okay, Elisha. Thanks for listening, again. Goodnight!" I try to smile.

"Bye, Aeri. Matulog na wag na umiyak at mag ovethink. Take care of yourself. Goodnight." He smiled and then the call was hanged up.

I put away my phone. Pumunta ako sa closet para mag impake ng mga dadalhin ko bukas. Uuwi pa naman ako bago magpuntang La Union.

Pinatay ko ang lamp sa side table tsaka natulog. I'll be early tomorrow so I gotta rest.

I was up early. I quickly showered and eat my breakfast. I also sent Elisha a goodmorning through dm. I think he's still sleeping.

I checked my schedule. The TV show will be on air at 8am but our call time is at 7am so I have to be there before. Next is the contract signing which is at 10am. Then we'll go to La union at 1pm.

Mabilis lang naman yung contract signing na yun kaya makakauwi pa talaga ako bago kami umalis patungong La Union.

I faced myself on my vanity mirror. "Do you deserve to be loved,?" I asked.

I sighed tsaka iniwas ko ang tingin sa sarili. Lumipat ang tingin ko sa mga jewerlies ko doon. I saw that box with the necklace Jacob gave me 2 years ago...

Kinuha ko iyon at pinagmasdang muli. Okay lang naman siguro kung susuotin ko ito, hindi ba? Itatago ko na lang.

Mabilis kong isnuot iyon at itinago sa damit ko. I am wearing a plain black long sleeve turtle neck and a denim skirt. Ito na rin ang isusuot ko sa talk show. Mamaya na lang ako mag heheels so I just put on my arizona classic birkenstock. Tsaka nagdesisyong bumaba na sa parking.

6:30 ng umaga ako umalis sa unit. Wala pang traffic dahil maaga pa. Maya maya ay narating ko na ang studio.

"Goodmorning, Miss Aeri! Archie is waiting for you sa dressing room." Bati ni Mika na nasa lobby.

"Goodmorning, Mika," I greeted back.

Umakyat na ako kasama si Mika. "Nandiyan pala si Ma'am Ashley, Miss Aeri. Nandoon na rin sa dressing room, iniintay ka." Ani Mika habang nasa elevator kami.

"What is she doing here? Not that I din't want her to be here, hindi kasi siya pumupunta dito parati."

"Hindi ko alam, Miss. Pero kasama sya sa La Union."

"Well, syempre, Mika. Last shoot na bago mag vacation eh." I chuckled.

Nasa hallway na kami ngayon patungo sa dressing room. "Saan ka pala magbabakasyon, Mika?"

"Uuwi po ako sa probinsya, Miss Aeri. Namimiss ko na po ang family ko eh. Lalo na sila Mama at Papa."

Buti pa si Mika, walang problema sa parents niya.

"Ah, I see..."

"Kayo po, Miss Aeri?"

"I don't know yet. Mag tatravel lang siguro ako, alone. Elisha's not around. He's busy abroad."

Tumango tango si Mika. Hindi na kami nag usap dahil narating na namin ang dressing room.

"Goodmorning, Miss Ganda!" Bati ni Archie. Bumeso ako sa kanya.

"Hi Tita," I greeted Tita Ashley, my mangaer.

"Hi, Aeri. Nandito ako kasi may sasabihin ako saiyo. You can't answer questions na makaka ispoil sa public about the upcoming movie. And sa personal na questions naman, It's up to you, if you'll answer." Aniya.

Tumango naman ako. Nagsimula na akong mag make up habang si Archie ay busy na sa buhok ko. Pinatong ko lang ang robe ko sa damit ko para hindi ako madumihan.

Si Mika at Tita Ashley ay nasa backstage na para pag ready na, tatawagan na lang nila ako.

My phone suddenly beeped while I was busy highlighting my face's features.

"Miss Ganda, si papi Elisha, tumatawag!" Ani Archie na may halong landi sa boses. Napailing na lang akong natawa.

"Hi, babe, Goodmorning. I'm at the sudio already." I greeted.

"Hi, Ser Elisha, hehe" si Archie.

"Hi, Archie! Goodmorning, babe! Did you eat breakfast? Take care, okay?"

"Yes po. I ate breakfast. You too."

"Okay, I just called you to say goodmorning. Update me later. I love you, babe & I miss you."

"Yes, I will. I love you, too. I miss you more, babe. Wish you were here."

"Don't worry I'll be home soon, wag ka na sad jan. I have to hang up na babe. May meeting ako with ny new client later."

"Okay, goodluck, babe. Bye!" Then he hanged up.

"Ay hala! Ang sweet! Kainggit naman!" Si Archie. I just laughed.

We have to act kasi kasama ko si Archie. Kung wala sana to dito inasar ko lang si Elisha kanina. Hindi ako malambing magsalita dun oag kaming dalwa lang ang nag uusap eh pag walang tao.

I put on some lipstick to finish my look. Tapos na rin si Archie sa buhok ko. He just curled my long hair again and half ponytailed my hair. He let down my baby hairs to give it a messy look.

Sinuot ko rin ang silver round earrings ko.

"Backstage muna ako, Miss Ganda. See you there!" Paalam ni Archie tumango lang ako.

I grabbed my phone and took a mirror selfie sa vanity. I edited the photo before I put it on my IG story. Ang nilagay ko lang na caption ay "I'll be on air @8am. Stay tuned."

Kahit maaga eh marami talagang nag view nagreply at nagreact sa story ko. I just ignored it. Ang dami kasi.

I was checking who viewed my story. I scrolled and scrolled until I saw someone. He viewed my story? Really?

Hindi ko alam kung lagi ba viniview ni Jacob ang story ko kasi hindi naman ako nagchecheck parati. Ngayon lang talaga.

I wonder if he's stalking my accounts? To keep him updated about me. Wow, assuming ka ghorl?

My heart... Gosh. I'm shaking.. what the hell!

"Miss, Aeri! On air na po! Tara na!" Sigaw ni Mika.

Nagulat pa ako. Damn it.

"Okay, Let's go."

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