"Are you done packing?" Nick asked me a countless of times.
I sighed and glared at him. "Not yet, Nick. Now, will you please get out of my room so I can pack my things in peace?"
He just shrugged. Umalis siya sa pagkakasandal sa hamba ng aking pintuan. Minsan talaga napakakulit ni Nick. Minsan naman mature siya kumilos. Depende talaga sa mood niya kung paano siya aasta.
I quietly fold my clothes and put it in my suitcase. I think that's all I have to bring. I already packed my other stuff yesterday. Mamimili na lang siguro ako sa Pinas ng ibang gamit pagkarating namin doon.
I pulled my suitcase out of my room. I saw Tita Nancy, Nick, and Aling Delia talking at our dining room. Nang magtama ang paningin namin ni Nick ay agad siyang tumayo.
"Oh, ayan na pala siya!" si Tita Nancy na nakapansin din sa akin.
"We're so late," Nick said while getting my suitcase.
Anong late ang pinagsasabi nito? We are seriously four hours early ahead of our flight when we get to the airport. Masyado lang talagang taranta 'tong si Nick.
I rolled my eyes at him. Narinig ko ang pagtawa ni Nick pero hindi ko na siya pinansin. I went to Tita Nancy and Aling Delia to give them both a hug.
"Take care, my dear niece. Call us when you get there, okay?" Tita Nancy smiled at us. Inilagay niya ang tikwas ng aking buhok sa aking tainga.
"At huwag mo ng alalahanin ang restaurant mo rito dahil ako ng bahala roon," si Aling Delia.
"Maraming salamat po sa inyo. Mamimiss ko po kayo nang sobra," niyakap ko silang muli.
Then, I heard Nick calling my name. "Nyla, let's go! The taxi's waiting for us!" He hurriedly went to his Mom to give her a kiss on the cheek and he nods at Aling Delia.
"Nick, mag-iingat kayo! Alagaan mong mabuti si Nyla!" habol ni Tita Nancy.
I waved them goodbye and quickly ran to Nick's direction. He guided me by holding the small of my back. Nang sasakay na kami sa taxi, hinarangan niya ng kanyang kamay ang pillar ng kotse para hindi ako mauntog.
I looked through the car window as we headed to the airport. I'm going to miss the view of Paris. I'm going to miss the buildings, apartments, the people, the smell of food, and the peace it gave me.
Isinandal ko ang aking ulo sa balikat ni Nick at nag-isip-isip. What will happen to me when I arrive at my home country? What if I see them... or even him? What if Sir Gilbert finds me immediately?
A hand slipped over mine and squeezed it. Napabalik ako sa ulirat nang maramdamang si Nick 'yon. I didn't know that I was trembling immensely.
"Are you sure you wanted to go? We can ask the driver to bring us back home," he said softly.
I shook my head. "Hindi na. Saka para saan pa ang pagmamadali mo sa akin kung babalik tayo 'di ba?" I chuckled to ease up the atmosphere.
Nick also chuckled. "Okay. We will be staying at my condo in Manila. My housekeeper already prepared a room for you to stay."
"Hmm... thank you."
A few hours by now, I will be back home. To the place where my fears will consume me... but I won't let it.
Not anymore.
***
We stopped at a luxurious building where Nick's condo unit is located. I stared at it with awe because it was so big. I didn't know Nick has so many condo units here!
Nick helped me with my luggage and proceed to the front desk. Hinintay ko siyang kausapin ang staff. Mabilis lamang iyon dahil nakita ko kaagad siyang papalapit sa akin.
"Let's go."
We went to the elevator. Nick is still holding my luggage while I press the button where his unit was. Nang makalabas sa elevator, mabilis na naglakad si Nick papunta sa kanyang unit. May itinapat siyang key card sa pintuan para mabuksan ito.
Sobrang ganda ng condo unit ni Nick. The whole unit is painted in brown and white and it is accented with wood and glass designs. The kitchen, along with an island countertop, was as big as the living room. May malaking bintana na rin na kita ang buong Manila at ang mga naggagandahang ilaw nito.
"The second door to your right is your room, okay?" si Nick. "I'll just go to my room to take a quick nap. You should, too."
Tumango ako sa kanyang sinabi at dumiretso na sa aking kwarto. Halos kaparehas ng design sa sala ang kwarto ko kaya hindi ko mapigilang hindi mamangha.
Inilagay ko sa walk-in closet ang aking mga damit at toiletries naman sa banyo. Pagkatapos mag-ayos ay naligo muna ako bago mapagdesisyunang matulog. Napakalaki rin ng banyo. May malaking jacuzzi rito, na balak kong gamitin sa susunod na mga araw.
I wore an oversized shirt and dolphin shorts after taking a bath. Umupo ako sa gilid ng queen-sized bed at saglit na nag-isip-isip.
We are here, now. Ang sabi ng aking isipan. There's no turning back. I guess this is an another start for me. Kahit na kinakabahan at natatakot, pilit ko itong isinasantabi.
I've got this. I truly got this. Magiging okay rin ako. Magiging okay rin ang lahat.
Kinaumagahan, maaga akong nagising dahil sa isa na namang bangungot. I immediately calmed myself. I rested my hand on my chest and clutched my shirt. Huminga ako ng malalim at nagpakawala ng mabigat na hininga.
I checked the time and it was six in the morning. Tuluyan na akong bumangon sa kama upang ipagluto si Nick. Sasamahan niya ako ngayon kay Nanay at pagkatapos ay kikitain ang head engineer ng aking restaurant. Sa Manila rin ito naka-locate kaya madali na rin ang pagpunta.
Maya-maya ay nagising na si Nick. He's only wearing his boxers. Kitang-kita ang kakisigan ng kanyang katawan. His hair is disheveled at namumungay pa ang mga mata. Sanay na akong makita si Nick na ganiyan dahil madalas siyang ganiyan noong nasa Paris pa kami.
He looks like a baby when he wakes up every morning.
"Good morning! Kain na tayo," bati ko.
I only heard his low groan. Natatawa akong umiling at bumalik sa pagtimpla ng gatas at ng kape.
"Nga pala, kung pupuwede, bisitahin muna natin ang puntod ng Nanay bago tayo makipagkita sa kaibigan mo," sabi ko habang hinihila ang island counter stool.
"Sure. We'll do that," Nick said while eating his pancakes.
I smiled at him while he's wearing his usual scowl face. Tumaas ang kilay niya sa akin na mas lalo kong ikinatawa. Pinaglihi yata ni Tita Nancy ito sa sama ng loob.
Matapos kumain, dumiretso na si Nick sa kanyang kwarto upang mag-ayos. Ako naman ay nagligpit ng pinagkainan. Maya-maya ay pumunta na rin ako sa aking kwarto upang magbihis.
I wore a simple white floral dress. I only put on some light makeup to highlight my features and sprayed on my favorite vanilla-scented cologne. Nang makalabas sa kwarto, nasalubong ko si Nick na inaayos ang kanyang watch. Nakabukas ang dalawang butones ng kanyang black button down shirt, white pants, at itim na formal shoes.
Nakarating kami kung saan inilibing ang Nanay. Nasa isang maliit na mausoleum ito na kulay asul, ang paboritong kulay ng Nanay. Inilapag ko ang binili naming bulaklak at taimtim na nagdasal.
"Hello, Nanay. Pasensya na po kung ngayon lang po ako nakabisita. Miss na miss na po kita, 'Nay," mahina kong sabi. "Natupad ko na po 'yong pangarap niyong restaurant. Alam ko pong masaya na rin kayo riyan. Huwag mo po kaming pababayaan, 'Nay, ha? Malalagpasan ko rin po ang lahat."
Pinalis ko ang luhang lumandas sa aking pisngi. Nick was outside, giving me some privacy. Hinaplos ko ang puntod ng Nanay at saka bumuntong-hininga.
If only she was here... If only the Heavens didn't take her too early from me...
Pero ganiyan talaga ang buhay. May mga taong aalis o mawawala at may mga tao namang dadating sa buhay mo.
Niyakad ko na si Nick para kitain ang kaibigan niya. Excited na akong makita ang bagong tayong branch ng aking restaurant. Nilagyan na rin nila ito ng mga furniture at iba pang kagamitan sa loob. Laking pasasalamat ko talaga sa kaibigan ni Nick.
Pagkarating namin sa location, tuluyan na akong namangha sa aking nakita. There it is. The restaurant that I named after my late mother.
Nirvana...
The beautiful, gold, script-style of the logo shone elegantly above the building. Same design as the one I have in Paris. I can't wait to manage this and serve the people coming in this place.
Sinundan ko si Nick kung nasaan ang tinutukoy niyang head engineer nito. May kakaunting arrangements pa sa loob kaya may mga tauhan pa ring kumikilos. Natigil ako sa paglalakad ng tumigil si Nick sa taong nakatalikod sa amin.
For a moment, I notice that back was quite familiar...
"Bro..." Nick called to the person. May inuutusan itong trabahador na siya namang masunuring sumunod. Napansin kong mukhang kinakabahan ang trabahador sa kaniya.
Nang makaalis ang isang tauhan, humarap na sa amin ang tinutukoy na head engineer ni Nick. Napaawang ang labi ko nang makita kung sino iyon. Saglit na nanlaki ang mga mata niya pero bumalik ito sa pagiging seryoso. I remember those black eyes that made women swoon all over him.
"Nick..." I shivered from his cold tone. He pushed his glasses with his index finger. His cold gaze went to mine. He held out his hand to introduce himself. "Engineer Alekz Escareal. Nice meeting you, Miss Silverio."
Pinakatitigan ko ang nakalahad niyang kamay. Did he recognize me that fast? Parang may nakabara sa lalamunan ko dahilan ng mahirap kong paglunok.
Nanginginig ang kamay kong tinanggap ang kanya at hilaw na ngumisi. "N-Nice meeting you, Engineer E-Escareal. I appreciate your great work on building my r-restaurant."
He just nodded, without even smiling. Same old Alekz. Humarap siya kay Nick. "Nice seeing you again, Nick."
Hinayaan ko muna silang mag-usap. Probably catching up. Napansin kong pabalik-balik ang tingin sa akin ni Alekz na siya ko namang iniiwasan. I felt awkward and uncomfortable at the same time.
Nagpaalam ako sa kanila na titignan ko ang kabuuan ng restaurant. Nick simply nodded. Yumuko ako sa kanila bago umalis.
I roamed around the restaurant. I checked where my office was. A simple room, with the same color palette as the interior of the restaurant, welcomed me. Kumpleto na rin sa gamit ang office ko kaya dumiretso naman ako sa kitchen. Nagulat ako dahil puro trabahador ang nandoon. But I was greeted lively by them. I greeted them back with the same energy.
Mahigit kalahating oras akong nagpasikot-sikot sa restaurant nang tinawag na ako ni Nick. He said that we need to go right now because there's an emergency in the hospital. Nagpasalamat ulit ako kay Alek— este... Engineer Escareal at sumunod na kay Nick.
"Did the workers catcall or hurt you?" Nick suddenly asked. He's now maneuvering his car. We're now heading to his condo.
I shook my head. "Hindi. Magiliw naman silang bumati sa akin kanina."
Hindi na sumagot sa Nick. He started focusing on the road.
"Paano nga pala kayo nagkakilala ni Engineer Escareal?" I asked Nick, breaking the silence between us.
"We have the same common friends," Nick answered. "Sometimes, we hangout in clubs way back when I was just a college freshman."
I was surprised with Nick's answer. I didn't know Alekz likes to go in clubs. Noong college kasi madalas ko siyang makitaan na may hawak na libro at laging seryoso kapag kinakausap namin.
"Oh..."
"Why? Do you guys knew each other back then?"
I stiffened but composed myself after. "U-Uh... nakikita ko lang siya sa hallway dati," hilaw akong ngumisi.
Nick just nodded. Inihatid niya muna ako sa kanyang condo bago siya dumiretso sa hospital. Nang makapasok ako sa unit, pagod akong sumalampak sa sofa. I didn't expect to see Alekz today and he's the freaking engineer of my restaurant!
Then, I remember. Magkaibigan sila ni Gabriel noon pa. Paano kung sabihin ni Alekz na nakita niya ako? What if I'm going to bump to him one of these days? Paniguradong galit pa siya sa nangyari dati. Sinabihan pa nga niya ako na ayaw na niyang makita ang mukha ko.
I smiled sadly. Kung makakasalubong o makikita ko man siya, ako na ang kusang iiwas. Dahil kung tutuusin, dapat na akong umiwas sa kanya noong umpisa pa lang. Sa umpisa pa lang, ang layo na ng mga mundo namin. Na kahit kailan ay hindi ito magkakabungguan.
Our worlds will stay permanently in our own parallel orbits. Not meant to collide, not meant to align, not meant to meet.
Ibinalewala ko na lang ang aking iniisip at dumiretso sa kusina. Nagluto ako ng aming kakainin ni Nick. Nagtabi na lang ako ng sa kanya dahil mamaya pa siya uuwi. Pagkatapos kumain, pumunta ako sa banyo para maligo at dumiretso na sa kama upang matulog.
***
Few months have passed and the restaurant is fully on its work. Kumpleto na ito sa gamit at nakapag-hire na rin ng staff. I already assigned their positions and reminded them what will be the flow of the restaurant. Nakapag-post na rin kami sa aming social media sites about the details of the restaurant.
At its grand opening, dinagsa agad ito ng maraming tao. Sa sobrang dami ay umabot ang pila hanggang sa labas ng restaurant. Good thing the customers are willing to wait because they really wanted to taste the exquisite cuisine of the restaurant.
I called Tita Nancy and Aling Delia at the grand opening. They said that they were happy for me and they knew that Nanay is, too. Tita Nancy said that they will visit my branch here in the Philippines anytime soon. I got so excited because I really miss them a lot.
Nasa loob ako ng aking office nang marinig kong kumatok ang isa kong staff. As usual, the door was halfway opened para kita ko kung sino ang kakatok.
Tiningala ko ang pumasok na staff. "Ma'am, nasa labas po si Sir Nick."
"Sige. Papasukin mo na lang, please. Thank you!"
Maya-maya'y pumasok na nga si Nick. He's wearing his usual clothes during work, a long-sleeved polo shirt tucked in the waistband of his pants and the sleeves are rolled up to his forearm. Pinasadahan ng kanyang kamay ang itim niyang buhok.
"Hi!"
Umangat ang gilid ng kanyang labi. "Hey."
"Dinumog ka na naman ba sa labas?" I asked, chuckling a little.
Inirapan niya ako. Karamihan sa staff ko ay puro babae at halos lahat iyon ay may gusto kay Nick. Panay ang tanong din ng mga ito kung may girlfriend na raw ba si Nick. I couldn't answer it because even I don't know if Nick has a special someone. So, the safest answer to that is a shrug.
"Wala ka bang pampakalma sa mga staff mo?" he irritately asked.
Natawa ako sa kanyang sinabi. "They're just appreciating how handsome you are, Nick. Be thankful for that."
He murmured the words I have said in an annoying tone. Natatawa pa rin akong umiling sa kanya. There goes childish Nick again.
"Engineer Escareal invited me to a formal party. It will be held the day after tomorrow evening. Can I bring you with me?" he shifted the topic.
I thought for a moment. "Uhm, okay."
Kumunot ang noo niya at suminghap. "You can say no, Nyla. Maraming tao roon at alam kong ilap ka pang makisalamuha sa iba."
"No, it's okay. I can manage naman." Kung hindi ako uusad, walang mangyayari sa akin. Mananatili akong nakakulong sa dilim ng nakaraan.
He sighed again and finally nodded. "Alright. I'm glad your taking your steps one at a time. Remember that I'm always by your side, okay?"
I smiled. "Okay."