David

I KNOW MAGGIE has every right to be mad at me. Earlier that afternoon, when I saw her and Brian hugging each other, I couldn't help but feel that the whole world has conspired against me. Alam ko namang may possibility na makita ko silang sweet pero masakit pala kapag totoo na. Wala naman akong karapatang magselos kaya pinilit kong maging professional at umarteng okay lang ako. At dahil nga sa nararamdaman ko, hindi ko naipaliwanag nang maayos ang dapat gawin ni Maggie. I just handed her the list and left. Hindi ko kasi alam kung paano siya kakausapin nang maayos kaya umalis na lang ako at nag-bookstore hopping.

I checked out several English as a Second Language Books and bought those that I think are good reference materials for our English Center. I decided to bring the books to the center kahit medyo gabi na so tomorrow morning, Maggie and I can browse over and group them per level. In that way, we can really provide a good service for our students. I'm sure, Maggie will do well. Magaling siya, mapangarapin, optimistic. 

And just the thought of Maggie made me shiver. Magkakasama kami bukas. We'll work together. I'll forget about her and Brian. Siguro pwede naman kaming maging friends,'di ba? Kung sila nga ni Brian, wala na akong magagawa. I will just be a good friend to her. Pero kung hindi naman sila, well, ano nga ba? Ano nga ba ako para kay Maggie? Siya na ba 'yung will sa akin ni Lord? Haay . . . ang gulo ng puso ko. Siguro, I am just trying to look for someone so I can forget Minhee. 'Yun lang 'yun, perhaps.

Naisip kong paalalahan siyang uminom ng vitamins dahil alam kong she needs to be strong because we have a lot of things to do and so I dialled her number. Good friends, 'di ba? Yes, we will be good friends.

Hindi ko alam kung anong feeling 'yung naramdaman ko nang sagutin ni Maggie ang phone. At dahil sa bigla ko, kung anu-ano na lang ang nasabi ko."Did you take your vitamins?" Why does it have to feel so surreal? I tried to control my worried heart. Daig ko pa ang tatay niya.

"Huh? No, not yet. I have not gone to the drugstore. I'll just buy later."

Huh? Bakit kailangan niya pang bumili,'di ba? I bought multivitamins for her. Bakit kailangan niya pang gumastos? At Isa pa, gabi na. May bukas pa bang drugstore? Tapos naalala kong hindi ko nga pala naiabot sa kanya ang vitamins.

"What do you mean? You didn't see the vitamins in the small paper bag? I think I placed that . . . oh, I'm sorry I forgot, I placed that on my table. You can just get it tomorrow." Kung gusto mo ako na lang magpapainom sa'yo.

"Sir, I'll just get it now. Libre mo naman 'to siguro, 'di ba?"Get it now? Pupunta siya ng center? Well, gusto ko siyang makita pero baka mabinat siya kung malalamigan siya. Or teka, h'wag mong sabihing nasa center pa siya.

"Wait, It's past 8pm, are you telling me you're still in the center?" Medyo tumaas ang boses ko. Kasi I'm worried, she just got out from the hospital.

"Sir, I'm so sorry if I am not a fast worker. I just can't do all the ten things that you asked me to do," pagpoprotesta at sarkastikong sagot niya. So, she thought she needed to finish everything in one day? How could she do that? That is supposed to be in a week's time.

"Look, please. Next time, please think. The list is a guide for you. It's not meant to be done in one day!" Mas lalong napataas ang boses ko. Nakakainis kasi na ako ang dahilan na nahihirapan siya.

"So Sir, are you firing me now?" Hindi ko kayang mawala agad-agad si Maggie. Bakit naman niya naisip na I will fire her!?

"Look, Maggie . . ." Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko dahil agad niyang pinatay ang phone. I am getting frustrated now. Ayokong magalit sa akin si Maggie.Pinabilis ko ang takbo ng kotse at narating ko ang center in less than 10 minutes. And right before my eyes, I saw a teary-eyed Maggie, shocked and  surprised.