YAL | Prologue

"A friend invited you to a wedding?" Kunot noong nag-angat ng tingin si Jason at sandali siyang sinulyapan bago muling ibinalik ang pansin sa binabasang dokumento. "Ilang araw ka namang mawawala?"

"Three days top. You can come with me if you want."

Jason shrugged, "I'll think about it."

Hindi na siya sumagot at tahimik na sinuri ang kaharap. Jason Castillo is her Boss for six years now. Maliban pa doon ay matalik din silang magkaibigan. She met him on her fourth year in college, naging magka-klase sila nito noong lumipat sila ng kuya niya sa Maynila. Noong una ay sinubukan siya nitong ligawan subalit maaga niyang tinanggihan ang pagpapakita nito ng interes. Overtime, they became close friends. Nang magtapos siya bilang cum laude ay kaagad siyang niyaya nitong magtrabaho sa food processing company ng mga magulang nito bilang Junior Staffing Administrator. A year after her employment, she was promoted to Executive Assistant, and essentially, Jason became her boss.

Life has been good to her since she left San Mateo almost seven years ago. She convinced herself that she's happy with her current situation. Salamat sa mga pinagdaanan niya sa buhay dahil kung hindi sa mga iyon ay wala siya sa kinaroroonan niya ngayon.

"So, tell me," inilapag ni Jason ang hawak na papeles sa ibabaw ng mesa at saka sumandal sa swivel chair, "sa San Mateo ba gaganapin itong kasal na sinasabi mo?"

"Yeah," matabang niyang sagot.

"Handa ka na bang bumalik doon?"

She shrugged nonchalantly, "I can't say no to a friend."

"That didn't answer my question," nakangiting sambit ni Jason. "For seven long years, this will be the first time na babalik ka sa San Mateo. Do you think it's a good idea na pumunta ka roon? What if you'll see him there?"

She cleared her throat, "Hindi imposible iyon, matalik niyang kaibigan ang groom kaya siguradong naroon din siya sa kasal nito."

Tumango ito, "Why won't you just send your friend a card or a gift? Hindi mo kailangang magpunta roon."

"And let Shiela kill me?" pilit siyang natawa roon. "The bride is my best friend since we were a child, I can't miss her wedding for the world."

Muling ngumiti si Jason, "Then I guess I'd come with you. Besides, I haven't met Shiela."

Ginantihan niya ng ngiti ang kaibigan.

"What was he like, by the way? You never told me anything about the man who broke your heart and I'm really curious. Alam kong sinaktan ka niya kaya hindi mo na ninais pang bumalik sa San Mateo, but other than that, you never told me anything about him."

Nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. Ibinaling niya ang tingin sa aquarium na nasa loob ng opisina ni Jason, "There is nothing to tell, Jason. He was one of those guys na ang tingin sa sarili ay regalo mula sa langit."

"But he was the only man you have ever loved—"

"He was just part of the past, Jason. At ang nakaraan ay dapat lang na kalimutan, 'di ba? Hindi na natin siya dapat na pinag-uusapan," aniya saka tumayo na. "Bukas ng madaling araw ang alis ko. Kung seryoso ka sa sinasabi mong sumama, I'll meet you at my house at three in the morning. We can just use my car."

Natawa si Jason sa kaniya. "There you go again, laging umiiwas kapag napag-uusapan ang ex mo. I'll probably just ask Shiela when we get there.." tudyo nito na ikina-iling nalang niya.

"Bakit hindi nalang ang lalaking iyon mismo ang tanungin mo? Baka malaman ko din ang dahilan kung bakit niya ako hiniwalayan, 'di ba?" she said sarcastically.

Lalong natawa si Jason sa sinabi niya. "Natutuwa akong nagbibiro ka na ng ganiyan kapag binabanggit mo siya. Hindi tulad dati na maluha-luha ka sa tuwing napag-uusapan natin ang ex mo."

She rolled her eyes upwardly, "I have to go now. See you in the morning."

*****