12 - Apologies

RJ's POV

If people think na madali ang pinagdadaanan ko, well hindi rin. I have been into many challenges and struggles in the past, but last night was the first time I was not able to get a decent sleep.

I can feel everyone in the breakfast table tried not to discuss what happened last night. As usual, my Dad and Lolo discusses about the business while Rizza is silently having her breakfast without uttering any word, which by the way is not the usual thing in her during breakfast.

"RJ, before you came, I was discussing with your Dad about that international telco company who will be putting an office here in the Philippines. I want you to take a look at it. Baka kaya nating kunin yung project ng construction ng building nila." my Lolo instructed me.

"Sige po Lolo, I'll ask the team of Mike to take a look at it." I replied.

"Kaya mo na yan anak, matatapos na rin naman yung construction ng subdivision sa Cavite, magiging maluwag na ang schedule mo." My Dad seconded.

That is usually how we converse during breakfast, but this morning, I felt too awkward discussing business with my Dad and my Lolo.

"Pwede po bang magtanong Dad?" I asked.

"Of course, ano yun anak?" My Dad ask in reply.

"Have you called Chloe about calling off the wedding?" I asked and I'm glad I was able to gather all my strength to ask that question.

"Not yet, naisip ko kasi, I need to talk to Teddy about this first para pareho kami ng isasagot in case someone asks. Medyo nagleak na rin kasi ang tungkol dito sa kasal kaya we need to be very careful on how to handle the cancellation of the wedding." My Dad replied.

"Why did you asked apo?" My Lola Linda asked.

"Can we not call on Chloe yet, gusto ko po muna sanang makausap si Charm." I said.

"Why would you like to talk to her?" My Lolo asked.

"At least to apologize, I know I owe it to her family, specially to her." I replied.

"That's the mature way to deal with it, son. Sige just let me know kung pwede ko nang tawagan si Chloe." My Dad said while my sister Rizza quickly excused herself and leave the breakfast table.

"You awe her an apology, too, RJ. You know how much she banks on to your promise about this arrangement." Lola Linda said.

"Yes Lola, I will talk to Rizza later before ako pumasok sa office." I said.

Before I report for work, I make sure to talk to my sister Rizza regarding our misunderstanding the previous night. My Lola is right, I owe her an apology because what happens in the Mendoza residences last night was a strong indication of breaking my promise to her. Clearly, she is no longer spare with the arrangement since Charmaine Mendoza already declared of calling the wedding off.

"Can I have a minute?" I asked my sister upon opening her door. She opens it widely so I can go in her room. Then she sat on her bed without saying a word. "I'm sorry about last night." I apologized.

"You don't have to apologized Kuya, I understand." She sadly replied.

"Pero masama ang loob mo sa akin." I said.

"Yes, masama ang loob ko, disappointed kasi ako sa yo. I never thought you will stoop that low, Kuya. Of all people, sa iyo pa talaga nangaling ang mga salitang disgrasyada, marrying an unwed mother is insane at nakakahiya sa mga kaibigan mo. Kelan mo pa inisip ang iisipin ng ibang tao, Kuya? Sa ating tatlo nila Kuya RD, ikaw ang pinaka-rational, naimpluwensyahan ka na ba ng mga user friendly mong kaibigan, Kuya?" She said.

"I'm sorry for disappointing you Rizza, I could not also understand myself why I bursted out that way last night." I confesses. Among my two siblings kay Rizza kasi talaga ako mas close, sa kanya ko mas nasasabi ang tutoong nararamdaman ko.

"OMG, may crush ka na kay Ate Charm." Rizza abruptly exclaimed and I saw the quick change of her mood.

"Tumigil ka nga Rizza Marie. Nagpunta ako dito para mag-apologize hindi para makinig sa kung anu-anong sinasabi mo." I said.

"But that is how I see it. Kaya ka naiinis kahapon kasi crush mo na si Ate Charm and you get upset kasi mukhang na-in love na pala sya sa iba. At iniisip mo na in love pa sya sa daddy ni Celestine, kaya inis na inis ka." Rizza said

"Hindi ko gusto ang pupuntahan ng usapang ito, dyan ka na tutal tapos na akong mag-apologize." I told Rizza to end our conversation.

"Hindi ko pa tinatanggap ang apology mo Kuya, aminin mo munang crush mo na talaga si Ate Charm, apology accepted agad-agad." She said

"Dyan ka na." I said and quickly leave Rizza's room though I still heard her screams. "Basta crush mo na si Ate Charm, because if not, you will easily deny it Kuya."

Itong kapatid ko umiral na naman ang pagiging hopeless romantic. Nabigla lang naman ako kahapon, crush na agad? Yes I have to apologize to Charm as well, I was truly out of line last night, but I did not mean to offend her that way.

I immediately send a text message to her, inviting her for a talk while having some coffee.

"I can't, I am in Malolos now, preparing for my competition. If this invitation is about asking for an apology then no need to for a coffee. There is nothing to talk about anymore Faulkerson Jr., everything is crystal clear kagabi pa. Apology accepted kahit hindi mo pa hinihingi. Good day." Says her text reply.

Hindi na ako natuto, I should have not underestimated her. This is not the kind of treatment I should give her if I wanted to get what I want. I wasted no time and hurriedly called my secretary to tell her I am taking a day off today. Masyadong malayo ang Bulacan, hindi kakayanin ng half day lang ang ipupunta ko dun.

On my way to Malolos, Bulacan my mind is not yet clear on why am I driving myself there. I could have drop by in their house in Sta. Maria to apologize to her parents as well, but there is a strong urge in me to go to Malolos and meet Charm there.

It took me two hours and half to reach Malolos, mas maraming tao dito kesa nung unang pinuntahan ko si Charm sa San Mateo and there are familiar faces too, grabe talaga ang passion ng mga motocross riders na 'to, kung saan-saan nakakarating. I've been into both tracks before so there really are familiar faces that I could bump in around.

"RJ what are you doing here? It's been a long time, bro." An old friend of mine asked when we bump into each other at the entrance.

"Yeah, it's been a long time. How are you?" I asked him.

"Eto ayos lang, hindi pa rin makawala sa sports na 'to. Are you with someone?" He asked.

"May hinahanap ako eh, si Charm Mendoza, yung babaing motocross rider. Do you know her?" I asked.

"Ah si Charm, who would not know that hottie?" He replied at nagpantig ang tenga ko, a simple yes or no lang na answer may 'hottie' pang pasakalye.

"Have you seen her here?" I asked.

"Nandun sa coffee shop kasama si Jacob. What about her?" He asked, ang daming tsismoso sa lugar na 'to. I heard Jacob's name again, associated ba talaga si Charm sa Jacob na yun? Ano ba meron sila at parang napakanormal lang sa mga tao dito na makita silang magkasama?

"I need something from her, for my Dad." I replied.

"Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago RJ, kahit saan pupuntahan mo basta tungkol sa business, baka naman sumobra na ang yaman mo nyan." he commented.

"Hindi naman. I have to go bro, puntahan ko na lang si Charm sa coffee shop. Kailangang makabalik ako agad sa Manila eh." I said and quickly walks to the coffee shop.

May friend was right because from afar I already saw Charm, having coffee with someone, most probably he is the one they called Jacob.