Chapter 8

Behind Shelves | Filled with people

  Lumaki ang mata ko sa nakita. Out of all the people again bakit siya pa?

  "What are you doing here, Selene?" Napalunok ako ng marinig ang nakakatakot na boses ni papa.

  Halata ang pagod at inis sa pagmumukha nito. Nakapamulsa ito at tila ba ay may tinatago sa likuran nito. Ano kaya iyon?

  He looks like a normal employee with his polo and ID. Something's wrong here.

  "D-dad? I never knew that you're working here...." napakurap ako ng mabilis at tinitigan ang pagmumukha ni papa na tila ba ay iniiwas ang tingin sa akin.

  "Of course I am not. May nilakad lang ako dito and why you're here?" Tumaas naman ang kilay nito.

  Halaaa!! Anong idadahilan ko?

  "Uhm...I am planning to apply a job." I scratched my nape and pray that he'll get my reason.

  "Why? Are we not giving you enough allowance? Hindi ba sapat ang napapakain naminsa iyo?"

  Lumaki naman ang mata ko sa sinabi ni papa. Iba na naman ang pagkakaintindi niya. Kailan niya kaya ako maiintindihan.

  "No, pa. Of course it was enough, always enough. I just want to be an independent woman and stand on my ow—"

  "Are you planning to leave the house?" I immediately shook my head and sighed.

  He'll never get my point. Sobrang OA niya pa.

  His pride was taller then anything. He wants to do everything by his wants and make his own laws in our family. I really do hate his principles.

  With all strength I have in my body I said. "Maybe."

  His eyes was shook, it was full of hurt and some regrets. Soon he sighed and look away, nodding his head as if accepting things.

  "Bahala ka sa buhay mo. I have to go." After that he start to walk away and vanished in my sight.

  A tear was falling into my eyes. I felt bad on what I said. Feeling ko natapakan ko yung role niya bilang ama namin. Pero hindi naman kasi ganon ang gusto kong iparating eh.

  Bakit kasi napakasarado ng utak niya para sa mga bagay-bagay?

  Hindi ko alam pero sobrang nagtatanim ako ng sama ng loob sa kanya. Palagi niya nalang iniisip ang sarili niya, hindi niya kami hinahayaang gumawa ng sarili naming desisyon o hindi man lang niya kami hinahayaang gawin ang mga bagay na nakakapagpasaya sa amin.

  I wish I will get paid high in this job para mailayo kona sila mama at ate sa kanya. He's so selfish.

  I remember when I was in elementary, he caught me reading books about romance and he decide to burn all of my books.

  That time my books is so precious for me yet he burn all of it. He was too cruel since now.

  Minamaliit niya kami masiyado, akala niya hindi kami makakatayo sa sariling mga paa namin well I will prove him wrong.

  Huminga ako ng malalim, pinunasan ang luha ko at sinimulan ng maglakad papunta sa elevator. I press 14 and wait for the elevator to close but a hand stop it from closing.

  "Oh." I was too stunned when I saw Steven. He stared at me like he saw a ghost, he then went inside after a long hesitation, he then press the same floor as mine.

  Hindi ko mawari pero naiilang ako. Sobrang tahimik namin sa loob ng elevator. Parang may iba, parang may mali. Feeling ko may nagawa akong mali pero alam ko naman na wala akong ginawa.

  I face him and was about to break the ice between us when the clicking sound was heard and the elevator's door slowly open. Lots of people and employee rush to get in.

  And to my surprise it make us closer. He was facing me and still averting his gaze on my.

  Gawwwhddd!! We're so close to each other, it looks like he is pinning me to the wall.

  I can't even breathe well, afraid that he might smell it. Hindi ko namang sinasabing mabaho hininga ko noh!

  Itinikom ko nalang ang bibig ko at pinikit ang mata ko. Nakakahiya naman. Lalo pang nagdikit ang katawan namin ng huminto na naman sa isang floor ang elevator at may pumasok na naman.

  I put both of my hands in my chest to cover it since Steven's chest is getting closer in me.

  Lord! Sana hindi niya marinig ang tibok ng puso ko dahil sobra akong kinakabahan.

  What if mautot ako ng hindi sa oras??

  Sobrang tahimik pa naman sa loob ng elevator halos hindi nako makahinga. I felt so hot and not mentioning how nervous I am since there is a guy in front of me, pinning me.

  *tinggg!*

  Thank godness!!

  The elevator stop in 14th floor and almost everyone in the elavator went out. Dali-dali naman akong umalis doon at huminga ng malalim nang makalabas na ako.

  Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko, parang hinahabol ang hininga ko. Pinay-pay ko naman ang kamay ko sa mukha ko at nagsimula ng maglakas papunta sa office ni Sir—

  Wait! I forgot kung sino kikitain ko dito!

  Napasapo ako ng noo ko at isinandal ang likuran sa dingding.

  "Bobita ka talaga, Selene. Arghs!" Inis na sabi ko at patuloy ang pagsapo sa aking noo.

  "Psh."

   Tumaas naman ang tingin ko nang marinig na may gumawa ng ganong tunog.

  It was him again, why why why!

  I took a deep breath before standing straight and up my chin to him. I want things to get better, he look so fine and good but why he's always following me.

  "May gusto kaba saken ha??"

   Lumaki naman ang mata nito sa tinanong ko at tila ba nanunuyang tumawa ito pagkatapos.

  "What?" I blinked on what he said and averted my gaze.

  "You're always following me. It creeps me, so ca you please stop?" Am I sound assuming?

  Unti-unti na akong tinutubuan ng hiya sa katawan ko, dagdag pa ang pawis ma tumatagaktak sa noo ko.

  "Maybe." He replied that makes me even confused.

  He walk away after that and leave me there with mouth in gape.

  I shook my head. Sino nga ba ulit pupuntahan ko dito?

  I then took out my phone and find the email I recieved by Miraculus.

  "Mr. Miraculus. Yeah! How could I forgot it, silly." Natawa nalang ako sa sarili kong katangahan.

   I asked one of the employee and he point me where Mr. Miraculus office is. I was so nervous. I felt my palm is sweating as well my whole damn body.

  "Please come in." I heard a voice inside. I don't know if it's his secretary of it was him.

  I took a deep breathe again and flashed a sweet smile before pushing the knob of the office and enter the office.

  Great! So great!!