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Cloud Monteverde became more visible in my life after that trip. Sa mga nakalipas na araw, palagi itong nagpupunta sa opisina para sa mga meetings nito, madalas din na sabay kaming kumakain ng tanghalian dahil na rin tuwing aayain ako nito ay laging kaharap si Daddy.
I tried to say no to him but my dad told me to build a relationship with Cloud since his company is helping ours. Mukha ring okay si Daddy sa lalaki na palagi pa nitong ibinibida sa amin ni Mommy sa lamesa tuwing hapunan.
He also has a space in the office already. He chose the office next to mine kaya mas naging madalas sa aming dalawa na magkita. Kung minsan ay nagdadala pa ito ng almusal kapag may maagang meeting kami.
Of course he became the talk of the town in the office. Maraming babaeng empleyado na talaga namang nagsasabi na crush ng mga ito si Cloud at mga nag-aagawan pa sa trabaho kapag involved si Cloud. Ang sekretarya ng Daddy ang nagsasabi sa akin dahil hindi naman ako nakakasama sa mga ito sa pantry.
The male officers were also impressed by Cloud. Kadalasan na pinupuri rin ng mga ito ang lalaki kapag may meetings o proposals na ginagawa ang lalaki. Hindi ko naman din masisisi ang mga ito dahil talaga namang napaka husay ni Cloud. Talagang sinisiguro nito na maayos ang lahat at tinitignan ang mga possible challenges na haharapin kapag may project na gagawin.
Some of them actually said it felt like they're having a thesis when Cloud joined the meeting. My dad laughed about it when he heard it. Sinasabi nito sa mga empleyado na mabuting tularan si Cloud kung gustong maging successful ang mga ito.
"Where are you going?" Cloud asked me when she saw me collecting my things. Tinignan ko ang relo ko at halos alas tres na ng hapon. May meeting ako sa labas ng alas tres y media kaya naman nagmamadali na akong umalis.
"I have a meeting, with Mr. Dellosa, remember?" sagot ko sa kanya bago kinuha ang blazer at itinupi iyon at ipinatong sa braso ko. I looked at him again.
"How do I look?" I asked him. I was wearing a pencil skirt and a white blouse, I also brought my blazer with me.
Cloud cocked his head on the side while staring at me. Hinagod nito ng tingin ang katawan ko bago muling tumingin sa mukha ko.
Para namang gusto kong pagsisihan ang pagtatanong sa kanya.
"You look stunning as always," he commented. "I'll join your meeting," sabi nito na ikinagulat ko. Nagsabi ito na kukunin lang ang gamit nito at babalikan ako nang pigilan ko siya.
"It's fine, Cloud. I can do it. You can just stay here," sabi ko naman sa kanya bago kinuha na ang bag ko at naglakad papalabas ng opisina ko.
"Ashanti," he called my name, I just waved my hand to him and walked straight to the door to go out.
Dumiretso naman na rin ako sa meeting at naging maayos naman ang meeting namin ng magiging bagong investor sa company. It was a good thing that he's a friend of Dad from way back. Isinama rin nito ang anak nito na si Francis dahil ito ang nagmamanage na ng negosyo ng mga ito na retail stores.
Our meeting ended a quarter before 5 pm. Nauna na ring umalis ang mag-ama at nagpaiwan naman ako para ayusin ang notes ko para sa ilang mga napag-usapan namin. It was almost 6:30 when I left the coffee shop.
Iniisip ko pa kung babalik pa ba ako ng opisina o hindi na dahil sa tingin ko naman ay papauwi na rin si Daddy.
I checked my phone when I got inside the car and saw messages from Cloud, asking me where I am. He sent me a message every 30 minutes.
Napailing na lang ako bago nagsimulang magmaneho pauwi sa bahay namin. Since it was already a rush hour, sobrang traffic na kaya naman naghanap ako ng ibang ruta para makauwi ng mas maaga ngunit mas nagkaproblema pa ako nang ma-flat ang gulong ng sasakyan ko.
"What the..." I sighed wearily and checked my tires. Isa sa mga iyon ang flat at hindi ko napansin iyon. Hindi rin ako nakapagdala ng spare tires ngayon dahil nagpalinis ako ng sasakyan at tinanggal iyon.
Tinawagan ko si Daddy para papuntahin ang driver niya sa akin at magdala ng spare tire para sa sasakyan ko. He said he was still in a meeting but will send someone to help me. Wala naman din akong nagawa kaya bumalik na lang ako sa sasakyan at hinintay ang driver ni Daddy.
It was already 7:30 pm and he still hasn't arrived yet. Nakakaramdam na rin ako ng gutom habang lumilinga sa labas. Mabuti na lang din at naitabi ko pa ang sasakyan bago ito huminto kaya hindi ako nagiging abala sa daan.
I also made a mental note to learn how to change tires in case of emergencies like this.
Limang minuto pa ang nakalipas at may nakita akong sasakyan na pumarada sa likod ko. I smiled and opened the door to greet the driver.
Natigilan naman ako nang mapansin ang pamilyar na sasakyan. Hindi nagtagal ay lumabas na rin mula roon si Cloud at lumapit sa akin.
"What... what are you doing here?" I asked him.
"Are you okay?" he asked me and checked on me.
"I... I am. What are you doing here? I thought dad will–"
"I told him I'll go instead since it's on the way, and I know how to change tires," he smiled at me and checked my tires. Sinundan ko naman ito.
"You don't have to do it, I'll just call a tow company and take a cab to go home," pigil ko naman sa kanya. Nakaputing long sleeves polo si Cloud na itinupi ang manggas hanggang sa ilalim ng siko. I don't know much about changing tires, but I know it might stain his clothes.
"I'm already here, Ashanti. It's okay," he smiled at me and told me to stay still while he gets his things.
Hindi ko naman din maintindihan si Daddy. Bakit naman pumayag itong si Cloud pa ang magpunta sa akin! Kung alam ko lang, sana ay kanina pa talaga ako tumawag sa tow company.
"I'll help you..." prisinta ko sa kanya nang bumalik siya sa akin.
"It's okay. Just stay still."
Wala na rin akong nagawa dahil hindi ako hinayaan ni Cloud na tumulong sa kanya. I just watched him change my tires and I must admit, he knows what he's doing.
"Where did you learn that?" I asked him.
"Dad taught me," sagot naman niya sa akin. "I have a sister and in case she needs help, we told her I should be the one she will call," dagdag nito.
Nababanggit ni Cloud sa akin kahit noon pa ang kapatid nito pero never ko pang nakita ang babae. Kung tutuusin naman ay wala pa akong nakikilala sa pamilya nito. Noong naging kaming dalawa, we never had the chance to introduce each other to our families.
Kahit ang pamilya ko ay walang ideya na naging kaming dalawa ni Cloud noon.
After almost 30 minutes, Cloud managed to change the tire of my car. He also checked the others to see if there would be a potential problem on my way home.
"Thank you..." sabi ko sa kanya bago napangiwi ng maliit nang makita na ang puting damit ni Cloud ay nadumihan na. "I'm sorry..." hinging paumanhin ko sa kanya.
"It's okay," he smiled a little and looked at me. "I have spare clothes in the car."
"I will just buy you a new clothes," nahihiyang sabi ko rito. "You got dirty because of me," sabi ko pa sa kanya.
Ngumiti naman si Cloud sa akin. Naglakad ito papunta sa sasakyan nito at inilagay na ang gamit nito sa likod. Sumunod naman ako rito dahil hindi ko talaga kayang tiisin na hindi ko siya mapipilit na bilhan ko siya ng bagong damit na lang.
Binuksan nito ang pinto ng sasakyan nito at kinuha ang bag doon at saka kumuha ng isang t-shirt na puti. Hinubad nito ang suot na polo at sinuot ang t-shirt.
I was staring at him the whole time.
He looked at me and smiled. "I'll drive you home," sabi niya sa akin. Kumunot ang noo ko bago umiling. "I have my car with me, I'll be fine, Cloud. Salamat..."
"I know, I mean, I will just follow your car until you get home. To make sure you're safe."
Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili na mag-init ang pisngi dahil sa sinabi ni Cloud. He's always been like this... palagi nitong iniisip ang kapakanan ko noon pa man...
But how will I know all of these are true?
"I'm fine, really. You also need to go home so you can rest," pilit ko sa kanya pero tumanggi itong muli sa akin. Nagpumilit pa rin itong ihatid ako.
Gustuhin ko mang tapakan ang gas para bumilis ang takbo ng sasakyan, magmumukha lang akong tanga sa gagawin ko. Panaka-naka kong sinusulyapan si Cloud sa likod ng sasakyan ko. He kept his distance while we're driving.
Nang makarating kami sa bahay ay naroon na rin si Daddy. I parked my car next to his and went out. Si Cloud ay lumabas din ng sasakyan nito at lumapit sa akin.
"Uhm, thank you, Cloud..." muling sabi ko rito habang nakatingin sa lalaki. It was almost 9:30 and I was already hungry.
"You're welcome. I'll get going. Good night, Ashanti," paalam niya sa akin bago naglakad pabalik sa sasakyan nito. Hustong naroon na ito nang tawagin naman ito ni Daddy.
"Cloud, thank you for bringing my daughter home and helping her," sabi nito sa lalaki.
"It's fine, Mr. Laurel," sagot nito.
"If it's okay with you, please join us for dinner. Hindi pa kami kumakain ni misis sa paghihintay kay Ashanti," aya nito sa lalaki.
"Yes, please. It's a way of saying thank you for helping our daughter," ang mommy niya ang nagsalita.
Cloud looked at me, as if asking my permission. I sighed inwardly and gave him a small nod. With that, he agreed to join us for dinner.
Tahimik lang akong kumakain habang nag-uusap ang mga magulang ko at si Cloud.
"Do you have a girlfriend, Cloud? I mean, I don't want someone to get mad at my daughter because you're always together..." si Mommy ang nagsalita at halos mabilaukan ako sa sinabi nito.
Inabot ko agad ang tubig at uminom mula roon. "Mommy." Saway ko rito na tumingin sa akin.
"Your mom is just worried, sweetheart," hinawakan ni Daddy ang kamay ko bago tumingin na muli kay Cloud. "But I am curious, myself, Cloud. Do you have a girlfriend? You know, a lot of female employees like you," he chuckled and told my mom about it.
Cloud smiled a little and shook his head. "I don't have a girlfriend or a wife, Mrs. Laurel," sagot niya sa Mommy ko.
Para namang nakahinga ng maluwag ang mga ito dahil sa sinabi ni Cloud.
"You know Ashanti never had a boyfriend."
"Mommy!"
She chuckled and looked at me. Pinamulahan naman ako dahil sa sinabi nito. Hindi nito alam ang tungkol sa amin noon ni Cloud.
"So, I know that she is probably throwing you attitude, but I assure you, Ashanti is a nice lady," she smiled at me. Napailing na lang ako dahil dito. Hindi naman nila kailangan na sabihin iyon kay Cloud.
Hindi naman din nila kailangan na harap-harapan na ipakita sa akin na gusto nila si Cloud para sa akin. Palaging napagkukwentuhan nila Mommy at Daddy ang lalaki kaya naman kahit papaano ay kilala na ito ni Mommy.
"You have nothing to worry about, Ma'am. Ashanti may be a handful but I have two hands and I think it'll be fine."
Napangiti naman ito sa sinabi ng lalaki. I looked at him and saw him winked at me. Sinimangutan ko naman ito at nagpatuloy na sa pagkain.
Nang matapos kaming kumain ay hinatid ko na rin si Cloud sa may gate papunta sa sasakyan nito. He looked at me and smiled. "Your parents are nice. Too bad I never got the chance to meet them before," said while looking at me.
I shrugged and leaned on his car. "I know your parents are nice, too."
Tumango siya sa akin. "They are. I'll invite you to meet them soon."
"Hindi naman kailangan," sagot ko sa kanya. He looked at me and creased his forehead.
"It's getting late. You should go home," sabi ko bago tumayo ng tuwid para bumalik na sa loob ng bahay namin.
"Ashanti..." tawag niya sa akin kaya muli akong lumingon sa kanya. Paglingon ko ay tila inisang hakbang ni Cloud ang pagitan namin at sinalubong niya ako ng halik.
Natigilan ako sa ginawa niya ngunit ramdam na ramdam ko ang lambot ng mga labi nito habang nakahawak ang kamay sa bewang ko.
"Cloud..." I said his name against his lips.
He smiled against my lips and slowly moved away. I looked at him while still feeling his lips against mine.
"What–"
"Have a good night's sleep, baby. Dream of me." He smiled and walked towards his car. Kumaway pa ito sa akin bago tuluyang sumakay at pinaandar ang sasakyan nito.
I bit my lip as I felt my heart beating fast.
Ang walang hiyang 'yon, ginagawang hobby na halikan ako.
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