Kabanata 3
Kabanata 3
Zahrah
-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-
He's handsome, okay? Pero aanhin mo ang kagwapuhan kung garapal ang ugali?
I was fuming, annoyed.
"Ma'am Zahrah?"
"Ano?" tanong ko nang biglang matanto ang tono.
Sighing, I closed my eyes and flashed a small smile to the poor woman who almost became a victim of this attitude.
"Sorry..." agap ko. "I'm just... what is it?"
"Ayos lang, Ma'am." Ngumisi siya. "Naiintindihan ko kasi sino ba namang 'di mawawala ang mood kay Prosecutor?"
I stiffened but then it caught my attention.
"You meant to say... he's really like that?" Tinuro ko ang pintuan na pinaglabasan ko mula sa main office ng prosecutor.
Sumulyap-sulyap siya sa paligid bago ako tinanguan.
"Opo," she answered in a whisper. "Three days na 'yang nandito, walang nangangahas makipagkaibigan. Palaging nakasimangot, mag-isa pa palagi kahit sa lunch."
"Oh..." I nodded, glancing at the glass wall separating his main office from where we were. Nakababa ang blinds kaya 'di makita ang masungit na fiscal.
"Kaya pagpasensyahan mo na, Ma'am. 'Di rin namin alam kung bakit ganyan pero wala namang bago. Ang sabi ni Judge, magaling daw iyan. Wala pang natatalong kaso."
Wow, that was something.
"At saka okay na rin, gwapo naman siya," aniya sabay hagikhik.
Natawa na rin ako at lumapit sa tinuro niyang lamesa.
Kapag talaga gwapo, may free pass sa kasungitan, ano?
"Ito po ang magiging upuan n'yo, Ma'am," aniya. "Ito po ang akin at saka kay Sir Bryce."
"Oh, sorry, I forgot to ask you about your name..." Inilahad ko ang kamay. "I'm Zahrah Ortega."
"Hi, Ma'am Zahrah! Meia na lang po." She accepted my hand. "I'll be your assistant secretary and si Sir Bryce... mamaya pa po iyon pero siya po ang investigator ni prosecutor."
"Hello, Miss Meia, nice meeting you."
I nodded and sat on the swivel chair. Tsinek ko kaagad ang computer ko at tumabi sa akin si Meia para ipaliwanag ang gagawing pagpalit ng password o kung saan ko ipa-file ang mga kung ano pang kailangan.
"Bago ka rin?" I asked, curious.
"Ay, hindi po," she smiled. "Nasa Civil Department po ako last time then nalipat this month sa Criminal Department kaya ayon, sanay na sa gawain ng secretary pero medyo nangangapa pa rin."
"I see." I nodded. "Are there any cases while I was gone?"
She shook her head.
"Wala naman po, Ma'am Zahrah. Nag-a-adjust pa rin po kasi si Prosecutor at may briefing sila last time nina Judge at saka aantayin ka raw po."
"Ako?"
"Opo," she giggled. "Kung ako hihintayin ni Prosecutor, kikiligin din ako."
"Inaantay kasi secretary, ikaw talaga," a voice echoed and when we glanced at the door, pumasok doon ang isang gwapong lalaki.
"Hello, Sir Bryce!" masayang bati ni Meia.
The man waved at her before walking closer to me, offering his hand.
"Hi, Ma'am Zahrah. Bryce Assistio. I'm Prosecutor Castuares' investigator. I'm a former police captain."
"Hello, Sir Bryce." I accepted his hand. "Zahrah na lang." Sumulyap din ako kay Meia para sabihing h'wag nang isama ang Ma'am.
"Bryce na lang din, Zahrah," he smiled.
"And Meia na lang sa akin!" the bubbly lady said.
We spent our next hours getting to know each other. I have learned Bryce was older than us by five years habang si Meia naman ay mas bata sa akin ng dalawang taon.
They asked me where I came from and I was guilty of lying but it's not like I had a choice, right? So I fed them small lies about myself.
Na galing akong Maynila at nandito sa city dahil sa pamilya at naghanap ng trabaho para sa pagiging sekretarya and so on, following what Cole instructed me to do.
Inayos ko ang desk ko pagkatapos habang nag-uusap pa ang dalawa bago bumaling sa opisina.
He's still not out.
Ano'ng ginagawa niya ro'n sa loob? Nagre-review ng case buong araw nang walang kinakausap na tao?
It's damn boring. Naranasan ko na 'yan ng ilang taon sa mansyon.
"Ma'am, lunch na," tawag ni Meia sa akin. "Tara na po?"
Muli akong sumulyap sa glass wall sabay turo. "Hindi ba kakain si Prosecutor?"
"Ah, mamaya pa po siguro 'yan kung sakali o hindi kakain," sagot niya. "Mas gusto kasi niyan kasama ang case niya kaysa sa mga tunay na tao."
She chuckled again. I smiled.
"Ayain natin," I offered.
It's not like I was worried he'd starve or something. Ang sabi lang kasi ni Cole ay kailangang maging malapit ako sa prosecutor. Kahit naman masungit siya, dapat maganda ang impression niya sa akin, hindi ba?
Kahit kanina pagkatapos naming magpakilala sa isa't-isa ay bumalik siya sa swivel chair at naupo. Naiwan akong nakatunganga pa sa kanyang harapan, naghihintay ng susunod niyang sasabihin pero inangat niya lang ang malamig tingin at tinaasan ako ng kilay.
"Yes?" He even had the audacity to ask what I wanted!
I almost frowned and made a face.
Pero pinirmi ko ang labi at pekeng ngumiti.
"What can I do to help, Prosecutor?" I asked gently.
"You'll meet your assistant outside," sagot niya at pinaglaruan ang pen sa daliri bago bumuklat ng mga papel para pumirma.
Naninigas lang ako sa tapat niya.
Why did he seem so familiar? I've seen him twice before this meeting, but it felt like...
I tilted my head to observe, almost jumping, when those glazing blue orbs stared right through me again.
"Need anything more, Miss Ortega?" he asked like he couldn't stand my presence any longer.
"Wala na, Prosecutor," magalang ko pang sagot bago tumalikod at saka sumimangot.
"Sungit!" I mouthed without a sound, annoyed. Mas nagsalubong ang kilay ko at inabot na ang doorknob para lumabas nang umalingawngaw ang boses niya.
"Smile, Miss Ortega." His voice soothed, running down my spine. "Wipe that frown off your face."
What the heck? How did he know I was frowning?
Nilingon ko siya pero nasa papeles pa rin niya ang kanyang atensyon.
How? What?
Sumulyap ako sa pintuan at tinaliman iyon ng tingin. Don't tell me may mata siya rito?!
"I only have two eyes," sagot niya sa unheard questions ko.
What the heck again? Was he reading my mind—
"And I'm not reading your mind," he sighed. "Get out. I can't focus."
Anak ka ng...
Muli akong sumulyap sa kanyang pinapanood na ako habang nakasandal sa swivel chair niya. He was still toying his black pen with his fingers, and his long legs were crossed.
He shot his brow up at me impatiently. Pinalitan ko ng pekeng ngiti ang nasa labi sabay tango at labas, iritado nang masalubong si Meia na alangang ngumiti, 'di sigurado kung masaya ba dapat o may simpatya.
"Hindi 'yan sasabay, Zahrah." Bryce's voice took me back from those annoying flashbacks.
"Ayain pa rin," sinabi ko na.
Kung kailangang maging sipsip, gagawin! I have to get my hands on the files!
"Naku, Zahrah." Ngumuso si Meia. "Nagsasayang ka lang ng oras. Ilang beses at araw na kaming nag-aaya, hindi talaga sasama 'yan."
But I insisted.
"It's fine, let me just invite him, and if ayaw niya, tayo na lang."
They watched me walk towards his door to knock.
"Prosecutor?" I called. "Lunch na po."
No answer.
Sumulyap ako sa kina Bryce. They gave me the "I-told-you-so-look".
But I was persistent, so I knocked again.
"We'll be eating lunch, Sir," I said. "You can join us if you want."
No answer.
Ngumuso ako.
Meia sighed then walked closer, looping her arms on mine.
"Tara na," she said sadly. "Sabi ko sa 'yo, e. 'Di talaga 'yan sasama si Prosecutor—"
"Let's go." We both stiffened when we heard that baritone voice, the same time the door opened.
Napagilid kaming dalawa nang lumabas mula roon ang matangkad na lalaki, wala na ang coat na suot at tanging puting long sleeves na lang na nakatupi hanggang sa kanyang siko.
I saw the protruding veins on his arm, the black Rolex watch, and the gold ring on his pinky finger.
"Prosecutor!" masayang bati ni Bryce. "Sasabay ka sa lunch?"
He glanced at Bryce, shrugging.
"I'm hungry," sagot niya na 'di man lang ako nililingon. "Brief me about the scene of the crime," dagdag nito bago sila sabay naglakad, nauuna sa amin.
Meia giggled. "Oh my God? Sasabay siya sa 'tin?"
I couldn't help but smile. I did that.
"I told you." Siniko ko siya. "Ayain mo lang. Baka busy lang talaga kaya 'di sumasama."
The four of us walked in the hallways of our small city's Regional Trial Court. Ang mga pasilyo ay halatang pinaglumaan na ng panahon. Halata sa disenyo na dati pa ito at kung may bagong mga parte ay pawang mga renovation lang.
The offices were so busy. Meia greeted everyone we passed by, even pointing at me for an introduction.
"Si Zahrah," she kept on saying. "Our new secretary!"
I greeted them back, smiling. But what I've noticed mostly was their side eyes and silent adoration for the prosecutor. They greeted him. He nodded formally, his palms inside the pockets of his slacks while listening to his investigator.
I pursed my lips, watching. I couldn't help because he's damn attractive.
Yakap na yakap ng long sleeves niya ang kanyang katawan kaya kitang-kita ang hubog ng kanyang braso at likod. It was tucked on his slacks.
Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kabuoan ng kanyang katawan pababa sa pang-upo at sa mahabang legs. I gulped.
"Daddy Long Legs," Meia giggled.
Namilog ang mata ko.
"What?!" Napalakas ang boses ko kaya nilingon ako ng dalawa.
Umayos ako ng tayo at hilaw na ngumisi kay Prosecutor na binalik lang ang tingin sa daan.
Ang sungit!
Hinarap ko si Meia. "Anong Daddy Long Legs?"
She pointed prosecutor's legs with her lips. "Ang haba ng biyas, 'di ba?"
I nodded, she's right. Bukod sa pagiging prosecutor ay paniguradong pasok din iyan sa pagmomodelo kung gugustuhin man niya.
"Pero bakit gano'n ang tawag?" I asked silently.
"Narinig lang." Humagikhik siya. "Close kasi iyang si prosecutor kay judge—'yong presiding judge natin dito. E, no'ng first day, naabutan namin sila na nagdi-dinner sa may restaurant do'n sa may mall. 'Di nila alam na nando'n kami ta's ayon narinig. Sabi ni Judge: Ano 'tong naririnig ko na Daddy Long Legs ang tawag sa 'yo ng mga estudyante mo?"
My mouth parted.
"H-he's a law professor?" Napatakip ako sa bibig.
"I heard," aniya. "Nag-try ako mag-research kaso wala, e. Very private si Prosecutor kaya ayon... ikinwento ko kay Bryce, e, kunwari lang 'yan seryoso pero tsismoso. Kaya kumalat. Tawag sa kanya rito is masungit na DLL."
I cackled.
Muling bumaling sa amin si Prosecutor.
"Care to share the jokes?" he asked formally, his tone strict and cold. I swallowed my laugh.
"N-nothing, Prosecutor," sagot ko at lumabi, tumutungo habang pasimpleng kinukurot si Meia na ayaw matigil sa tawa niya. Parang mga estudyanteng nahuli ng teacher na nagdadaldalan sa likod.
We got into the mini cafeteria inside the prosecutor's office. I immediately noticed the government employees inside with some clients.
"This way," ani Bryce kaya pumila kami para makakuha ng pagkain.
Umalis saglit si Meia para kumuha ng tray at nagpasalamat ako nang abutan niya rin ako.
Nasa unahan ko si Prosecutor kaya pinagsawa ko ang sariling titigan siya mula sa likod. I think he's in his mid-30's if not a bit younger and older than that. Well, I was the same.
He moved and tilted his head, his eyes locking with mine. With the light illuminating the cafeteria, mas naging malinaw sa akin kung kaganda ang asul na kanyang mga mata.
My grip on the tray tightened, my fingers almost digging into the steel.
His mouth parted as if wanting to say something but decided not to push through. I have seen a slight shift in his emotion as he moved a little and nodded.
"You go first," aniya.
I wanted to refuse but I couldn't get a word out of my mouth, so I followed him in the end. Naglakad ako paabante pero 'di ko naman naisip na literal na ako ang mauuna at nasa likuran ko lang siya.
He's tall but I was tall, too. Aabot siguro ang tuktok ng ulo ko sa may bandang noo niya dahil sa heels at kung wala, siguro'y sakto lang sa may labi niya.
I could feel the way his gaze was burning a hole at the back of my head. Mas humigpit ang hawak ko sa tray.
Why was my heart racing? Was I having another panic attack again?
But it's not like I was scared of that gaze—it's actually quite the opposite. It was overwhelming, like seeing new roses blooming—it was beautiful, anticipating, it gave me a beacon of hope.
For what, Zahrah?
I shut my eyes.
Of course, he's the hope for your father's case. You're overthinking.
"You're next." His voice sent shivers down my spine.
I nodded stiffly and walked a step closer to wait for my food.
Pasulyap-sulyap ako habang katabi ko siya nang mapunta sa harapan para antayin ang naglalagay ng pagkain. He glanced my way again. My cheeks burned.
Umiwas ako at nagpasalamat sa nag-aasikaso ng pagkain at lumingon para maghanap ng inumin.
I glanced at the stalls around, sighing in disappointment, when I realized they didn't have the drinks I wanted.
I wanted some fresh orange juice. Any fresh fruit juice or shake would be fine. Isang linggo na akong hindi nakakainom.
While I was looking hopelessly around, I caught his eyes again. Tila binabasa niya ang itsura ko kaya binawi ko na lang ang tingin at dumeretso sa lamesa. Nando'n na si Meia na kumakaway sa akin katabi si Bryce.
I walked closer to them, but I almost slipped when a man suddenly appeared and walked past me. Akala ko'y mahuhulog ko na ang tray kung 'di lang may malapad na palad na pumirmi sa baywang ko kaya 'di natuluyan natumba.
My breath got caught in my lungs when he pulled me close, my back against his side. Mas humigpit ang hawak ko sa tray.
"Careful," he mumbled in a strict yet hushed voice.
"T-thanks, Prosecutor," I took a step away and gripped the tray.
Without even looking, dumeretso ako sa upuan at pinanlakihan ng mata si Meia na nang-aasar ang tingin.
I could feel his presence looming over us as he placed his tray on the table beside mine. I waited for him to sit but he left without a word.
Sinundan ko ng tingin.
"Saan siya?" I asked curiously.
The two shrugged.
"Tara kain."
Hindi na namin hinintay si Prosecutor at nagsimula nang kumain. I felt overwhelmed with the food dahil marami nga iyon at hindi ako madalas kumain ng marami sa mansyon.
I just want something fresh... that's all.
I was on my third spoon when he came back with another tray but instead of food, there were drinks.
Nagliwanag ang mukha ko pagkakita ng shake!
He glanced my way. Binawi ko ang excitement sa itsura at tinusok ng tinidor ang sitaw para kunwari'y walang pakialam.
"Wow, para sa amin ba 'yan, Prosecutor?!" Meia beamed. Sumilip ako nang kaunti.
The side of his lips curved for a mischievous remark, making his stern, dark brows loosen up. The strict aura surrounding him softened a little.
"I realized I haven't formally met my team," sumulyap siya sa 'kin. "Also, I hate to leave a bad impression."
I winced and pursed my lips.
Inilapag niya ang apat na fresh juices and shake sa harapan namin. Nanuyo kaagad ang lalamunan ko.
Yes! Saan ba 'to nabibili? Wala rito kanina, a?
"I'm Prosecutor Verón Castuares," he started off. "It was a pleasure to meet you all. You probably have a bad impression of me."
Nagkatinginan kami ni Meia. Tumawa si Bryce.
"Naku, hindi naman, Prosecutor! Ayos lang, alam naman naming busy ka at alam mo na..." Awkward siyang tumawa.
"Still." He chuckled sexily.
Napasubo tuloy ako ng gulay. Napuno ang bibig ko at muling sumulyap.
Ang sarap-sarap tusukin ng matang 'to nang matigil kakasilip!
Mag-focus ka sa gulay, Zahrah! Nasa harap ang gulay, wala sa katabi!
Pero masustansya siya, girl...
Patuloy lang ang pagkain ko habang nagpapakilala ulit sina Bryce at Meia sa kanya for formality kaya nang sa akin na ang pansin ay muntik pa akong mabulunan.
I swallowed the veggies and smiled at them.
"Zahrah Bellarose Ortega," I introduced with my choked tone.
My eyes caught his, and from those beautiful blues, my gaze fell down his aristocratic nose, down his mouth until I noticed the slight crease in his chin just beneath his full, red lips.
A cleft chin.
"Bellarose." My second name sounded sensual coming from him. "I am sure you are growing roses somewhere, aren't you?"
"H-hmm?" I blinked.
"May garden ka raw siguro ng rosas, Zahrah," ani Meia.
Amazed at how he thought of it, I chuckled. "How can you say that, Prosecutor?"
His lip twitched with an amused half-smile. He looked stunning. If ever it was the right and proper word I was seeing now.
"I... just knew." He took his spoon and said, "Am I wrong?"
"You're right," I sighed but ended up smiling. "Luckily, I have a green thumb. Naalala ko sa bahay, patay ang mga halaman doon, e, wala naman akong ginagawa kaya sinubukan kong tumabas ng mga sanga. One day, it bloomed. I was so happy kasi wala akong libangan sa malaking bahay na 'yon pero..." My next words vanished when I realized what I had said.
Fuck.
Nanatiling nakatitig si Prosecutor sa pagkain niya pero napansin ko ang paghigpit ng kanyang hawak sa kutsara.
"Malaki? Wow, mayaman ka pala, Zahrah?" Meia asked.
"Not... really," agap ko. "My family just had a large house in Manila until we went here in Cebu. Hindi ako mayaman, my parents are..."
My parents, whom those people took away from me.
"Who are you staying with here?" Prosecutor asked.
Hindi ako kaagad sumagot at sumulyap sa shake. Parang mas gusto ko 'yong avocado na kay prosecutor.
I was unaware I was eyeing it shamelessly until he took the orange juice from mine and pushed the avocado closer to me without a word.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin habang nagtatanong ang mga matang tinitigan siya. He gave in what I think was a brief nod before I happily reached for it.
"Thank you," I said in a low voice before sipping.
"I'm with someone..." sinabi ko na lang pagkaraan.
"Boyfriend?" He glanced at me with that expression again. The stern, frowning one.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero may hapding pumiksi sa dibdib sa tanong niya na iyon.
I shook my head.
"No, I don't have one," I answered. "Just a family friend..."
Nawala ang kunot ng noo niya pero 'di nakaligtas sa akin ang pag-igting ng panga niya at ang pagbaling pabalik sa pagkain.
Sina Bryce at Meia na lang ang nag-uusap sa buong lunch habang binabalot kaming dalawa ng katahimikan. Aside from the occasional touching of our arms and shoulder to the quick glances, we did nothing else.
Not even talk.
I felt the hollow in my stomach.
The mood shifted and he was back inside his shell again. Like how he was earlier this day.
Nauna rin siyang matapos at nagpaalam sa amin paalis dahil may kakausapin daw siya. I even asked if I could come since I was the secretary, but he said it was not about work. He said I could go home early since it was my first day.
Hindi ko na siya nakitang muli sa opisina buong araw at sa uwian ay namasahe akong pauwi sa mansyon ayon sa turo nina Cole.
They even told me they'd take me home, but I refused. I said no to guards, to service, or anything. If I wanted to stay in the office and not be suspected, I should act as a normal individual.
Wala silang choice kundi pagbigyan ako.
I was in the cab on my way home when my phone, which I forgot I had, was vibrating.
I pulled it out of my clutch and saw Cole's name. Sinagot ko iyon.
"Hello, Cole?" I asked but his next words stopped me from my tracks.
"Zahrah." He sounded delightful. "Your father wanted to see you."
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