XVIII

"Sir.." nakangiwing tumingin kay Nick ang babaeng kausap niya kanina lang. Naroon siya ngayon sa opisina ni Aya. They said she called in sick today and advised them not to call her unless it's urgent. Why is she doing this to him? Was she really sick or was she that upset with him that she has to hole up in her condo?

Ayaw sana mag-isip ni Nick na lahat ng bagay ay tungkol sa kanya ngunit alam niyang galit si Aya sa kanya. He felt it. Sa sampal nito, sa mga salitang binitawan nito at sa titig nito. He will never forget that look in Aya’s face. Never. He actually had a nightmare because of it. It haunted him. And he felt like an absolute ass for the words he said to her.

"What?"

"Sabi po niya itapon ko raw po yung mga bulaklak."

Napahilot si Nick sa pagitan ng mga mata niya. He deserved that. He's a fucking idiot. Matapos mapailing ay basta na lamang siyang tumalikod.

"Sir! Paano po itong mga bulaklak?"

"Do as you were told."

He's not about to get the poor woman fired because of his