5

“Alam mo, mabait siya.” Laarni said as she walked two paces ahead of Miguel. The two were spending some time at Harbour Square in Manila. Miguel silently followed Laarni. “Kahapon nga, nagbigay siya ng flowers. Ang ganda-ganda!”

“May anak na siya diba?” Miguel asked.

“Paano mo nalaman?”

“Alam na yan sa business community. May anak si Adrian Tolosa sa pagkabinata.” Miguel explained.

“Oo nga. Nasa Rarotonga yung anak niya, kasama yung mom nung bata. Pero every summer, kapag bakasyon sa school, nagpupunta dito yung bata.”

“Ang habang paglalakbay nun, ah.” Laarni laughed and hit Miguel in the arm. Miguel continued walking, uttering not a single word.

“Kamusta na pala yung composition mo?” Laarni asked.

“Ok lang.” Miguel replied. “May naumpisahan na.”

“Yes naman!” Laarni said, patting Miguel at the back. Miguel put on a weak smile.

“La?” Miguel asked, looking at Laarni. “Seryoso ka na ba sa kanya?”

“Kanino?”

“Kay Adrian.” Laarni hesitated. She looked at Miguel, unsure of what to say. She wanted to say something, but held it back.

“Hindi ko pa alam. Puwede ba iba na lang pag-usapan natin.” She said, trying to shift the topic. “Basta ha, kapag nabuo mo na, sa akin mo unang iparinig.”

Miguel smiled at nodded. He finally found a reason to keep working.