Loveseat

Ryan Arcilla looked like a real salesman as he walked towards Jenneth while explaining the details of the sofa that caught her attention.

"That loveseat is made of Lauan or Philippine Mahogany. It is considered the best in Asia."

He even went to the loveseat to hold it while he continued telling Jenneth the other characteristics of the furniture.

"Very sturdy and will really last for many years. The upholstery is microfiber. As you can see, it's softer than other fabrics, so it's more comfortable. It's also more durable and allows for quick, thorough cleaning. The closely woven nature of the material also lessens the accumulation of dust and lint, making this fabric an excellent choice for users who suffer from dust allergies or sensitivities. Like you. You have asthma, right?"

Nagulat siya sa sinabi nito. Hindi niya inaasahang banggitin nito ang bagay na iyon. Ewan niya pero parang na-touch siya na malamang naaalala pala nito ang allergies niya sa alikabok.

"Its foam is made of Uratex and it has a five-year warranty. Aside from that, it has a great design, perfect for sitting alone, or with someone…"

Tingin niya ay medyo nahiya si Ryan sa huling sinabi nito. Pero, knowing Ryan, hindi ito nagpahalata.

"Pwede nating palitan ang kulay, and also the fabric. We have samples there if you like to check."

"It's actually perfect," aniya. "Actually, the color is what caught me."

"You really like that color, huh?"

She was taken aback once again with his statement. It seems that Ryan Arcilla really does not forget that easily.

She smiled. "Yeah, but… Anyway, I went here for this." Kinuha niya ang bangle ni Darlene mula sa kanyang bag at ipinakita ito kay Ryan.

"How did you get that?" tanong ng lalaki pagkakita sa bangle.

"I saw this in my bag. Nahulog siguro ni Darlene nung magkita tayo sa The Coffee Club. Ibabalik ko sana kay Kenneth, kaso nakaalis na pala siya."

"He has a meeting," ani Ryan. "May kinuha lang siyang mga designs para doon sa presentation niya."

"Sabi nga noong guwardiya," aniya.

"Kung hihintayin mo siya, baka hanggang mamaya ka pa dito. He has a series of meetings outside. Baka mamayang hapon na iyon makabalik."

"Kaya nga ikaw na lang sana ang magbalik nito," ani Jenneth, referring to Darlene's bangle.

"So, I'm just a substitute now, huh?"

Natigilan siya sa sinabi nito.

"I'm just kidding. Ako na ang magbibigay."

Kinuha ni Ryan ang bracelet, and in the process ay nasaling nito ang kamay ni Jenneth. The latter froze as she felt his fingers touched her hand. Parang may kung anong kuryenteng dumaloy mula sa mga daliri nito patungo sa kanya.

Mukhang naramdaman din ito ni Ryan. Bahagya kasi itong natigilan pagkakuha ng bracelet. But, knowing Ryan, he has ways of making diversions.

"So… you didn't come here to buy the sofa?"

Napatingin si Jenneth sa sofa na nakita kanina.

"Come on. You can try it." Pinuntahan ni Ryan ang sofa at saka umupo doon. "The foam is firm but very comfortable. Sit down."

Tinapik ni Ryan ang espasyo sa may tabi nito, and the gesture seems very inviting. But Jenneth turned it down.

"Next time na lang siguro. Tsaka, hindi ba bawal upuan iyang mga iyan?"

"Oo," sagot ni Ryan. "Pero kung sinabi ng owner ng shop, pwede naman siguro. 'Di ba?"

She smiled. "Maybe…" Napatingin siya sa paligid. "Actually, I'm looking for a new closet."

"Sa taas ang mga closet," ani Ryan. "Dito kasi sa first floor, puro mga pang-living and dining room ang naka-display. Yung bedrooms tsaka pang-office and other furniture sa second floor naman. You want to see the closets? May mga bagong gawa kami."

"No, it's okay," pag-iwas niya. The offer looks tempting again, but knowing that it's him who will tour her around makes her feel uncomfortable. "Next time na lang siguro. I have to go to work pa."

"Oh… I assumed it's your off. You don't look like someone who goes to the patients and extract their blood."

Ryan surveyed her appearance, and she suddenly felt awkward. Parang na-conscious tuloy siya bigla. Pilit niyang inalala ang ayos niya sa suot niyang black dress na tinernuhan niya ng wedge sandals. The soft fabric and draped neckline look perfectly on her figure lalo na at na-accent ng built-in belt ng damit. Her make up is just fine, and her naturally wavy hair flows beautifully on her shoulders.

Hindi naman sa pinaghandaan niya ang pagkikitang iyon. Ganoon naman talaga siya magbihis ever since naging modelo ang pinsan niya at binigyan siya ng mga fashion tips… Or maybe, that started when he started messing up.

"I… uh… don't do that anymore. Sa Lab na lang kasi ako ngayon. You know…"

She felt she doesn't want to divulge more information about her to this guy. Ewan niya, pero she felt she should not open up that much to him as this would start a new opening on her life for him.

And she doesn't want that.

"Ah… But, I just noticed you seem to like darker colors now. I mean, it's not usually what you want… I mean, as I remember, you like vibrant colors; pastels, mga pink, purple…"

"Kamamatay lang kasi ni Mama, eh. So, I was told to not wear those kinds of colors muna."

Nagulat si Ryan sa narinig. "Your mom died?"

Tumango siya. "Last month lang."

"Oh…" Parang hindi alam ni Ryan ang sasabihin sa sobrang pagkabigla. "I-I didn't know."

"I understand." Hindi naman kailangan alam nito ang mga nangyayari sa buhay niya lalo na't matagal na silang naghiwalay.

"I'm sorry…" There's sadness on his eyes.

"It's okay." Tumalikod siya dito at tinignan ang iba pang sofa na naka-display. "I'll get by, I guess."

She doesn't want him to see her getting sad. Isa pa ay baka tuluyan siyang bumigay at maiyak na naman siya sa ala-ala ng pagkawala ng kanyang ina.

"I guess, I have to leave now," aniya nang muli siyang humarap kay Ryan. "Thank you and, uhm… I'll try to come back." She doesn't mean that, but it seems it's the most polite thing to say.

"Sige… Ingat…" was what Ryan could only say.

She nodded and then turned her back on him. Nakailang hakbang na siya papunta sa may pintuan nang bigla siya nitong tawagin.

"Jhing…"

She stopped. Ano naman kaya ang dahilan kung bakit siya nito tinawag? Ayaw man niyang aminin, but she suddenly felt excited and her heart beat faster.

"Yes?" She faced him again.

"May itatanong sana ako sa'yo. About Sam… Samantha de Vera."

"Ha?" Hindi niya inaasahan ang tanong na iyon.

Lumapit si Ryan sa kanya. "Ano kasi… Kung may balita ka sa kanya? I just thought, maybe… well, you work now in TGH. So, I thought maybe you heard something about her… Wala na rin kasi kaming balita sa kanya. Parang nakalimutan na nga niya kami, eh." He chuckled, but Jenneth felt it was fake.

Ewan pero parang nadismaya siya sa tanong na iyon. It's not something that she expected to hear from him. Well, admittedly, she expected him to stop her from going and somehow spend more time with him and talk and hang out…

Well maybe, the question is better than what she expected.

"Wala eh… Yun lang sinabi ko nung Sabado, iyon lang ang alam ko sa kanya."

"Ganoon ba?"

Ryan seems to gloom on what he heard. And with that, she remembered how precious Sam de Vera is to Ryan Arcilla. They were really close and in the latter part of their COCC training, noong magga-graduate na sina Sam at Ryan, they witnessed their friendship grow stronger. Parang naging mas malapit silang dalawa to the point that everyone thinks they are becoming more than friends.

That is actually one of the reasons why she idolized Samantha de Vera. She wanted to be like her in Ryan's life.

Pero mukhang kay Sam ay hindi pa nakaka-get over si Ryan. Gayong siya ay parang wala na talaga sa lalaki. She suddenly felt bitchy.

"Basta ang alam ko, sa States na siya nakabase. May boyfriend siya. Baka nga magpapakasal na sila. Siyempre, sino pa ba naman ang gustong bumalik dito, 'di ba? Napaka-comfortable ng buhay niya sa States. And I also heard her boyfriend is a good guy… Maybe the next thing that we'll hear about her is that she's getting married."

Parang biglang nalungkot si Ryan sa narinig. At lalo naman siyang nainis.

"Nalungkot ka yata bigla?" Ewan niya pero hindi niya mapigilan ang pagkainis.

"Wala… May naisip lang ako."

Tumango na lamang si Jenneth. She has to leave now at parang nag-iiba na ang mood niya.

"I'll go now."

Tumango na lamang si Ryan.

She swears she will never stop and turn around to face him if he calls her name again. Lalo na kung tungkol kay Samantha de Vera ang tanong nito. As she drove her car out of the Furniture.com parking lot, she contemplated if it was right for her to go to that place in the first place.

Maybe not. Maybe she should have thought of another way to give back the bangle to Darlene. Or maybe, she should have backed out when she learned that Kenneth was out. She should not have proceeded to see that guy that she wanted to avoid for the rest of her life since nine years ago. It was never the wisest idea to see Ryan again, as he started to ignite some feelings that she locked out of her heart since that day she swore she will never lose herself to him again.