IT'S been a week since Torre's wedding. Madalas kong tinetext si Hunter kahit di niya ako halos sinasagot. Now, I'm on my way to his office. I asked him to go on a date with me. Actually, I only asked him to eat lunch. He agreed after ko siyang pilitin ng halos isang oras din. Susunduin niya dapat ako pero I told him na dadaan na lang ako sa opisina niya para di na siya mapagod. I bought a flower on my way here. I hope he likes it.
Pumasok ako ng elevator. Napatingin ako sa phone ko nang tumunog iyun. It's Hunter.
"Just wait downstairs. Pababa na ako." Aniya.
Tsked. Dapat kanina pa niya sinabi yan. "Nasa elevator na ako. Just stay where you are. I want to see your office ;)" Reply ko.
Hindi siya sumagot. Binalik ko sa bulsa ang phone ko at hinintay na makarating ako sa floor ng opisina niya. I looked at myself in the mirror for awhile at inayos ko ang sarili. I barely wear jeans but I am wearing jeans today and a crop top shirt. I didn't dress up too much. I know he doesn't care about how I look anyway. I don't think he likes it when a woman's wearing sexy clothes. He's conservative. I hate doing what men likes me to do but since I'm courting him, I don't really have a choice.
Pagbukas ng pinto, agad akong lumabas ng elevator. I looked around. I went inside a glass door. Napatingin sa akin ang mga empleyadong busyng busy sa kung ano man ang ginagawa nila. Lumapit ako sa isa sa kanila at nagtanong.
"May I ask where Hunter Arcello's office is?"
Tumingin siya sa akin saka tinuro niya yung hallway na nasa right side. I thanked her saka nagtungo ako roon. Dumaan ako sa di naman masyadong mahabang hallway. The walls are decorated with paintings. It feels very fancy, especially the lights.
Pagdating ko sa dead end ng hallway, bumungad sa akin ang malaking pinto. There's a small reception outside but there's no secretary. Maybe she left or whatever. Hindi na ako naghintay at kumatok ako bago ko tinulak yung pinto pabukas. Agad na bumungad sa akin ang isang napakalaking opisina. There's a big table in front of me. Sa likod nun ay nakadikit sa pader ang malaking logo ng kompanya nila. Sa left side ko is a window glass and two chairs in front of it. The other one's a massage chair. In my other side is a door. I think it's the bathroom. His office is very minimal. There's not much design but it's pleasing to the eyes. I like the color combination.
Tumikhim si Hunter para makuha ang atensyon ko. He's sitting in front of that big table. "Hey. You're here." Aniya at tumayo.
Ngumiti ako sa kanya. I walked towards him. Napansin kong tumingin siya a hawak kong bulaklak. Inabot ko yun sa kanya. Kumunot ang noo niya.
"What is that for?" Natatawa niyang tanong.
"It's for you. Gusto sana kitang bilhan ng ibang regalo pero naalala ko na mayaman ka nga pala. Kaya mo bilhin kung anong mabibili ko para sayo. So I just bought you flowers. Yan din ang binibili ng mga tao pag may nililigawan sila. Do you like it? I know you can buy one yourself but I picked it specially for you."
Tinanggap niya ang bulaklak at natatawa iyung tiningnan. "Well... Thank you. They're pretty."
I smiled widely. "You're welcome."
Binaba niya yun sa mesa niya. "Should we go?"
I nodded. "Gutom na rin ako. Hindi ako kumain ng snacks para lang maghanda para dito."
Mahina siyang tumawa. "Then that's perfect. I know a good buffet restaurant."
"That sounds like a good idea."
We looked at each other with a big smile. Pagdating sa pagkain tingin ko magkakasundo kaming dalawa. He loves to eat. I love to eat too. Hindi rin siya nahihiyang ipakita yun. Di tulad ng ibang nakaka-date ko dati na pabebe pa. Like, just eat while we talk, man. Let's not waste money. Di mo kailangang kumain na parang ibon.
