The Burning of Summer

Chapter Thirty Seven

Chapter Thirty Seven

"Hi, Miss Summer! Good morning and happy new year!"

Muli ko nanamang naramdaman ang pagpitik sa aking sentido ng marinig ang boses na iyon ng sekretarya.

"Good morning.." bati ko na lamang bago ito nilagpasan at tuluyang pumasok sa loob ng opisina habang kasunod ko pa rin ito.

"I hope you had a great vacation oh and love the new hair color by the way." sabi nito saka nilapag ang kape sa lamesa ko. "Anyway, run through po ng schedule niyo for today.." I raised my hand to stop from talking further.

"Let me have my coffee first Faith. I'm telling you I didn't have a great time during the holidays." pagod kong sabi.

Yes sinalubong ko ang new year kasama sila Daddy, Abuela, sila Ate at Rain pero para lamang akong panggulo doon. I feel like my body is physically there but my mind is somewhere else.

I also decided to change my hair color again, and this time it is platinum blonde. I also had my hair trimmed so it is shorter now.

I took the coffee and tried to take a sip.

"Okay you may talk now." tumalima ito kaagad at may kinalikot sa dalang ipad.

Sinabi nito ang mga naka-schedule kong meeting para sa araw na iyon. My day today will be full since this is my first day back here at the office. I was so spent when Friday came. Finally, the last day of the week and I will get to enjoy the weekend.

"Miss Summer, final meeting po with Engr. Velasquez and their team since next week na po ang ground breaking para sa bagong resort na itatayo."

Speaking of that, I met with their team last Wednesday, they presented the new design with the changes that I asked for. I approved their new design but have I mentioned that Reid wasn't present during the meeting? Their Architect said that he had some urgent thing to go to kaya hindi ito nakasama sa meeting.

So now I am wondering if he is going to be present for the meeting later?

"Miss Summer there is a certain Mr. Theo Anderson here and wishes to see you.." saglit akong napa-isip kung sino iyong tinutukoy niya.  "Shall I let him in?"

"Let him in." tipid kong sagot ng maala ito.

I didn't bother fixing myself up since it's just Theo. Pumasok ito nang may malapad na ngiti sa mga labi. I stood up to welcome him but was surprised when he pulled me for a hug.

"Happy new year!" bati nito.

"I didn't know that you're a hugger type, Theo." puna ko ng kumawala sa yakap niya. I awkwardly smiled at him before gesturing him to sit down.

"And here I thought you'll be happy to see me." nagtatampong sabi nito. "And I would really like it if you will continue calling me Kuya."

"Maybe thirty seconds ago I am glad but I wasn't really expecting the hugging part.." I frankly said. "And anyway, I thought me calling you Kuya was a one time thing?" pinanliitan ko ito ng mata at sinuri ito dahil sa ka-weirdohan ng hiling niya.

"Is it too much to ask?" sumeryoso ang mukha nito na tumitig sa akin.

Hindi muna ako sumagot dahil pumasok si Faith at may dalang inumin at biscuits. Hinantay ko munang ma-ilapag niya ang mga dala sa mesa at lumasa bago muling nagsalita.

"Hindi naman, I just think that it's weird..."

"So you won't do it?"

"Tell me how old you are first?"

Ngumisi ito.

"I won't say but I will tell you, I'm older than Winter."

"You know Ate Winter?"