Sullies of Haunted Yesterday (Casa Fuego Series #4)

Chapter 36

All Mine

I feel so refreshed. Maaga akong nagigising at magaan ang loob ko kahit busy sa trabaho. Kapag umuuwing mag-isa, hindi na panglaw ang nadadatnan ko. 

My days recently had been feeling like I had been confined in a dark room then I went out to a breath of fresh air. I couldn't be more at ease. 

"This is your last site visit, huh, Architect Suarez?" 

Nilingon ko si Engineer Garcia. Tapos na ang papel ko sa project na ito. Patapos na ang building, katulad ng iba ko pang mga proyekto sa ilalim ng kompanya. Excited na akong magtrabaho sa ilalim ng firm ko, pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mamanglaw sa maiiwan ko. I worked in this company for years so I can't help but feel a little sentimental. 

"Oo. This is going to be my last big project for a while. Nagsisimula pa lang ang firm ko at... hindi ako nageexpect na malalaking proyekto agad ang makukuha."

Engineer Garcia smiled. "With your talent and work ethic, I'm sure your firm will be huge someday. And I'm not saying this to hit on you."

Natawa ako. Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang narinig ang halakhak ko. I don't smile often. What more laugh? Maybe that caught him off guard. 

"Salamat, Engineer Garcia."

May maliit na despedida party na inihanda para sa akin sa opisina. Nakakahiya dahil wala akong kaalam-alam kaya nag-order na rin lang ako. 

Akala ko wala lang para sa ibang empleyado kung umalis ako. Hindi naman kasi ako naging palakaibigan, hindi rin palaging sumasama sa mga gimik nila at mga parties. Palagi lang ako sa opisina ko. Binabati lang ang mga unang bumabati sa akin. I thought I had been too uptight for them to throw a party for me. So, I found it even more special. 

"Congratulations!" Therese exclaimed over the phone. 

"Thank you. Akala ko may meeting ka?"

"Yeah. I'm on a break. I won't be finished until nine in the evening. Sayang, magdinner sana tayo."

Ngumuso ako. "Uh... may dinner din kami, e..."

"Nino? Nila Russ? Hindi niya manlang ako ininvite!"

I bit my lip. "Ni Eros."

There was not a single noise on the line, I thought the call ended. Pero nandoon pa rin siya. 

Hindi ko pa naikekwento sa kaniya ang tungkol sa amin ni Eros. Partly because we haven't seen each other, and I want to tell her about it in person. And mainly because even I couldn't believe this is happening. 

I think she has an idea, though. Eros said he'll go straight to Art's place to kick his ass after spreading a false rumour, and it's impossible Therese won't hear about it. 

"So... it's true, huh?"

Ngumuso ako. 

"I was surprised when Kuya Eros lashed out on Art. Turns out, the woman wasn't his girlfriend. He was so pissed. But I didn't really think that... you guys are at a point where... you'll have dinner together. Akala ko nagkaliwanagan lang kayo."

"Ikekwento ko sa 'yo nang buo ang nangyari kapag nagkita tayo. Hinihintay kong personal tayong magkita pero alam kong busy ka pa."

"I won't be busy until this weekend!"

Ngumiti ako. "Sige. Magkita tayo."

Ilang sandaling katahimikan bago siya nagsalita ulit. 

"Are you guys like... stepping it up? Or are you dating already?"