Glimpses of Yesterday (Isla Contejo #2)

Chapter 17

There was a mistake in Chapter 16, pero na-edit ko naman na. It's Engineer Gonzaga, not Architect Gonzaga hahahaha! Siya 'yong nasa Prologue na makakasama ni Jaeda sa team if you still remember.

NAGSIMULA na ako sa pagtatrabaho sa Molinario Firm at kagaya nga ng gusto ko, sabay na kaming pumapasok ni Arsen at sabay na ring umuuwi. Pati ang floor namin sa kompanya ay pareho. Medyo magkalayo nga lang kami ng cubicle.

Arsen was sometimes being teamed up with the head architects for some projects. It made me happy seeing him being teamed up with people with high positions in the company. He was always being praised with his skills. Siya rin ang palaging hinahanap at madalas na i-represent kapag may ibang mga kliyente.

"Jaeda, sabay ka nang mag-lunch sa amin," one of my colleagues, Wrenna, invited me for lunch.

I turned to face her and I saw two of our colleagues, as well. I smiled at them.

"Thank you, guys, but I think I'll wait for Arsen na lang," sagot ko.

"E busy pa si Arsen, o," sabi ni Jerold sabay turo sa direksyon kung nasaan si Arsen.

He was talking with the head architects while facing a blue print. Beside him was Cyrene who was also a newbie and a fresh grad. She pointed something at the blueprint that made both Arsen and her laughed in unison.

"Busy pa sila. Mukhang may idini-discuss sa kanila sina Architect Aurelio, e," sabi naman ni Gilbert.

I looked at Arsen's direction once again. Yeah, it looked like they were still busy. But it's already lunch time. It was time to eat na. Baka malipasan pa siya ng gustom.

Sa huli ay bumuntonghininga na lamang ako at ngumiti sa mga ka-opisina ko. Kinuha ko ang purse ko at tumango sa kanila. Nang malapit na naming madaanan kung nasaan sina Arsen ay napa-angat siya ng tingin sa amin. His face lit up upon seeing me. I gestured eating and he mouthed "mauna ka na".

I smiled sadly, but didn't have any choice but to nod.

"Grabe rin si Cyrene, 'no? Dalawang linggo pa lang yata siya noong ma-hire pero nabibigyan na agad ng mga projects at clients. Sana all." Natawa si Gilbert sa kaniyang sinabi bago sumubo ng kanin at ulam.

Wrenna chuckled beside me. "Hindi ko alam kung totoo ang mga tsismis pero may mga nagsasabi na kaya lang siya napapaburan ay dahil maganda at sexy. E karamihan pa naman sa heads, puro lalaki."

Nagtaas ako ng kilay at pinaningkitan sila ng mga mata. I didn't know any of the tsismis in our office. I just knew that Cyrene got hired 2 weeks ago and it was a bit weird for some of my workmates to see her being already recognized by our bosses.

"E kung pagiging maganda at sexy lang pala ang dahilan para mapansin ng mga boss, e 'di sana, unang araw pa lang ni Jaeda rito ay baka na-promote na siya," sabi naman ni Jerold sabay ngiti sa akin.

Napakurap-kurap ako at awkward na tumawa. I shook my head and took a sip on my juice before I spoke.

"Baka naman Cyrene is really just good at work. Have you seen her credentials? Baka magaling naman talaga siya."

Ngumiwi si Wrenna sa tabi ko. "Hindi rin. Noong may itinanong nga 'yong isa nating colleague doon, hindi raw malaman kung anong isasagot."

Nagkibit na lamang ako ng balikat at hindi na nakisali pa sa tsismisan nila. Nang matapos kaming kumain ng lunch ay agad na kaming pumanhik sa floor namin. Nakasalubong namin si Arsen with Cyrene and one of the head architects of the firm.

Arsen and Cyrene were laughing about something. It was as if they were talking about something so funny. Namumula pa nga ang mukha ni Arsen katatawa. Kung hindi ko nga lang binagalan ang paglalakad ay baka hindi niya pa ako mapapansin. He immediately stopped walking when he saw me.