"You have a meeting with the MAD team this afternoon, Architect."
Tumango ako nang hindi tinatanggal ang tingin sa monitor. Sinulyapan ko ang blueprint na nakalatag sa lamesa at muling nilingon ang computer model. Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Nigel na naghihintay ng sasabihin ko.
"Schedule a meeting with the design team tomorrow afternoon. Magsisimula tayo kaagad pagkatapos kong bisitahin ang lote sa Rizal."
"Will 1 PM be okay, Architect?"
"Make it 2. Baka traffic pabalik dito." I replied.
Tumango ito. "Will that be all, Architect?"
"Tell Architect Decena to meet me now."
"Naghihintay po yata siya sa labas, Architect."
My brows slightly twitched at what he said. I nodded and gestured to the door. Tumango ito at mabilis na lumabas. Hindi pa sumasara ang pintuan ng opisina nang pumasok si Architect Cassy Decena. She immediately smiled when she saw me.
"Close the door and have a seat, I'll just finish this," I muttered and looked at the blueprint again.
Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin pagkatapos ng ginagawa ay nagkatinginan kami ni Architect Decena. She was watching me with her warm brown eyes. Ngumiti ito at umayos sa pagkaka-upo. Kinuyom ko ang panga at tumayo. I carried my laptop and walked towards her.
Pinatong ko ang laptop sa glass table na nasa pagitan ng dalawang sofa. I can feel her eyes on my every move and I couldn't help but sigh heavily. Sa nakalipas na tatlong buwan simula no'ng nagsimula siyang mag-trabaho rito, nasanay na ako sa tingin niyang gano'n.
"Did you have lunch?" She asked as I fix the design proposal we'll be discussing.
"Tapos na," I replied quickly.
Nang mabuksan ang design proposal ay nilagay ko ito sa gilid para makita naming dalawa. Pareho kaming nakatagilid para makita ng maayos ang screen ng laptop. Bahagyang kumunot ang aking noo nang bigla siyang tumayo at umikot papunta sa sofa na kinauupuan ko. Napansin niya ang titig ko sa kaniya kaya matamis siyang ngumiti.
"It's more convenient this way, para 'di na tayo mahirapan. Let's start?" Her soft voice was laced with professionalism.
The sofa sank even more when she sat beside me, only inches apart, and enough for me to feel her body heat. I clenched my jaw as I subtly moved a little away from her. I put the laptop in front of us and glanced at her. Tiningnan niya ang distansyang nilagay ko sa pagitan namin.
"I want your whole attention on the design proposal, Architect." Malamig kong pahayag nang muling maabutan ang titig niya sa akin.
"Sorry," she cleared his throat, "sure. Where do we start?"
I began discussing the character of architectural expression. It's a good thing she's listening seriously. Another thing I commend about her is that she always has something to say, either to improve the design or a supposed reaction from a client.
She's a commendable architect, I give her that. Halos apat na buwan ko pa lang siyang nakaka-trabaho pero alam kong magaling siya. Just one thing I do not like is how crystal clear she is... especially of what she feels towards me.
"We'll discuss this further maybe on Thursday. I have a meeting after thirty minutes," ani ko pagkatapos sulyapan ang relo sa bisig.
Tumango siya at pinatong ang mga kamay sa hita. Binuhat ko muli ang laptop at tumayo na. I walked back to my long table and put the laptop back in position. Nang nilingon ko siya ay nakatayo na siya.
