Kissed By The Wind

2

kabanata 2

Boyfriend

Hindi ko maproseso ang mga gusto kong ilabas sa bibig ko. Umiikot ang ulo ko at madami ang gustong sasabihin ngunit hindi masabi. Nakita niyang nahihirapan ako sa pagsasalita, kaya nagdesisyon siyang buksan ang bibig niya.

"You see, my son's friend is all alone now because my friend is now out of town with his husband. And I need you to work as his maid. Don't worry, he's not that bad." She winked and just like a switch she's back into her serious expression. "What do I need you to do, Asteria? It is not just to help him with his chores, but to also help him with his attitude. He's quite ruthless and sometimes he would go back to his condo, drunk. I mean, all of his doings are fine, but I need him to become cleaner and not entertain some girls, because soon enough, he will get married to someone. He's having an arranged marriage soon. I need him to focus on his responsibilities more."

"Arranged marriage?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, you don't know what's the meaning of that?"

I shook my head. "Hindi naman po. Nagugulat lang po ako dahil may ganoon palang nangyayari sa totoong buhay."

She chuckled. "Yes. He needs to get married once he get the position as the CEO of his father's company." 

I tilted my head. Is he that rich?

"Ah! I forgot his father owns a successful company. So, you won't be disappointed with your own salary."

"Your salary might be.." Tita tapped her chin and looked above, thinking. "Wait, I can't really name your salary, but I'm sure it will be more than 15 thousand, or maybe more than that, actually."

Napaawang ang bibig ko. "Ganoon ka-laki po?"

"Yes." Itinuko niya ang siko sa lamesa at ipinahinga ang kanyang mukha sa kanyang kamay. "So, what do you think?" Aniya at itinaas ang isang kilay.

Napatingin ako sa lamesa. Nakakunot ang noo ko habang nag-iisip nang maigi. I am sure there are a lot more jobs that I can pick, but this one is good, big salary by just being his maid. It's a big chance. Makakatulong din ako kay Mama dito at hindi na din kami magkaka-problema pagdating sa pera.

Tumango ako bilang sagot. She smiled widely before flipping the page, again. Akala ko may picture na naman ang lalabas sa folder. Pero, hindi. May blankong nakalagay doon at hinihingi ang aking signatura. Sa pinakataas naman nang papel na iyon ay nakalagay kung anong trabaho ang kinuha ko. Inalagay ni Tita ang ballpen niya sa gilid.

"Before you write your signature, make sure to read the whole paragraph." She crossed her arms and smirked. "This is a contract. I will only need you to work for 3 months as his maid. Every week, you will get your salary. Hmm. I expect that you are schooling, yes?"

I nodded.

"Okay, how about you work for the night? And in the morning, you go to school." Tinitigan ako ni Tita. "Oh- I forgot. Hindi mo pala alam kung saan ang condo nito." May kinuha siya sa kanyang bag at inalabas ang isang puting card. "Here. Ingatan mo yan, Asteria." Inalagay niya iyon sa lamesa habang ang mukha niya'y nanatiling seryoso. "That card will be the one to guide you to his condo."

I bit my lowerlip. "That means, I will be in his condo for three months?"

"Bingo. Yes." She said. "But, you can go out whenever you want if you finish all the work you have done and if he gave you the permission to go out."

My brows met. What about Mama? Who will take care of her? I can't just leave her, right?

"What's the matter, Asteria? If you decline this contract, I will not go against your decision. I will respect that. But, I can't promise you to say that there's anything greater in this job."