LIVING WITH HIM

Chapter 08

Diamond Card? Rules? Makakasuhan? Matatanggal sa trabaho? Is that too much dahil sa nahawakan lang ang isang bagay?

Ano ba talaga tong card na binigay ni Marco sakin? At meron din nito ang lalaki na nasa harapan ko?

"S-sir, g-g-gusto ko lang po maverify kung sya ang m-may-ari ng Diamond Card." Nauutal at natataranta nitong paliwanag, which I find absurd. Oo, hindi ako ang may-ari, si Marco. Pero parang ang labas kasi sa tono ng pananalita nya, ninakaw ko itong card.

"Why did you think she's not?"

"S-sir" naluluha nitong usal. "Kasi sir, kahinahinala po yung kilos nya. May company protocol po na icheck kapag may nakita kaming kahina-hinalang nakaw na Diamond card. At tignan nyo Sir, mukhang sa tiangge lang binili ang damit nya." She panicky defends herself without realizing that she's sinking herself more. She even point her index finger at me.

Napatakip sa bibig ang cashier nang mapagtanto ang nasabi nya. But the damage is already done.

Pero ganun ba talaga? Hindi ko naman alam na magnanakaw na pala ang nagsusuot ng oversized shirt ngayon. Is this a culture shock or just her thinking?

"So, you mean, I own this Diamond card because I'm wearing a formal attire right now. And when I'm not, I'm not an owner anymore. Is that what you want to say?" his voice is calm and low yet I can sense the power and authority. Maybe he's her manager or in higher position?

"Sir, hindi po iyon ang gusto kong sabi-"

"Also, that rules is only applicable when a Diamond card was rejected by a machine. Earlier, I considered to let you resign instead of firing you after touching a diamond card without the owner's permission. But this lame excuse of yours and the fact that you insult a customer is making me doubt if you deserve any consideration."

"S-sir."

"Excuse me. But I think firing is not necessary. I just want to pay my bill and enjoy my cake afterwards." Hindi napigilan na singit ko.

Oo, naiinis ako sa kanya pero ayokong maging dahilan para may mawalan ng trabaho. Alam ko kung gaano kahalaga ang trabaho sa isang tao at kung gaano kahirap ang mawalan nito.

Totoo naman din kasi na hindi ako ang may-ari. But I don't like the way she judged me because of what I wear, my appearance.

The cashier girl is still crying. If anyone would see, baka isipin na may ginawa kaming masama, binastos namin sya para umiyak ito. While the man is looking at me with some unknown expression on his face.

I place the black card-- diamond card on the scanner at kinuha ang resibo ko. Bago mabilis na umalis bitbit ang container na may cake at bumalik sa pwesto ko kanina habang medyo naguguluhan pa rin ako sa nangyari. Lalo na yung tungkol dito sa diamond card. Is this really a big deal?

Gusto ko lang naman kumain ng dark chocolate-flavored cake. Ba't may ganoon pang eksena?

"Can I sit here with you?" tanong ng pamilyar na boses. Napataas ako ng tingin. He's the guy from the cafeteria.

Huh?

He doesn't wait for my response. Hinila nya ang upuan sa kabilang table at nilipat yon sa harapan ko bago umupo.

Nataranta at nagtalo ang isip ko kung anong dapat kong gawin. Would I allow to share my table with him or not? Ang rude ko naman kung papaalisin ko sya o kung aalis ako bigla. But I want to enjoy my piece of cake alone and peacefully, without any awkward feeling that may cause by the man infront of me or any guy.