Working Girls Series# 1: Beautiful Nightmare

Chapter 59

Niluwagan ni Max ang kanyang neck tie bago hapong-hapo na humiga sa sofa kaharap ng kanyang office table. Itinakip niya ang isang braso sa kanyang mga mata. Kanina pa siya antok na antok sa meeting. He's known for being meticulous and strict in everything related to work. Pero wala siyang maiambag sa mga meetings lately dahil lage siyang lutang. Alam niya naman kung ano ang dahilan pero ayaw niya lang aminin sa sarili na pati trabaho niya ay naaapektuhan na ng personal na problema nila ni Catherine.

She refused to see a psychologist which he understood so much. He was also in denial for so long until Minerva made him realize that he needed professional help to cope with his family's death, to deal with the trauma and to control his anger. But how would he convince Catherine? Ramdam niya ang bigat ng pinagdadaanan nito pero paano niya ito matutulungan kung ayaw nitong magpatulong?

"Max?"

Namulatan niya si Minerva na nakasilip sa may pintuan ng opisina niya. Worry is written all over her face. He sighed and forced himself to sit up as she walked towards the single sofa. Umupo ito kaharap niya. She gave him that look when she's about to nag his ear off.

"Max, what is happening to you? Pati ang mga tao dito napapansin na ang tila pagsusungit mo lately. Bigla-bigla ka nalang nagagalit kahit sa konting pagkakamali lang ng mga empleyado mo."

Muli siyang bumuntong-hininga at sumandal sa sofa. He closed his eyes and massaged his temple.

"I'm just not getting enough sleep, that's all", pagdadahilan niya.

Minerva's lips formed into a thin line.

"Is it about Mia?"

He groaned out as an answer. He heard her intake a breath.

"Do you still sleep together?"

"Yes. I have to be there when she's having a nightmare."

"And who's going to be there if you're having a nightmare of your own?"

Agad siyang nagmulat at napatingin dito. Tumaas ang mga kilay nito at alam niyang pagagalitan na siya nito. Kabisado na niya ang mga ganoong ekspresyon ni Minerva.

"Max, alam mo namang delikado kung ma-stressed ka dahil mas madalas kang bangungutin. Tapos ngayon katabi mo pa si Mia matulog. Hindi ba dapat mas lalo kang mag-ingat dahil vulnerable pa masyado si Mia ngayon?"

Umiling siya't ipinatong ang kanyang ulo sa dalawang kamay.

"Catherine needs me. She's scared. Ni ayaw na niyang matulog dahil sa takot!"

"At sa tingin mo makakatulong 'yang pagtatabi niyong matulog? Max, you knew better. The two of you are just like ticking time bombs. Anytime you'd go off. Dapat ngayon pa lang solusyonan mo na 'yan."

He stood up and faced the glass wall facing the park below. Nakikita niya mula dito ang mga taong nag-ehersisyo at ang mga sasakyang papunta na sa kani-kanyang mga destinasyon.

"I think she needs to see a shrink."

"Kung ganun bakit hindi kayo kumonsulta kay Dr. Gregorio?", suhestiyon nito.

"Matagal na'kong hindi pumupunta sa clinic niya."

"Exactly. Why don't you go see him, too? I think you need him as much as Mia do."

He put his hands in his pants pockets and walked back to the sofa.

"She refused to see a doctor. She thinks she can get throught it herself. Ni ayaw niyang magsabi sa'kin kung ano ang pinagdadaanan niya."

Tumayo ito at tumabi sa kanya sa mahabang sofa. She gripped his hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Then find a way to convince her and go see a doctor together. You can do it, son. Don't let this trial break the two of you."