Hiding the Green Carnation's Heirs | ✓

25

I NEED to do this. I need to do this. Huminga ako nang malalim at napalunok bago tumingala at tinignan ang napakalaking gusali sa aking harap. Nakakalula ito dahil sa rami ng palapag at halos nahaharangan na nito ang sinag ng araw. The building is so high that it seems like it's belittling the other infrastructures beside it. The building is humblingly showing its mighty power and dominance to the whole city.

I hold my hands and played with my fingers before stepping towards the building's entrance. Nararamdaman ko ang panginginig ng aking binti habang unti-unti akong humahakbang pataas sa ilang baiting na hagdan. Marami akong nakikitang iba't ibang taong naglalakad papasok at palabas ng gusali, lahat ay mukhang propesyonal at may mga ipagmamalaki talaga sa buhay.

Thinking that Lurusus made this made me proud of him. He was able to build something so tall and high that it can even reach the sky.

Mapait akong napangiti bago muling pinatatag ang sarili at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Noong nakita ako ng bodyguard, ngumiti ito sa akin bago tumango. Napilitan naman akong ngumiti pabalik bago ako nagpatuloy sa loob ng malaking gusali.

The elegant lobby would welcome you once you enter. It's bright and very welcoming to the eyes. The white tiles matched the clean and pure white color interior design of the walls and you can see some fake plants hanging on the walls. Everything is organized and in every corner, you wouldn't see any trash or any dirt. Pati 'yong mga upuan sa lounge, halatang malinis at parang hindi nauupuan. Parang nakakahiya pang tapakan ang sahig dahil baka marumihan ko.

After analyzing my surrounding and appreciating its beauty, I suddenly remember the main reason of my visit here. Mabilis akong pumunta sa reception area na kung saan bumungad sa akin ang isang babaeng may suot na pulang maliit na sombrero sa kaniyang ulo at pinaresan ng puting blusa na may kulay pulang lining sa gilid. On the right part was her name tag and when she saw me approaching, she immediately smile at me genuinely.

Sa pag ngiti niyang iyon, parang kahit papaano nabawasan ang kabang nararamdaman ko sa aking dibdib.

"Good day, Madam. How may I help you?" she asked.

Nagsimula akong pagpawisan na para bang gumawa ako ng isang malaking krimen. I swallowed the thick lumped stuck on my throat before playing with my fingers like a kid.

"I-I...ahm...want to talk with Mr. Lurusus Nicaise De Azarro, please?" I asked as my voice quivered.

"Sure, Madam. Do you have any scheduled appointments with Mr. De Azarro?" she asked again and began typing.

Bigla akong napipilan at hindi nakasagot kaagad. Napaigtad lang ako noong muli siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin at tinawag ang aking atensiyon.

"Madam?"

"Ow, I'm sorry. K-Kasi wala akong appointment sa kaniya. But couldn't you just let me in? I have something important to tell him. This is urgent, please," I told her but all I received was pity from her eyes and face.

"I'm so sorry, Madam. Nasa protocol po kasi namin na bawal ang magpapasok ng kung sino-sino lang lalo na po at wala kayong appointment. Bumalik na lang ho kayo kapag may appointment na po kayo," magalang nitong sambit sa akin.

Nanlumo ako bigla at pakiramdam ko maiiyak na ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Nag-aagaw buhay na ang anak niya at kailangan ko pang kumuha ng appointment?

"Miss hindi ba pwedeng ka-kahit pababain niyo lang siya? Paki sabi ako si Canna. He might consider it, p-please. This is really urgent."

Nakita ko ang awa sa mata ng babae pero maya-maya ay umiling siya sa akin.

"Pasensiya na po, Madam kaso ginagawa ko lang po ang tranaho ko. Kung gusto niyo po hintayin niyo na lang si Sir hanggang mamayang---" Bago pa man niya maituloy ang kaniyang sinasabi, mabilis na tumunog ang landline phone sa ibabaw ng kaniyang mesa.