Behind the Barriers

01

01

Pikon ako nang bumaba patungo sa first floor. Hindi matanggal sa utak ko 'yung lalaki kanina! And he even held my waist!

My gosh!

Paglabas ng elevator ay kaagad akong nag-martsa papunta sa reception area. Kaagad naman akong nakita nung receptionist. I saw how her eyes widened as she started to fumble.

"Is Atty. Perez already available?" sarkastiko kong tanong sa kanya.

The woman's hands were shaking. Ayan, tama nga! Manginig ka! Oh my gosh! Ang ganda-ganda ng building, sobrang bulok naman ng service!

"If he's still not available, I will terminate my appointment," dagdag ko pa.

Tumingin siya sa wristwatch niyang luma at halatang mula lang sa tabi-tabi.

"Are we still abiding the time here? Jusko!" I frustratingly said.

Napatalon sa gulat 'yung babae. Pati iyong mga nasa malapit ay napatingin na rin sa akin. Hah! As if may pakialam ako!

I crossed my arms and glared at the receptionist who's really afraid. Ni hindi na nga siya makatingin sa akin. Nagtaas ako ng kilay pero nag-iwas lang siya ng tingin.

"What's going on here?"

A man in his suit and tie approached the both of us. He's got that good guy looks... mukha ring matalino. At kahit nakatayo pa lang ay halatang professional. Oh, he's handsome.

Pero kaagad naputol ang aking pagmuni-muni nang napatingin sa kamay niya. His ring finger. It's occupied with a ring.

Okay, may asawa na pala siya. Sayang.

"Atty. Thompson," kabadong sabi nung babae. "Kasi may appointment si Ma'am kay Atty. Cooper, iyon nga lang, wala pa pong 1:30, eh."

I rolled my eyes. Grabe ha! Sobrang time wise!

The Atty. Thompson looked at his wristwatch. Rolex. Gold. Mamahalin. Then, he sighed and smiled at the receptionist.

"It's fine. 5 minutes na lang man." 

Even his voice sounds heavenly. Hay, minsan na nga lang makakita ng lalaking pasok sa standards ko tapos may asawa na pala. Sayang talaga.

"Pero-"

"You heard the lawyer, right?" putol ko. "The audacity to talk back!"

Atty. Thompson pursed his lips and looked at me. "Let's lower our voices. After all, this is a professional place."

Kumunot ang noo ko. He nodded at the both of us and walked away. My eyes followed him until he's out of my sight. Kahit sa paraan ng pagtayo ay halatang matalino.

It's rare to find an intelligent man nowadays.

Sayang talaga.

"What are you waiting for?" sabi ko sa receptionist.

Kita ko ang pagpipigil niya kaya napangisi ako at umirap na naman. If she works on our company, matagal ko na siyang sinisante.

Hindi siya tumugon sa 'kin at kinuha ang telephone. I sighed impatiently. Jusko! This is really a bad law firm. I should scold Greg later.

"Hello, Atty... Ms. Martinez is here... Okay, po..." Ibinaba niya ang tawag at tumingin sa 'kin. "Nasa 4th floor po ang office ni Atty. Perez."

I stared at her without saying a word until she's uncomfortable. Nakita ko kung paano niya ibinaling ang mga mata sa computer kahit halata naman na wala siyang ginagawa. I rolled my eyes at her and walked away with my arms still crossed.