To Fall Inlove

Adorable

Dahil sa bigla ko sa narinig, napakagat ako ng labi at napatingin kay Daxton. Magtatrabaho ako under niya? Jusko. How would I work with Caden, the one who I was trying to avoid, and him, who made me feel like I was an idiot whenever he was around, without me going crazy?

"Can the two team leaders stand and introduce themselves?" tanong ni Mr. Villamor.

Napaling ang tingin ko kay Caden nang tumayo siya. "I'm Arch. Caden Salvatierra, the team leader of Tri-Star Architects. On behalf of Tri-Star, I would like to thank you for choosing us. We will work very hard and it will be our pleasure and privilege to work with you, Sir," deklara niya at pagkatapos ay tumingin sa akin na parang sinasabi na – ikaw naman.

Sa sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko, pakiramdam ko rinig ito ng lahat ng tao sa kwarto. Swallowing hard, I stood from my seat. "Um... I-I'm Arch. Savanna Montejo, the team leader of Beautiful Spaces Incorporated. I am looking forward to working with you, Sir," saad ko sabay sulyap kay Daxton. Nang makita ko siyang nakatingin sa akin, umiwas ako ng tingin. Hindi ko kaya ang matalim niyang titig na pinupukol sa akin.

Ano bang problema ng taong 'to? May nagawa ba akong mali?

Hindi pa ako nakakaupo ay bigla ng nagsalita si Daxton. "Okay. Come up with a design concept and present it to me on Thursday," may awtoridad niya na pahayag, pagkatapos ay tumayo at padabog na lumabas ng kwarto.

Both teams had watched him leaving, our faces appalled, while his employees didn't seem surprised their boss had just walked out on us.

Then it sank on me.

Thursday? Frak! Paano kami makakabuo ng design concept sa loob lang ng dalawang araw?

Napakamot ako sa ulo ko at napatingin kay Caden. Nagkibit balikat lang ito.

"I know both of you can do it. Impress the boss," wika ni Mr. Villamor na nakangiti.

I smiled back, but I could feel the impending doom wash over me.

* * *

The next day...

"Dammit! These won't do." Nakaramdam ako ng pagkadismaya na may halong inis habang sinusuri ko ang mga 3D na models na iprinesent sa akin nila Jasmine.

Wala pa akong tulog simula kahapon. I felt pressured since I didn't want to present sloppy work tomorrow. Nagkasundo kami ni Caden na gagawa kami ng dalawang magkaibang conceptual designs at nang makausap ko siya kanina, natuklasan ko na mayroon na silang tatlong konsepto habang kami ay wala kahit isa.

"Sav, you haven't slept for twenty-four hours. You're so stressed. Bakit hindi ka muna magpahinga, pagkatapos ay saka natin ulit ituloy ang mga ito mamaya?" saad ni Jasmine habang nakamasid sa akin.

"Pero kailangan muna nating tapusin ito. We have to present something tomorrow." Huminga ako ng malalim at minasahe ng dalawa kong hintuturo ang magkabilang gilid ng noo ko. My nerves were shot, my head was pounding, and I felt completely exhausted.

"We won't complete anything if you're like this," turan niya. "Subukan mong magpahinga habang gumagawa kami ng ibang layout. Then you can review it once you wake up," suhestiyon niya.

Nang tatanggihan ko na siya, narinig kong nagsalita si Bernie, "Savanna, please." Tinitigan niya ako. Banaag sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala at frustration." Hindi rin makakapag-concentrate ang team mo kapag nakita ka nila ng ganyan. Pati sila mapi-pressure."