Chasing Admon Damien

Chapter 26

“I didn’t have a time to do that, mommy.”

“Eh, bakit? Edi, nahihirapan kang mag-commute?” Mommy is on the phone right now. She is currently scolding me why I do not have my own car until now. Ipinaliwanag ko naman sa kanyang busy ako noong nakaraang linggo dahil nag-ayos pa ako ng mga gamit ko sa condo. Still, she is insisting I should buy now.

“Hindi ka sanay mag-commute diyan, anak.” Concern was evident in her voice.

“Mom, sanay akong mag-commute. I did that in New York for years.”

“New York is safer than Manila!” She exclaimed. I exhaled deeply trying to understand mommy’s rants.

“I will do that tomorrow, mom. Sabado naman bukas.”

I really planned doing it tommorow. Talagang tinapos ko lang ang lahat ng trabaho sa condo. Malinis naman ang condo kasi may helpers. Twice a month nagpupunta kaya lang, I reorganized the interior designs. Minimal lang ang ginawa ko kasi hindi ko kayang magbuhat ng mabigat. Kuya Kael gave me permission to do it and I was really happy.

“Oh! That’s great, hija.” Mommy said, relieved.

Kampante naman si mommy na makakabili ako ng sarili kong sasakyan kasi malaki naman ang ipon ko. Well, I don’t need a luxurious and extravagant car. A toyota vios will do. Hindi naman ako maarte and I am not really into material things. Hindi ako mahilig magwaldas ng pera kahit na shopaholic ang mga kaibigan ko sa America.

I know how hard to earn money. Yan ang napatunayan ko noong sinuportahan ko ang sarili sa America. I had to work to support my studies and living. Kaya natuto akong magtipid at mag-ipon para sa hinaharap.

The elevator door opened and I was shocked to see Katrina. Pinagalitan ko pa ang sarili dahil sa pagkagulat. Bakit pa nga ba ako magugulat eh fiancee siya ni Adam? I sighed heavily. Now that she’s back from their trip, I should expect her to come here more often.

She wears brown dress with a hermes bag on her arms. Nagtaas siya ng kilay nang nakalapit na sa akin. Tumigil siya sa harapan ng aking lamesa.

“Hindi ka pa din nag-resign?”

“I do not see any reason why should I quit from my job.” Matigas ang mukha na sambit ko sa kanya.

“You do not belong here.” Wika niya sa maliit na boses pero ramdam ko ang pinipigilang galit doon.

"Are you theatened I will steal Adam from you?" hindi ko napigilang sambit sa kanya dahil na din sa nararamdamang iritasyon.

Hindi siya agad nakasagot at saglit na natigilan sa sinabi ko. Pero agad din siyang nakabawi at tinaasan ako ng kilay."Wala ka nang magagawa dahil ako ang pakakasalan ni Adam. And you will remain a memory that he can't remember.”

With that she turned her back and walked.inside Adam's office. Nanghihina akong umupo. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata. Hindi dapat ako nagpapaapekto sa mga sinasabi nila. It hurts. Really. Pero kayang kaya kong tiisin ang lahat ng sakit na ito. I've been through a lot of hardships and pain. Kaya, kaya ko lahat ito. Iyon ang naging pampalubag ko sa sarili.

Nagulat ako nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan at iniluwa noon si Adam at Katrina. Adam was seriously heading to the elevator with Katrina on his side. Ibinaling ko na lang ang atensyon ko sa mga papeles na nasa lamesa ko. Hindi naman ako ganoon ka- masokista. Alam kong ang sakit-sakit na at ayoko nang dagdagn pa ang pait na nararamdaman ko.

I have loads of work to do, I have to focus my attention to it. Iyon nga ang ginawa ko hanggang noong nag-lunch time. Bumabalik ang isipan ko sa kanila ngunit agad ko itong iwinawaglit. Hindi na sila bumalik pa mula noong lumabas sila sa opisina. I don’t have any idea where they headed to. Ayoko na ding mag-isip pa dahil mas lalo lang akong masasaktan sa mga imahinasyon ko.

I was relieved because I was done with it earlier than I thought. I was thinking I have to do it until this afternoon.

Bumaba na ako sa canteen para kumain dahil kumakalam na din ang aking sikmura.

“Ikaw pala iyan, architect.”

Nagulat ako nang makita si Luigi sa canteen. I stopped beside his table to answer him.

Nahihiya akong  ngumiti sa kanya. “Hindi naman ako architect dito. I’m a secretary.”

“But you are an architect. You just relieved Dona while she is recovering” giit niya.

Nginitian ko lang siya dahil hindi ko naman alam ang isasagot ko sa kanya.

“Share ka na lang dito, Ava.” He stated referring to his table. Meron pa kasing mga available na upuan sa tabi niya.

I flashed a genuine smile at him. “Sige, order lang ako.”

After I ordered my food, nagtungo na ako sa mesa ni Luigi. Medyo nagulat pa ako nang makitang may ilang dumagdag doon.

“Guys, this is Ava Crestia. Siya yung sinasabi ko sa inyo. Upo ka dito.”

I nodded and immediately sat on the chair in front of him.

“Hello, Ava! I am Cheska.” She has a slightly round body and curly hair. She is beautiful. She cheerfully extended her hand to me which I immediately accepted.

“Ako naman si Wilston.”

Nginitian ko muna siya bago kinamayan.

“And I’m Ella. We are all in Luigí’s team.”

“Nice to meet you all!” nakangiti kong tugon sa kanila.

I started devouring my food while they continuously talk stuffs about their department.

“When are you going back to your post?” Curious na tanong ni Cheska kapagkuwan.

“Hindi ko pa alam eh! Wala pang sinasabi sa akin si Ad- uhm, sir Adam tungkol doon.”

“Who?” Cheska asked nosily.


They all looked at me bewildered. Parang nakakita sila ng multo sa katauhan ko dahil sa tingin nila sa akin. My brows furrowed at their sudden curiosity. What? Did I say something wrong?

Si Luigi ang unang bumasag sa katahimikan.

“Oh, sorry! It’s just that no one here calls the CEO Adam.”

Huh?

“Everyone here calls him Admon or Damien or Mr. Cervantes. Oh, wait. So you  know each other to call him that way? Are you close with the CEO?” 


Napakurap-kurap ako dahil sa pagkabigla. "Ah, hindi." Agad kong tanggi.

I don’t want people to know that he was my boyfriend more so he couldn't remember his past. But why people don’t know him as Adam? I mean, did he tell his employees not to call him Adam? Why? What was his reason?

"Oh, sorry. I-it was that I have a book that I am currently reading. The protagonist’s name was Adam. I am so engrossed about the story kaya iyong pangalan niya ang nasabi ko."  Shit. Wow, Cres! Galing mo!

“Ah…”

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang naniwala sila sa paliwanag ko.  Para akong nabunutan ng tinik nang nabaling sa îba ang topic na kanilang  pinag-uusapan. 

"Ava, next time uli, ha? Sabay ka sa aming  mag-lunch.” masayang wika ni Wilston.  I wanted to corret them not to call me Ava but I just don’t want to explain my side to them anymore and dig the past.


Paakyat na kami ngayon para bumalik sa kaniya-kaniyang trabaho.  "Sure. Thank you for the company and also for the warm welcome. Kung welcome pa nga ba to?" natatawa kong wika sa kanila.  They all laughed at what I said. 

"Baba ka madalas para naman may  kasama ka. Hindi ka ata masyadong nakikihalubilo dito." wika ni Cheska.    That’s right. I will sure come down next time.

“Sure. Thanks ulit, ha?”

They all went out when they are on their right floor. Luigi even waved his hand. I just smiled at them.

I am now here on my desk reviewing the list of board members who will be attending the meeting this afternoon. Adam is already inside his office. He arrived earlier than I expected. Akala ko ay nakabuntot pa din sa kanya si Katrina pero wala naman na. Baka inihatid niya na? Oh, what a caring boyfriend! Napangiwi ako sa naisip.

Today’s agenda is about the new condominium project na ipapatayo sa Pasay. Herminio Saavedra is already here, with a beautiful woman in his right who I think is his wife, and Vandross in his left.

Kanina pa nakasunod ang tingin sa akin ni Vandross at mukhang pinagmamasdan ako sa aking trabaho. Our eyes met and he chuckled a bit while I just rolled my eyes at him. Everybody is already here at si Adam na lang ang hinihintay.

The door opened and I saw Adam entering the room. His face is dark and you can see that authority is in his aura.  I announced his entrance and everyone stood up.  Manghang-mangha ako sa aking nakikita. He's unreachable. He's in the top and I don't know if I am still deserving of  him. Tama bang nandito ako? Tama bang bumalik pa ako sa buhay niya?  Napakalayo na ng agwat namin sa isa't-isa. At kahit bumalik ang memorya niya, sa tingjn ko hindi pa din ako pwedeng maging karapat-dapat sa kanya.

I was back from my reverie when  everyone took their seat. Adam is already seated and I sat next to him.


"I want Miss Ava Crestia to be one of the architects of this project." Mr. Herminio said seriously. 

What? His gaze landed on me and then to the CEO. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig. Am I just hallucinating?  The meeting has just been started and this  is how it starts? 

"She's not really a secretary right? Well, I believe she is really good in her field. I doubt if TCD will offer a job to her if they  didn't saw it." 

I am starting to feel a bit uneasy because all eyes are on me now. Nakita ko pa kung paano humanga ang mga mata ng ibang naririto sa loob. I couldn't react because of shock.

Dumaan ang ilang segundong katahimikan, I thought somebody will protest but no one did. And I was surprised when Adam spoke.

“Okay.” Adam stated without even glancing at me. His usual serious face was visible. I just don’t know if he agreed with Mr. Herminio because he believes in me or he agreed because he respects his client.

I glanced at tito Herminio and I caught him smiling at me. He looks like he’s proud of me. Why did he choose me to become one of his architects? Does he really believe in me? Sa isiping iyon ay bigla akong nakaramdam ng pag-aalala. What if I don’t meet their expectation? What if I fail them?

Napadpad ang aking tingin kay Vandross na seryosong nakatingin sa akin. When he caught my eyes, he smiled at me. Or Vandross has something to do with it? I glared at him mentally asking if he’s behind this pero tinaasan lang niya ako ng kilay.

I sighed defeatedly before I glance at Adam just only to find him staring at me. Not that I didn’t want to practice my profession nor unhappy about this but… sa tingin ko kasi napangunahan ng desisyon si Adam. That’s why I am a bit uneasy here. Of course, in the end, everyone respects the CEO’s decision.


Adam’s expression is blank and unreadable. I bowed my head because I can’t meet his intense stare.

“Congrats, Ava. Looking forward working with you.” Luigi congratulated me in front of everyone. And I can’t help but blush because of that. Alanganin akong ngumiti sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung napansin niya ba iyon.


“Salamat.” I shyly smiled at him. Everyone in that room congratulated me and showed me their warm welcome.

The meeting continued to its agenda at nandoon lang ako nakaupo, tahimik na nakikinig at paminsan-minsan ay tinatanong ako kung may suhestiyon ako. Nagtagal ang meeting ng dalawang oras.

I tiredly slumped myself on my seat. Kung hindi na ako ang magiging sekretarya ni Adam. Ibig sabihin num ay hindi ko na siya madalas makikita. Not that I have much interaction with him right now. Mas lalo pang mawawala iyon dahil I will be busy with the upcoming project.

The elevator opened and I thought I would be seeing Katrina or tita Dana but I was surprised to see Dona.

“Good afternoon, Ava.” Masigla niyang bati nang nakalapit na sa akin.

Tumayo ako at matamis siyang nginitian. “How are you, Dona? Are you fine already?”

I examined her body and saw that she is indeed fine now. Hindi na katulad dati na namumutla siya at mukhang nanghihina.

“Yes. Thank you sa pag-re-relieved sa akin, ah? Binilisan ko talagang magpagaling kasi baka stressed kana sa trabaho.” She chuckled.

Umiling lang ako sa kanya. “Hindi, ayos lang. Hindi naman ako na-stressed sa trabaho mo. Nag-enjoy nga ako.”


In reality, I don’t know if I would be glad that she is fine now. I mean, I am happy that she is okay now. I just hope she would take her leave longer until she has fully recovered. Err… I am being selfish again.

“So, uhm, babalik ka na?”

Oh, please. Not yet. Not ye-

“Yeah. I personally came here to inform you that. At pwede na akong bumalik sa trabaho bukas.”

Para akong pinagbagsakan ng kamalasan ngayong araw. Couldn’t this day be better? “G-ganun ba? Welcome back, then. Ah, the CEO is inside.” Pilit ang ngiting iginawad ko sa kanya. Pinagalitan ko pa ang sarili dahil sa pagiging makasarili.

“Salamat, Ava.”

She gracefully stepped inside Adam’s office. Nang nakita kong nakapasok na siya sa loob ay doon ko palang pinakawalan ang totoong emosyon. Sadness and disappointment. Marahas na buntong-hininga ang aking pinakawalan.

I think I should put more effort now if I want Adam to remember me. Lalo na ngayon at hindi na kami madalas magkikita. Isip, Ava Crestia! Hindi pwedeng ganito na lang! Paano mo siya makukuha pabalik sayo? Kung kinakailangang akitin mo siya, gawin mo! You have already surrendered your body, right? Then that’s your last resort. Take him back. By hook or by crook!