Love and Cigarettes

Side Story #1: Office Crush

NAMI

The thing about office relationships, you have to bear with them no matter how troublesome they get. So even if there was an annoying person in the office, you can only clench your teeth and continue your work.

"NOOOOOO!"

Tobi Marquis, however, was an exception. He was a childish person in general, so his work progress was often dependent on his mood. So even if we wanted to do our work peacefully, if Tobi doesn't function, we're also affected by his tantrums.

"ARIAAAAAA!"

Katulad na lang ngayon, nagwawala siya dahil sa biglaang pag-resign ng isa naming katrabaho, si Aria. As far as I know, Tobi had a huge crush on her.

"HOW COULD SHE RESIGN WITHOUT SAYING GOODBYE TO ME?!" Tobi shouted in the office, his eyes watered with tears. As usual, he's so dramatic.

Nagkatinginan naman kaming lahat at mukhang pare-pareho kami ng naisip. If we don't do something about him, he's gonna spend the whole day wailing instead of actually working.

Nagtipon-tipon kami nina Miss Kyla at Sir Neil sa isang gilid. Si Tobi naman ay may sariling mundo sa cubicle niya at panay parin ang pag-ngawa dahil kay Aria.

"Who's gonna comfort the kid?" bulong ni Sir Neil.

"I babysit him everyday. Please give me a break." sagot ni Miss Kyla at minasahe ang kanyang sentido. Totoo naman. Siya palagi ang nagbabantay at naninita kay Tobi.

Tumingin silang dalawa sa akin.

"You do it today, Nami. Right now, he's emotional and he needs someone with a soft personality. Kapag ako ang kumausap sa kanya, baka sapakin ko na lang siya bigla. Wala akong pasensya sa mga bata." mahabang paliwanag ni Sir Neil.

Miss Kyla nodded in agreement.

It's not like I can refuse, so I had no choice but to do it. You see, I'm actually a pushover. Mahina ang loob ko at takot akong mapagalitan, kaya madalas ay oo lang ako ng oo sa mga bagay-bagay.

Lumabas muna ako ng opisina upang bumili ng maiinom sa vending machine. Nabasa ko sa mga romance novels na kapag malungkot ang isang tao, bigyan mo siya ng matatamis para gumaan ang loob niya!

Bagama't kinakabahan, lumapit na ako sa cubicle ni Tobi. Ipinatong ko ang bitbit kong chocolate drink sa desk niya at napaangat naman siya ng tingin sa akin.

"Tobi, cheer up!" I shyly closed my fists and raised them to pump him up. "Uhm, there are seven billion people in the globe, so I'm sure that there's a person destined to be with you... Baka hindi lang talaga si Aria!"

He sniffed. "You think so, Nami?"

"Yes... So don't be sad!" He didn't seem satisfied with my words of encouragement, so I tried a different tactic. "You're handsome and smart, plus you have a likeable personality... So I'm sure you'll find a girlfriend in no time!"

Nakita ko si Miss Kyla na tila nasusuka sa mga sinasabi ko habang si Sir Neil naman ay pigil na pigil tumawa. Nahalata yata niyang labas sa ilong ang mga pagpuri ko kay Tobi.

"I guess that's true..." sabi ni Tobi at napaisip. Buti naman medyo kumalma na siya. "I'm almost perfect, so I'd probably find a girlfriend soon, right?"