Cannot Be

28th

Chapter 28

I came back to work.

Relieved.

"You look better today, ma'am." one of my co-worker said.

Ngumiti ako and...

"Talaga?" I acted like I didn't know.

I told my mom about what happened. She doesn't really agreed with my decision. She told me that she don't want to see me in that pain again.

"Yes, hindi ko na nakabusangot ngayon." my co-worker said.

Ngumiti lang ako at tumingin ulit sa ginagawa ko.

I restored all our pictures from the recycle bin.

I went out from our office and head to the coffee station in this building. I really like how they brew their coffee.

Coffee is like water to me already.

"Hi! My usual order, please!" I told her.

She hand me my order and I handed my payment.

"It's already paid, ma'am." she said and smiled at me.

"Did my mom told you to let me get it free?" I asked. She would never do that tho.

"Nope, just someone." she said and started entertaining other customers.

Someone?

I hate to assume, but my instincts are telling me its him.

I smiled again.

What did you do to me, Mr. Chua?

Maybe I literally missed his presence.

Gumaan yung pakiramdam ko nung narinig ko yung side niya.

He just left me back then.

--

"Dale! Juskoo! Ang hirap nung exam." Dice said while heading towards me.

It's her first day of the BAR exam.

Hindi ko pa siya sinasabihan tungkol don sa nangyare kahapon. Ayoko na mabother siya about don. Baka imbes na magfocus siya sa exam ay magulo ko pa.

"Ba't dito ka dumiretso? Dapat nag-aaral ka na." sabi ko. Ngumuso siya sa akin at umupo sa couch.

"My brain is too tired." she said and put all her things beside her.

I let her rest. I'm also busy with work, so I left her at my office first. I want to be promoted to be a finance manager.

I want to know how our company works.

I started from being an low-rank employee here.

From being a factory worker.

Yes, I tried being one.

Then, be the manager there.

And my mom moved me to work at the company from being part of the advertising team.

And right now, I handle the things that needs to be reported to the CEO.

Unknown number:

Hey, what time do you go out?

This is definitely him.

Me:

I'm not sure. But, I'm almost done. Why?

I never changed my number. And maybe he didn't delete mine.

Race:

I'm on my way.

And I never replied.

Dice is already sleeping in my office. Hinayaan ko muna siya at alam kong pagod siya.

I'm checking the files that my team sended me. This are all their report and I need to summarize them and hand it to the CEO.

The Finance team is having a loss.

There is a miscalculation in there report.

I sent them an email and told them to fix it.

Everything is all good. I just replied to their email saying that they did well.

I always get shy when they tell me that they are happy to be my co-worker.

They told me that I never got mad at them. That I always try to keep thing calm.

"Why so stress—" he was cut off.

I told him to keep quiet since Dice is sleeping.

I dragged him far from my office.

"She still doesn't know." I started.

"I missed you." as he hugged me.

"Nanliligaw ka pa lang, Mr. Chua." and I pushed him.

Nginusuan niya lang ako.

"Why? Can't I miss you?" he asked.

I didn't answer that.

I heard his phone rang. And I left him there. Letting him have his privacy.

Bumalik muna ako sa office at wala na don si Dice.

But, she left a note saying that she already went home.

I feel uneasy with him. Maybe hindi na ako sanay sa kanya. Or maybe na aawkward ako.

It's like my trust is already gone. Too hard to explain. But, I don't feel the excitement evertime I see him.

I heard a knock on my door and told him to go in.

"You done?" he asked while smiling at me.

I nodded and started fixing my things.

"Let's go convoy. I know you're still uncomfortable with me." he said and headed outside.

I texted him.

Me:

I'm sorry.

I feel sorry, because he felt that.

He didn't replied.

I went to the parking and saw him beside my car. His car was beside mine. Still that car.

"No need to be sorry. I'm the one who needs to be." he smiled at me. It hurts. His smile.

"I already forgive you." I said and smiled back at him.

"Can't I really hug you?" he pouted. I suddenly miss how he acted back then.

I hugged him first. I miss you too.

I just can't say them loud.

"I have a question." he said.

I just raised my brows.

"Where's the necklace I gave you?" he was pertaining about the race car necklace he gave me back in college.

"I hid it. Somewhere I can't get it." I said.

Kumunot noo niya.

"I put it in my mother's volt. Since, we made a deal that she would never give it to me." I explained.

"Can you wear it again?" he asked.

"Please." he asked.

I nodded. He smiled.

"Let's go now." he said and opened the door for me.

And as what we have said. We went on convoy. He just waited for me to finish parking before leaving.

I asker my mom for the necklace. She gave it to me.

"I hope this will never return to that volt again." she said. Huminga lang ako ng malalim.

I looked at myself in the mirror. It still looks nice on me.