"Servant in a Suit"

Chapter 17: Who are you, savior?

"Maayong buntag. Nikaon naka?" Napatingala ako sa taong humawak sa balikat ko. Medyo busy kasi ako sa pag-intindi sa file na binabasa ko.

"Po?" Kunot-noo kong tanong.

Tumawa naman s'ya ng kaunti bago umupo sa may desk ko.

"Sorry I forgot, hindi ka nga pala taga dito. I said good morning. Kumain ka na ba?"

"Ahh. Hindi pa po, Atty Alcantara. Mamayang lunch nalang po siguro. Ang dami ko pa kasing gagawin." Nakangiti kong sagot dito.

It has been a week since I left Palawan.

Pagdating ko sa airport sinabi ko sa sarili ko, habang bitbit 'yong maleta ko, wherever the first flight will be going, doon ako tutungo. Hindi pa ako handang harapin si Narda o si daddy at mas hindi ko pa kayang harapin ang buong mundo.

Nilibot ko ang mata sa kabuuan ng office. It's a typical office area. Private offices of the boss/es. Outside are cubicles and computers for the employees. Busy people walking in and out, to and from.

Nakakapanibago lang, hindi ako sanay sa ganitong uri ng trabaho. Too conservative, too upright and too serious in nature.

I'm currently working at a law firm, the biggest one in Metro Cebu.

I had been working here for 3 days now. Luckily, I had been hired as a legal researcher since I graduated law. Being a graduate from one of the most prestigious university in Metro Manila... it hadn't been difficult for me to start a career here. Eventually, i'll use this as stepping stone to pass my bar exam this year as well. Self review nalang ang gagawin ko. Sabi nga nila, first hand experiences are better than tons of books in a shelf. Hindi ko na irerelate sa love dahil pagdating sa experiences ko sa love tiyak na first honor na ako sa katangahan. Zumma cum laude pa pagdating sa kagagahan.

"Are you somewhat related to Attorney Rex Vanguardia?"

Napabalik sa kasalukuyan ang isip ko sa tanong n'ya.

Napatikhim ako at biglang kinabahan ng maisip ko ang dapat na sagot sa tanong na 'yon.

"I... I'm not, Atty. Alcantara. We maybe of the same last name but surely i'm not related to that person."

"Hmmm. I thought kilala mo s'ya. He is one of the most successful lawyers here in the Philippines. It will be a pleasure whenever I get a chance to meet him. He's one hell of a lawyer. Sobrang galing n'ya."

I looked at the woman in front of me.

Kung alam mo lang na tatay ko ang tinutukoy mo. He maybe a good lawyer but not a good father. Kasabwat kasi 'yon ni Narda sa kalokohan n'yang naisip.

Hmmm. I can say that this woman in front of me is as good-looking as Narda. She is with a serious and intimidating aura just like Narda. Same height and built as Narda. Seemed to be ma-TLC as Narda.

Oh hell! I'm comparing Narda with this woman. Maybe, I do miss her. No! I'm sure about missing her. Maybe that's the reason why I wanted to fx myself. Be that woman appropriate for her. Iyong maipagmamalaki n'ya kahit kanino pagdating ng araw.

Napabuntong hininga ako.

"Is there something wrong, Regina?"

I stare at her and offered a smile. "I'm fine, Atty. Alacantara. I just miss home."

"Hmmm. That's why I had been interested to get to know you better. Karamihan kasi sa mga bisaya wanted to work in Manila or other country. I will be glad to work for Atty. Rex Vanguardia's firm if permitted too. Pero ikaw... mas pinili mong dito magtrabaho sa Cebu."

"Hmmm. Personal reasons Atty. Alcantara. Gusto ko rin sigurong makalayo sa mundong itinatakwil na rin ako."

"Ang lalim, Regina. Why don't we go out with the others, tonight? A sort of a welcome party for a new co-employee. And to be able to understand what that quotation means."