Feather (Published)

CH 12: Hoc Indictum Volo

"Sa dami ng mga ganap kahapon, akala ko Lunes na, Biyernes pa lang pala..." I mumbled to myself. I glanced at my watch and realized that it was already fifteen minutes past twelve.

Kaya naman pala mahapdi na tyan ko...

I was about to stand when I heard my office phone ring.

"Hoy, ano ba, pasado alas doce na!" I said to myself before I glued a smile to my face. "Mr. Santander's office, good afternoon."

"Miss Juris, this is Mia from reception po. Ma'am, pasensya na po pero may bisita po kasi rito si Mr. Santander from AllTalk Inc. daw po."

"Give me a second," I said over the phone before pressing a button to dial Mr. Santander's office number.

"Yes, Miss Montiel?" I heard my boss say.

"Sir, you have a visitor from AllTalk daw po."

"I do? Sino?"

"Ay, sorry po, hindi ko po naitanong. Gutom na po kasi ako, wait po tatanungin ko—"

Mr. Santander chuckled. "Paakyatin mo na. Saan ka pala mag-la-lunch?"

"Sa baba lang po," I said.

"Ako sa baba mo rin..." he replied in a whisper before he laughed.

"Pagod pa ako, ha..." I muttered. "Do you want me to buy food for you?"

"No. I might have to eat out with my guest. Go, have your lunch."

"Okay po," I said before pressing a number to tell reception to send the visitor to the 31st floor.

Minsan ang out-of-character ng pagiging playful n'un...I thought to myself unable to hide my grin.

"Juris!" I heard Pia's voice as soon as I pushed the glass doors open; my gaze sought and found her and the others.

I immediately made my way to their table. "Hi, mga magaganda!" I said sitting down.

"Hi, Juris!" the girls greeted.

"Hoy, ano nang balita?" Pia excitedly asked. "Nasaan na si Sir? Ang akala naman namin ay kasama mo ulit s'yang kumain ngayon."

"Hindi. Sumama lang s'ya kahapon kasi gusto n'yang makita 'yung service ng bagong chef."

Pia's face fell. "Ay, akala ko pa naman pwede kong imbitahin si Sir sa birthday ko mamaya."

"Ano ka ba naman, Pia-girl, talagang si Sir ang gagawin mong panauhing pandangal?" Rachel teased.

"Bakit ba, eye-candy kaya si Sir. I cannot stop imagining him in swimming trunks—uy, wait, ano nga palang nangyari sa'yo at parang maaga kang umuwi kahapon?"

"Ano ba, Pia, hindi pa ako naka-move-on d'un sa sinabi mo," I said laughing.

"Gaga, aminin na yummy naman talaga si Sir. Hirap lang n'yang pagpantasyahan kasi ang aloof n'ya. Parang...parang...masungit na masarap."

Our table erupted in laughter.

"Sagwa mo, Pia," Tara commented. "Pero, oo nga, Juris, saan ka nagpunta kahapon?"

"At bakit n'yo ako hinanap?" I asked trying so hard not to sound guilty.

"Kasi nga yayayain ka sana naming mag-Samgyup Salamat kaya tumatawag kami sa'yo. Pero hindi ka naman sumasagot at ang sabi ni Kuya Piloy ay wala na nga raw tao ang 31st floor n'ung umakyat s'ya. Kahit si Mr. Santander nga raw ay wala rin sa opisina n'ya."

I willed myself not to blush. "May meeting kasi kaming pinuntahan ni Sir. Past five na n'ung natapos. Mabuti nga pinauwi na n'ya ako, eh, akala ko pababalikin pa n'ya akong opisina."