I Am a Woman

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

"Take me home too."

My lips slightly parted. I suddenly can't feel my own voice. Nanatili lang akong nakatayo doon habang nakatitig sa kanyang mga mata na tila nangungusap.

Pero bago ko pa maiboses ang sasabihin ko ay isang magarang sasakyan ang mabilis na pumarada sa vacant space na katabi ng sasakyan ni Monica. Bumaba doon ang isang pamilyar na lalaki. It is the same guy that she was with at the business party last time.

Her boyfriend.

Why did she even tell me to take her home kung nandito naman pala ang boyfriend niya?

Agad ako nag-iwas ng tingin bago ko pa man makita ang sunod na mangyayari. I quickly get inside the car without looking back at her. I don't want to see the sweet moment between her and her boyfriend.

Pero sadyang taksil ang mga mata ko at hindi mapigilang mapasulyap sa rear-view mirror. Hindi ko alam ang mararamdaman nang makitang sinundan nito ng malungkot na tingin ang papalayong sasakyan na minamaneho ko. 

Why, Verra, why?

Dumating ang Lunes at maaga akong kumilos para pumasok sa bago kong trabaho. Ate Solana was there to introduce me to her staff. She oriented me for an hour about the shop and staff before she left the responsibility of managing the entire business in my hands.

After she left, I decided to busy myself by reviewing its previous plans and specific goals. Based on the reports, I can say that this business is doing well. Three months pa lang ito nang buksan pero maganda na ang performance and sales.

Now the pressure is on me. Ate Solana gave me the opportunity to work in her business, and I don't want to disappoint her.

Wala pang dalawang oras akong nakaupo nang makarinig ako ng mahinang katok mula sa labas ng maliit na office na ibinigay sa akin ni Ate Solana.

"Come in." May katamtamang lakas na sabi ko sa kung sino man ang nasa likod ng pinto.

Ilang segundo lang ay pumasok ang isang staff na tila kinakabahan.

"Ma'am, there is someone looking for the manager po." Sambit nito na ikinakunot ng noo ko.

"Did something happen?" I asked. Unang araw ko pa lang pero meron na agad problema? Is it some kind of 'call your manager', or 'I want to talk to your manager' situation?

"There's no problem, Ma'am. But the customer is insisting on seeing you."

Lalo akong naguluhan dito. Who could that be? Satarrah? Or maybe Monica?

I checked my phone, but there was no message from them. Kung gusto man nito ako makita ay panigurado na magme-message muna iyon.

I stood up and fixed myself. Sumunod ako sa staff at itinuro nito ang taong naghahanap sa akin. I almost want to roll my eyes nang makita ang babaeng wala sa nabanggit ko kanina.

A familiar feeling is slowly building inside me again, but I forced myself to shut it off. This is work. I need to be professional.

"Good morning, Miss. I am the manager. How may I help you?" I even faked a smile while saying that.

Pero tila napako ang buo kong pagkatao nang salubungin ako nito ng ngiti.

The same sweet smile she used to give me two years ago—the smile that reaches her expressive and sparkling eyes.