Withered Roses

Kabanata 3

Kabanata 3

Zahrah

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

He's handsome, okay? Pero aanhin mo ang kagwapuhan kung garapal ang ugali?

I was fuming, annoyed.

"Ma'am Zahrah?"

"Ano?" tanong ko nang biglang matanto ang tono.

Sighing, I closed my eyes and flashed a small smile to the poor woman who almost became a victim of this attitude.

"Sorry..." agap ko. "I'm just... what is it?"

"Ayos lang, Ma'am." Ngumisi siya. "Naiintindihan ko kasi sino ba namang 'di mawawala ang mood kay Prosecutor?"

I stiffened but then it caught my attention.

"You meant to say... he's really like that?" Tinuro ko ang pintuan na pinaglabasan ko mula sa main office ng prosecutor.

Sumulyap-sulyap siya sa paligid bago ako tinanguan.

"Opo," she answered in a whisper. "Three days na 'yang nandito, walang nangangahas makipagkaibigan. Palaging nakasimangot, mag-isa pa palagi kahit sa lunch."

"Oh..." I nodded, glancing at the glass wall separating his main office from where we were. Nakababa ang blinds kaya 'di makita ang masungit na fiscal.

"Kaya pagpasensyahan mo na, Ma'am. 'Di rin namin alam kung bakit ganyan pero wala namang bago. Ang sabi ni Judge, magaling daw iyan. Wala pang natatalong kaso."

Wow, that was something.

"At saka okay na rin, gwapo naman siya," aniya sabay hagikhik.

Natawa na rin ako at lumapit sa tinuro niyang lamesa.

Kapag talaga gwapo, may free pass sa kasungitan, ano?

"Ito po ang magiging upuan n'yo, Ma'am," aniya. "Ito po ang akin at saka kay Sir Bryce."

"Oh, sorry, I forgot to ask you about your name..." Inilahad ko ang kamay. "I'm Zahrah Ortega."

"Hi, Ma'am Zahrah! Meia na lang po." She accepted my hand. "I'll be your assistant secretary and si Sir Bryce... mamaya pa po iyon pero siya po ang investigator ni prosecutor."

"Hello, Miss Meia, nice meeting you."

I nodded and sat on the swivel chair. Tsinek ko kaagad ang computer ko at tumabi sa akin si Meia para ipaliwanag ang gagawing pagpalit ng password o kung saan ko ipa-file ang mga kung ano pang kailangan.

"Bago ka rin?" I asked, curious.

"Ay, hindi po," she smiled. "Nasa Civil Department po ako last time then nalipat this month sa Criminal Department kaya ayon, sanay na sa gawain ng secretary pero medyo nangangapa pa rin."

"I see." I nodded. "Are there any cases while I was gone?"

She shook her head.

"Wala naman po, Ma'am Zahrah. Nag-a-adjust pa rin po kasi si Prosecutor at may briefing sila last time nina Judge at saka aantayin ka raw po."

"Ako?"

"Opo," she giggled. "Kung ako hihintayin ni Prosecutor, kikiligin din ako."

"Inaantay kasi secretary, ikaw talaga," a voice echoed and when we glanced at the door, pumasok doon ang isang gwapong lalaki.

"Hello, Sir Bryce!" masayang bati ni Meia.

The man waved at her before walking closer to me, offering his hand.