PHANTASMAGORIA

EPILOGUE

- AZIEL -

“Malas, bro, gumiba 'yong bahay roon sa Makati! Ako pa naman ang engineer no'n!” Migo, a friend of mine since college, raved at me.

We were both working as engineers under the same company which was the Gonzales Group. We're currently at the company's cafeteria while eating our lunch together.

I nodded my head, listening attentively to his rants, “What was the cause?” I asked before taking another bite of my food.

“Hindi raw matibay ang materials na ginamit! Halatang gusto lang naman nila ng pera!” Inis naman na sagot ni Migo at marahas na napakamot sa ulo niya. Halatang problemado siya.

“Uh-huh? What about the investigation's findings?” I calmly queried again, chewing.

Napalingon kami bigla sa gawi ni Architect Shinaia Gonzales nang lumapit siya sa table namin. She was the head architect of their department and also the only daughter of Mr. Gonzales, the CEO of the company. May hawak si Architect na folder at ngumiti sa amin.

“Good noon, engineers,” she instantly greeted us just as when she reached our table.

We greeted her back and offered her the vacant seat beside Migo but she politely declined. Nanatili lang siyang nakatayo sa harapan namin.

“Actually, this is just a quick negotiation for Engineer Chavez. 'Di ba gusto mo ng sideline? Dagdag pasanin?” Architect Naia looked at Migo. She was definitely partially joking about the last sentence she said. “A friend of mine wanted to build a house in Quezon City and I want to have you as the engineer. It's a great deal,” she offered to Migo. “Don't worry, malaki ang offer niya. She's fresh from California.” Binigay niya kay Migo ang folder na hawak niya.

Migo, on the other hand, scanned the folder while listening to Naia.

“We haven't planned for everything yet but she wants a modern one. May mga drafts na rin akong nagawa riyan. If you are down then tell me. Otherwise, I'll just find someone else,” Naia added.

“Software engineer? Cuevas...” Migo read, still reading some details.

My ear immediately twitched when I heard the familiar surname.

Nang mag-sink in sa utak ni Migo ang pangalang binasa niya ay agad siyang napatingin sa 'kin, “Pucha, bro! Si TOTGA mo pala 'to, e! Gustong magpatayo ng bahay dito!” Migo suddenly exclaimed. He immediately handed me the folder.

Agad ko namang inagaw kay Migo ang folder at binasa ang mga nakasulat.

Delancy Shimmer Cuevas
Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

When I read her name, my heart instantly doubled in beat. I closed the folder and immediately looked at Architect Gonzales, “I'll take the project.”

Naia's brows immediately furrowed. “Huh?” Her eyes went on my friend, waiting for his approval.

“Sa kaniya na pala 'yan, Architect, ha-ha! Mas kailangan niya pala 'yan para mapalapit ulit sa kaniyang iniirog!” Gagong sabi naman ni Migo at nag-thumbs up pa kay Naia.

Napatitig saglit ang arkitekto sa kaniya dahil sa sinabi niya. She had no idea about me and Shimmer so she was weirded out a bit.

I rolled my eyes before speaking again, ignoring what just Migo said. My gaze shifted on the Architect, “If she ever ask why I am the engineer, just tell her no one wants to take the project because they're all loaded and I only volunteered,” bilin ko bago ko ibinalik sa kaniya ang folder.