Calming the Storm

Kabanata 11

Pagkagising ko ay hindi ko na naabutan si Ramiel sa tabi ko. Ang akala ko umalis na siya pero nang lumabas ako para maligo ay naabutan ko siya sa kusina at nagluluto. Mukhang para sakaniya nga talaga ang mga binili niya dito sa apartment.

"Good morning. I'll just finish the fried rice and we will eat."

I feel like a light spirit walking towards him. I think it is because of the pajama.

"Coffee?"

Tumango ako at inisa isa ang niluto niya sa hapag. Pandesal, egg, bacon, at cornbeef.

"Anong oras ka ba gumising? Ang dami nito," ani ko at umupo.

"Around 5? I jogged a bit."

Pinanood ko siyang magsangag. He is already wearing his usual corporate attire. His sleeves are folded. I watched his arms curl as he continuously flipped the pan. Hindi ata ako magsasawang titigan ang braso niya?

It did not take him long. Once he brewed my coffee, he sat across.

"You like rice or pandesal? I saw Manong outside. Mukhang masarap ang pandesal."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya.

"At paano ka naman bumili?" I cleared my throat before exaggerating my accent. "Kuya, can I bili? Ten pieces of your pandesal?"

"I don't speak like that!"

Tumawa ako at sumubo. Sarap talaga inisin.

Sabay kaming pumunta sa hotel. Sa restaurant ang diretso ko at siya naman ay sa office niya. Pagdating ko ay sinalubong agad ako ni Mark.

"Good morning!"

"Good morning sainyo," bati ko sakanila nila Jessica.

"Wow! Ang blooming mo, Audra? Nag weekend lang ah? Nagbakasyon ka?" ani Jessica.

Tipid akong ngumiti. "Nagbabakasyon ba tayo?"

"Hindi!" at tumawa silang tatlo.

Sinimulan ko ang pagtatrabaho. Hindi ko pa nahahagilap si Ramiel sa restaurant. Siguro ay abala siya ngayon sa kompanya? Base sa usap nila Caius, mukhang magiging busy sila?

"Excuse me? I think this is not what I ordered." 

A woman probably around my age stopped me from going back to the kitchen.

I was taken aback when I saw her eyes. It almost mirrors mine, but only if they are the same color. Mine was always sultry and seductive, but her eyes have no distinct aura. That's the only thing that's similar between us.

"May I know what you ordered, ma'am?"

"Why? Can't you tell?"

What the hell? What am I? With some sorcery?

"I believe I was not the one who got your order, ma'am. That's why I was not aware. Maybe if you will tell me then—"

"Get lost! Kakainin ko na lang 'to!"

Tumingin ako sa kabilang table para magtanggal ang inis na nanunuot sa akin. If only I were not working here, I would give her the treatment she gave! I just don't want to taint the image of the hotel. From her previous manner, I know she has no decency at all and will only take seconds before she'll create a scene here.

"Alright, ma'am. Have a nice lunch." I almost tasted the bitterness at the back of my tongue.

It stings that I have to respect this kind of person just because I am working and they are the customer. Who even made the rule that customers are always right?

It just created a dimension where they were given an idea to think about and see the workers below them. What a hierarchy!

"Lunch tayo, Audra!" aya sa akin ni Jessica.

Naghihintay rin sa akin si Reymart at Mark kaya hindi ko na nagawang tumanggi. Sa parehong karinderya kami kumain. Sa pangalawang pagkakataon na sumabay ako sakanila, mas gumaan ang paligid sa amin. O baka dahil wala lang din dito si Linel.