Take All The Love

03

Work

Elisha Denise Zamora. ''

Hoy, you are ok? kanina ka pa walang kibo diyan.'' Rinig kong nagsalita sa tabi ko as i  snapped out of my thoughts, tumingala kay Melisa with a small, apologetic smile. Hindi ko man lang namalayan kung gaano ako katahimik, nawala sa isip ko.

Ah yes, I'm okay," I reassure her, although I knew I probably not sound very convincing. "Marami lang pumasok sa isip ko, yun lang."

Melisa nods, understanding my distracted state.

I figured as much," sagot niya na may maliit na ngiti. "Pero uy, wag kang masyadong magpakahirap sa sarili mo. Natural lang na marami kang iniisip minsan."

She gives me a comforting pat on the back. 

Just remember, you always can talk to me anytime if you need to get something off your chest," Mel says, offering a reassuring smile.

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niyang iyon at mabilis siyang niyakap. Si melisa ang isa kong kaibigan na talagang masasabi kong kavibes at kahumor ko. She always seems to know just the right thing to say to make me feel better.

Salamat, Mel," sabi ko, humiwalay sa pagkakayakap sabay ngiti. "I appreciate it. Okay lang talaga ako. Just needed to clear my head."

I take a deep breath and try to focus on my work, determined to put my worries aside and get things done.

Habang seryoso na nagtratrabao ay biglang may tinanong si melisa sa akin. Napaangat ako ng tingin mula sa trabaho ko, curious kung ano ang itatanong niya.

Hey, Ellie," she says, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "May tanong ako sayo."

Yes? What is it?" I ask, turning my attention towards her. Luminga-linga siya sa paligid na parang sinisigurado na walang ibang makakarinig sa usapan namin bago lumapit sa akin.

Alam mo," she begins, a note of excitement in her voice. "Si denver, ang bagong empleyado."

She looks at me intently, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Anong tingin mo sa kanya?"

Napataas ang kilay ko sa banggit ng bagong empleyadong si Denver. I hadn't interacted with him much, but I had noticed him around the office. 

Hmm," pag-iisip ko at sumandal sa upuan ko. "He seems okay naman,  I guess. Bakit mo natanong?"

Type mo no?'' Panga-ngasar ko sa kaniya.

Tumawa si Melisa at mapaglarong hinampas ang braso ko.

Type ko? Hindi ah.'' she replies, a slight smile on her face. "Hindi lang naman sa looks umiikot ang mga bagay-bagay, di ba?"

Tumango tango nalang ako dahil may point siya.

Sumandal siya sa upuan niya at nag-cross arms, may pag-aalala sa mukha niya.

Pero masasabi ko na may certain aura si denver. He's kinda.. captivating, in a way. Di ba?"

As she describes Denver, I can't help but feel intrigued. I hadn't really paid much attention sa mga bagay bagay na iyon.

Mapang-akit, sabi mo?" I muse, nakasandal nang bahagya. "What do you mean by that?"

Well, 'captivating' might be too strong a word," she clarifies. "But there's something magnetic about him, I guess. Like, yung vibe or aura niya. He has this quiet confidence, y' know? At minsan, kapag tinitignan ka niya, parang.. nakikita ka talaga niya, beyond the surface."