Theresia walked into the their office. She could feel her co-workers stares at her, she could hear their whispers. She took a deep sigh and settled in her work station.
“Here she goes..”
“Grabe, 'no! Ano kayang ginawa niya kay boss?”
“Siya nga pinili para sa project, 'di ba?”
“Paano naman siya nagustuhan ni Ma'am Leo kung ganoon?”
Theresia tried her best to tune out the whispers and gossip from her co-workers. They were creating stories about her and their boss, suggesting that there was something more than a professional relationship between them. She knew it wasn't true, but the constant rumors were starting to get on her nerves. She couldn't understand why her co-workers had to spread such tales. Ignoring them, she focused on her work, refusing to let their nonsense distract her.
******
Theresia walked into her boss' office and greeted, “You called for me, ma’am?”
Leonora looked up from her papers and gestured for her to take a seat. “Please, Ms. Hontiveros, have a seat.”
She sat down across from her boss, her mind racing with thoughts of what this meeting could be about.
“I'm sure you're wondering why I called you in here today.”
“What.. is it, ma'am?”
Leonora stared at her, her expression stern. “The rumors that have been going around the office. People have been talking, speculating.”
Theresia was caught off guard by the topic.
Her boss continued, “I hope you’re not too bothered by the rumors. You’ve been doing great work on the project you’re working on right now.”
Theresia tried to keep her face neutral, not wanting to show any weakness. “Don't worry, ma'am. Hindi ko naman po sila pinapansin..”
Leonora seemed pleased by Theresia's response. “Good,” she said. “Because the rumors are entirely baseless.”
Despite her confusion, the younger woman tried to maintain her cool. “I can assure you, ma'am, wala pong mangyayari saating dalawa. I know my boundaries as an employee..”
Leonora nodded, seemingly satisfied with Theresia's response. “I know that,” she said. “But some people can be quite gossipy, and their imaginations tend to run wild.”
“You’re right, ma’am but we shouldn’t waste our time and energy on those rumors. Nag-iingay lang po sila...”
Her boss smiled slightly. “You’re very wise, Ms. Hontiveros. I appreciate that.”
_________________
As the weeks passed, Theresia could feel the weight of the rumors growing heavier on her shoulders. Everywhere she went, she felt the stares and the whispers following her. It was as if the entire office had turned against her.
“Ang bait bait ni ma'am sa kaniya tapos saatin parang ibubuhos na lahat ng sama ng loob!”
“I swear, they have something.. I can feel it.”
“Napatol sa babae si ma'am?”
As the whispers continued to swirl about, Theresia heard some rumors going around, claiming that she was seen entering their boss' car after work hours, or that people had noticed flirtatious glances between the two of them. Those were all ridiculous rumors, but the worst one that she heard was that she and her boss had allegedly “made out” in the empty conference room after work hours.
