CEO of My Heart

Chapter 3: Encounters

Life can be ironic. Sabi nga ni Mareng Alanis, "it's like rain on your wedding day". So, it should not come as a surprise if life catches us unaware every now and then.

In other words...

Bakit ba naman kasi kung kailan feeling mo ang pangit mo, tsaka mo naman nakikita si crush?

It happens to the best of us. Yung buong linggo kang maganda. Tapos, that one day that you decided to let loose, yung araw na hindi maganda ang suot mo or bad hair day ka, tsaka mo naman nakakasalubong o nakakasalamuha yung taong dapat pinaghahandaan at pinagpapagandahan mo.

In the past year, I've had a handful of brief encounters with Clark Kent.

Of course, the first time we met was inside an elevator. When I was running late for a photoshoot. So, naturally, I had no make up on, my hair was a mess and I smelled like the car perfume from the taxi that I rode to work.

After that, may mga sumunod pa. Pero karamihan dun either bad hair day ako or may malaki akong pimple sa mukha or mukha akong dugyot kasi kakagaling ko lang from a location shoot.

Pero ito yung pinakamalala. I remember it happened on a Friday. It was after lunch and I just had a sumptuous meal from the Friday market.

Friday market is a weekly event ala-mercato style right beside our building. Here, stalls sell all sorts of stuff from organic soaps to tiangge clothes. Of course, there are also food stalls and some offer grilled street food.

Sisig with rice and a few sticks of isaw, are my staple Friday market food. Syempre mas masaya kumain ng isaw kapag hihintayin mo habang iniihaw siya.

Ayun, ang saya. Cravings satisfied. Nung pabalik na ako sa 11th floor where my office was located, nakahabol ako sa isang elevator na papasara na.

"Up!!!" I shouted for the elevator.

Buti naman binuksan ulit nung tao sa loob. I hate it when people don't hold the elevator for others.

That thought was immediately replaced with regret. Because inside the elevator stood Clark Kent, looking all handsome and dapper, at mukhang ang bango-bango.

I panicked at the thought of entering the elevator.

Shucks! Amoy inihaw ako!!!

He was alone in the elevator and if I get in, it would just be him and my smelly self.

Bakit ba naman kasi ngayon ko pa naisipang mag-isaw?

"Going up?" CK asked.

It was clearly a point of no return. So, I stepped in...and stood as far away from him as possible.

Of course, even with the distance I kept, I am absolutely sure that he can smell me from where I was standing.

Then, he smiled at me.

Shit.

"Hi Sir."

"Hi. Nag-lunch ka?"

"Opo sir, sa Friday market."

"Sarap daw ng isaw d'un.", then he smiled again.

Shit. Naamoy na niya ako.

"Next time, sama ako sa iyo. Gusto ko ring i-try yung isaw dun."

Sasama? Sa akin? Seryoso ba ito?