MR. COFFEE AND I (completed) CURRENTLY EDITING

CHAPTER THIRTY: Despedida

I didnt had time to go back to the office. Dumiretso na kami ni Mr. Coffee sa client meeting namin.

Good thing, Mr. Coffee handled the meeting well, all I needed to was introduce myself and made sure to react appropriately. Old client ito ng company and Boss wanted for their contract renewal, we visit them to make sure they are still contented with our services and products.

And by the looks of it, happy naman si Mr. Tan and signed the new contract with a happy face. Kaya after an hour, we were heading back to the office bitbit ang bago naming trophy.

"Dad, Mr. Tan signed with us again." Bungad ni Mr. Coffee pagpasok namin ng office ni Boss.

"Thats great news! I was worried for awhile because I thought we will have problem with them dahil you two will take over the company."

"He said, if Im half as good as you are, he will be contented to stay with us."

"But you are a lot better than me!"

"Exactly!" Medyo cocky na sagot ni Mr. Coffee.

Nagngitian lang ang mag-ama while i stayed a step behind Mr. Coffee and let these two had their moment.

"Good, anak! That would fasten up my retirement if you continue in this pace!"

"Mom would be happy! Uwing-uwi na yun sa bohol eh."

At sabay pang nagtawanan ang mag-ama. Hindi ko na rin napigilang makisama sa saya nilang dalawa.

In so many way, these too looked alike. Physical build, mataas, matipuno. Maputi lang talaga si Mr. Coffee. Pero inside, theyre both the same. Very driven to succeed lalo na alam nila na maraming umaasa sa kanilang tagumpay. Very accomodating pati silang pareho. Kaya siguro hindi nahihirapan silang kumuha ng mga bagong clients, imaintain ang mga ito and of course, pati sa mga empleyado. Hindi madamot si Boss pagdating sa mga nagtatrabaho sa kanya. Basta may potential tulad ko, hindi sila nagsasawa magbigay ng opportunity sa mga staff. Kaya siguro hindi na rin nahirapan si Frank humingi ng leave from Boss.

Haaaay... Si Frank. Nakiusap sya sa akin na dont make a big deal ang kanyang pagleave. He asked that I dont say goodbye. Tama na daw yung nakapag-usap kami. At kahit gusto ko syang puntahan for the last time, dahil bukas wala na sya, makukuntento na ako na magsend na lang ng message sa kanya. Sabi nya he already booked a flight to London tonight, kaya nga baka ngayon pa lang wala na sya sa office nya.

Napatunayan kong tama ang hinala ko ng nakita kong nakasara ang office nya nung dumaan ako dito. Finally nag-sink in na sa akin na one month mawawala si Frank.

Nang marating ko ang office ko, napaupo na lang ako at tumanaw sa bintana. Halos magdadapithapon na. Bukod kasi sa medyo late na, parang uulan pa ata. Nakikisabay ata ang langit sa lungkot ko.

I knew its not fair for Frank, pero why cant I have my friend and Mr. Coffee and everybody be happy with it?

"I hope when you come back, we can be back to normal and be friends again! I will miss you terribly, Frank! Good luck!"

Tumulo ng ang mga luha ko ng sinend ko ang message sa kanya. Hindi ko namalayang pumasok na pala sina Sheryl at Malou sa office ko. Naramdaman ko na lang ang kamay nila na hinahagod ang likod ko. I know, even though I didnt tell them why Im crying, they knew it was for Frank.

"I cant be selfish right? I have to let him go."

Tumango lang ang dalawa sa akin.

"He just needed time and space, ma'am. Im sure pagbalik nun, masayahin na ulit sya." Sabi ni Sheryl.