Basta't Kasama Kita

33

"You and Greg seem to be meeting a lot lately," Mr. Valderama told her daughter.

"Yes, Dad. We want to make this campaign really good."

"Are you sure that's the only reason? I know you Lauren. You have something up your sleeves. Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Daddy!"

"C'mon tell me. Is there something with Greg?"

"Well... I kinda like him."

"I knew it. Siguro kung hindi s'ya ang humahawak ng account natin ay you would've asked somebody else to coordinate with them."

"Daddy naman eh."

"I just want you..."

"Dad, I'm okay. I like being with him. I feel good whenever I'm with him."

"Okay. I just want you to be careful. Anyway, what do you know about him. May girlfriend na ba s'ya or asawa?"

"We haven't really talked about personal stuff but I don't see a wedding ring so I guess he's still single. Look, Dad. I'm okay. Wala naman po kaming ginagawa actually, we're just working. I just happen to like him."

Mr. Valderama nodded but there was a nagging feeling inside him pushing him to know more about Greg Antonio.

********

Greg and Sandra's hands were intertwined as they walked towards his car one morning. This is one of the few days that they are able to go to work together.

"So after your morning presentation free ka na?" he asked.

"Yup. Eh ikaw?"

"I will just be in the office the whole day. Thank God. But I plan to meet with Hazel and the team later."

"Himala. Wala 'atang meeting with Ms. Valderama today."

"She's out of town for a few days kaya no meetings with her."

"Wow lang ha! Alam mo pa talaga ang schedule n'ya. Baka naman pati oras ng dating n'ya ay alam mo pa? Baka ikaw pa ang susundo sa airport," ang sabi ni Sandrang halatang may bahid ng selos.

Tumigil sa paglalakad si Greg and lightly pulled her to him. "Jealous?"

"Naku, hindi!"

"I love you," ang matamis na sabi ni Greg pero inirapan lang s'ya ng kasintahan. "Look, alam kong marami na akong binigay na rason sa 'yo para magtampo pero sana hanggang doon na lang. Magtampo ka sa akin kasi palaging nacacancel ang dates natin o madalas akong umuuwi ng late. Pero 'wag na 'wag kang magseselos. Don't. Ever. Lauren will never be an issue in our relationship. Wala kang dapat pagselosan. Purely business lang ang relasyon namin. Nakatali na ang puso at isip ko sa isang napakandang babae. Tanga na lang ako kung pakawalan ko pa s'ya considering that it took me years to make her say yes to me."

She gave a smile, obviously happy of his answer. "Promise?"

"Promise, Baby. Sa 'yo na ako forever."

"Talaga? Sige nga, kung totoo i-kiss mo nga ako."

"Sus! 'Yun lang?" Hinapit ni Greg si Sandra sa bewang at inilapit lalo sa kanya. He slowly leaned over to claim her lips. "Sigurado kang 'yun lang ang gusto mo?" he said after they parted.

"Bakit? Ano pang iniisip mo?"

He wiggled his brows and gave a naughty smile.

"Greg, tigilan mo ako ha. Male-late tayo. May meeting ako ng 10."

He lowered his lips to her ears and said, "Promise, we won't take long." Hinila n'ya si Sandra pabalik sa elevator habang pareho silang tumatawa.

At ito ang huling nakunan ng isang lalaking naghihintay sa loob ng isang sasakyan sa di kalayuan.

********

"Thank goodness you're here, Sandra! Nagpapanic na ako. Akala ko hindi ka darating. Akala ko mapipilitan akong magpresent mag-isa," ang sabi ni Chary, ang bagong account executive na kapartner ni Sandra sa isang account.

"Chill lang. Nandito na ako. At kahit naman wala ako I'm sure kayang-kaya mo 'yung pagpepresent."

Napatingin si Chary kay Sandra na parang may sinisipat sa mukha n'ya. "Teka lang. Bakit there's something different with you this morning? Make-up? Hindi. New hair? Hindi naman. Anong meron? Bakit parang iba 'ata ang aura mo ngayon. Para kang glowing."

Bago pa makasagot si Sandra ay sumilip si Greg sa kanyang office at sinabing, "Babe." Both girls looked at the source of the voice. "Good luck sa presentation. I'll see you later. Let's have lunch together ha."

"Okay. See you later."

Pagkaalis ni Greg ay agad namang bumaling si Chary sa kaibigan. "Aaaah... alam ko na kung bakit. Masyado lang palang inspired and in love kaya ang ganda ng aura. Good for you girl. Pero alam mo hindi pa rin ako makaget over nung nalaman ko just the other day na fiancé mo 'yang si Greg ha. At buti na lang talaga nalaman ko agad. Hindi na ako nabigyan ng chance na landiin s'ya. Echos! As if naman papansinin n'ya ako 'no! Tignan mo nga ngayon parang hangin lang ako dito, di man lang nag-hi. Pero girl seriously, dapat pinangangalandakan n'yong together kayo. Mahirap na. Hindi lang para sa 'yo, pati rin para sa kanya. Itong trabaho natin let's us meet people. Mayayaman, magaganda, gwapo, charming, may konti rin namang di gaanong kagandahan pero nacocompensate ng katalinuhan nila. Ang point ko lang ay maraming temptations, maraming pwedeng mang-agaw. Dapat mark your territory kumbaga."

"Ha... ha... ha! Alam mo ikaw nakakatawa ka talaga. Kung anu-ano ang pumapasok sa isip mo. Hindi naman kailangan 'yang sinasabi mo. I trust Greg and he trusts me. Sapat na 'yun."

"Eh 'yung mga echoserang ahas pinagkakatiwalaan mo rin ba? Hindi ka ba nagseselos?"

"Oo syempre nagseselos din but I have to be professional about it. Ultimately na kay Greg pa rin ang desisyon kung magloloko s'ya o hindi."

"So hahayaan mo lang si Greg 'pag may magtangkang umagaw sa kanya?"

"Of course not. Beast mode on 'pag nagkataon. Syempre ipaglalaban ko si Greg pero kung ayaw na n'ya wala na akong magagawa. I can only do so much. Pero sa tingin ko, at this point in our relationship ay tapos na kami d'yan eh. Marami na kaming pinagdaanang mas mabigat pa kaysa sa third party na 'yan. Walang ibang babae o lalaki ang titibag pa sa amin."

"Wow! Sige na. Kayo na ang super meant for each other. O s'ya let's go na. Magset-up na tayo sa conference room. Baka dumating na ang clients. I'll see you there ha," Chary said while walking towards the door of Sandra's room. "Oh by the way, sabi mo naman very strong ang relationship n'yo ni Greg, di ba. Siguro it wouldn't hurt if you go talk to Hazel about that Valderama girl. Sabi nila what you don't know won't hurt you. But I say whatever little information you know is an advantage. Sana 'wag ka mapasabak sa giyera pero kung sakali man ay mabuti nang may intel ka. See you there sa conference room."

Upon hearing Valderama all the alarm bells went on inside her head. She knew all along and this confirms it. 'Yun nga lang ay hindi n'ya alam kung hanggang saan tama ang hinala n'ya.