Yesterday

Yesterday III

"Pero kung ika'y ako, don't put your hopes up high."

Today's my birthday. And even though I am not telling anybody how excited I am, I am excited to the bones. Malay ko ba kung alam ng mga officemates ko na birthday ko ngayon and they are preparing something for me, diba? I am assuming for the best.

"Charity, pinapatawag ka ni Sir Zach." Ani Jasmin, officemate ko.

I gave her a who-on-earth-is-Sir Zach look.

"He's the new editor-in-chief, by the way." She said with a smile, answering my unspoken question.

I nodded in response. Agad akong tumayo and went to the lift para makapunta ako sa 10th floor, sa floor ng office ng editor-in-chief.

A few moments later I was standing in front of the door, waiting for something na hindi ko rin alam kung ano.

I knocked three times.

"Come in," Says a baritone voice behind the door. "I've been waiting for you." Dagdag pa ng boses mula sa loob ng kwarto.

Without further ado, I opened the door and went inside.

May bulto ng isang lalaki'ng naka-upo sa nakatalikod na swivel chair.

"Sir," Pukaw ko sa atensyon niya. "Pinatatawag niyo raw po ako?" I asked.

Marahang umikot papaharap ang lalaking lulan ng swivel chair. "Yes," He said.

Mula sa pagkakayuko ko ay iniangat ko ang aking ulo't humarap sa kanya. My mouth was agape. It's him.

Mr. Butterscotch-eyed guy in the elevator.

Napako ako sa kinatatayuan ko, I was petrified by the sight.

"Done observing my features again?" Mapanudyo niyang saad.

Tumikhim ako, "I'm sorry, sir," Inayos ko ang gusot sa gray pencil skirt ko. "'Pinapatawag niyo raw po ako?"

He stood up and went in front the floor to ceiling window at the left side of his office, which gives him an over-view of the whole city. He stood there for a moment then turned his face to me. "Ah, yes."

"B-bakit po?" Stuttering, I spoke. Ni hindi ko makilala ang sarili kong boses.

"I'm just checking on everything, everyone. Matagal ka na ba rito?"

"Two months... sir."

"Oh, I see." Inilahad niya ang kanyang kanang kamay sa harap ko in a shake-my-hand manner.

"I'm Zach, by the way. Zach Rodriguez." He said habang naka-abang ang kanang kamay para sa kaliwang kamay ko.

"Ch-Charity... sir." I can't recognize my own voice because of the presence of this guy which turned out to be my boss. Kinuha ko ang kamay niya and I was expecting na sa 'pag-dampi ng balat ko sa balat niya ay mangyayari sa 'kin ang mga nababasa ko sa mga pocket books. But there's nothing. Walang sparks.

"Sir," Napabitaw ako sa pagkakahawak ko sa kamay niya nang pumasok ang sekretarya niya sa office niya. "You have a board meeting around ten minutes from now."

Zach – err, Sir Zach glanced at his wrist watch then approvingly nodded towards his secretary.

Lumabas na ng office ni Sir Zach 'yung secretary niya.

"'It was a pleasure meeting you, Charity. I'll see you around."

Hindi na ako nag-paalam sa kanya't dire-diretso na ako'ng lumabas ng office niya, bumaba sa 7th floor, bumalik sa cubicle ko at nagpatuloy sa pag-e-edit.