CEO of My Heart

Chapter 8: Two Weeks

Two weeks.

Two weeks to think.

Two weeks to myself.

Two weeks without him.

He left yesterday and I didn't even get to say goodbye. I tried to keep myself busy and avoided him these past two days. Actually, hindi naman ako nahirapan iwasan siya because I'm sure his schedule was full as well, having meetings left and right to tie up loose ends before he leaves.

The truth is, I really don't mind not having him around in the next two weeks. I have to sort out some things on my own and the distance would help, a lot.

"Kate! Lunch kami. Sama ka?"

It was Roche, she was my blockmate in college. We were even close friends back then. Sometime around our 3rd year, nagkahiwalay kami ng landas because I joined a campus org and she did not want to. Pero small world, we now work in the same company, same department pa.

"Saan? Sige, sama ako kahit saan. I need a break na rin naman."

Roche was with Chini, Marie, Joanna, Hazel, Escie and Niki, the usual lunch and gimik group. Minsan pag hindi ako masyadong busy sa trabaho, sumasama ako sa kanila. Sa dalas naming magkakasama, naging super close na kami. Kinuha pa nga kaming Ninang ni Niki to her son Matti.

We went to the restaurant just across our building. Since there were eight of us, we decided to get the set meal good for ten people. It actually comes out cheaper when you compute the cost. It's been quite a while since I last went out with them for lunch. Well, ever since I have been a constant companion to him, that is. It would be nice to have a long chat with these girls again. Or, so I thought. As soon as we told the waiter our order, the group started asking me questions I would rather not be asked at the moment.

"So, Kate...kumusta ka na?" I can sense urgency in Hazel's voice.

"Okay naman. Bakit?" Of course, I'm okay. I should be okay.

"Eh, mukha namang okay ka. Okay na okay pa nga eh." Marie was obviously teasing.

"Teka muna, kayo ang kumusta? Ang tagal na nating di nagkasama-sama." I tried to avoid where the conversation was going.

"Ok naman kami. Buntis si Escie, Pupunta ng Europe si Roche next month, madaming raket si Hazel, nagpaplanong kumuha ng condo sina Niki and John, nag-propose na si Meynard kay Marie. Ok kami, promise. Ikaw?" Ang galing ni Joanne bumalik sa issue.

"Wait, what? Buntis si Escie? Tapos, engaged na si Marie? Wow! Congrats! Ang daming nangyari, parang ang tagal kong nawala sa sirkulasyon!"

"Thank you, pero huwag mo nang ibahin ang usapan. Sagutin mo ang tanong namin. Kumusta ka na? Ay, hindi pala! Kumusta na KAYO?" Sa lahat naman ng na-engage, itong si Marie ang mas excited pa sa chismis sa ibang tao.

"Sino'ng kami?"

Maang-maangan school of acting ang tawag diyan.

"Kayo ni Mr. Executive. Ikaw ha! Haba ng hair mo gurl! Hinahatiran ka pa ng pagkain sa office. Bakla ka ng taon! Iyo na ang korona!"

Grabe naman itong si Chini.

"Wala yun." Eh kasi nga di ko rin naman talaga alam kung ano yun.

"Ano'ng wala? Wala ba yun? In the past few weeks, may isang linggo ba na lumipas na di kayo magkasama?"

May point si Roche.

"Hindi ka na nga sumasama sa amin eh. Eh kasi may bago ka nang lunchmate. Yikee!"

Hindi ko alam kung nagtatampo o nanunukso itong si Niki.