The Awkward Meet Up: When Ms Sungit Meets Mr Hambog #Wattys2016

Chapter Seven

It's  time to introduce the new guy to the rest of the team.

Dali dali akong lumabas sa office ni Mr Mark right after niyang idiscuss ang mga bilin niya siya kanyang mahabang bakasyon.

I did not wait for Mr Ian to follow me. Wala akong pakialam kung sumunod siya sa akin o hindi. Maganda nga wag na siyang sumunod sa meeting para di ko na alalahanan na alalayan siya sa bawat topic at discussion.

"Ms Cath!"  He called me as he walk towards me from his father's office.  "Wait up!"

I stopped and faced him.  "First thing that you should learn here, that your father thought us, time  is of the essence. Time is precious in this company. Bawat minuto mahalaga, wala dapat sinasayang. Kaya hindi po pwede ang babagal bagal dito Mr Ian."

After speaking, I turned away from him, fixed my dress and started walking again.

"Ms Cath!"  He called again. Ngayon halos nasa likuran ko na siya.

"Yes?"  I asked with out looking at him. I walked faster.

"Can I call you Ms Summer?"  He asked seriously.

Huminto ako sa paglakad at tumingin sa kanya. No one calls me that. Why would someone call me that? Cath is even easier to pronounce.

"Sorry?"  I asked confused.

He repeated his question.  "Can I call you Ms Summer?"

I am puzzled. Totally puzzled.  "Why?"

"Kasi hot ka!"  He smiled.

Ay lokohan na talaga ito! No one ever called me hot. Because I am not. I'am not even skinny! I mean, I am not ugly but I know that I am nowhere near hot.

"Huh? What?"  I did not smile.

He laughed.  "Oh no no. I did not mean your hot, like hot hot."

I knew it. This guy is making fun of me! I knew it!

"What I meant is..." He continued talking and laughing all at the same time. Which is very irritating!

"What?"  Naiirita kong sagot.

"What I meant is that you are hot... Hot tempered!"  He finally said. "Kaya summer! Bagay! Kasing init ng ulo mo ang araw dito sa pilipinas."

Sobrang nakakairita! Feeling close talaga itong lalaking ito. Kahit na gustong gusto ko na ilabas ang inis ko sa kanya hindi naman maari dahil anak siya ng boss ko at rerespetohin ko siya alang-alang nalang kay Mr Mark.

Hindi ako ngumiti. Tumalikod ako sa kanya at patuloy na naglakad.  "I will pretend that I did not hear that Mr Ian. Please just stick with Cath."

"Summer" Bulong niya sa sarili niya. Apaka lakas niya talagang mang- asar!

"Kung di ka lang anak ng boss ko"  Bulong ko naman sa aking sarili.

Ilang hakbang pa ay nakarating na din kami sa conference room. Binuksan ko ang pinto at dali daling pumasok.

"Excuse me team..." I said as I walk towards them.  "I want to introduce to you all the son of Mr Mark."

I looked at him and gestured for him to take the floor.
Lumapit siya sa tabi ko at ngumiti sa bawat miyembro ng team. I stepped back to give him space.

"Thank you Ms Summer."  He smiled at me. Pinaninindigan niya talaga ang Summer!

"Cath..."  I whispered back and rolled my eyes.

He looked at everyone and gave a very big smile.

Plastic!

"Good afternoon. How are you all doing?"  He said in a very formal way. Malayo sa kung paano niya ako pinakikitunguan at kinakausap.

"I am Jacob Ian. I am very excited to work with you all." He stepped back after he spoke.

Nakikita ko ang ngiti sa labi ng bawat member ng team lalo na ang mga single at ang mga beki. For sure, si Mr Ian na ang bagong crush ng bayan sa office!

I introduced each and every member of the team, ang pangalan nila at ang papel nila sa grupo. They all shook his hands and greeted him politely. Others are obviously whispering about how good looking he is at di ko naman sila masisisi dahil iba talaga ang datingan ng mayabang na ito. Talk of the town si Mr Ian! Sigurado ako dun!

"Okay." - I interrupted the whole team. "Let's settle down and get back to work."

Hinatak ko ang upuan sa kabisera ng mahabang lamensa at umupo. Mr Ian was left standing. I looked at him and pointed at the vacant chair. He pulled the chair near me and sat down.

"Please feel free to give suggestions whenever you feel like." I told Mr Ian without looking at him.

"I will Ms Summer. Thank you"  He said as he cross his arms.

Nakita kong kumunot ang nuo sa pagtataka ng tatlo kong kaibigan ng marinig ang pagtawag niya sa akin ng Summer.

I looked at him and smiled a fake smile. Guaranteed! I now became a professional smile - faker in just a day!

I need to think of a way na hindi ko siya laging makakasama sa office. I need someone as effective as me pag dating sa pagtuturo ng mga kailangan niya matutunan without him disturbing my peace and without him ruining my mood.

I need someone... I looked at each and everyone in the room as they open their files and laptops. I need someone, with a lot of patience who can handle this man's arrogance. I saw Ej... Ang taong walang hangganan ang pasensya!

Tumayo ako at tinawag palabas si Ej.  "Ej, can I please talk to you outside?"

Tumayo siya at dali daling lumabas. I closed the door and held her hand.

"Mahal mo ko diba?"

"Anu na naman?"  Natatawang tanong niya sa akin.

"Will you be Mr Ian's company? For the whole time that he is in training?" Nagmamakaawa kong tanong habang hinihikpitan ang hawak sa kamay niya.  "Para mo nang awa!"

Tumawa siya at tumango.  "Oo sige, wala naman problema. Explain mo nalang sa akin mamaya bakit ayaw mo kasama yung gwapo na iyon."

I hugged Ej in relief. Sabay na kaming pumasok sa kwarto at bumalik sa dati naming mga puwesto.

"Okay, team announcement lang, Ej here will be with Mr Ian for the time being until he's adjusted."  I pointed Ej to Mr Ian.

Upon hearing what I said Mr Ian stood and gave a big smile.  "Well everyone, meeting is adjourn. Please have a break and be back after an hour. "

Nagulat ang lahat at walang tumatayo o nagsasalita. Hindi nila alam kung nagbibiro ba ang lalaki na ito o ano. Bigla biglang? Break? Bigla biglang tapos na ang meeting? Agad agad?

Dahil walang tumayo at kahit na ako ay di natinag, lumakad siya papunta sa pinto at binuksan ito.

"Again, meeting is adjourn."  He repeated in a loud and demanding tone.

Everyone hurriedly left the room without saying anything...except me.