Chasing an Angel

C5-3

Meng has been reporting for work for a week now. She is enjoying the atmosphere, the camaraderie between her co-workers, and the excitement of handling the needs of guests of various nationalities, cultures and preferences. She founds satisfaction once a guest shows appreciation on how she have provided their accommodation requests. However, she can't explain the feeling of emptiness that she have these past days.

Normally Theo and Bing study and do their assignments at the living room right after dinner hence, as usual Meng is alone in their bedroom. Her phone rang and she grabbed it and answered promptly without checking the name of the caller but felt a pang of disappointment when he heard the voice of her officemate on the other line.

"Hi Meng, Allan here."

"Oh hello Allan, why did you call, is there any problem at the office?"

"Ah no, none at all. I just wanted to check on you."

"Why, I am feeling alright no need for worry."

"You told me that you are still new here in our place so if you want I'd like to show you some of our known places here."

"But your day off is on Saturday and mine is on Monday, how could that be possible."

"I could take a leave any day to be your tour guide free of charge," kidded Allan.

"That's very kind of you. Well, I'd love to but I'll still think about it and tell you when that could be possible."

"Just don't hesitate to inform me when you would like to do this and I will be a very willing company."

"Thank you Allan for the offer, I really appreciate it very much."

After these they talked about mundane things mostly related to happenings in office. A while later Allan said, "Meng thank you so much for accommodating my call. It's nice talking with you over the phone as we could not possibly do this in the office. "It's nothing" replied Meng who is secretly thankful to find a way to end their conversation. "See you at the office tomorrow. Bye." And, she promptly pressed the end call button.

It is still early evening and Meng is not feeling sleepy yet so she reached out for a new book she purchased a day ago to read when her phone rang again and she grabbed it from the top of the bed, checked the caller, excitedly pressed the receive call key to greet the caller but on a forethought decided to let the caller speak first.

"Hello Ate! How's work?"

"Why did you call?" she asked in a serious tone.

"Hey what a question. Are you still angry? Sorry for what I said when I last called. I did not mean to offend you then."

"Why did you call just now, you were unheard of these past few days?"

Alden was a bit confused on Meng's answer and replied.

"I was worried you are still mad at me so I let a few days pass for you to cool down."

"I was not mad at you, I was just annoyed at your sudden change of mood."

"I was annoyed too because I was trying to be nice to you, but you don't seem to appreciate it. And I called twice moments ago but your phone was busy, who was it you're talking to?"

"It was Allan, my officemate."

"He calls you regularly?"

"This was the first time. We talked about works and he volunteered to accompany me in touring the famous sites here."