Chasing an Angel

EXCLUSIVELY MINE - C12.1

"Dude, we are way ahead of schedule for more than a month and Mr. Santos is evidently happy and all praises for you. But honestly brod, I am more worried than glad for you on this latest achievement," Chris told Alden.

Alden throw him a quizzical look.

"Worried? What for?"

"You are very serious this past few months and when you came back last week you seem to be working yourself to death. RJ you are almost a brother to me not just a comrade in work. I respect if you choose to keep your life private but re-channeling frustrations into working yourself beyond exhaustion is not a wise solution. It may numb you physically but it won't lessen the pain in your heart and give you the needed peace of mind. You need not tell me what your dilemma is for it is plain and obvious to me that it concerns matters of the heart. It is reflected in the forlorn look in your eyes and the quality of your smile. I miss and wanted to see the RJ of a few months back, so happy and inspired."

Alden smiled at Chris and boxed his right arm. "Don't worry dude, he'll be back in time and maybe sooner if you will be of assistance."

"Always ready to be of service dude, anytime, anyway, anywhere."

"That's what I need most dude, your assurance. Get set and be ready for action then," said Alden smiling to him mischievously.

********

"Chris please come to the office, I need to discuss some things with you." It was Mr. Santos on the phone.

"I'll be there in a moment Sir," answered Chris and he immediately proceeded to his office once he had put down the phone.

Reaching Mr. Santos office, Chris saw that Alden was also there who was smiling widely when he saw him coming.

He seated himself on the chair in front of Mr. Santos table opposite Alden. He looked at both men without speaking for he is completely clueless for the reason of this impromptu meeting.

"Alden will be on leave for a month and you are taking over the supervision of the ongoing project," Mr. Santos told Chris.

"What? Why? I mean why this sudden unexpected changes?" asked Chris looking at Mr. Santos and Alden alternately.

"I need to attend to something crucial so you are taking over my place in my absence," explained Alden.

"But," Chris was not able to finish his sentence when Mr. Santos cut him.

"Alden has to attend to something of utmost importance and he assured me that you are the best person that could take over in his absence. I believe that having work with you he knows your competence. This project is synonymous to his performance so I know for a fact that he won't jeopardize the quality of work by recommending someone he do not fully trust."

"I will be on leave day after tomorrow so, we had today until tomorrow to inspect the whole place and discuss what needs to be done. Don't worry dude I am just a phone call away if needed. However, I know that this may not be remotely necessary for you could easily do it on your own."

"Everything is settled then, you may now both go and start with your endorsements," said Mr. Santos obviously dismissing them both from his presence.

"Dude you dumped me into this without so much of a warning and why me?"

"Because I trust you more than anybody that we work with. Kayang kaya mo to Chris, I won't push you into this kung alanganin ako. Now is the time for you to shine and show the management that you are someone to reckon with."

"And remember you promised me that you're always ready to be of service, anyway, anytime, anywhere," Alden quoted Chris.

"And now is the time that I need it most, will you deny me the chance for my happiness?" And Alden looked at Chris coyly trying so much to project a miserable appearance.

Chris boxed him at the side lightly and said, "Lakas mong makapangonsyensya pare, sige na nga wala naman akong choice eh baka magkaiyakan pa tayo," and laughed.

"And last favor pare, please book me a room for a two weeks stay at the hotel I stayed while in Manila,please request that I be billeted specifically in the fifth floor under your name. Date of check in is day after tomorrow."

"No problem. Just ensure that you will be bringing back the old enthusiastic and spirited RJ upon your return.  Otherwise, I will never allow myself to be maneuvered by you again in the future."

********

Meng was browsing along the bookshelves at her favorite bookstore looking for new books to read when she caught sight of a figure looking down at the shelf of expensive writing pens. The lady is wearing a simple cotton sleeveless blouse and a maong short. Despite her simple attire she is undeniably beautiful and an eye catcher. Meng could not help to notice that she was not the only one who caught her attention but also several pairs of eyes turned towards her with admiration and some maybe envy while she is busy choosing among the expensive pens on display oblivious of the people around her.  Although Meng was partly hidden by the shelf of book that separate her from the lady still she could clearly hear the exchange of conversation between her and the attending sales lady. She has no intention of eavesdropping but when she recognized the lady, she dismissed propriety of manners and decided to stay feigning to be looking for books on the shelf.

"Miss I think I'll have these two. Do you do engravings too?" The woman asked the sales lady attending her.

"Yes ma'am, just give us an hour."

"Ok, I'll pay for these now and just come back later."

"What shall we engrave on these pens ma'am?"

"For the silver one, RJ Faulkerson and for the gold one, Lynn Faulkerson."

"Pangregalo po ba mga ito maam?"

"Yong silver oo, yong gold sa akin."

"Siguradong matutuwa bibigyan mo nito maam and ganda kasi ng napili mo."

"Gusto ko kasi siyang mapasaya, mahal ko kasi ang mokong na yon. Sige miss balik na lang ako after an hour," and the lady left.

"Meng felt not just her knees wobble but her whole body trembling. She reached out for the wall beside the book shelf to steady herself and closed her eyes to prevent tears from falling. She inhaled and exhaled deeply for a couple of minutes to regain her self-control when someone asked her from behind.

"Miss are you okay?"

She turned to face a man looking at her, concern shadowed on his face.

"Ah yes I am. That was just a slight dizziness," and she turned to leave.

But the man followed her and asked, "Miss are you sure you are really okay, let's find a place where you may sit and rest for a while, or I could drive you home. Don't be afraid I am not someone notorious."

"It's alright sir, I am really okay now and please don't bother I just live nearby, thank you so much for the concern," and left in a hurry.

She does not want to be with someone now. The only thing that she desire so much at the moment is to seek the comfort of her room and bed and cry her heart out for she wished will be the last time. She was crazy realizing just now that as much as her conscious self had denied it, somehow, she had subconsciously hoped for some twist of fate to make things right for them. Now, fate had clearly shown her at the bookstore that there is nothing to hope for.

Yes, she will pleasure herself to generously shed tears for the last time for there is neither sense nor gain if she chooses to harbor pain for something that will never be hers for it already belong to someone else.