“Miss Sarah, I know my uncle can do it. I know he’s free on those dates. I’m sure he’ll be happy to help out.”
“Are you sure? Dapat ‘ata tanungin muna natin s’ya?”
“Sige po. I’ll give you his office number and cellphone number na rin so you can ask him.”
“Sige. Write them down here.”
After Gaile scribbled her uncle’s number on the pad Sarah handed her, she excused herself to go to class. Pinagmasdan ni Sarah ang papel na hawak n’ya at nag-isip ng mabuti kung paano kakausapin si Gerald Anderson. Ever since the day of their meeting, may pagkakataon na bigla na lamang pumapasok sa isip n’ya ang binata. Natatawa s’ya tuwing naaalala n’ya ang sinabi nitong ‘I’m all yours’ imbis na ‘I’m all ears.’ She pretended not to notice but deep inside she felt amused and somewhat giddy about it. Pero ganito man ang nararamdaman ay pinipigilan n’ya ang kanyang sarili dahil sabi n’ya na masyado pang maaga para mag-entertain ng ganitong feelings dahil wala pang isang taon nang iwan s’ya ng dating kasintahan.
Sa lalim na kanyang pag-iisip ay hindi n’ya namalayan na meron palang nakadungaw sa glass window ng kanyang pintuan. Nagulat s’ya nang biglang marinig ang katok. Nang makita n’yang nasa labas ang head ng Guidance Office, tumayo s’ya upang buksan ang pinto. “Pasok po ma’am.”
“So, do you already have that extra help that we need for the retreat?” her boss asked.
“Ma’am, I have someone in mind already but I need to ask him first.”
“Him?”
“Opo. Guardian po ng isang student ko, si Gaile Anderson po.”
“Oh, that’s good. So when will you talk to him?”
“I was actually about to call him before you came.”
“Ah sige. Just let me know agad ha para pwede pa tayong makapaghanap ng ibang tao kung hindi pumayag.”
“Opo ma’am.”
Nang makalabas ng kanyang opisina ang kanyang boss ay naupo muli s’ya at tinignan ang papel. She quickly dialed the number before she could think of a reason to delay it.
Meanwhile, in Gerald’s office…
