THE DAY HE BECAME RUTHLESS: The Metaphorical Series #2

THIRTY THREE

Sumunod ako sa loob na walang maintindihan sa nangyari. His reaction painted several questions in my head. Naisip ko na baka bawal ang paggamit ko ng cellphone sa oras ng trabaho. Maybe I should apologize.

Or maybe not. Malaking bahagi sa akin ang nagdidikta na hindi iyon ang dahilan. I don't fool myself like that. If I'd rather step on that larger part of my supposition, I would only be confronting him about it. Which is ill-suited at this moment since timing and purpose aren't aligned. It would distract him for their performance.

Katabi ni Dean si Marcus habang nakikipagkamayan kay Cindy. Her handheld foamed microphone is ready, habang hinahanda na ng camera man niya sa likod ang video recorder. They're talking about some random stuff as I neared them.

"Water, Dean." Abot ko sa tubig.

Tinanggap niya ito nang hindi ako tinitignan at abala sa pakikipag-kwentuhan kay Cindy, probably the reason why he didn't lash out at me for not handing him coconut water. The interviewer's voice is not hateable unlike those girls with their girly, trying-hard-to-be-cute giggly voice. Kaya masasabi kong propesyunal ito.

Umikot ako sa likod at inabutan din sina Wilmer at Marcus ng tubig.

"Thanks, Ruth." Ngiti ni Marc sa 'kin sabay tanggap ng mineral bottle.

"Thanks." Tipid ang kay Wilmer.

Huminga ako nang malalim at ningitian sila. Nasanay pa yata ako dahil noong nagta-trabaho pa ako sa ospital ay sobra sa kung anong kailangan ng mga paseyente ang binibigay ko. I don't just give them their medicines on time. I clean their sheets even when it's not necessary. I learned how to give too much even when it isn't needed. I learned to give too much without asking something in return but seeing them happy and well is enough. Sobra pa sa natatanggap kong sweldo ang pasasalamat nila sa akin bilang nag-alaga sa kanila. The appreciation and their smiles.

"We didn't stay for long. But I hope available kayo for a magazine shoot. May iko-conduct din kasi si Joan para sa isang magazine scoop. Would tomorrow be part of your schedule in MOL? Or this Friday?"

"Marcus, what's beating our ass for tomorrow?" tanong ni Dean.

Nasa likod ako ng tatlo at napansing medyo humaba na ang kwentuhan nila. I glanced at my watch while my left foot is restlessly tapping. Maybe they can carry on with their schedule talks after the break.

"Ruth,"tawag ni Marcus na nakalingon sa akin.

Eyes were on me except from the hazel greens. Nakahalukiphip siya at nakayuko, tinitignan ang tumatapik niyang mga paa alinsunod sa pagda-drums ni Sky sa stage. Cashiel is joining her with the rhythm guitar.

"May lista ka ba ng schedule? I forgot, I didn't have it with me." May pag-aalala sa mukha ni Marc habang tinatapik ang mga bulsa. Umiling siya, disappointed sa sarili.

Binuksan ko ang aking bag at kinuha roon ang aking planner. I knew this would be a life saver. Hinanap ko ang petsa bukas at nakita ang oras ng kaganapan.

"Morning show guesting and performance at eight o'clock," basa ko rito saka sinara ang planner."That'd be like for three hours so available sila sa hapon."

"That's great!"Cindy's eyes and smile sparkled. "We'd be expecting you at two, then."

Tumango sila sa pagsang-ayon.

"Uhm, Cindy," magalang kong sabi. Marcus was kind enough to slightly step aside. "I think you should be starting the ten minutes now. The show's to start in forty."

"Oh, right! Sorry." Nahihiya siyang tumawa. She fixed her visitor's passed and readied her pink foamed microphone. Sa gilid nito ay isang logo na may letrang MS. "I really enjoyed everytime I chat with you guys. This is why you're my favorite band kahit hindi na uso ang mga banda sa panahon ngayon."