ISLA DELA VEGA

KABANATA 4

"Ok, in exchange of that you have to suffer the consequences plus the fact that you have accidentally ruined my portrait."

Tumango lang siya biglang tugon. Muntik na pala niyang makalimutan na hindi lang ang pagsuway niya sa patakaran ang kasalanan niya. Because of her, his portrait was gone. It was an accident but it seems it's very valuable to him. 'Wag lang sanang maging double jeopardy ang mangyayari sa kanya.

"From your unit you'll be transferred here in my office for three months as well as you're going to clean my cabin for at least thrice a week."

Marahan siyang tumango sa mga kondisyon ng lalaki kahit pa nga alam niya na mahihirapan siya dahil malaki din ang reaponsibilidad niya sa trabaho but she has nothing to do with it. She has to agree. After all, it was all her fault and she can't bear to loose her job now.

Ang akala niya ay paalisin na siya nito sa opisina but he speaks again looking at her while resting his hands on top of the table.

"I just thought that you're only one of the people here from the island or a guest, but disappointed to know to be my employee who hadn't followed my simple policy", wika nito. Nabigla siya sa sinabi nitong muli. Akala niya ay tapos na ito. Muli tuloy siyang nakaramdam ng kaunting kaba sa kanyang dibdib.

"I'm sorry again sir. I know Sir it was my fault despite of knowing all the policies. I didn't mean to go beyond the Costa Rico's control. Hindi ko 'ho sinasadya talaga lalo na sa pagkasira ng painting..." Nakita niya itong umiwas ng tingin. "Alam ko 'hong importante iyon sa inyo at naiintindihan ko 'ho kayo." His flaming eyes a while ago tends to calm now. Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na hininga. Ganun din ito pero hindi na niya pinansin ang mapanuring mata ng boss.

"Tell me Miss Barola, what brought you there?" Diretso itong nakatingin sa kanya na muli niyang ikinaiwas ng tingin dito.

"M-My curiousity sir. I was refrained once pero tumuloy pa rin ako. Nakita ko kung gaano kaganda ang lugar na iyon and I can't help myself to go back again ang again. I'm sorry po talaga Sir", amin niya rito. Nakita niya ang konting pagkabigla sa gwapong mukha ng lalaki. Mataman siya niyong tiningnan sa mata.

She was surprised, ang kaninang tila bolang mga mata nito ay lalong naging malamlam na matamang nakatitig pa rin. Is it because of what had she told him? Whatever it is, at least she's thankful.

Nanahimik ito sandali at inalis ang pagkakasandal sa swivel chair nito. He rest his elbow on to the glass table. Hinihintay pa rin niya na muli itong magsalita but he hadn't. Ibinaling na nito ang atensyon sa mga papel sa harap nito.

"You may leave now." Walang lingon na sabi nito sa kanya.

She felt a little better now na pinakinggan ng Panginoon ang panalangin niya. Para siyang nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib. It was really a relief for her. Because of that she can't stop painting a smile on her lips.

Unti-unti namang kumunot ang ulo ni Ric dahil sa nasaksihan na ngiti sa mga labi ng babae.