"Yes? Oh, of course, Mr. Montenegro. My secretary has already set the meeting for us. Yes, this is about the proposed product. Alright, I hope to see you and the clients on that day. Okay, no problem, Mr. Montenegro. Have a good day." I hanged up the call. May kumatok naman sa pinto.
"Come in."
"Excuse me, Ma'am Bea. There is someone who wants to see you. A Ms. Alyssa Valdez, ma'am." Sabi ng secretary ko. Napangiti naman ako. Ate Ly? Napabisita yata siya.
"Please let her in, and please, serve her a cup of coffee. Thank you." I said, smiling, as the latter slightly bowed and said her response then she went outside of my office.
"CEO Isabel Beatriz P. De Leon! Long time no see!" Pambungad na bati ni ate Ly nang makapasok siya ng office ko. She went straight towards me and we shared a very warm hug.
"Hay nako, ate Ly. Drop the title and my full name, please. I'm still the 'Bea' you knew years back from Ateneo, no." Natawa naman siya. Umupo kaming dalawa sa couch nang bigla namang kumatok at pumasok ang secretary ko na may dalang dalawang kape. Ate Ly and I both thanked my secretary and the latter went off.
"So napabisita ka yata ng wala sa oras, ate Ly?"
"Di ba pwedeng namiss lang kita?"
"Sus. Nasa work siguro si ate Den kaya ka nandito no? Walang malambing?" I laughed. She playfully pinched me at saka siya tumikhim.
"Ganun na nga." Natawa naman kami parehas.
"Pero seryoso, nandito ako about sa natanggap kong email last night from Ateneo Alumni Association." She casually said. Napalingon naman ako sa gawi niya. "Hindi mo pa ba nakikita?" dagdag niya, umiling naman ako. Sa dami ba naman ng emails na natatanggap ko galing sa trabaho, hindi ko na nakita kung may sinend din ba sakin ang AAA. "What is it about?" I asked.
"So eto na nga. The association will be hosting a Reunion Ball for the alumni athletes."
"Kailan to?"
"February 14, 7 ng gabi ang start ng event." sagot niya.
"What?!"
"Oh bakit? May jowa ka nang ide-date sa araw na yun? Ikaw ah, di ka nagsasabi na may special someone ka na pala." natatawa niyang tanong. Loko talaga tong si ate Ly.
"Baliw, hindi. Meeting ko kasi yun with my biggest clients. Hindi ko naman pwedeng ipa-resched yun. Nakakahiya sa kanila. Katatawag nga lang sakin kanina nung business partner ko eh. Na-free na nila schedule nila for that meeting, I'm sure." Napakamot naman ako sa batok ko. Nastress ako bigla!
"Eh di paano yan? Chance mo na yun kay Maddie oh. Tsaka bihira lang magkaroon ng ganyang event ang alumni. Ikaw rin, bahala ka." sabi niya. Parang nangongonsensya pa to si ate Ly eh.
And after a very long time, ngayon ko na lang ulit narinig ang pangalan niya. I wonder how she's doing now. Kumusta na kaya siya?
