All I have to Give (Absinthe Series 1)

Kabanata 33

Kabanata 33

Dapat

I called Jeni because of what happened. Naikuwento ko ang offer na ibinigay sa akin at mukhang natuwa naman siya. She wasn't also expecting it and so do I. Balak ko sanang magkita kami kaso naalala ko na nasa Baguio pala siya para sa trabaho. I texted my one of my friend to meet me on my restaurant. Wala akong balak na lumabas ngayon dahil pinag-iisipan ko pa kung kukunin ko ang offer.

Technically, I would say yes but on the contrary, something's bothering me. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung ano iyon.

"You look stressed." Puna sa akin ni Ruth nang maupo siya sa aking tapat. I stared at her face and noticed that she's still wearing her hair net. May namumuong pawis sa kaniyang noo na agad rin niyang pinahid.

"You're busy?" tanong ko. Nakonsensya nang bahagya dahil mukhang naabala ko pa.

She smirked. "Uh, yeah if you haven't noticed, I'm still wearing my hair net." I can hint the sarcasm in her voice. Typical Ruth.

I chuckled. "Sorry, I'm just bothered." Sabi ko sa kaniya.
Umayos siya ng upo at agad na nagtawag sa isa aking tauhan. She ordered her usual dessert from here.

Sa limang taong magkaibigan kami ay kilala ko na si Ruth. She's one of my classmates way back in college. Nagsimula kaming maging magkaibigan noong year end na namin as sophomores. We were partners for the papers. Palagay ko ay naging walang kwenta ako dahil sobrang problemado ako noon dahil sa pag-alis ni Helion. One month wasn't enough to absorb what's happening. Pero si Ruth, sinabi niya na naiintindihan niya ako. She said I was so inlove with Helion base on how I look at him. Ni hindi ko na nga napapansin na may mga matang grabe kung makatingin sa amin noon. Ruth and I became close even more when we were on our third year. We were block mates.

Naging magkaibigan din sila ni Jeni and we bonded together. Ruth have friends too. Naging kaibigan na rin namin hanggang sa magtapos kami ng kolehiyo. Doon ko na din nabuksan ang isip ko sa maraming bagay. I thought my world was just only spinning around me and my family. Dumagdag si Helion at ang banda ngunit unti-unti ring umalis. With Ruth and our other friends, I became more interactive. That's when I know that there's more beyond looking over for myself and dreams.

"What do you want to talk about, Raya? Business?" Iniusog niya ang inuupuan bago itinuon ang pansin sa akin.

"Purely business and I need your opinion. I know Phaedra's good at this but I can't contact her." Sabi ko sa kaniya, tunog problemado.

"That sounded so serious, my friend."

"I got an offer!" I blurted out. Muntik niya nang maibuga ang kakanguya niya lang na laman ng halo-halo.

"O-offer? Modeling?"

"Nope. A catering service for a family party." Sabi ko.

"And then? What's in it for me? Why would you need my help with that?"

"I'm asking for opinion. I wanted to say yes but something's bothering me. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung ano yun, Ruth."

"Hmm, maybe you're just stressed. Sino ba yung nag-offer sa'yo? Is it a wealthy family?"

"I don't know if you've heard of them or know them but they're Creights. I met Mr. Adam Creight and his wife, Alysson. Kasama yung kanilang mga anak."

"What.the.hell? Creight? Owner of one of the biggest jewelry company in Asia?" aniya. Hindi ko alam ang aking isasagot dahil hindi ko naman alam na ganoon pala ang business ng mag-asawa at ng kanilang pamilya.

"Gosh, that's like once in a blue moon for you, Raya! Creight family is one of the most influential family in the country. Hindi lang jewelry company ang hawak nila maging mga mining corps at hospitals. I'm so proud of you, Raya!" nakangiti niyang sabi. Tumango ako. I know, it's a great opportunity at hindi ko dapat palagpasin iyon. This might be a big break for me.