THE VOLLEYBOSS (JIBEA)

PART 65 - CHALLENGE

JIA POV

I was busy working on the documents for some project proposals para sa company ng pumasok si Bea. May mga dala siyang plastic bags and box of pizza.

Lumapit siya malapit sa akin and kiss me in the cheek as if it is the usual thing in the world that we accustomed to do.

BEA: "I brought something for you. Alam kong kumakalam na yang sikmura mo dahil sa mga alaga mo."

Wika niya habang nilalatag sa mesa na kaharap ko. 

JIA: "Gutom na nga ako. But I just can't seem to stop from working on this document. Need ko tapusin eh."

BEA: "Of course you can stop. Because if you won't, itatapon ko lahat ng mga yan para lang kumain ka."

Naglakad siya papunta sa sala para kumuha ng lagayan ng mga pinamiling food at naupo rin siya sa tabi ko.

Binuksan niya ang mga plastic at bumalandra sa harap ko ang box ng donut. Ang laman ay ang favorite flavor ko lang naman.

JIA: "Thanks."

Ikinuha niya ako ng donut bago siya kumuha ng kanyang pizza. Kaya nabusy na kami pareho sa pagkain.

JIA: "Hmmmm. Boo."

Wika ko sa mahinang boses. Parang walang confidence sa tono ng boses ko. May mahalagang bagay kasi akong sasabihin sa kanya.

BEA: "Yes?!"

JIA: "Hmmmm... I had a conversation with Papu the other day. And he wants you to resign from your job in the company."

Napatingin siya sa akin, was not sure what to say and wondering if she fully understood my words.

JIA: "Papu doesn't want you to be my secretary anymore. He wants to promote you for a higher position."

Seryoso kong wika sa kanya. Hindi ko kasi alam kung ano ba ang maging reaksiyon niya. Kung matutuwa ba siya or baka ma offend or something else.

BEA: "I appreciate what your papu is offering me. But I don't think if I am capable of doing so. I mean, I am not that good enough."

Pagpapaliwanag niya habang kumakain ng pizza.

JIA: "Honestly, I was the one who gave  the suggestion to papu, the idea of offering you another office in the company. I was actually hesitant to tell you about this because you might get it in a negative way. I didn't make the suggestion just because girlfriend kita. I did it because I can see na may potential ka. And papu agreed about it naman."

Maayos kung pagpapaliwanag sa kanya.

BEA: "Pero boo, hindi pa ako ganun ka tagal sa company. I mean, there are people ahead sa akin na mas higit na deserving para doon sa position na tinutukoy mo."

Patuloy na pagtanggi niya sa offer.

JIA: "It was never an issue in the company. People are receptive about their respective appointments and changes of heads or leaders."

BEA: "I am afraid I am not the right person for the position. Baka hindi ko mabigyan ng justice yang paglalagyan niyo sa akin."

JIA: "Hahaha... No pressure boo, we don't expect na agad agad mag excel ka. Everything is a learning process. But if you do excel, then it is an advantage to the company."

BEA: "I don't know where did you get that too much trust about me and what I can do."

JIA: "Take it as a challenge. And akala ko ba, walang inaatrasan ang isang Bea de Leon?!"

BEA: "Kung usapang landian yan boo syempre wala talagang atrasan. But we are talking about the company. Are you really sure about that one? And I don't want that kind of challenges."