The storm raged outside and pounded on the glass windows of the building like some panicked victim in a suspense film. I was staring blankly towards the chaos outside and marveled at the calmness of everyone in the office still going about their work. It was fifteen past seven in the morning; while most people are just preparing to start their days, we creatures of the BPO industry are just about ready to retreat to our beds and call it a "night".
One by one the associates went home - or at least tried to since there was no way anyone could be on the streets given the deluge outside. Maybe they're just passing time at the coffee shop on the ground floor or trying to catch some Z's in the quiet room but either way, there are barely 20 people scattered throughout the operations floor now, and I'm the only one left in our bay.
"Naku, paano kaya ako uuwi nito" a voice from behind me muttered. I leaned back on my chair and my head bumped into something soft. I tilted my head up and to my surprise, it was Nico. Apparently, his attempt to go home was foiled too by the brutal winds of typhoon Mario.
"Patila ka muna kaya ng ulan, baka magaya ka dun sa na-video sa BGC nung Bagyong Glenda. 'Yung tinangay ng hangin sa kalsada" I joked.
He laughed, the first genuine laugh I've heard from him. Sure I've seen him chuckle from time to time, but there was a certain softness to this one.
"So talagang kailangan nakasandal ka sa tyan ko?" he said.
I then realized that my head was resting on his tummy and I quickly straightened up.
"Sorry naman, bigla-bigla ka na lang kasi nagsasalita eh, akala ko ako na lang ang naiwan dito sa bay natin" I said.
"Ang layo kasi nang tinatanaw mo eh, talagang ginulat kita"
It felt weird. He usually acts all cold and grumpy around me but this time, he's different. Was he drunk? Was it the weather? Was he abducted by aliens and the one I'm talking to now is his clone?
"Mabait ka naman pala eh, buti wala kang sumpong ngayon" I said. Even I was a bit shocked at how my thought at that moment slipped out of my mouth instantaneously.
"Sumpong? Hahaha. Kailangan 'yun eh. Alam mo naman ang mga mina-manage ko, hindi ka pwedeng loloko-loko. Kapag mga ganitong oras puwede na akong mag-relax ng kaunti, mag-unwind" Nico answered.
I smiled. I knew it all along and I was feeling a bit proud of myself at that time. At that point, Nico already walked towards his elevated desk and started working on his computer.
I can't help but try to get a glimpse of him from time to time. I just can't believe that this brute can be this tender sometimes.
"Sana ganyan ka na lang lagi, mas bagay sa'yo eh" Again, I was betrayed by my lips. It wasn't my intention to flirt but at that moment, that was what I was really feeling.
"Sige, promise. From now on, kapag 8AM na, makakausap mo na ako ng ganito" he answered.
I didn't know how to respond; the last of the associates usually go home at around 7AM everyday. He usually goes home three hours after that. I ended up pretending not to hear what he just said and I feigned a "Ha?" to get him to repeat what he just said.
"Wala, sige na trabaho na tayo" and he reverted to his desktop and tapped away at the keyboard.
"After 8AM ha" I said, and then he smiled, with eyes still glued on his computer monitor.
The storm calmed down at around one in the afternoon, at which point Nico decided to go home. As for me, I was allowed by my manager to do a double shift since I've already stayed in the office that long. I was doing my audits when I suddenly received an sms from an unknown number:
"Number: +09*********
Message: Hey, may naiwan yata akong Toblerone sa desk ko, sa'yo na lang. Sayang kasi baka matapon o langgamin"
Could it be him? I stood up and went to look at Nico's desk and there it was, a box of white nougat Toblerone. I went back to my desk and checked my Outlook for his signature, hoping to match his number and I was not disappointed.
I melted.
Then I panicked.
What should I reply? I don't want to assume, for all I know he might have just really left it by accident. But then again there's that other slight chance that he might have deliberately left it for me. But I find it hard to believe at this stage. We haven't really shared any nice moments aside from this one so far. I decided on a safe reply and just said:
"09*********
Message: Thanks".
****************************************************
The days passed and Nico and I just found ourselves talking whenever there's only the two of us left in our bay. It was then that we talked about different topics every day from the fundamentals of wine to my belief that democracy will only work if we have empowered masses. I like that he's political and opinionated; and though we might disagree on some issues, it's funny that I seemed to respect his take on those things as well.
But of all the topics we discussed, the most enjoyable for me was when we reminisced our college days. After learning that I was an undergrad, he was among the few people who did not urge me to finish my degree because it's "sayang". He just told me he doesn't think I need a degree anymore because I'm already doing a very good job at what I do. I was flattered.
It also helped that we both came from the State University. Most of the things we shared ended up in laughter, especially when I pretended I didn't know what he was talking about and mocked his age. He was like a kid who would get upset and point out a hundred reasons why he's not that old yet and of course, the truth is he's just three years my senior.
These discussions went on for almost a week and I always went home feeling excited for the next day. It was one of those rare times where for five whole days, I've woken early enough before my alarm clock went off.
One day, I was on break and casually surfing the net in the office when I came across the last instalment of the Rurouni Kenshin live action movie series. At that point, I never thought that it was the movie that will be the turning point of my relationship with Nico.
(To Be Continued)
