Maybe You & I

4

5 MONTHS AFTER

DAN

"Sir, someone is here to see you."

"Huh? Di ba sinabi ko na huwag munang magpapapapasok ng bisita? "

"Sir, mapilit eh. Tsaka baka magsisi ka kung hindi mo eto papapasukin."

"Sino ba yan?"

Mrs Sarmiento has been my secretery since I reported for work. She used to be my mother's secretary.  She's 49 years old. Mrs Sarmiento started working for the company since she was 21 years old. She worked for my grandfather then my Mom and then me. She works well but she has a tendency to be pakialamera lalo na pag may magandang babae na pupunta sa opisina. Pero minsan naman pag may kasama akong babae sasabihan niya ako na hindi kami bagay. Hindi naman ako naiinis pero hindi rin ako natutuwa. Hahaha at hindi siya takot sa akin. Lahat ng empleyado sa opisina takot sa akin. Ang sarap nga nilang asarin eh. Kunwari palagi akong may sumpong. Pero ang totoo, trip ko lang talaga silang asarin. Siyempre I am well known in the office as the Boss na Sumpungin.

"Nathalie Escudero daw ang name niya."

"Nathalie Escudero? Wala naman akong kilalang Allie Escudero."

"Really?"

"Yes Mrs Sarmiento. Wala."

"Kilala ka niya eh. By the way, she is the reigning Miss Teen Universe."

"Hmmm, okay. So what can I do for her? Why is she here?"

"Ewan ko. Pero ang bata bata pa niya. Pero in fairness maganda at magalang siya. And gusto ko siya."

"Okay. Then let her in."

Nathalie Escudero? Who is she? I do not know any girl na Escudero? And a beauty Titlist? I guess they are just here to solicit from the company. But there is someone who handles that in the office not me. The last time I checked ako ang boss di ba? Bakit nagdidirecho tong mga to sa akin/ Baka naman gusto maging business partner? Pero hindi eh. They do not come directly to me. Wala din akong kamag anak na Nath..."

"Hello Dan...or Kuya Daniel ba?"

ALLIE

When he saw me, confusion registered sa mga mata niya. Hindi niya ako naaalala? Grabe naman to. Ilang months na ba? 5 months lang naman yun ah. I remember we even ate burger sa loob ng sasakyan niya and he can not remember. Hindi pa naman ako nagbago ah. Wala nga akong make up para maalala niya ako pero wala pa din. Huwag ka na kasi umasa Allie kasi forgettable naman talaga ang hitsura mo. Hahaha. Hindi niya maalala kaya pormal ang mukha. Seryoso? Suplado. Tsura nito.

"Hello good afternoon, Dan Antonio."

"Nathalie Escudero. Allie. We met at the birthday party of Jill's sister. Remember...yung boyfriend ko?'

Naku naman Mr Antonio napapahiya na ako dito. Alalahanin mo naman. Pero in fairness mas guapo ka ngayon hehehe. Guapo ka nga sa umaga or hapon. Hindi ko naman napansin na guapo ka pala nun. At ngumiti ka naman oh. Walanghiya.

"Allie..... Aaaaahhh Allie. Allie ni Harold."

He smiled. Pero it barely reached his eyes.  Lip service ang ngiti nitong mamang to.

"At least ah naalala mo na."

"Who would ever forget that incident. Siyenmpre out of the blue may magandang babae na lalapit sa iyo and would announce to the world na boyfriend ka niya."

"But you forgot the person already? Forgettable talaga ako."

He smiled. "So what can I do for you? I guess it's very important that you have to come see me in person."