One More Chance

III

Today is our wedding anniversary and I'm planning on surprising Issa later. Hindi ko na siya ginising when I woke up. Nag shower na agad ako at nagbihis for work. Pagbaba ko, kakatapos lang magluto ni Myrna, ang bago naming kasambahay.

Myrna: "Good morning po sir. Ano po gusto niyo sa coffee niyo, black or with cream?" She asked.

AJ: "Good morning Myrna. I'll have Black coffee please." She nodded in response. "Myrna when Issa wakes up tell her we'll have dinner tonight. Just the 2 of us. Kung magtatanong siya, just tell her it's a company dinner. Ipapadala ko na lang mamaya ang damit niya. Kayo na po muna ang bahala kay Cayla mamaya."

Manang: "Yes sir. Happy anniversary po pala sa inyo ni maam." Sabi niya sabay lapag sa kape.

AJ: "Thank you." I finished my food quickly and head to work bago pa ako maabutan ni Issa. My plan is to not greet here because I'll be surprising her.

**

When I arrived at my office, I called my secretary Julie.

Julie: "Good morning sir! Is there anything you would want me to do?" She asked.

AJ: "Yes. I want you to go the nearest mall and buy a dress for my wife. I'm sure you already know what suits her." Sabi ko.

Julie: "Yes sir."

AJ: "Good. I'm counting on you. And you have to give it to her personally, just tell her it's from me." She nodded. "You can go now."

I decided to text Issa, baka magtampo pa yun sa akin.

To: Issa ❤️

Good morning love! I'm sorry I have to leave early for work, madami kasing kailangan ayusin dito sa office. Anyways, can't wait to see you tonight! Mag ayos ka okay? I'll pick you up at 7. I love you.

Julie returned after an hour at nagtataka daw si Issa kung bakit binilhan ko siya ng damit, good thing she bought the company dinner excuse.

As usual, we were busy because the company will be opening a new branch in the Philippines. We had a board meeting on new strategies for our advertisement, and we addressed some problems regarding our service quality. I feel exhausted because the meeting took almost the whole day, pero inisip ko na lang ang surprise mamaya, that's why I rescheduled my remaining appointments tomorrow so that I can prepare for later.

**

Late na akong nagising, pagtingin ko sa tabi ko wala na si AJ. Today's our 4th wedding anniversary, and I'm thinking of doing something tonight. Pumunta ako ng banyo para maghilamos at bumaba agad sa kitchen.

Myrna: "Good morning po maam Issa. Kain na po kayo. Gusto niyo po ng kape?" tanong niya.

Issa: "Good morning din Myrna. Yes, Black Coffee po. Si AJ?" sabi ko at umupo na.

Myrna: "Maaga pong umalis. Pinapasabi po pala niya na may dinner kayo mamaya."

Issa: "Nasabi ba niya kung para san ang dinner?" tanong ko.

Myrna: "Company dinner daw po." Sabi niya sa habang binigay sa akin ang kape.

Issa: "Ganun po ba."

Pagkatapos kong kumain, may nag doorbell. Ako na ang nagbukas ng pinto dahil naghuhugas ng pinggan si Manang. Pagbukas ko, ang secretary ni AJ ang bumungad sa akin.

Julie: "Good morning Ms. Issa. I just came here to drop this off, it's from Sir AJ. He wants you to wear it for your dinner later." Sabi niya sabay abot sa isang paper bag. Tiningnan ko ang laman, it's a dress.

Issa: "I still have many dresses to wear, no need for him to buy me a new one. Anyways thank you Julie."

Julie: "You'll be meeting some of the board of members of the company, and he wants you to look your best." Sabi niya sa akin. "I'll go ahead Ms. Issa. Enjoy your day!"