Right Here...

Chapter 11

Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala sa mga nangyari that Monday kaya hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nagsisink in lahat - ang pagbabalik niya, ang pagtetake over niya sa kumpanya. Naguguluhan ako! Ang dami kong gustong itanong pero hindi ko alam kung saan ako magsisimula. At kung siya ang papalit kay boss, I will be reporting to him, eventually. Pagkakataon nga naman oo. You want to know what happened on that board meeting?

**flashback**

"Good morning everyone. I am Geoffrey Sandoval. You can call me Geoff (Jof) if you want. It's a pleasure to meet you all. And I do apologize for being late, you know, jet lag", bati niya sa amin. Oo nga pala, kadarating lang niya mula kung saan.

"Oh and I guess I am interrupting something here...", he added sabay tingin sa lolo niya.

"Hahaha! No hijo. You're not dahil nakuha mo lang naman ang atensyon ng lahat ng narito", birong sagot ni boss na ikanatawa ng lahat maliban sa akin dahil nakatingin lang ako sa kanya na parang ngayon ko lang siya nakita. Oh well, after a decade lang naman. Bago siya umupo, napatingin siya sa direksyon ko and our eyes met. Sinubukan kong ngumiti for old times' sake but i see nothing in his eyes but hatred and anger. I don't know kung anong mararamdaman ko kaya ako na lang ang unang bumawi sa tinginang yon.

"Uy, nakita ko yun. May titigang naganap. Kiliiiiig", bulong ni Trish dahil nasa tabihan ko lang siya. Tinignan ko siya with my let's-talk-later look at para na rin iparating sa kanya na nasa board meeting pa kami. She just shrugs.

Everyone listens intently while the president is presenting. Questions are also asked during his talk but he's able to answer them confidently.

"Mr. President, you just mentioned about The Towers plan of expansion in Middle East and Europe. Isn't that costly? I mean, we are already sending Architects and Engineers to countries in the world to accomodate our international clients, then why put up a branch?", tanong ni Jepoy. Nice try!

"Great question hijo! Indeed, putting up branches requires a large amount for an investment. Yes, it's costly at first but in the long run, we will be able to save because of the reduction of allowances, accomodation, meal and travel charges of our professionals. The proposed expansion will also serve as an opportunity for our employees in so far as migration is concerned", sagot ng presidente.

"And I believe that some of you are already dreaming to live abroad right this very moment because of that", sabi pa niya. Well, sino namang hindi mapapaisip kung ganun kaganda ang opportunity, diba?

The presentation went on. Same goes with the question and answer portion in the duration of the president's talk. And when he finally finished, hiniling niya ang pakikinig namin sa kanyang announcement.

"As you all aware, my grandson here, who just did a grand entrance a while ago (looks at his apo), just kidding (smiles), has just became part of the company. He will, of course, undergo series of trainings to help himself be familiarized on how the company works. And as the president, I will personally train him as he will soon take over my position, I hope. Mabuti nang maagang matuto, hindi ba? Anyway, please be good to him and I expect that you will give him the same treatment you guys have for me. So now, let's welcome Mr. Geoffrey Sandoval in our company. Welcome hijo", and they shook hands. Pumalakpak naman kami.

Nakipagkamay din ang board members at heads sa kanya. And since, wala na akong gagawin sa loob, I made my way out of the board room para maayos ko na ang dapat ayusin sa work area ko at upang umiwas na rin sa kanya dahil hindi pa ako nakahanda sa maaring confrontation na magaganap, just in case.

**end of flasback**

Isang buwan na ang nakakaraan. Isang buwan na din akong hindi marelax. Hay, ano ba to! Nakakaparanoid! At ang nakakatawa, ngayon ko lang narealize na Rodriguez ang middle name ni Jepoy! So ang batang babae sa picture na nasa table ni Sir ay si Tita Suzette, ang mama ni Jepoy, obviously! Franco Rodriguez is the name of my boss who happens to be the president of the company na pinagtatrabahuan ko. Napakaliit talaga ng mundo. Bakit hindi ko man lang naisip yun una pa lang? E kasi hindi naman na yun dapat pang pagtuunan ng pansin, diba? Saka hindi ko naman alam na may ganitong eksenang magaganap. At hindi ko na din maiisip pa yun dahil sa mga nangyari sa akin sa nakaraang mga taon. Grabe! Ang dami ko tuloy tanong. Nakwento ko na din kay bebs ang mga pangyayari dito sa opisina, of Jepoy's sudden appearance, his plan of taking over. She has the same reaction as mine... nagulat, nagtaka and I believe, the same questions in mind. Saka ko na pag-iisipan ang gagawin ko, the usual 'crossing the bridge when I get there' statement. Sa ngayon, magtatrabaho muna ako.