Stonehearts 7: Ruby

Two

"I know you, we went to college together, am I right?" he said with his usual ecstatic tone.

Wala akong naisagot. Napatango na lang ako. I know I look like a total goof right now just staring and smiling at him.

"Teka lang. I'll try to remember your name. 'Wag mong sasabihin, ah?" he said before he looked up, appearing to be thinking.

He's thinking about me! Eto, sure ako rito! OMG! OMG! OMG!

"Alam ko you're in a lower batch pero hindi ko matandaan. Hmmm." he continued.

"Ahh-ehhh...." I mumbled.

"Oh! I remember! You're Ruby!" he finally said, his face as if he just won a lottery.

"Y-yes." utal na sagot ko.

He beamed at me before extending his hand, "Hi, Ruby. It's nice to re-meet you. Small world, ano?"

I took his hand and nodded, "Oo nga, Sir eh." mahinang sagot ko.

He gestured the seat beside me before claiming the one on infront of me, "Please, 'wag mo na akong i-Sir. Not like we're strangers 'diba?"

Muli akong napatango, wala na ata akong ibang maisasagot sa kanya kundi tango. Hindi ko ma-explain 'yong kabog ng dibdib ko at 'yong pakiramdam ng ulo ko. Para akong naka-high na ewan.

Sinagot na ba ng Diyos lahat ng panalangin ko?

Tinawag niya ang sekretarya niya ilang sandal at nagpa-order ng makakain bago niya ako muling hinarap.

"I'm really sorry for running late. Medyo congested kasi ang traffic papunta rito, eh. Galing pa ko sa opisina."

"Opisina?" I asked, confused.

He again smiled, "Yup. I still work for another company. Acting CEO lang ako since recovering pa lang si Dad from his injuries."

So, I was supposed to meet his Dad. My eyes twinkle from the idea that suddenly popped inside my head.

Is this destiny?

"Ayaw mong magtrabaho rito?" pagkikiusyosa ko. I mean, kung balak ko siyang ligawan baka naman gusto niyang maki-cooperate sa akin diba?

Umiling siya, "Not really sure if I can handle running this empire grandpa built. I have my own priority at sa ngayon hindi itong kompanya 'yon."

Napalunok ako. Oh no! Baka may girlfriend na siya at hindi niya lang talaga pinapaalam in public.

"Anyway, mind to show me the proposal you have?" he said before I can even ask what he meant by his last words.

Gosh darn it!

"Yes, of course." I answered as I switch to my professional side.

Mamaya na ang landi.

While I was explaining to him the plans, we had for the automation system of their company, a little part of me was losing focus. Hindi ko maiwaglit sa isipan ko ang gusto niyang iparating sa mga sinabi niyang 'yon.

The more our conversation about work deepened, the more I lose the chance of asking him.

Dumating ang pagkain, natapos ko ang mini presentation ko sa kanya ng wala akong napala, parang gusto ko na lang maghalumpasay sa sahig sa inis sa sarili ko.

"Kailan mo gusto i-schedule 'yong actual presentation sa board, Bryce?" jeez, even his name has a different roll on my tongue. "Para maisama ko na rin pati ang pricing namin for the system."

"I will update you on that but definitely not tomorrow or anytime this week." he said while looking at his phone, as if checking his calendar.

Inaayos ko na ang gamit ko nang muli siyang magsalita, "Kunin ko na lang number mo para ma-update rin kita agad."

I dictated my number to him while keeping myself from fainting. Kung panaginip 'to ayaw ko ng magising. Inulit niya pa sa'kin 'yong number ko just to make na tama ang nakuha niya.

"Okay, Ruby. Will call or text kung may date na tayo."

Tumindig balahibo ko sa sinabi niya, "D-date?" ulit ko sabay lunok.

Napangiti siya sa akin, "Yes, date para sa presentation niyo sa amin kasama ang board."

"S-sabi ko nga." I said while awkwardly smiling at him. "Mauna na ako, Bryce." Paalam ko sa kanya dahil nahihiya na rin ako sa pagka-asyumera ko.

"Sabay na tayo. Paalis na rin ako."

Tumango na lang ako. Siguro, mas safe na tango at iling lang muna ang isasagot ko sa kanya dahil parang mapapahamak ata ako sa bibig ko.

We walked silently towards the elevator. Nangangati nanaman akong dila kong itanong sa kanya 'yong sinabi niya kanina pero habang patagal nang patagal, parang mas nakakahiya ng ibalik ang usapan na 'yon.

"May dala kang sasakyan?" he asked when he pressed B2. "Pwede kitang isabay, along he way 'yong building niyo papunta sa Pedrialva Offices 'diba?" tanong niya.

Sandali akong walang imik dahil nilulubos kong amuyin ang pabango niya. Jusko, para akong manyak nito!

"Ah, eh. Oo, may dala ako. Sa B2 din ako naka-park Thank you sa offer." sagot ko.

May kaunting space sa pagitan namin pero damang-dama ko ang lakas ng aura niya. I just want to freeze this frame for a moment. Parang ayaw ko ng umalis ditto sa loob ng elevator na 'to.

"Sa Pedrialva ka nagtratrabaho?" I curiously asked. Kailangan ko lang ng conversation starters dahil gusto ko pa siyang makausap bago pa kami maghiwalay ng landas.

Umiling siya, "Nope, may susunduin lang ako roon." he answered with a smile. But this time it was different. It hit the corners of his eyes, it was more beautiful than the smile I saw earlier on our meeting.

Napapikit ako, nananalangin na sana hindi ang sagot niya sa susunod na tanong ko, "'Yong priority mo?"

Then the elevator made the 'ding' sound. It opened but before either of us exited, he looked at me and answered.

"Yup. 'Yong nag-iisang priority ko."

--

Parang feeling ko si Ruby ang may pinakamaraming heartache na pagdadaanan. CHAROT> SPOILER? hahahahaha

anyway, we're starting slow again on the writing pero I'll do my best

much love, 

- B <3