Stonehearts 7: Ruby

Eleven

"Mommy, naalala mo 'yong batang lalake na lagi kong kalaro? 'Yong bumibisita sa US kada-bakasyon dito sa Pilipinas."

Mom continued plating rice on my lunch container before handing me my cup of coffee. I've been meaning to tell her this last night, kaso tulog na siya pagkauwi ko.

"Si Sage? 'Yong ang pamilya puro doctor?"

Napatango ako, "Opo. Ang weird kasi sabi ko nang una familiar 'yong surname, tapos hindi niya rin naman ako kilala na Ruby Barrameda. Nagkagulatan na lang kaming dalawa nang pumasok ako sa opisina niya."

"Ilang taon na rin, buti nakilala ka niya? Mga bata pa kayo n'on."

"Wala namang nagbago sa kanya, mmy. Gumwapo pa nga ng husto si Sage. Puberty did hit him well."

I saw my mom giving me a quirky smile, I waved my hand in crazy directions when I realized she mistook what I said. "Mommy! Alam mo naman na little sister ang tingin sakin n'on at kuya-kuyahan ko rin siya."

"Bakit? Wala naman akong ibang sinabi." She said in attempt to act innocent.

I rolled my eyes at her and finished my breakfast before I hurriedly bid her goodbye.

Totoo naman kasi. I can never look at Sage that way. Parang magkapatid lang kami, simula noon at hanggang ngayon. Kaya nga hindi ako na-awkward nang kausap ko siya kahapon. Saka sigurado rin akong ganoon din siya sa'kin. At saka, nakita niyo ba ang taong 'yon? He's like an out of this world creation of God. Hindi 'yon magkakagusto sa'kin.

Saktong pagkarating ko sa opisina ay nadatnan ko ang secretary ni bossing na hinahanap ako,

"Present!" bati ko sa kanya sabay kaway.

"Ay, sorry. Hindi ko napansing wala pang 8:30. Pinapatawag ka kasi ni Sir Ray, urgent daw."

I rushed to my cubicle and set my bag down. "Sure, sure. I'll be in his office in a bit."

Dumaan si Kuya Jenks sa harap ko, na mukhang galing pantry nagtimpla ng kape, basing from the smell coming from the cup he's holding.

"Hala, bunso. Lagot. Baka may kasalanan ka." Panloloko niya.

I stuck my tongue out but before I can even talk, Nicole was there to back me up. "Ikaw kaya isumbong ko kay Sir Ray, hindi mo pa ni-ru-run 'yong mga bigay ng dev sa'yo."

Namula si Kuya Jenks at bahagyang natahimik. "Eto na nga, gagawin ko na." sambit niya sabay peace sign sa'kin.

Not really a boring day in the office, I thought to myself.

I stride my way towards Sir Ray's office, meeting the urgent case head on. But I think this has something to do with Sage yesterday, kaya siguro hindi rin ako kinakabahan.

"Sir, good morning po."

He gestured me to sit, "Good morning, Arcie. Kamusta ang meeting niyo ni Mr. Ricafrente kahapon?"

"Okay naman po. Bakit po?"

Saka siya napangiti, minsan talaga mahilig ng suspense itong si Sir Ray. "I was quite surprise to receive an email regarding a request of your deployment. You did a really great job impressing Mr. Ricafrente."

I gulped and laughed nervously dapat ko bang sabihin na magkakilala na kami dati pa?

"T-thank you, Sir."

"I guess, we'll not be seeing each other for a long time. Since, next week doon na ang bago mong opisina."

"P-po?" 'yon lang ang nasagot ko. Kahit alam kong mangyayari na ito, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang magulat.