When the Sun hides

One

I was busy doing a Case Fill Rate Report when Rose moved her swivel chair beside me.

"Cat.." She called while doing something on her phone.

"Yes?" I replied, with my eyes still on the monitor.

"Busy ka?"

"Medyo. Bakit?" I was still focused on typing and analyzing the data.

"Mag out tayo ng 5. Nakapag book na ako sa Rockstar KTV."

"Pass pala ako today. I have plans tonight." I said, without looking at her but I could sense she was frowning at me.

"What plans? This is already in our schedule."

"Hindi ako makakasama mamaya. Next time nalang." Her frown deepened. Payday friday kasi ngayon at gaya ng nakagawian, magka-karaoke kami.

"Hay naku! Cancel your plans. I have blocked the schedule of everyone last 2 weeks pa and no one rejected." Sabi niya na halatang naiinis na.

"But I didn't accept. Sorry, pero importante kasi iyon." At tumingin na nga ako sa kanya. She was only glaring at me before she stood and walked away. I sighed and then turned back to my computer.

My phone vibrated and I saw a message from him. My lips automatically curved upwards as soon as I read his name.

'See you later.' He said. I gently bit my lower lip to stifle my grin. I only made a quick reply of 'See you' and then went back to doing my job.

Wala pang sampung minuto na umalis si Rose pero bumalik din siya agad na kasama si Charles.

"Cat." Tawag ni Charles. Tumingin naman ako sa kanya. Nakangiti siya habang papalapit sa pwesto ko "Hindi ka sasama mamaya?" Tanong niya. Nahagip ng mga mata ko si Rose na nakangisi sa likod nito.

"Hindi. May gagawin kasi ako mamaya."

"Hindi kaya i postpone?" Tanong niya ulit.  Umiling ako. "We will leave the office at exactly 5PM. Kahit hanggang alas siete ka nalang?" And he showed me his charming smile that can make any woman agrees with him. Napabuntong hininga ako at napaisip. "Please. Hindi masaya kung wala ka." Dagdag niya pa. Akala niya naman madadala ako sa ganoon.

I glanced at my watch. Sabi ni Ken mga alas otso pa siya makakarating ng bahay. Pero kailangan ko maghanda ng pagkain para sa kanya.

"I'll take that as a yes. See you later." Charles said and winked at me before leaving. Rose was smiling in victory as she looked at me again. She went back to her seat and whispered.

"Kunwari pa ayaw. Gusto lang pala na si Charles ang pumilit sa kanya." I only rolled my eyes on her and sighed.

Baka liparin ko nalang mamaya ang BGC to Alabang.

~~~

I kept on checking my phone for the time and new messages from him. I still ended up going with the team.

"Oy, sino na next?"

"Cat, kumanta ka naman. Ano puro kain lang tayo?" Sabi pa ni Lily.

"Kaya mo na yan." Sagot ko lang. Kaunti lang rin ang iniinom kong alak kahit na mga Bad Influence talaga ang mga kasama ko. Palibhasa mahaba haba ang bakasyon dahil may holiday.

"Mauuna na ako umuwi." Bulong ko kay Rose. Tumingin naman si Charles.

"Uuwi ka na?" Tanong niya. Tumango ako. "Maya maya na. Maaga pa naman." Sabi niya sabay ngiti. Wala na ako nagawa kundi bumalik sa upuan ko. Pinanood ko lang sila na halos ubusin ang mga kanta sa karaoke.   I stayed for more minutes pero tumayo na rin ako nang 7:30 na.