disclaimer: This story includes names, characters, places, and events or happenings that are products from the cognitive process of the author's brain and told in a fiction story. Any events that may have occurred or seems to have similarities in real life is purely coincidental.
this piece contains languages and themes that may not be appropriate for young audiences, please be advised.
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"Ate Grace, gising kana pala?" Nagulat ako sa nagsalita.
Lumingon ako at nakita ko ang pinsan kong si Amara.
"Andito ka pala? Ba't ka napadpad dito? Aga ah," Pagtataka ko. May nilapag siya sa table na eco bag.
Binigyan ko kasi sila ng spare key. In case na gusto nila pumunta dito. Bumukod ako ng bahay kasi gusto kong preparation 'to para sa future ko. Isa pa, matagal ko na din talagang pinagiipunan 'to. I already signed a 3-month contract though mag-iisang buwan pa lang ako dito. I'm just waiting for the owner kasi nasa ibang bansa daw sabi ni Mang Juan, helper ng may-ari. Uuwi daw this month kaya sakto para mapirmahan ko na yung papeles para sa lupa na 'to.
Binuksan ko 'yung eco bag para tignan ang laman nito habang nagtitimpla ng kape si Ara.
"Inutusan akong bumili ni Tita. Baka matagal kana daw hindi nakakapagpandesal at ice cream. Avocado 'yan baka sabihin mo hindi kita kilala eh," Umirap siya habang nagtitimpla ng kape.
Nag pout na lang ako at inilabas yung pandesal tapos pinasok ko sa ref 'yung ice cream tub. Syempre kumain ako ng pandesal.
"Namiss ko 'to sobra! tapos taho!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang bibig ko.
"Dalaw-dalaw din kasi," She sipped on her coffee and grabbed a pandesal.
Kinuha ko yung baso niya tapos uminom sa harap niya. Magagalit 'to.
"Sige, mabilaukan ka sana," Pagalit niyang tono. Hindi ko mapigilang matawa. Nakakamiss talagang inisin 'to. Muntik ko pang mabuga 'yung kape sa mukha niya kaya lumayo siya sa'kin.
Pagkatapos naming kumain, naligo na ako at nagbihis. I've decided to wear my normal attire. A black pencil skirt and a white short sleeve blouse. I paired it with my black heels. I grabbed my white office bag. I look like such a basic assistant. I already prepared my things the night before because I felt productive last night. Day-off ko eh.
Bumaba na ako pagkatapos kong mag-ayos. I saw Amara seating on the sofa.
"Alis na ako. Ikaw na ang bahala sa bahay, lock mo palagi yung pin--- ay, aalis ka din ba mamaya?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"Yeah, I'll just visit a friend of mine who lives near pero aalis din ako maya-maya." She gave me a hug. "Labyu, ingat."
I gave her a flying kiss at naglakad palabas ng village. I always go to work by commuting. Next time na ako kukuha ng kotse.
Pagkadating ko sa office, I immediately went to my cubicle.
"Uy, Grace, pwede bang paanalyze nito? Hindi ko maintindihan eh," Lapit sa'kin ni Sani, workmate ko.
I explained to her what the data means. It was simple and I know that she can solve that but maybe there are a lot of things going through her head right now.
"Thank you. Sabi nga pala ni Tina, sabay daw tayo maglunch mamaya," Sambit niya.
I nodded as my answer. I did what I normally do. Check them from time to time to make sure they do their work efficiently plus help them a little bit. I always need to check so I know if the system we created works perfectly. Nung nakaraang buwan daw kasi sobrang gulo tapos yung mga laptop nila mabagal na kaya napapabagal din trabaho nila. We had to distribute new laptops plus assemble some computers to try if it will be more efficient.
"Lunch na! Salamat naman!" Maligayang sigaw ni Tina habang nagii-stretch. Lumapit siya sa'kin at tinawag si Sani "Sani, lalamon na tayo!"
Pumasok kami sa elevator para bumaba sa building.
"Mas madami daw tayong upcoming project from different companies? Narinig ko lang kanina kila Wes. Iniisip ko pa lang parang nakakabaliw na," Banggit ni Tina at huminga ng malalim.
"Ha? Ba't hindi ko alam 'yan?"
"Hindi ka naman chismosa, tulad nito," Tinuro ni Sani si Tina kaya't inirapan lang siya nito.
Pagbaba namin ay lumabas na kami sa building para humanap ng makakain. Naisipan naming kumain na lang sa fast-food restau since ito yung pinakamalapit.
"Alam niyo, dahil sa kanin naalala ko tuloy, ang yummy ng President natin di'ba?" Tanong ni Tina habang nakain ng Fried Chicken.
"Ha? Ba't wala akong alam sa mga chismis mo Tina?" Tanong ko.
"Oo, bago na. Kahapon lang nakita natin di'ba?" Sagot ni Sani. "Atsaka, Last month pa inannounce 'yon kaya wala ka pa 'non dito. Ang gwapo kamo!"
"Legit talaga, Grace! Ang gwapo niya! Yung tipong gusto mo siyang alayan at sambahin! Ang bata din niya tignan tapos nasa age range pa ata namin siya!" Tina exclaimed.
They both have sparkles in their eyes while talking about the new CEO.
"Sino ba ang bagong President?" I asked.
"Si Mr. Bartolome!" Sabay nilang sigaw. Pinagtitinginan tuloy kami ng mga tao sa fast-food.
"May gwapo na ngang Executive Director, may gwapo pang CEO!" Sambit ni Sani habang nainom ng coke.
"Matalino pa!" Nag-apir si Tina at Sani.
Pagkatapos naming kumain ay bumalik na kami sa building. May nakita akong naka park na Mercedes Benz E450 kaya hindi ko naiwasang lapitan yung kotse. Pinadaplis ko yung kamay ko sa kotse at niyakap ito kaya't tumawa sila Tina at Sani.
Mabibili din kita. Onting tiyaga pa!
Nang matapos na akong mag-orz sa Mercedes ay naisipan na naming umakyat dahil patapos na din ang lunch break.
Bumalik na kami sa kanya-kanyang cubicle. I sat on my chair and checked my twitter.
"Hey,"
Nagulat ako sa nagsalita kaya lumingin ako at nakitang si Matteo 'to. I shifted from my seat.
"Nakakagulat ka naman Matteo," Sabi ko sa kanya. I can feel some of our workmates looking at us but I just brushed it off. Normal lang naman siguro makipag-usap di'ba?
"Sorry. Hinahanap kasi kita kanina para sana ilibre ka ng lunch kaso hindi ko naman alam kung saan ka pumunta," Pagpapaliwanag nito. "Kumain kana ba? Anong kinain mo?"
"Kumain na ako. Just rice and chicken," I smiled at him.
"Uuwi kana ba after ng shift mo?" He asked.
Our workmates are looking at us as if they were also waiting for my answer.
"I have errands," Diretsong sagot ko sa kanya.
"Hello, Ma'am Grace, pinapatawag po kayo ni Sir Alistair. ASAP daw po, Top floor," Lapit sa'kin ni Vilma. Assistant dito sa floor.
I immediately grabbed my laptop then rushed to the elevator and went to the 34th floor.
"Hello, Grace. Shall we?" Alistair gestured his hands in a gentleman way.
Siya lang ata yung kilala kong iba ang gesture sa katauhan.
I nodded. I looked around this floor and it only has one room and some paintings. First time ko lang makapunta dito kaya hindi ko mapigilang mamangha. It was themed white and brown. There was only one room in the whole floor. It occupies half of the floor I guess?
"Bakit mo ako pinatawag?" I looked at him.
"Miss lang kita," He winked at me. Inirapan ko siya.
"Alam ko na yang ganyan Hagdan. If we weren't college friends, I would've kicked your ass by now," Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Let's stay professional at work, okay?"
"I actually thought you need to meet the new President since you'll be working with him together starting tomorrow," He emphasized the word "together".
Tinanguan ko lang siya at tinignan nang mabuti ang mga disenyo ng floor na 'to. It helps me to know more about the President. He likes art and coziness. I find it off since its a workplace but I know in my heart that I love it.
Madami kayang ipagagawa yung bagong President? pero ayos lang naman kasi trabaho 'to eh. Mr. Devan was also really nice. Sana magkasing bait sila.
Tumigil kami sa harapan ng kaisa-isang pinto dito. Kumatok siya sa pinto at pumasok. Iniwan niyang may awang yung pinto, kaya't naririnig at nakikita ko siya.
"Andito na yung CS Analyst," Sambit niya at tinanguan ako.
Pagpasok ko, napatingin ako sa paligid. On the right side, there is another room inside! There is a glass that separates this room from the gaming room. It was full of gaming equipment. I am amazed. There was also a painting and bookshelves in the left side of the room.
It was that painting from years ago! It can't be! Matagal ko nang hinahanap yung painting na 'yon pero may iba na daw na nakabili. Wala na din daw yung pintor at malaki daw yung in-offer nung buyer.
"Ms. Herrera, meet Mr. Raziel Aidoneus Bartholomew, CEO."
He faced me. Those cold yet sparkling eyes. He looked more mature.
I was shocked. I was in front of the person I tried to avoid for years.
Hindi kasi Barotolome 'yun Tina! Bartholomew pala! Bakit hindi ko naisip 'yon?!
"Ah, yes, I'm Adelaide Grace Herrera, System Analyst" I kept a straight face. Literal na nakatayo lang ako sa harap niya. Thank God I didn't stutter!
Is it unprofessional?
"You used to be strandmates and unimates, considering the culture of your school, you're probably friends, I suppose?" Alistair trying to ease the room. He probably felt awkward.
"Acquaintances."
