After All Else

Prologue

"Hello, good morning! Perseus Kalev Silvestre. Just call me Kalev." Prenteng pagpapakilala ng bago naming classmate.

"Thank you Kalev. Doon ka na lang maupo sa likod ni Ms. Aguirran. I'm sure she can help you if ever you need it." Our adviser answered as he gestured to the seat behind me. New guy didn't even thank Mr. Castillo. As he was making his way towards the seat assigned to him, I did a quick sweep of his features. Of course, I needed to be acquainted with him too. We're classmates, after all. It's not like I wanted any other business with him. Wala kong time to fool around.

He was tall, pwedeng player. Basketball player, ha.  He was lean too, his built was good for his age. His dark hair was styled, naka-wax ata. Ewan ko, I don't pay attention to boys too much unless kaibigan ko. His brown eyes looked like mawawala na kung ngingiti siya. Other than that, he looked like a serious guy, but the type of serious na alam mong madaming kalokohan up his sleeve.

Natigilan siya nang makarating sa pwesto ko, napansin na tinitigan ko siya ng sandali. He winked at me.

"Ms. Aguirran, right?" He asked playfully.

I nodded at inirapan siya. Player nga.

"Ms. Eliese, pinapa-paalala po ni Sir Vyd yung meeting niyo with RO Corp. mamayang 3PM." Sambit ng secretary kong si Abbi nang makapasok sa office ko.

"Sige, just let Vyd know that I'll be coming to his office soon, tatapusin ko lang tong paperworks for the new mall." Sagot ko nang hindi siya nililingon, patuloy lang ako sa pagpirma sa mga papel. "Go take your lunch na rin. Just meet me here before 3PM." I added, now glancing at her and giving a small smile. Nagpasalamat si Abbi at lumabas na rin ng office ko.

I sighed, hilong hilo na sa mga salitang naghahalo halo sa utak ko. Napatingin ako sa wrist watch ko and noticed na it's been almost an hour nang makausap ko si Abbi kaya napagdesisyunan kong bisitahin na ang pinakamamahal ko.

I went out my office and headed towards the marketing department. Hindi rin pa naman ata nalabas ng office niya si Vyd eh. As soon as I reached the floor, strings of hellos greeted me. Of course, everyone knows me. I'm the CEO, after all.

"Hoy pinakamamahal kong kaibigan! Kamusta ka naman diyan bwisit ka? I'm tampo na! Di mo man lang ako binibisita sa floor ko!" I jokingly greeted him as I sat on the small couch.

"Tigilan mo nga ko sa pang-aasar mo Eliese. I'm busy." Ah, yes. My ever focused friend. Vyd Onyx Sebastian, my boy na friend I've known since college.

"Sige na nga! As your CEO, I completely understand and am willing to wait na matapos ka bago tayo kumain. Libre mo naman eh." I joked once more, syempre with a hint of truth in it. Kuripot kaya ako, duh.

My boy bestie wasn't given a chance na umangal sa sinabi ko when my secretary barged inside the office nang hingal na hingal.

"Ms. Eliese, may tumawag po. Emergency daw. Pinapapunta po kayo sa Mediran Medical Hospital ngayon na." Natatarantang sabi ni Abbi.

"Bakit daw?" I found myself asking, my heart starting to panic.

"Critical condition daw po." Sagot niya. I slumped on the couch, nanghihina na tila hindi makahinga.

"Come on Eliese, I'll take you there." I heard Vyd say softly. Itinayo niya ako and acted as my support, holding my hand. He took me outside the building. His car was already waiting there, ipinadala niya na ata sa valet. Tinawagan niya na rin si Abbi para sabihing i-cancel ang meeting. Kaya na yon i-handle ni Abbi. I was just staring outside the window of his Audi R8 as he was driving and trying to reassure me at the same time. Halatang nag-aalala sa akin. Nang makarating kami sa parking lot ng ospital ay hindi ko na siya nahintay pa. Bumaba na agad ako at dumeretso na sa loob.

That was when my world seemed like it was falling apart.

***

Hello guys! Hope you enjoy reading Kalev and Eliese just as much as I enjoy bringing them to life.

all the love,
rhyme
xx.