Yep, Still Extra! (Kiligserye Book 2)

Chapter 3

"I'm going to wait out here until you say you forgive me." Sigaw ni Chuck galing sa kabilang side ng pinto.

Napahalakhak lang ako habang nakasalampak sa sahig at binabalatan ang suhang galing sa fruit basket na bigay sa akin ni Chuck, siya naman currently ay nasa labas ng pinto ng kwarto ko at nag-aabang sa paglabas ko.

"I hope may dala kang kutson kasi matagal kang mag-aantay diyan."

Hindi niya alam na nagbaon ako ng pagkain dito, at may arinola rin sa kwarto ko kaya next morning na ako lalabas.

"I don't mind as long as you forgive me."

I hear him take a deep breath then sigh, "sorry Babe. I really didn't mean for it to go that far, or think about how you were going to feel."

Tanga!

Hindi ako sure kung masyado na siyang kumportable sa akin kaya naisip nyang pwede niyang gawin sa akin 'yon, or if he doesn't think I'm professional enough to feel embarrassed. Seryoso ako sa trabaho ko and I feel na ito na yung pagkakataon ko, pero anong ginawa niya? Sinira niya. Hindi ko alam kung paano pa ako magpapakita sa opisina namin, and knowing my boss is his best friend? What does that mean for me? How does this affect me?

"Babe, sorry talaga. I wasn't thinking. I know you hate that I did that to you in your new job, I'm just... I'm an idiot okay? That was me being stupid."

May narinig akong soft thud sa pinto and he spoke softer, "I'm really really sorry, Andi."

Paulit-ulit ang mahinang tunog sa pinto at na-realize ko na parang tunog ng ulo na inuumpog sa kahoy. Gumapang ako palapit sa pinto at binuksan ito, paghatak ko sa pinto nahulog sa lap ko ang ulo ni Chuck.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako habang tinitingnan ang mukha niya, siguro kahit gaano kasama ang loob ko sa ginawa niya sa akin, kapag tinititigan na niya ako ng ganito – na parang kami lang dalawa sa mundo, everything else just falls into the background. 

Hawak ko ang mga pisngi nya at sinampal ko ng very, very light, "Galit pa rin ako."

Hinaplos niya lang ang kamay kong nakahawak sa pisngi niya, not breaking eye contact he just says, "I know. I don't blame you."

I sigh, "You know I take my job seriously at itong trabahong 'to, it's very important."

He touches my cheek, "I know that too. It was a stupid joke. I'm sorry."

Bumangon na siya at naupo sa harap ko, "I'm not perfect Andi, I make mistakes too."

May point, I mean up to this moment in our relationship parang ako yung screwup, at napatawad naman niya ako. Tsaka this is just the first time he's made a mistake so I guess I'm being overly sensitive about it.

He tucks my hair behind my ear, "Do you forgive me na? I swear that's the last time I'm going to pull a joke like that."

Tinignan ko lang siya, "What did he say? Nakausap mo na ba yung boss ko?"

He gives me small smile, "He can't believe I did that to you. He says I've changed."

He sighs, "Tristan and I have been friends since I can remember and quite frankly, sa aming dalawa, mas gago siya, but over the years since mapunta siya ng US to study and to work for a while he changed. Now he's the mature one and I'm the idiot."

"Mabait ba siya?" I ask.

Hinawakan nya ang mga kamay ko, "He's a good guy, Andi. I wouldn't be comfortable with you working for him if I thought otherwise."

"So, magkatrabaho ulit tayo?" I ask him. I don't know how I feel about the situation, I mean okay lang sa akin na makakatrabaho ko ulit si Chuck, but I feel a little worried na I'll be that girl again. People will want to know how we met and I'd rather not talk about personal things in my workplace.

He smiles, "Ayaw mo ba?"

Binawi ko ang mga kamay ko and I cross my arms over my chest, "You didn't answer my question."

He sighs, "As much as I want to be with you every single second of the day, no, we won't be working together. I'm just a consultant so I'll probably be just in meetings with Tristan, you'll see me in your office maybe a couple of days in a month lang."

I nod.

He laughs, "I'd be offended with that nod if I didn't know you any better."

I smile, "Alam ko naman na naiintindihan mo why I want my personal life and my work to be separate. I've learned my lesson. That's why I was really going to resign if I was really working for you."

Nilagay niya ang kamay niya sa dibdib niya, "I'm offended. I'm a great boss."

Ngumiti lang ako, "I'm sure you are. But in this relationship, there's only one boss and that is me."

He just smiles, "Yes ma'am."

***

Alam mo yung may nakakahiyang nangyari sa buhay mo recently and you just can't get it out of your head?

Habang naglalakad papunta sa building namin, I keep remembering what happened yesterday at bigla akong napapamura sa nangyari, people who are walking beside me look at me like I'm a crazy person. Napapailing na lang ako dreading what's awaiting me sa office.

Chuck didn't drive me to work again today, I asked him not to and he's respecting my wishes kahit na ayaw na ayaw niyang nag-tataxi ako. I got off ilang blocks bago ang building namin para makapaglakad muna to clear my head.

I got to the lobby and went in keeping my head down.

Alam kong ilan lang kami sa office na nakaalam ng nangyari kahapon pero you really can't trust people. Si Dee mukha namang mabait pero baka chismosa.

I'm an hour early para makapwesto na bago magdatingan ang mga officemates namin, if we follow the schedule Dee made for us, she will be giving me a tour of the offices – all ten floors of it and will introduce me as Mr. Guevarra's new assistant.

"Oh God, please let this be a good day," I whisper habang nag-aabang ng elevator.

"Good morning, Andi."

Napangiwi ako sa boses sa tabi ko, I look beside me and medyo nanlaki ang mata ko. Mr. Guevarra, standing beside me with a brand new hair cut with a five o'clock shadow. Napailing lang ako para matanggal ang pagkatulala ko and I say, "Good morning Sir."

He smiles and runs his hand through his hair, "Got a haircut" and he touches his cheek, "The perils of having facial hair, it grows literally overnight even if I shave it off."

I smile back at nag-ding na ang elevator.

Another elevator ride with my new boss na kaming dalawa lang, pucha I can't think of anything to say. Should I say something about yesterday or better na parang dedma walang nangyari?

He presses the button for the 10th floor and we wait.

Alam mo yung wala kang matingnan sa loob ng elevator na ang tinititigan mo na lang is yung numbers ng floors habang sobrang bagal niyang umandar.

He finally says, "How are you? You okay?"

I nod.

He nods slowly and says, "So, are you always this early or is this a special day?"

Parang nag-dry ang lalamunan ko so I had to clear my throat before answering, "I try to be early, Sir."

He smiles, "Good. I try to be early too."

After ten years nakarating rin kami sa floor namin, and just like yesterday bago siya makalabas ng elevator, he walks back and I almost bump into him, he grins and says, "I have a feeling this is going to be a good day, Andi. Stop worrying."

Then he winks.