Forgetting Astrid Manoban

002

002

I keep tapping my fingers on my desk. I'm currently taking a break from checking a lot of business e-mails. I can't seem to focus on my work.

"Gosh," I whispered out of frustration.

While I was doing work, my mind was thinking of something else. Kaya hindi ako makapag trabaho nang maayos. My mind can't seem to stop thinking of what happened last night, what I did last night.

Sobrang nakakahiya.

Hindi ko alam kung anong iniisip ko sa mga sandaling 'yon at tinanong ko pa 'yon sa vocalista ng banda na kumanta sa bar kagabi. I just had the feeling of need of talking to her and I don't even know why.

"Ma'am, wala na pong nakaschedule na meeting ngayon para sainyo," my secretary entered my office, holding two folders in her hands.

"Ano 'yan?" I asked pointing the two folders she's holding.

Nilapag nya ang isang folder sa desk ko. I immediately checked what's inside. It was from Mr. Dizon, showing the downgrade of our stocks this month. Sa tingin nya ba ay hindi ko pa 'to alam? Sinabi nya na 'to sa meeting kahapon. He's just worried about himself. I'm sure of that. He's a major stock holder kasi.

"Pinabibigay po ni Mr. Dizon," my secretary said. I browsed through the pages to know more about the details.

"Thankyou," she bowed before leaving my office.

I need to look for a new endorser since I said I'll be shouldering this problem yesterday at the meeting. As Mr. Dizon said yesterday, we need a new face. Madali lang naman maghanap. This wouldn't consume my time so much.

After the whole day of working I finally decided to rest my mind before leaving the office. My eyes were closed as I massage forehead. Nang naramdaman kong okay na ako, I grabbed my things and stood up. Hindi pa ako nakakaalis sa harapan ng desk ko nang may napansin akong nahulog sa sahig. Yumuko ako at kinuha 'yon.

It was a calling card. The one that Astrid gave me last night. Binigay nya 'to sakin pagkatapos ko syang tanungin. I can still clearly remember the smirk on her face that night. Ang sabi nya ay may bar pa raw silang tutugtugan kaya hindi nya mabibigay ang gusto ko. I didn't even get the chance to correct her! Agad syang umalis sa harapan ko pagkatapos iabot ang calling card.

She clearly got the wrong idea.

I put the calling card inside my bag before heading out of my office. As usual, I greeted my employees first before leaving the building. My driver was already outside of the building waiting for me. He opened the van's sliding door before I hopped in.

"Deretso unit nyo na po ba tayo?" He asked while starting the engine. Nilapag ko muna ang mga dala-dala kong gamit sa tabi ko. I brought some folders for me check tonight.

Tumingin muna ako sa labas ng kotse. Hindi na gaanong traffic. "Sige kuya," I said. He nodded and started driving.

Habang nasa byahe ay panay check lang ako sa mga folders. Dito ko na babasahin para wala na akong gaanong gagawin mamaya sa bahay. I know it's unhealthy to read while inside a moving car but I just can't help it. Sanayan nalang talaga. Hangga't maaari, ayoko na may dinadala pa akong trabaho paguwi sa unit ko.

Ilang minuto ay bumaba na ako ng sasakyan. I told my driver to pick me up at the afternoon tomorrow. Wala naman akong masyadong gagawin bukas kaya mas mahaba-haba ang pahinga ko. I always call my driver whenever I go to work despite of me having my own car. Para habang nagmamaneho sya ay may nagagawa ako. Kapag naman hindi sa trabaho ang punta ko, I drive for myself. It serves to him as his day off.