Chapter 45
I have so many questions in my mind. Hindi ako mapakali habang naka-upo lang at naghihintay.
It’s been nine years. Hindi ko inaasahan na makikita siya rito. Coincidence? I don’t think so. It keeps replaying in my mind the reaction I received from her. I can still vividly remember our college days. The way she was like and all those doubts I had for her. Pero ayokong magpadalos-dalos sa mga akusasyon na dinidikta ng isip ko. Like I said, years have passed and I assume, there are a lot of things that changed.
Natigil ang aking pag-iisip nang bumukas ang pintuan at pumasok do’n si Olzen. He was holding papers on his hand. Binabasa niya iyon nang pumasok siya pero nang makita ako’y natigilan siya. He smiled but I didn’t.
“Natagalan ba? Let’s go. I’ll bring these documents with me. Sa condo ko na lang babasahin.” Aniya.
Dumiretso siya sa kaniyang lames at may tiningnan sa kaniyang drawer. When he glanced at me, I casually looked away, pretending to be busy with my polished nails. I only looked up when I felt him near me.
“Let’s go,” he offered his hand.
I sighed and took his hand. Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko, ang isang kamay niy ay hawak ang mga documents. Pagkalabas namin ng opisina ay may tinawag siyang isang empleyado.
“Where’s Jerson?” He asked the employee.
“He was summoned to the eight floor, Engineer. May ipapasabi po ba kayo?”
“Tell him that I will send the files through email. I need to go.”
Tahimik kaming dalawa habang nasa elevator. He’s still holding my hand. I just hope he won’t feel the coldness of it. No matter how I want to stop thinking about what happened inside his office, it’s pointless.
I felt his consecutive glances, probably noticing my silence. He tugged my hand softly when the door opened. Lumabas kami at ang mga empleyadong naghihintay sa harap ng elevator ay nagtagal ang titig sa amin.
“Hey, are you okay?” He broke the silence between us.
I nibbled my lip and glanced at him. His eyes were inquiring. I opened my mouth for my reply when I heard someone calling him.
“Engr. Rosales.”
Pareho kaming napatingin sa lalaking lumapit sa amin. We stopped walking and I was a little surprised when I recognized the guy. Siya ‘yong kasama ni Olzen no’ng kasal, the one I danced with. If I remember his name correctly, it’s Third.
“Engr. Cordivilla,” Olzen acknowledged him.
Sumulyap sa akin si Third, pagkatapos ay sa mga kamay namin. Tumaas ang kilay niya at may kaunting ngisi sa labi nan bumaling kay Olzen. Olzen was serious though. His jaw was hard and his eyes were brooding, again.
“It’s nice to see you again… Era?” Patanong ang pagbanggit niya sa pangalan ko.
I smiled a little. “The feeling is mutual, Third.”
“Are you here to get the files?” Biglang tanong ni Olzen kaya naman napunta sa kaniya ang atensyon ni Third.
“Yes. Papunta na sana ako sa opisina mo.” Tumango si Third.
“Napirmahan ko na. You can ask my secretary about it. I have to go to Makati with my girlfriend.” Olzen muttered and glanced at me.
Third chuckled and shook his head, realizing something. Tipid lang akong ngumiti, walang alam na sasabihin.
“Kaya pala…” Third trailed off. “Alright then, I’ll update you if there will be any changes on the budget plan.”
Third bid his goodbye to us before we made our way outside the company. May iilang empleyado na bumati sa amin.
