Running After The Wind(Manila Encounter Series 1)

10

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"Sama na kayo. My treat!"

Nasa opisina kami ni Manolo. Ako, si Nicia at si Moriah. We knocked into him when we were about to go to the cafeteria. It's already lunch and I'm starving as hell. Hindi pa naman ako nag-agahan kanina dahil tinanghali ako ng bangon.

I bet he's on a good mood, I must say because his things to do this day was lighter than the past days.

"Ang sabi mo ay isama namin si Claris,"

Tumango si Manolo. Is he hitting on that model? I hope not. Claris is quiet nasty, I know for sure if she's showing motives to Manolo, those were not so bigdeal for her... most probably. Hindi ko gusto si Manolo.

I am just making concern. Dahil sa tingin ko ay seryoso ang isang ito sa mga ganoong bagay.

"Nasa Las Piñas siya.." I said, comfortably sitting on his couch here in the living area of his office.

I was facing the glass wall, the blinds were open, it engages the viewers with the beauty of the city even in a hot high noon.

"E'di tayo na lang," he shrugged and took a sip from his coffee.

Really, Manolo? Coffee for this afternoon? You've got to be kidding me!

Pinaglalaruan ni Moriah ang mga sea shells na nakadesign sa paligid ng kaniyang ceramic flower vase sa sentro ng lamesa. Sila ni Nicia ay naroon sa sofa. Si Manolo ay nakatayo at nakasandal lang, salungat sa glass wall. Ang isang kamay ay nasa bulsa, habang ang isa ay hawak ang tasa.

"What if dinner mo na lang kami ilibre?" Nicia suggested.

Moriah agreed, "Oo nga para makapili naman kami ng damit," she proved a point.

"Ahuh?" nag-isip ang aming banker. Pagkaganitong libre ay talagang nakakagaan sa loob. Kahit pa may pera ka, nakakaakit pa rin ito, ano! Walang gastos!

"Kasama ba si Uno?" tanong ni Nicia at sinipa ang binti ko. Inirapan ko siya, iniisip na mamaya ko na lang siya babatukan pagkalabas dito.

Tumawa si Manolo, "This is actually his idea..." mahina ang tinig niya, dahil malayo ako hindi ko narinig. "Yes, he said he's coming," aniya. He looked at Moriah, who's now paying attention to his drought board.

"You wanna play?" he challenged.

Umiling si Moriah, "May trabaho ako, Manolo! Mabuti ka at pakape-kape lang d'yan!" she kid that makes us laugh hard.

Pagkatapos ang tawa ay sinimangutan siya ni Manolo. "Is that the right way to talk to your CEO?" biro rin niya at nilapag ang tasa sa coffee table na may kalayuan sa'min.

"Kaltasan mo ng sahod ang lapastangan na 'yan!"

Inambahan ni Moriah si Nicia. "You can not treat Moriah, marami na iyang ipon!" sumali rin ako sa kantiyawan.

"Kayo itong mayayaman! Tigilan niyo 'ko!" she countered.

Cuz of that, we spent our lunch inside his office. He ordered food for us, and true enough, he paid for it.

"Uulitin na'tin to mamaya. Magagalit sa'kin si Uno, e." he said out of the blue when we were about to leave. Bakit kasi hindi pa siya pumunta rito kanina, ano? E'di sana ay nakasabay na namin siyang kumain.

"Nga pala, nasa'n iyon?" Nicia asked. Inintay ko ang sagot ni Manolo habang iniikot-ikot ang cellphone sa palad ko.

"Hindi pumasok, may inaasikaso..." he answered like Uno is a dear friend to him. Or maybe he really is. Mukha namang close talaga sila. Napansin ko iyon noong nag-bar kami.