Caressing My Perplexed Stella [HS #3]

CHAPTER 45

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The abode of God knows I was hella serious when I told Lennon, my love, that I'd go back to Bulacan. It's a little sacrifice compared to all the sacrifices that he willingly did for me. Maliit lang ito kumpara sa lahat ng desisyon na ginawa niya, na hiniling kong gawin niya...

"I can't let you resign, Ms. Hechanova. First, you've signed a contract for a project in La Union. Resigning in the middle of the work, especially that you're the head engineer, will  lose the credibility of our firm for our client."

Sir Yago leaned his back his swiver chair as he explained it to me. "Secondly, you have a contract here too. For all the good reasons, Ms. Hechanova, our firm can't afford to lose your talent. There's a project abroad, waiting your team. That's a good credential, lalo na't kung may plano kang umalis." Pagtutuloy pa nito.

Hindi naalis sa kanya ang tingin ko, ganoon din siya. Nababasa kong hindi siya pabor sa aking proposisyon. Nasa isip ko pa lang ito'y alam ko nang ganito ang mangyayari, handa naman ako.

"Sir, I'll finish the work in La Union." Wika ko. "But with utmost respect, I'm resigning after it. It's such an honor, when you asked me for the possibility of pursuing a project abroad." Tumango ito, nag-uusap na ang mata namin at tila naiintindihan niya na kung anong dulo ng pag-uusap na ito. "My life escalated here, in the four corners of the firm. I just thought that maybe, it's time to sort out priorities..."

"Then, what about your contract here in our firm? Will you pay?" Nakangiti na ito, mukha ngang gumagaan na rin ang aura sa loob ng kanyang opisina. Uwian na, sinadya ko para hindi siya masyadong maabala.

"I will, Sir." Mahina itong natawa.

"I know you can afford the fee, Dale. But you know I can't afford to lose you here," Nangiti pa ako't tumango. "Let's talk about it further, then. Let's negotiate," He added. "Since you told me you're going to finish your project in La Union, that's settled. My concern here is your contract here in our firm,"

Umayos siya ng upo, sandaling may tinignan na mga papel bago ibinalik sa akin ang mga mata. I became more attentive after that.

"Stand by for awhile, Ms. Hechanova. I'll be contacting the firm in Bulacan, the one that merged with us lately." Oh, that one. It's just been three months since the merging, that's what I know. "We'll let you go, once I'm sure of your position there. I'll be exchanging you with the same position as well, their Manila-based Engineer."

Hindi maitago ang ngiti sa aking labi habang pinapakinggan ang alok na iyon. Hindi ko na mahabol ang mabilis na pintig ng puso, para bang sa unang pagkakataon, umayon na ang buong kalawakan sa akin. Pakiramdam ko'y hindi na ako kinakalaban nito.

"Sir, that would take a lot of time and effort." Mahina kong wika, marahan itong tumango. Napayuko ako habang may ngiti sa labi. "Sir, my deepest gratitude. Thank you," Nagbalik ako ng tingin, nakalahad na ang kamay niya sa harap ko.

"Thank you for working with us," Tinanggap ko iyon, ramdam ko ang pamumuo ng luha sa gilid ng aking mata. "Babalik ka na roon, dumating at bumalik ba?" Nagkaintindihan kami sa kanyang itinanong, tumango ako't huminga nang malalim. "Mabuti, ang tagal mo yatang naghintay." Inayos niya ang mga papel sa harapan.

"Mas matagal siya, Sir." Since when I was in Fourth year, until I finished College and take the boards... at hanggang ngayon. Si Lennon ang matagal na naghintay, sobra.

Sabay na kaming tumayo, kinamayan ko ulit siya at pinunasan ang gilid ng mata. Kinuha niya ang bag, at inilahad ang pinto. Parehas naming nilisan ang loob ng kanyang opisina, halos lumuwa ang mata ng mga intern nang lumalakad kami papunta sa lift.