GIVE LOVE A CHANCE

#2

Kristina

Right after that meeting, I was told that Gabriel wanted to talk to me in his office. 

By the time pumasok ako, akala ko hihimatayin na ako from nervous anxiety. I have this variety of emotions inside me at di ko alam kung ano ang uunahin ko. 

I knew for a fact na dadating talaga ang panahon when we will see each other again in any way, pero I was just not prepared for it now, in this situation.

Dyusko, nakasalalay sa kamay ng isang taong may galit sa akin ang buo kong kinabukasan!

Nakita ko syang nakaupo  sa leather chair ng kanyang hardwood desk, nakatalikod sa pinto.

Umupo ako sa isang chair across from him and I tried to look composed, not knowing kung alam ba nya na andito na ako or what.

So I cleared my throat to get his attention and said, "Excuse me, you wanted to see me?" tanong ko sa kanya.

He turned his swivel chair around to face me at tinaas ang isa nyang daliri para magsenyas na tumahimik muna ako. Nakita ko na naka bluetooth earphone sya at may kausap. His eyes met mine without any hint of emotion, pero tagos sa kaloob looban ko, just like we were just strangers . 

Oo nga naman. We are estranged. 

Now.

Inayos ko ang suot kong palda and palmed my sweaty hands on my thighs over the fabric at sinubukan kong ikalma ang aking sarili.

With his attention focused elsewhere, I took a glance at him.

Limang taon na since the last time we were this close and the subtle change in his expression awed me. 

Matagal na syang gwapo, but his maturity and experience over the years made him looked more handsome. I guessed, some things never changed, it only got better.

"Wala akong pakialam kung sino ang may kasalanan. I want you to take care of it. Kaya ka nga andyan, di ba? " narinig kong sabi nya. His voice was calm but it made me feel alarmed. 

His voice and attitude had different effects now. It looked like sya ang klaseng tao na nasanay nang magbigay ng orders na gusto nyang sundin without questions. 

Nawala na ang unassuming na lalaking nakilala ko from my youth at pinakasalan. Asan na yung playful na lalaki na minahal ko? Bakit ganito na sya ngayon? 

"Pag tatawag ka ulit sa akin, ang gusto ko lang marining sa yo ay okay na. Nagawa mo na." Gabriel disconnected the call and turned to me. 

Nagkatinginan kami ng ilang segundo but it felt like forever. 

Nakita ko ang mata ng isang estranghero....
assessing...
cold...

He raised his brows and cleared his throat.

"Kristina." sabi nya, his eyes were clouded ." It's been a while."

"Yes. It has. Kamusta ka na?" I answered. Casual words, making myself ignore the cause of our break-up.

Then his expression suddenly changed into a fiercer and colder look.

"Let's cut the crap. I didn't call you para magkamustahan tayo. " bigla nyang sagot and his rudeness caught me off guard.

Napalunok ako.

"Andito tayo para pag usapan ang future employment mo sa company ko. I already have a dozen of Acquisition Managers. Gusto kong malaman why should I keep you  here." he said, with his very serious tone.

Oh no! Ano ito? Interview? For some reason, I expected na ang HR namin or ang department head ang gagawa ng interview, or yung sinabi nya sa meeting kanina na si Ms. Irene. Di ko naman inexpect na mismong ang CEO ng company, na ex-husband ko ang gagawa!