Winter In Summer

CHAPTER 22

"Ate babalik na kayo Manila?", tanong ni Ico.

"Oo kaya wag kang sutil", sabi ko at inirapan niya lang ako. Sometimes my brother has that mannerism, he's my brother after all.

Naghahanda na kami dito sa baba habang si Zimram nasa labas kasama si dad para i-double check yung sasakyan at sila mama naman naghahanda ng merienda.

I glanced at my brother, "Naol mag iibang bansa", sabi niya.

"Syempre ako pa", mayabang kong sabi, I saw how he rolled his eyes at me, bading.

"Are you done?", kakapasok ni Zimram kasama si dad. I just nod at him.

Tumikhim nanaman si Ico, "Kuya size 10 po ah", may paubo pa siya nalalaman habang sinasabi, wala naman sa dugo namin ang walang hiya gosh, shy type kaya family namin, ampon ata talaga tong kapatid ko.

I heard Zimram chuckled, "Sure, don't worry", pag spospoil niya naman dito. Tumingin ako kay Ico ng seryoso tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay.

"Asa ka, aral ka muna", panunuya ko naman. He just made a face.

"Pag ako kinalaban kita", pagyayabang pa ng kapatid ko.

I just smiled at his remark, can't wait to see him succeeding. " Ay jusko! Teo, pagsabihan mo nga tong mga anak mo", pag suya sa amin ni mama na kakatapos magluto ng merienda. Tumingin ako kay dad nakasapo na sa kanyang ulo. Nagpatuloy nalang ako sa pag aayos ng mga kagamitan namin.

Tinignan ko lahat ng mga gamit kung may kulang o naiwan, "All goods?", tanong ni Zimram na nasa tabi ko na.

"Yup", I said na wala naman akong napansin at naalalang mga naiwan na mga bagay.

I heard my mom sigh, ganyan siya palagi tuwing aalis ako.

"Ano pa nga ba? Mag ingat kayo ah, update ka rin minsan Let, lalo na't sa iba't ibang bansa kayo pupunta", sabi ni mama. I went near to her and hugged her. "Ma di pa naman ako kakasal", sabi ko, narinig kong tumikhim si dad. "Oh ingat kayo ha, kasal muna bago apo", at binalingan niya si Zimram, I chuckled how Zimram was stiffed.

"Don't worry, I'll send my updates, it's your business, punta na po kami", I said as a goodbye.

"We'll go na po, I'll take of everything. Thank you for welcoming me", Zimram said. "Kuya size 10 po ah", kapal talaga ng mukha ng kapatid ko. "Pagtyagaan mo sila manang, punta na kami", napakamot pa sa ulo si manang, "Ano pa nga ba?", sabi niya na ikinatawa ko.

Pumasok na kami sa sasakyan ni Zimram, "Yan kainin niyo sa daan", pahabol na bigay ni mama, cookies and some container snacks.

"Thank you", sabay naming sabi ni Zimram. Tinanguan lang siya ni mama at bineso niya ako."Ingat kayo ah".

Pag kaalis namin nag busina kami para sa huling paalam. "I hope you had a great stay there", I said when we were out of the barangay already.

"It was special", he said, I just pouted kung gaano ako kamoody the past days, babawi nalang ako.

" So what's the plan?", I asked. "You set", he said. I pouted realizing that I am not an organized person because of my laziness. I checked the schedule, so 2 days from now is our flight was booked by his mother but I'm still going to pay it, ayaw kong magkaroon ng utang na loob lalo  na sa nanay ni Zimram.

Nagpatugtug si Zimram ng classical music that can make our mind in peace. One thing I like about our relationship is the comfort silence, tipo na di mo kailangan ng iba't ibang topic para walang maboringan or whatsoever. We enjoy in silence, peace it's like a comforting communication for us.

I'm busy putting effort for what will be my plans and our plans for the business trip. "Don't exaggerate thinking, here, eat first", sabi ni Zimram, kinuha ko kaagad yung container kasi naka one hand driving na siya, delikado.

While I'm busy to think, I called my secretary first... "It's been days, Rain. May problema ba diyan?",

"Ah ma'am, okay po kami", I could sense nervousness in her voice. "Are vou sure?"

"Yes, ma'am"

"Okay then... I'll be back in few days", I said, In fact we are on the way there.

"I think we should visit our companies", I said to Zimram. "Oh... gonna give them a surprise?", he said.

"There's something going on in my company", I said. He just nod at me. "Yeah, I could sense it", malamig niyang dagdag.

I am not nervous because I know this flows with my plan, I know she would take over.

The real plan here is to remove bribes and have a healthy community in this industry, no drugs and illegal movements.  Unfortunately, Zimrah Santiego's is one of it, her business is way too far and deep. Marami siyang connection kaya di napapabagsak. Isa iyon sa nakakalungkot sa ating communidad, pag maraming koneksyon, ligtas ka...

"We're here Rose", gising sa akin ni Zimram. I took a rest for energy. Tinignan ko ang aking itsura sa salamin, "Maayos ba itsura ko?", tanong ko kay Zimram.

He smiled, "Beautiful", he said. I just smiled at his compliment.

"Pick me up okay. It's either I'm jobless or arrested", I said. "Don't worry I got your back, baby", he said, even in this situation he makes me blush. Lumabas na ako sa sasakyan niya and bid a goodbye.

"Goodluck", he said.

Dirediretsyo akong pumasok sa kompanya KO. Pagkapasok ko palang, nakakakita na ako ng mga hayop na uhaw na uhaw, some where shock that they saw me.

"The audacity", I said loudly that everyone could hear. I smirked at Zimrah. This bitch has this stupid aura kala mo nanalo sa lotto.

She gave me a mocking smile, "Oh-", bago siya magsalita, linampasan ko lang siya at bumulong sakanya, "Don't worry enjoy your stay here in MY KINGDOM, I'm here to get my things"

Pagpunta ko sa office ko, nakita ko na si Rain, hirap na hirap mukhang pinapahirapan siya. When she saw me her eyes went wide.

"Ma'am!", gulat niyang sabi.

I just smiled at her, "I know what's happening here, be a good secretary okay?", I said. I saw her reaction being down, I went near her and tap her shoulders...

"Rain, don't worry I get what I want", I assured her. I heard her sigh, "Ikaw pa ba? So what's your plan?", she asked me.

I chuckled a bit, "Well papahiramin ko lang tong companya mukhang uhaw na uhaw eh and also I had prepare this time... You know your role", I said.

She helped me to fix my things ng matapos na, "Goodluck po, I'll still do my best", she said.

"You should, Rain".

Afterall she's the best secretary I have.

Nakita kong nakasandal si Zimrah sa pintuan, "It looks like you're a fresh trash right now", she said.

Ngumiti nalang ako, kapag inaasar ka wag kang pikon dapat asarin mo rin. "Oo nga eh, andyan na garbage pick up ko", I said.

Lumapit ako sa kanya, "Si Zimram Velarde lang naman", I whispered at her.

I know she likes him but sorry, I'm a useful trash and siguro namali lang ng tapon.

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-WINTER IN SUMMER-

Stay safe and be healthy <3