Bullets of Chances

Chapter 9

The next day I arrived in the office sleepy. After I heard what Hassi said last night, I didn’t bother to answer him and walked away immediately. I don’t even know why I’m always bothered in everything he says in this past few days. This is crazy! Really crazy!

“Hey Engr. Galla, what’s with the mood right now?” dahil sa antok ay hindi ko na napansing pumasok na pala si Zyani sa opisina. Oh God not now please! Napasapo ako sa noo ko ng naisip ko palang kung anong ingay na naman ang hatid nitong kaibigan ko na daig pa megaphone.

“Not now Zyani please. I can’t stand with your mouth today. I’m damn sleepy.” Pakiusap ko sa kanya habang humuhikab.

Inirapan niya pa ako at umupo na sa upuang kaharap ng mesa ko.”Tsk. Ihahatid ko lang naman po itong draft ng blueprint sa bahay ni Mr. El Seva.” Inilagay niya sa table ko ang flashdrive.

“You can just email me that Archt. Clevente.”Inirapan ko rin siya at kinuha na ang flash drive para  tignan ang draft niya.

“Well, hmm so how’s the visit? The location?” told you, she’s not here for nothing. Ayaw ko man siyang sagutin ay wala akong choice kundi iinform siya. Bakit pa kasi may pa something-something came up pa siya. Dapat sumama na lang kasi.

“It’s good. The lot is about three hectares. The spot is quite good lalo na pag sunrise at sunset. Having a rooftop is a good choice.” Tango-tangong inilahad ko sa kanya ang opinion ko sa lugar.

She let a sigh and murmured something.“Hmm, as expected.” Hindi ko narinig ang sinabi niya pero hindi ko na lang iyon pinansin pa. I just want to close my eyes and take a nap.

“Kumusta? Ayos na ba iyang draft?” sumulyap pa siya sa laptop.

“As usual you did a great job. We will arrange a schedule to meet up with Mr. El Seva so that he can see this and ask for his opinion.”

“I see. When?” tukoy niya sa meeting kung kalian.

“I guess tomorrow will do. I’ll inform my secretary to send notice to Mr. El Seva about the meeting. I’ll just text you the time.” tamad na ani ko.

“Okay, copy.” Sang-ayon niya. Nagpaalam na siyang babalik na sa kanyang opisina. I just give her a nod. I called my secretary to ask if I have meetings and site visits good thing na wala naman. I just need to finish the structural details for Mr. El Seva’s house and I decided to do it after a short nap.

“Dr. Dio, I think natutulog pa po si Engr. Galla.”

“Hmm, don’t worry I won’t wake her up. Just wanna check her.”

Nagising ako sa ingay ng nag-uusap sa labas. Napatingin ako sa pintuan ng bumukas ito at iniluwa si Dio.

“Oh sorry, did I wake you up?” malambing na sambit niya pagkalapit sa akin.

“Not really.” Ngiting ani ko.

“Did you eat lunch?” huh? Lunch anong oras na ba? Binaba  ko ang tingin sa wristwatch ko napanganga ako ng nakitang alas dos na ng hapon.

“I didn’t. I planned to take a short nap but I guess I over slept.” Paliwanag ko.

“You want me to buy something?” alok niya pa.

“No need Dio. Maybe the foods in the pantry will do.”

“You sure? I can accompany you there but I will not stay long. I need to go back in the hospital.”

“No, it’s okay. Hmm by the way what brings you here?”

“Oh I forgot. Here flowers for you.” He then extends his arm to give me the bouquet of white roses.

Dio is really a sweet guy. I smiled as I get the flowers.”Thank you Dio.”

“No need to thank me Zal. I love doing this.” He gently caress my right check.”So I really dropped her to see you. I guess it’s enough to see you smile. Inspired na ulit ako.”

“Tss bolero ka rin talaga no? haha but still thank you.” Tinapik ko pa ang balikat niya.

Lumapit siya para bigyan ako ng halik sa pisngi.”Hmm I need to go. Eat your lunch Zal. I love you.” Ngumiti pa ulit siya. Tumango lang ako at sinundan siya ng tingin palabas ng opisina. I’m sorry Dio. I tried but my heart is not cooperating. I took a deep breath and look for a vase to put the flowers. Then my gaze stops in the flower vase near me. The colorful roses were now losing its color. “HH.” Mahinang bulong ko. Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko at tinawag nalang ang sekretarya ko para ayusin ang bulaklak na dala ni Dio.

Ginawa ko na ang mga dapat asikasuhin para sa bahay ni Hassi. I tell my secretary to call some company to take care for the materials we needed. Meron naman din naman kasi kaming close company na nagcacater ng mga materials na kailangan para sa mga pinapatayo naming mga buildings. Sabi nila ay maari ng ideliver ang mga materials next week. So probably masisimulan na rin  ang construction next week. The numbers of workers for the house constructing are also ready. Base sa laki ng bahay na gusto ni Hassi ay aabutin ito ng taon pero dahil alam ko namang hindi kami mahihirapan sa budget maaring mapabilis pa ito kumpara sa inaasahan ko. Sana lang ay makisama rin sa amin ang panahon.
Almost four thirty nang matapos ko lahat ang mga importateng bagay. I just double checked it again para makasigurado.

Nagliligpit na ako ng gamit ng maalala ko ang planong meeting bukas with Hassi. Tinawag ko ang sekretarya para abisuhan na magsend ng email kay Mr. El Seva. I also sent text message to Zyani informing that the meeting will be three o’clock tomorrow afternoon.
Bago umuwi ay nag drive thru muna ako sa isang fast food para sa dinner ko. I have no time cooking for my dinner. I feel drained today. Kung pwede lang ay matulog nalang agad ako pagdating sa unit eh kaso paniguradong sasakit ang ulo ko kinabukasan dahil sa pagpalipas ko ng gutom.

I was about to open my unit’s door when my phone rang for a message. I fished my phone inside my bag to read the message.

Mr. El Seva:
See you tomorrow.

Ramdam ko ang pagkunot ng noo ko pagkatapos mabasa ang mensahe.  I am one hundred percent sure that this is about the meeting but why need to send me a text message? You’re creeping me out Lieutenant Colonel!