The Lost Helianthus (COMPLETED)

Chapter Twenty Seven

Nangingiti akong naglalakad sa hallway. I may look stupid with this expression but I don't care. I cannot contempt my happiness. I just got out of Alek's car and he just said that he's going to pick me up again later. Nagpaalam rin siyang hindi kami agad uuwi at kakain muna.

I know what day it is today, it's our fucking second anniversary at masaya akong nalagpasan namin ang kinatatakutan ko noong una.

"Ang saya mo ngayon, huh?" Nangingiting sabi ni Yella nang matapat ako sa workstation niya.

Tinanggal ko na ang ngiti ko at tumango. I cleared my throat and tried to act professional now. "Yeah."

Si Yella naman ay hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngiti. Kahit kailan ay hindi ko pa nakikita na hindi siya nakangiti. Which makes me wonder if her jaw wasn't numb from all that smiling.  I really don't get optimistic people. How can they find hope in every hopeless situation?

"Mas lalo ka pang ngingiti sa desk mo."

My curiousity spiked with what she had said. Imbes na magtanong at patagalin pa ang pag-uusap namin ay nagpaalam na ako. I need to kill this curiousity by discovering what it is.

Binilisan ko na ang paglalakad para makapunta agad sa table ko. Inaamin kong nae-excite ako. I'm pretty sure it was from Alek's. He never got tired of surprising me and he never failed. He always got me everytime.

Natigil ako sa paghakbang ng makita ang mga sunflower sa desk ko. I pursed my lips to prevent myself from smiling too much but I cannot deflect it. Not when I'm being empowered by my emotions.

Mabilis akong pumunta doon at kinuha ang bouquet. I searched for a note and I succeeded. Ibinaba ko ang ulo ko para basahin iyon.

Sunflowers to the girl who always make my day impeccable.

Itinabi ko ang bouquet na nag-occupy na ng buong space sa table ko at itinago ang natanggap na note. Mabuti na lang at hindi usisero at usisera ang mga ka-workmates ko. I have a good working environment and I guess I am lucky. Minsan na lang makatagpo no'n.

Wala na rin siguro silang balak na pakialaman kung sino ang nagbigay nito dahil surely, alam nila na kay Alek ito. They are already well-informed that my boyfriend is the owner's son. Since day 1.

Hindi ko naman iyon maipagmamalaki. What I want people to notice is my hardwork and perseverance. Mrs. Gertrude, Alek's mom, was warm towards me but it wasn't enough. I wanted to prove myself more. Gusto kong makita niya na karapat-dapat ako sa anak niya. Na hindi lang dapat niya ako makita bilang girlfriend ng anak niya kung hindi isang effective at efficient worker na under niya. I don't want her to favor me just because I'm Alek's girlfriend. I want them to see my own worth.

I texted Alek my thank you. Hindi ko inaasahan iyon. I don't know how it get here. Gumising ba siya ng maaga para maunang pumunta dito at ilagay ang mga ito dito? It seems like it. Malamang bago dumating ang mga co-workers ko ay nandito na ito.

Pagod at puyat na siguro siya sa pagtratrabaho kagabi pero maaga siyang nagising at pumunta dito. Idagdag mo pang inihatid niya ako kahit hindi naman na kailangan. I can go here all alone. Kabisado ko naman na ang buong Manila pero nanindigan siyang ihatid na lang ako at sunduin. Hindi naman na ako nakipag-argumento pa at pumayag na lang. We were already tired from work. Ayaw kong mas lalo kaming maupos dahil sa pagtatalo namin.