Sheika's POV
Night shift ako ngayon so I decided to visit Israel and spend my day with her. Noong huli kong bisita 'di kami masyadong nagkakasama kasi nandoon si Jeremiah. Mother Superior adviced me na huwag akong masyadong maglapit lapit kay Israel kapag may kasama ako para 'di nila maisipang magkamukha kami ng anak ko. Sumunod naman ako kasi para lang din 'yon sa bata.
"Nay, kailan niyo po ako iuuwi sa atin?" Tanong ni Israel nang nagkaroon kami ng private time para sa isa't isa.
"Ayaw mo na ba dito, 'nak?" Tanong ko at hinawi ang buhok niya.
"Gusto ko po dito, Nay, pero gusto ko pong kasama ka."
Malungkot akong ngumiti. I also wanted to be with her. Kung kaya ko lang. Kung puwede lang. Kaso hindi pa ako handa.
"Tiis ka nalang muna dito, 'nak ha? Sorry if I have to leave you here."
Nagbaba siya ng tingin. I felt a pang in my chest. Niyakap ko si Israel habang pinipigilan ang sariling umiyak.
The truth was I was scared o
Nakapag in na ako sa machine na nagrerecord ng attendance namin. After that I proceeded to my locker and put my uniforms on. Nagtali ako ng buhok para maayos tignan at saka nagsuot ng toque. When I felt satisfied with myself, lumabas na ako at nagtungo sa kitchen. "Good evening, Chef," bati ni Alas. "Good evening, Alas. Nakapag-log out na ba si Chef Vito?" "Yes po, Chef." "Si Donny ba day off niya ngayon?" "Morning shift po, Chef. Bale lima pa rin tayo sa kusina." "That's good to hear. Shall we start na? What's our menu for today?" Maayos ang pakikitungo sa akin ng mga kasamahan ko. Masaya akong nagtatrabaho kasi hindi sila toxic. Wala rin akong nababalitaang may natanggal dito dahil sa personal issue. Nagtutulungan sila dito. Walang palamangan. It was past ten in the evening when we were done cooking. Sabado naman ngayon kaya maluwag ang schedule namin. Hindi kami gaano ka pagod lalo na't gabi ngayon. "Pahinga
"How long have you been donating in St. Claire?" Hans suddenly asked me.Nakaupo kami sa magkabilaang pinto sa backseat. I still wanted to give ourselves space as a sign of respect for him. Boss ko pa rin siya."For about three years," sabi ko.Magtatatlong taon na si Israel. Simula noong inuwi ko siya roon, tuloy tuloy ang bigayan ko. Even in those times I didn't have a job yet."You said you don't have a business. Is there any reason why you are supporting that orphanage financially?"I looked outside the window and watched the people patiently waiting for a bus or a cab to ride on. The night was dark yet the street was still busy.Gusto ko sanang i-dismiss ang topic na 'yon. Palagi nilang tinatanong kung bakit ako nagdo-donate sa bahay-ampunan gayong wala naman akong kinalaman doon. Napaisip ako. Did businessmen only donate to the orphanage because it was their obligation? Hindi ba sila nagdo-donate kasi may malasakit sila and not because
Hans' POV"Uuwi na ba tayo, Sir Hans, o may gagawin ka pa?" Mr. Ladesma asked, my driver."Just take me home, Manong," I replied and heaved a sigh.I didn't know what came into my mind why I offered her another favor. Was I being too nice to her? It was true that my people resided in a compound but to ask her if she would like to occupy the vacant property was another thing. I was being creepy again."Naku, Sir Hans mukhang malala na 'yan."I looked at Mr. Ladesma who looked back at me through the mirror.I remained silent on my seat. I could still feel her presence even if she was gone now. Her sweet scent filled the air that reminded me of a wild rose and lotus flower.She was like a wild rose full of prickles in order to defend herself. Nobody was able to touch her or they would bleed. Yet, she was also a lotus flower that came
Third POV"I'll call you when I'm done inside," Hans told Mr. Ladesma, his driver."Yes, Sir Hans."Hans stepped out the car and preened his suit. He ran his fingers through his hair. The morning breeze blew against him as the leaves sang with glee.Schedule niya ngayon na bumisita sa bahay-ampunan. May dala siyang suitcase para ibigay 'yon sa Mother Superior.Matagal ng nagdo-donate si Hans sa St. Claire. Noong una ay parte iyon ng charity niya pero ngayon he realized the only way he could help St. Claire was to support it financially. Kahit hindi na parte ng charity. Gusto niya lang tulungan ang mga batang bumangon at maging successful, at patunayan sa kanilang mga magulang o kamag-anak na may magandang dulot ang pag-abanduna sa kanila. Perhaps not all parents wanted to abandon them. Wala lang ibang choice dahil 'di rin sila kayang buhayin.Bina
Author's Note: ang dami kasing ganap sa life ni Hans at 'di ko masulat 'yong story niya in his perspective so everytime may exposure si Hans, nakathird POV para mas malawak. Sheika's POV is fine with me. Thank you for understanding!Sheika's POV"Okay na po ba, Chef?" Tanong ni Donny sa akin.It's almost four in the afternoon and we were done with the menus. Wala na rin akong magawa kaya gusto ko sanang tumulong sa pagkuha ng orders."Yes, Donny. Marami pa ba tayong customers?""Marami pa po, Chef.""Can I help? Wala na rin akong gagawin eh.""Naku, Chef. Sabi kasi ni Sir Hans kung ano lang 'yong trabaho mo ay 'yon ang gagawin mo.""Gano'n ba?"Bigla akong nalungkot. Bakit ba ang daming rules dito sa restaurant? Para akong nasasakal sa pamamalakad niya.What if I'
Hans could still picture in his mind how Sheika embraced a man he thought was her boyfriend. At bakit naman hindi niya kasintahan 'yon kung ganoon na lamang sila ka-sweet?"May boyfriend na pala si Chef Sheika, Sir Hans," ani driver sa kanyang amo sa loob ng sasakyan.Hans remained silent on his seat. Totoo ba na boyfriend 'yon ni Sheika? Parang ayaw niyang maniwala. But the way this guy look at her was different. Parang may something. And Sheika was comfortable touching the man. Eh 'di may namamagitan nga sa kanila?His phone rang, knocking him from his trance. Sinagot niya ang tawag ng kanyang sekretarya."Sir Hans, Mr. Lans told me he will visit the restaurant tonight.""What time, Hera?""No exact time, Sir Hans, but we will be waiting for his arrival.""Why all of the sudden?""He wants to personally meet Chef Fernan
Hans stood up beside his father who was waiting for the chef's appearance. Kinakabahan siya sa hindi malamang dahilan. Maybe because he didn't want his father to say ill things against Sheika. Or maybe he had read that his father would kick her out. Kung ano man 'yong bumabagabag sa kaniya ay hindi niya mapigilan.Lumabas si Sheika mula sa kusina at nagtungo sa kinaroroonan ni Hans. Alam na niyang nasa private room na naman ang kanyang boss. Malamang sa malamang nandoon din si Big Boss.When Sheika entered the room, para bang may liwanag na sumilip mula sa kanyang likuran. Hans never left his eyes on her. Pinanood niya itong naglalakad papunta sa kanyang direksyon. Para bang bumagal ang takbo ng mundo at tanging si Sheika lang ang nakikita niya."Good evening, Sir Hans. Good evening, Mr. Estrabo," magalang na bati ni Sheika sabay yuko sa mga bigating tao."You are?" Lans asked, sounding cold.
Sheika cleared her throat. She was anticipated while this man across from her seemed cool and relaxed. Mukhang nag-e-enjoy na aksayahin ang oras niya."I've been thinking about expanding St. Claire so we can accept more children," Hans stated as his eyes were on his rice bowl, poking the beef meat with his chopsticks.Her heart skipped a beat. Did she hear it right? Palalawakin ni Hans ang bahay-ampunan?Nag-angat ng tingin si Hans sa kausap dahil 'di ito sumagot. He wanted to know her reaction. But Sheika's face remained void of emotion, or more like she was fazed."What can you say about that?" Hans asked her."For what? St. Claire has nothing to do with you."Alam na ba niya ang totoo?"It has something to do with me, Ms. Fernando. I want to protect those helpless children. Who knows what they go through with their parents? Who will protect the