Chapter Two

Chapter Two

That night had bring a bad whiff in me. I rolled over on the bed and tested all the positions. Pasado alas-kwatro na ako nakatulog. Kaya kinaumagahan sumuray-suray ako kung makalakad. Buti nalang talaga at hindi ako tinubuan ng tigyawat. If my alarm clock didn't incite me for sure drowsiness still hauling my body. Sobrang nangangalumata ang mukha ko ng tumingin ako sa salamin kaya kinailangan ko pang maglagay ng konting make-up to cover it up.

Dumagdag pa when I arrived at the area, someone brought us back something that we needed to research, we badly need to target the particular markets, creating separate appealing tourism products for different market segments, and positioning those products to draw consumers. Dahil may bago kaming ilalabas na products we need to decide about the selling cost of product as well as discount rates.

Sa panglimang beses humikab muli ako dahil sa antok. It is still 10 o' clock in the morning pero pakiramdam ko 6 na ng hapon. Ni minsan rin ay hindi ko narinig na nagsalita ang mga kasamahan ko. Abala rin silang lahat. 

Nakatagilid ang ulo ko at nakahilig sa 'king kaliwang kamay. Nangangawit na ang batok ko. 

I was busy creating tourism products to satisfy the customers and typing to promote the product package when I heard them flustering and fretting. Marami ng mga idea ang pumasok sa isipan ko kaya hindi na ako nag-abalang lingunin pa sila dahil kung gagawin ko man iyon tiyak na mawawala lang ang mga ito. Malaking problema na naman.

But in my peripheral vision I saw them become prim and the surrounding suddenly came placid. I was confused kung ano ang nangyari kaya binilisan ko ang pag-ta-type. I moved my head sideways while typing so fast.

I yawn ng nasa kalagitnaan na ako ng last sentence. Nanatili parin silang tahimik, tanging tunog na lamang ng keyboard ang naririnig ko. I turned my swivel chair enthusiastic. Finally, I gets it done. I entwine my hands and straighten it. I can hear the cracking of my knuckles. Nanghihina na't inaantok na ako.

I turned to them vivaciously kaso pinaningkitan ako ng tingin ni Basic. Her eyes was pointing in the door so I slowly turned my head, My toungue automatically regress. Agad kong natikom ang bibig ko ng makita kung sino ito.  I quivered when I saw his dark eyes laid on me. 

Hindi ko kaya ang makikipag-titigan sa kanya so I wag my chair back habang nangangatal ang tuhod at umayos ng upo. I secretly gave them my visious look. Kaya pala tumahimik. Tsk. I also heard Rufilyn's frizzle. 

"Ang sama niyo." I pouted while mouthing it to them. Rinig ko pa ang mahinang ngisngis nila.

Mabigat ang kamay ko habang nagtitipa. 

Sinulyapan ko muli si Eric. Nakapamulsa siya habang nakahilig sa hamba ng pintuan ng area. He look so effortless in his dark suit pinstriped color, with a white dress shirt, a conservative tie, and leather dress shoes. My heart leap when he caught me off-guard staring at him. Mabilis pa kay Flash akong yumuko. Hindi ko na kaya ang pagkapahiya ko. I deleted the last sentence at i-ti-nype ulit ito para masabing may tinatrabaho ako.

Bakit ba sa tuwing nandan siya, hindi ako nakakagawa ng mga maaayos. Palagi nalang akong napapahiya. Whenever he's around I always fluster. Ang sigla ko pa naman sana ng matapos ang ginagawa ko.

I bit my lower lip ng hindi ko napigilang mapahikab. Napakamot tuloy ako sa aking batok. Pati narin itong antok ko, pinapahiya rin ako.

"Excuse me, Miss Wood pinapabigay po ni Pio," A rangy man rap the side of my table and handed me the cup of Mocha Frappuccino coffee.

Pio is from the Operations Department. I met him noong nagtipon-tipon kaming lahat sa meeting ng buong department. Siya yung naging katabi ko. Siya yung friendly guy. And the man infront of me today was his chum. Best Buddy niya ang isang 'to. Pero hindi ko nga lang alam ang pangalan niya.

I was in the middle of fighting in my own thoughts, tatanggapin ko ba o hindi? Pero baka ikakasama ng pakiramdam niya kung hindi ko ito tatanggapin. Lumingon ako sa pwesto ni Rufilyn, I need help. She move her brows and nodded.

"Pakisabing 'Thank you' sa kanya!" I said in complacent bago tinanggap iyon. Nginitian niya ako pagkatapos tumango. 

"Sige po. Makakarating!" 

Umatras siya saka nagsimula ng umalis. Wait. Pa'no siya nakapasok gayung ang CEO ng kompanya ay nasa hamba ng pintuan? Sinundan ko siya ng tingin, ng nakalapit na siya sa pinto yumuko siya bilang pagbigay galang. Eric surveyed him from head to toe. I saw him scowl. I astonish sa ipinakita niyang reaksyon. Sinundan rin niya ito ng tingin hanggang mawala na siya sa paningin niya.

"Do you need anything from us Mr. Asterio?" nalulugod na tanong ni Miss Christina. Our head.

Kaka-galing lang niya sa General Marketing head office, she sent the monitoring execution of the plans and decision making.

"I was just checking for something." he said in his hoarse voice. 

Magalang na dumiretso papasok ng area si Miss Christina ng dumating si Bella.

"The meeting will start in five minutes, Sir. Kailangan niyo na pong pumunta roon," Bella articulated. 

He nodded and waive at us artless.

Labis ang kasiyahan ni Bella ng magtama ang mga mata naming dalawa, my face tweak. She smiled at me comely. Sinuklian ko rin ito ng nagagalak na ngiti. Sa pananatili ko rito sa Nascar sinikap ko talagang maging kaibigan siya. She really has the lively charisma that can ease everyone's soul. And I was grateful dahil the feeling is mutual rin pala, she also wants to be friend with me. 

I never felt being alone in here, sa bawat araw kasi may madadagdag na gusto akong maging kaibigan. 

Mabuti nalang talaga at dumating si Bella. Kung hindi tiyak mamatay na ako sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa pagkabalisa.

They ascertain if Eric has really left and gone the department. At ng mapatunayang wala na nga siya pinalibutan nila ako't hindi tinambangan ng tukso.

"Ay ang taray, may kape pang ibinigay ang mangingibig." tukso ni Rose.

I shrug my shoulder. Pio is a good looking and natty man. His jaw moved in sexyly manner. Sa tuwing makikitang ngingiti naman siya it can shudder every knees. And he also moved seductively. He had thick browses and pink lips that can attract every girl's eye. Pati naman siguro ang mga lalake ay mababakla sa taglay niyang alindog.

I admitted that I admire him that day when we first met. He was really my ideal type. Nasa kanya kasi ang katangiang hinahanap ko sa isang lalake kaso nawala iyon ng marinig ko ang haka-hakang may jowa siyang isang model. Besides sa wala akong panama sa ganda ng mukha at katawan, automatiko kasing mawawala ang kakaibang excitement na mararamdaman ko kapag may nobya.

"May kakaiba talagang aroma ang-" pinaningkitan ko ng tingin si Michelle. "Bakit ganyan ka kung makatingin sa 'kin? May kakaiba naman talagang aroma ang kapeng 'yan,"

Ngayon ko lang din naamoy ang kakaibang samyo ng kapeng ibinigay sa akin. May nakasulat pa sa katawan ng cup.

Hope this could brighten your day!  :)

I smiled. Rose get a slight sip on it first. Kaka-touch lang dahil baka daw may inilagay na lason or anything ay hindi ako ang unang ma-dead. She was the oldest kasi in the circle of our friendship. 

At kung ang game sa lahat ng bagay, maasikaso't maalalahanin ang pinag-uusapan si Diana iyon. When it comes to expert at maraming kalokohan, Rufilyn was the first in line. Michelle is demure. Basic was sedate. And Bella was the solace and sane of the group.

I take a sip on it. This is one of my favorite drink at Starbucks. It tastes like sugar and chocolate with a dash of coffee. 

Diana pinch my nose na nanggigigil. "Ang ganda-ganda mo talaga! May mangingibig na naman ulit," 

My brows furrowed.

"Hindi naman!" tanggi ko. She swat my left arm softly. Hinawi niya pabalik sa likod ko ang mga nakatakas na hibla ng buhok dahil sa pagyuko. She snuggle it using her right hand.

My hair wasn't that long like them. Hanggang dibdib ko lamang ito kaya hindi ko na tinali. I let her finger slide on the tip of my nose.

"Ang ganda ng ilong mo, sobrang tangos." puna niya ulit. "You have the seraphic face that everyone can't resist but to fall for you!"

She groaned. She grab the blue oval mirror I putted in my desk near the computer and looked at her face. She also had the looks. Well, silang lahat naman talaga. They also had the pointed nose, the flawless skin and the fresh look.

"Ay, bolero ng mga peg." I said. Matamlay ko silang tiningnan at maingat na ihiniga ang mukha sa desk. I covered my mouth when I yawn "Kapagod." 

"Alam mo gutom lang 'yan." Rose commented. Sabay-sabay silang tumingin sa wall clock na malapit lamang sa pinto. "Saktong sakto, lunch na!"

Hinila nila ako patayo gamit ang dalawa kong kamay. I peered my bag when they successfully made me stood up. Baka nga gutom lang ito.

We went out the area together. And as usual we filled the serene hallway with noise and laughter. Nakapulupot pa ang mga kamay namin sa beywang ng aming katabi.

Huminto kami 'di kalayuan sa harapan ng Office ng CEO. Hinihintay na lumabas si Bella. Mga limang minuto lang iniluwa na siya ng mahiwagang pintuan.

"Pinaghintay ko ba kayo ng matagal?" She asked while closing the door carefully.

"Hindi naman masyado." Basic answered. Nahuli ko ang pagsulyap niya sa loob ng office.

"Sorry!" she made a peace sign. "Tara na, Nagugutom na ako!"

She held her tummy in exaggerated way. We all agreed. When we got into the elevator Michelle pressed for the downstairs. Mabuti nalang talaga at kami-kami lang ang nasa loob at wala kaming ibang mapi-pirwesyo dahil sa ingay. The click of Basic's camera echoed in the elavator. Pang OOTD na naman daw kasi ang sinuot namin.

Bawat isa sa amin ay may itinurong pwesto kung saan kami mauupo but in the end we decided to stick the two tables together and we would just add a seat for the seven of us to fit

Si Bella ang nagpresentang pumila para bumili ng mga pagkain namin pero I insisted na sumama dahil alam kong hindi niya kayang dalhin ang lahat ng iyon.

I ordered Camaro rebosado, one cup of rice and a drinks. The Crispy pata with vinegar, soy sauce and chili and Broth-based soup was the majority na i-se-serve namin sa center ng table at paghahatian namin ang presyo.

Silence hovered in our area, only the sonorous sound of spoon and fork ang nanaig. Siguro dahil narin sa gutom.

I lick my lower lip when the tomato sweet and sour sauce dribbled in it. I wiped my mouth after I guzzled my drink.

"Nabusog ako!" Bella chortled when she belch loudly.

Bumalik ulit kami sa ingay ng sinundan pa ito ni Rose sa mas malakas.

I rested my back sa upuan. Nagsilabasan ang pawis ko. Napaayos ako ng upo when my phone beeped. A must-reminder popped-up on the screen. 

"Someone's posted pala last week for the Operation: Smile. And sa Saturday na nila i-open ang fundraising." I articulated. "You wanna donate?" 

Kinalkal ni Diana ang kanyang bag na nasa hita lang niya. A few seconds later she was already holding her passbook.

"I'm in." I was amazed by the sudden response of Diana.

"Yeah, sure!!" Bella said lively. Lumiwanag pa lalo ang mukha ko.

"25 na tayo 'di ba sa Friday?" We nodded ng itinanong ni Rufilyn. "Sige-sige, sasali na rin ako."

I smiled gladly.

"I wasn't sure kung may nearby bank ba sa Tabon. Uuwi kasi ako sa mga araw na iyan. If ever man na wala talaga I will just call Dad to use my old atm card to make sure na makakapag-bigay talaga ako ng halaga." Basic said steady.

"Aba! Hindi ako pwedeng  tutunga-tunganga nalang din dito. Magbibigay rin ako" Rose said.

"Nakakahawa naman ang kabaitan mo, Bernadette!" Michelle smiled proudly. "Game na rin ako."

"Thank you ng marami!" I said gratefully.

And since many more people came to eat, we decided to leave so that others could use it. The warm breeze of the air touches our faces when we came out. The sun is shining so bright but because of the wind we doesn't feel it. When we turned on the sidewalk, Basic changed her  direction. 

"You go first, I still have a way to go."

"Hindi ka makakasabay sa amin?" tanong ni Rose. She shook her head.

"Mag-iingat ka!" Diana added. As she nodded, we continued to walk.

I gasp silently when we already saw the skyscraper of Nascar. Exactly right because I feel like I've run out of food. 

"May surpresa pala kami sa'yo, Dette!" Rufilyn smiled sweetly.

Sa unang pagkakataon huminto kami sa paglalakad. They've faced me with a smile crept on their faces.

"Really?" agad akong nakaramdam ng saya. My heart pounds excitedly. "But my birthday is still far away." 

They ignored what I said. Rufilyn took an H&M paper bag from her back and handed it to me carefully.

"Mura lamang ito pero sana magustuhan mo, huwag ka sanang magagalit sa amin." nahihiya niyang saad.

I laughed before getting it from her. Nahihiya pa talaga siya.

I screamed in fear ng makita ang laman. Cockroaches. Without any seconds it all scattered in front of me when I throw it. I quivered. They all knew that I have a phobia in cockroaches. I felt my body getting cold. My arms hair is already standing on end.

I would have turned around to run because I was feeling differently when I bumped into something hard, as I covered my face I slid down and cried on my feet. 

A warm hand encircled in my body. I can't explain the feeling of his braces, it made me shivered and calm. He leaned me on his shoulder. His masculine

scent bites into my nose. Likes an inhaler that brings me back to my normal trance.

I am in a good condition to realize that I did not know this man. I was hugging a stranger. I quickly distanced myself. I stood up without even looking at him. I adjusted my skirt. 

"I'm sorry!" I said in my lower voice. Nakayuko pa rin ako.

"That's fine" he said coarsely. I was raised by the voice I heard. My world stopped when I saw the face of the person in front of me.

He wasn't surprised ng nakita ako. My face heated up. Naku naman. Heto na naman ulit ako. 

"S-Sir?" I stammered.