Chapter 8

Orient

“Hi! Ikaw si Heather?” a short-haired girl greeted her pagkapasok na pagkapasok niya ng Limelight. “I'm Giselle, 'yung dating sekretarya ni Miss Lemin,” pakilala niya sabay lahad ng kamay.

Tinanggap niya iyon bago siya nginitian ng matamis. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Giselle shrugged. “Anyways, I'll give you a tour around the company habang pinapaliwanag ko kung ano mismo 'yung gagawin mo,” aniya habang naglalakad sila. “Dito tayo,” turo niya sa elevator at sabay kaming sumakay doon.

Inabot sila ng ilang oras sa paglilibot. Limelight Publishing Company is indeed substantial. Bawat floors ay iba't ibang department. Everything and everyone is well-organized. Napaka-propesyunal ng lahat.

“This floor is for the Entertainment and Business Magazine. Hinati sa dalawa ang floor kasi malawak naman. Approachable naman ang lahat dito maliban kay—“

“Primo!” Heather exclaimed excitedly when she saw Primo talking to someone. Nakasandal ito sa dingding habang may hawak-hawak na cupped coffee.

His face lit up as he waved his hand back at Heather. Saglit siyang nagpaalam sa kausap bago naglakad papalapit sa dalawang kababaihan.

Napalingon si Heather kay Giselle nang hawakan nito ang kaniyang braso. “You know him?” tanong ni Giselle habang nanlalaki ang mga mata.

Heather nodded proudly. Sa reaksiyon ni Giselle, mukhang kilala si Primo sa Limelight. That’s why she suddenly felt proud. Halata rin ang paghanga ni Giselle rito. It suddenly boosted her confidence for an unknown reason. “We're friends.” Umawang ang labi nito habang sinusundan ng tingin si Primo na huminto sa tapat ni Heather.

“Heather! What are you doing here? 'Di ba dapat sa HR ka lang?” naguguluhang tanong ni Primo.

“Giselle is orienting me,” magiliw niyang sagot at saglit na tinapunan ng tingin si Giselle. Ginawaran siya ni Primo ng tipid na ngiti. “Ikaw? Anong ginagawa mo dito? Akala ko ba sa Finance ka?” Heather asked back.

“Finance?” Giselle uttered to herself as she look at Heather and Primo confusedly.

Primo gave Giselle a knowing look when he noticed that she was about to say something. That kept her shut up. “Uh. . .M-May dinalaw lang akong kaibigan ditto,” pagdadahilan ni Primo. He smiled sheepishly.

He was lying. He’s not in the magazine floor for a friend. He’s there for work purposes.

“Talaga? Sino?”

"Primo, babe!" a shrill voice covered almost the whole building. Gano'n iyon kalakas. "I'm back!"

Napaatras si Heather when a girl pounced at Primo and clung onto his neck. "I missed you!" She kissed him on the cheek.

Nalaglag ang panga ni Heather at nag-iwas ng tingin. She felt like she was betrayed. Akala ko ba wala siyang girlfriend?

Tumikhim si Primo. "Roxanne," saway niya saka tinulak ito paatras. That gave Heather a chance to examine her look.

Short, light brown curly hair. Round face, almond eyes, pointed nose, and heart shaped lips. Her make up is quite smoky and her lips are bloody red. She's wearing a black sleeveless dress that hugs her every curve. Her black stilettos looked striking.

The girl he called Roxanne, pouted. "Why? Didn't you miss me? Isang buwan din akong nawala ah?" Primo did not answer. Nakatitig lang ito sa kay Heather. "Primo?" Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Roxanne nang hindi ito nagsalita at nanatili lang na nakatingin sa babaeng mukhang nagulat sa presensiya niya. She crossed her arms and faced the woman.

"And who are you?" mataray niyang wika. Giselle was the one who answered.

"Ah, Roxanne, siya si Heather—"

"Am I talking to you?" she asked in a sweet but sarcastic tone. Kaagad namang itinikom ni Giselle ang bibig at nahihiyang tumungo.

"Ngayon pa lang kita nakita rito. Bago ka lang?" usisa niya habang tinitingnan si Heather mula ulo hanggang paa. The girl looks like a rich kid, based on her posture. She can’t be Primo’s girlfriend. Hindi ganoon ang mga tipong babae ni Primo. He prefer girls like me.

Heather looked away to avoid Roxanne’s intimidating gaze. It’s not that she is scared. Ayaw niya lang ng gulo. Hindi pa nga siya pormal na nakakapagsimula roon, masasangkot na agad siya sa away. And by looking at Roxanne, she's the type of girl who likes to make a scene.

Saktong napatingin si Heather sa direksiyon ni Primo na mukhang ngayon lang tuluyang natauhan. Napakurap-kurap siya at hinawakan sa magkabilang balikat si Roxanne. He looked pissed.

"Heather is Georgia's new Secretary. Tara na, Roxy," utas ni Primo saka marahang hinila si Roxanne paatras.

Roxy? Is that a nickname? Kaagad na sinaway ni Heather ang sarili. Why do I care?

"Bakit ba laging kayo ang sumasagot para sa kaniya? I just want her to introduce herself to me!" Pinandilatan niya si Heather na tila ba inuutusan na magpakilala sa kaniya.

Kumunot ang noo ni Heather. She was wondering why the woman was acting like that. Kung umasta ito ay parang siya ang may-ari ng Limelight.

"Roxanne, let's go," may diing bulong ni Primo sa kaniya pero narinig rin ni Heather. Magrereklamo pa sana si Roxanne nang bigla siyang hatakin ni Primo papalayo kina Heather at Giselle. Agad namang nagsibalikan ang mga empleyadong nakikiusyoso kanina nang mapadaan sila Primo sa puwesto nila. Roxanne is giving them dagger looks na para bang hindi siya hatak-hatak ng kahit na sino.

Giselle leaned in and whispered something over Heather’s ear. "Siya ang sinasabi kong kaisa-isang empleyado na hindi approachable sa department na ito," sobrang hina ng boses niya na para bang ayaw niyang iparinig sa sinuman ang sinasabi niya kay Heather.

"Bakit, sino ba siya?" tanong niya sa isang mahinang boses.

"She's Roxanne Zamora. Assistant ng Senior Art Director ng Entertainment Magazine. Medyo magaspang ang ugali niyan porke’t malapit sa Boss niya. Magkaibigan kasi ‘yon tapos iyong boss pa niya, pinsan ni Sir Raniel," sagot niya.

Her eyes flew to where Primo and Roxanne went earlier. 'Di niya alam kung kaninong opisina iyon pero nakasisiguro siya na isa sa kanila ang nagmamay-ari no'n.

"Is she Primo's girlfriend?" Heather mouthed unconsciously.

Nagkibit-balikat si Giselle. "Roxanne always liked Primo. Alam ng lahat ‘yun." Tinapik niya ang likod ng kasama. "Tara na, do'n naman tayo sa itaas," anyaya niya at nauna na sa paglalakad.

Ilang sandaling napatitig si Heather sa pintuang pinasukan ng dalawa kanina. Parang hindi naman sila bagay ni Primo. Primo's a fun person, while she. . . her attitude is like her Ate Driana's. She's kinda uptight. They don't match.

"Oh siya, uuwi na ako. Iyon lang naman ang pinunta ko rito, ang i-orient ka. Until we meet again na lang." Malawak siyang ngumiti saka iwinagayway ang kamay bilang pamamaalam.

Heather waved her hand back at Giselle as she watched her ride a taxi. Ibinaba niya ang kamay saka huminga ng malalim.

She was actually thinking of going home. Wala naman na siyang gagawin dahil sa Lunes pa naman talaga ang araw ng simula niya.

"Heather!" Napalingon si Heather nang may tumawag sa pangalan niya. She saw Primo jogging towards her.

"Primo," bati ni Heather sa kanya kahit na sa totoo lang ay wala siyang ganang makipag-usap rito. Nawalan siya ng gana nang halikan ni Roxanne si Primo sa pisngi kanina. Hindi siya natutuwang nakita niya ‘yon.

"I just want to say sorry sa ginawa ni Roxy kanina. She's always like that tuwing may bagong empleyado," paliwanag niya habang tila tinatantya ang magiging reaksyon ni Heather.

Seeing his quite uneasy face, Heather smiled to ease his nervousness. "No biggie. It's okay."

"Talaga?" Nanlaki ang mga mata niya.

She nodded. "Yeah. Huwag ka lang magsinungaling sa 'kin."

"H-Ha?" An unknown emotion passed through his eyes pero agad din iyong nawala.

"About your girlfriend! Sabi mo wala kang girlfriend, meron naman pala," Heather flipped her hair jokingly, but she’s actually feeling bad about the fact that Primo may have lied to her.

"Girl. . . friend?" he asked, bewildered.

"Si Roxanne. ‘Di ba, girlfriend mo siya? I mean, she called you Babe," alanganin siyang ngumiti. Did I got it wrong? Heather thought. Baka naging assuming na naman siya.

Mas lalong lumala ang hiyang nararamdaman ni Heather nang bumunghalit siya ng tawa.

"Sorry." Pinipigilan niyang tumigil sa pag-tawa pero hindi niya magawa. Halos isang minuto pang tumawa si Primo before he finally pulled himself together.

"Roxanne and I are not in a relationship," he declared while staring softly at me. Those soft eyes immediately turned into an amused one nang takpan ko ng kamay ko ang bibig ko.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. Akala ko—akala ko. . ." God! I want to smack myself in the head. Argh! Paniguradong iniisip niya na ngayong may pagka-malisyosa ako.

"She did confessed to me but…nah," pahabol pa niya habang umiilng.

“Why “nah?”” Heather quoted in the air. She’s actually feeling relieved knowing that Roxanne is not Primo’s girlfriend. She don’t know the reason but she doesn’t like the girl.

Maybe because she’s rude?

Primo just shrugged.

Heather pouted adorably making Primo breathless at the sight.

"That's a pretty long story. It would be nice to talk about it over coffee, don't you think?" He plastered his always bright smile nang makabawi.

Nahawa siya sa ngiti ni Primo. "Sige," Heather nodded while grinning.

"So, bakit ayaw mo kay Roxanne? Sorry, I'm just really curious."

He chuckled a bit. "That's okay. Natutuwa nga akong ikaw na ang nagsisimula ng conversation natin. That means, you're comfortable with me."

Napangiti ng malawak si Heather sa sinabi niya. I am indeed, comfortable, her mind agreed.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay. "Well?"

"I was in a relationship the first time she confessed. But we already broke up three years ago. As for my past relationship, siguro, 'di lang talaga kami para sa isa't isa. You see, nakilala ko ang ex ko noong baguhan pa lang ako sa Limelight. She's Boss Raniel's cousin kaya madalas siya laging dumadalaw do'n noon. She was on College when we became friends. Unlike ngayon, theat girl I knew before was sweet and innocent. Mahinhin kumilos and just, lovely. We became together. Hindi naman tumutol si Boss kasi hindi niya naman daw hobby ang mangialam ng relasyon ng may relasyon. She was young and still growing. Pabago-bago ang mga desisyon niya sa buhay. Habang ako, alam ko na kaagad ang gusto ko. My plan for my life is fixed." Huminga siya ng malalim bago nagpatuloy. "She was a freelance model. Still is, actually. That time, fourth year niya na sa nursing. Nagkaroon siya ng offer sa isang modeling agency. She accepted it, at doon na nagsimula ang career niya. Ang bilis ng pagsikat niya noon habang ako, hindi pa napo-promote. Na-conscious ako sa biglaan niyang pag-angat kaya nagsikap ako. I did everything para umangat ako sa puwesto ko. And I thought it was okay with her. I'm striving for our future at para na rin 'di niya ako ikahiya."

"But it still happened?" pabulong na tanong ni Heather. Somehow, she can feel his struggle. Kasi kahit siya, she’s striving para hindi siya ikahiya ng pamilya at ni Aidan. Primo smiled sadly.

"Dumating ang araw na nagalit siya sa 'kin. Mas inuuna ko raw ang pagtatrabaho kaysa sa kaniya. I was pissed kasi ganoon din naman ang ginagawa niya kaya bakit siya magagalit, 'di ba?" His eyebrows furrowed na para bang kahapon lang iyon nangyari. "Habang tumatagal, lumalaki ang pagbabago ng ugali niya. Even the way she dresses herself, nagbago rin. I was starting to think that this modeling career of hers is a bad influence to her life. Nag-iba ang paraan ng pakikitungo niya sa iba. She became arrogant. Kada gabi na lang, nasa bar o 'di kaya ay nasa party. She lost her focus on her studies to the point that she dropped out. Pinili niyang maging model kaysa tapusin ang pag-aaral niya. Nagbago siya. Hindi na siya ang babaeng nakilala ko, na minahal ko. And she keeps on denying me to everyone. To her friends, to her colleagues, she even told her parents that we broke up. Lahat ng 'yon ginawa niya nang 'di pa kami naghihiwalay."

Heather’s mouth gaped open. She can feel her heart reaching out for the man in front of her. "How did you broke up then? Nakipaghiwalay ka?"

Dahan-dahan siyang umiling. "Hindi. Umalis siya papuntang New York after a week. Dalawang taon siyang nawala, tapos pagbalik niya, may posisyon na dito sa Limelight. From then on, she worked here until she got promoted to her position now, as Senior Creative Art Director."

So ang boss ni Roxanne ang ex girlfriend niya? Isip-isip ni Heather. "At okay lang sa 'yo na makatrabaho siya? Not directly na katrabaho, pero iisa lang ang lugar na pinagtatrabahuhan ninyo. Ayos lang 'yon sa 'yo?"

"It's not like I have a choice. At isa pa, wala naman na akong nararamdaman para sa kaniya."

"'Di niya ba sinubukang makipagbalikan sa 'yo?"

"She did. But all I can offer her now is friendship. Wala na akong feelings para sa kaniya."

Tumango-tango si Heather. "I see."

"Ikaw? Paano kayo nagkakilala ni. . .damn, I forgot to ask you his name." Mahina siyang natawa.

Saglit na natigilan si Heather sa sinabi niya. Hindi niya alam kung anong pangalan ang isasambit dahil hindi naman pwedeng sabihin niya na si Aidan ang kaniyang boyfriend.