We reached the basement and went to where Ahia's white Nissan Terra is parked. Ysabelle occupied the shotgun seat and I sat on the back.
It only took us less than minutes before we reached the entrance of our office building.
"Thank you, Calli. Ingat ka," ani Ahia bago ko buksan ang pintuan.
"Sure. Ingat din kayo."
I alighted the car.
As soon as I got out, Ysabelle rolled down the window from the shotgun seat and waved at me. Tipid na lamang akong tumango hanggang sa tuluyan na silang makaalis.
Bitbit ang aking bag at ang kape na binili ni Ahia, umakyat na ako sa taas.
I headed straight to my office and finished the coffee in silence. Good thing most of the people haven't come back from their lunch break.
After taking down the entire cup, I went to the ladies' room to brush my teeth and freshen up.
Kinahapunan, muli ko ng hindi namalayan ang oras. Matt and I weathered through five meetings in a span of four hours.
When we got out of the last one, I took a deep breath and massaged the temple of my head.
"Let's regroup on Wednesday to talk about everything that was discussed this afternoon, Calli. For now, just head home and take a rest," Matt said when we reached the door of my office.
"Sure." Wala sa wisyo akong tumango.
"See you tomorrow in the training."
Another curt nod.
Pumasok na ako sa loob at linigpit ang aking mga gamit. Pinatay ko ang laptop at linagay sa loob ng pedestal.
Buhat ang bag, lumabas na ako ng opisina at nagpunta sa lobby. Naabutan ko roon ang aking kapitbahay na nakaupo habang nagtitipa sa kaniyang cellphone.
Lumapit ako sa kaniya at humingi ng pasensya dahil medyo natagalan ang aming meeting. Sinabi ko naman sa kaniya kanina na pwede na siyang umalis kung nagmamadali siyang umuwi. Ngunit sabi niya ay wala naman daw siyang kailangang gawin kaya ayos lamang na hintayin niya na ako.
Hindi na ako nakipagtalo pa dahil pagod na ako sa pag-iisip.
"Wala ka ng nakalimutan?" tanong niya sa akin habang tumatayo. Iniling ko ang aking ulo. "Okay. Let's go."
We headed in front of the elevator and he pressed the going down button. Pinauna niya ako sa loob bago siya pumasok. Sumandal ako sa bandang likuran at pinikit ko ang aking mga mata. My head is still throbbing in pain because of too much thinking earlier.
"Okay ka lang?" dinig kong tanong niya.
Nang idilat ko ang aking mga mata, narito na siya sa aking tabi.
"Yes," I lied. Tumayo ako nang tuwid at inayos ang aking buhok.
His forehead creased, obviously not buying what I said. But he chose to remain quiet. I did the same. Until we reached the basement and arrived in front of his car.
As soon as we got settled in his car, he reached out for the compartment.
"Here," he said, offering me a tablet medicine and . . . a headache relief oil?
"No, thanks," I refused. "I'm fine."
"Huwag na masyadong ma-pride. Hindi ka magiging model ng sabon sa kakaganiyan mo."
"What?" naguguluhang tanong ko. Was he joking? I didn't get it.
Tinawanan niya ako. "Wala." Sapilitan niyang inabot sa akin ang mga iyon. "May tubig ka ba?"
