He Was My Cousin

Chapter 31

Chapter 31
Let Me

"Wala siyang class ng Wednesdays and Saturdays," sagot ko kay Paolo. I looked at him suspiciously. "You're really going to do it?" hindi ko makapaniwalang tanong sa kanya.

He just said yes to the interview I asked him to do without making a fuss about it! That's news! Lately this guy doesn't do anything without having to bargain him something!

Tumango siya. "Just make her come on Wednesday kung okay lang sa kanya na hindi sa ABF. Medyo hassle kasi kung Sabado, maraming tao sa shop... but maybe I can make some adjustments if she really insists. Kung okay lang sa kanya rito, then tell her to come around after lunch... well, that is, if you're okay with the interview being held here?"

"Oo naman! That's totally fine. Ako nga itong nanghihingi ng pabor."

Sa wakas ay hindi na ako gagambalain ni Gyanne para sa paglakad ng interview kay Paolo. Ang lakas kasing mang-apura na malapit na raw ang deadline pero ngayon lang niya ipinaalala sa akin 'yang interview na 'yan. If only I could say no to that kid!

"Nga pala, what year is she in again? Second year nga ba?"

"Yup, second year," I answered. "Actually... he's a he. Kanina ka pa she nang she r'yan."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Sabi mo Anne ang pangalan?"

"I said his name is Gyanne!"

"You said Anne!"

"Baka nabingi ka lang. How could I make a mistake on his name? Gyanne talaga ang sinabi ko!"

"Gyanne could be a girl's name too, you know," Paolo said silently. He was just looking at a void space, his mouth almost pouting as if he was really thinking if he heard me wrong.

I gasped as a thought came to me, "Kaya pala pumayag ka agad sa interview kasi akala mo babae! You're almost ten years older than sophomores, Paolo. Child abuse naman 'yan!"

He diverted his eyes on me, his face blank and then he rolled his eyes like he was telling me he didn't have the time to hear my ridiculous theories.

Natawa ako sa itsura niya, "Ang pangit mo."

He shrugged. "At sino naman 'yon? 'Yung Gyanne na 'yon?" kaswal niyang tanong.

"Kapatid ni Jiro. He's a Management major."

Sumimangot siya. "Ay, ayoko na pala. Busy pala ako the whole week," he said as he faced his laptop again.

I looked at him, all emotions drained from my face. Humagalpak siya ng tawa, "Biro lang. Wednesday it is then."

I flashed him a big smile. "Thanks, Paolo!"

Wednesday morning welcomed me with an exhilirating smell of freshly baked pastries in my office. Pagtingin ko ay nando'n na si Paolo na may tatlong paper bags ng A Beautiful Flower Cafe sa kanyang mesa. He was standing in the middle of my office. Kararating lang din yata niya.

Bigla yatang nagningning iyong mga mata ko nang dahil sa nakita. I excitedly approached one of the paper bags, my mouth watering in anticipation. Kaya lang, bago ko pa maabot ng kamay ko ang paper bag ay marahan iyong tinampal ni Paolo.

"That's not for you."

I looked up to him in disbelief. I won't get any today? No way!

I crossed my arms. Why not? After filling my office with its smell, you won't give it to me? So I tried my luck and said, "This is my office. Everything in it is mine. So technically, those pastries are mine too."

He nodded twice. And just when I thought he'd actually give it to me, he looked at the floor beneath him and said, "Well? I'm inside your office."

Silence.