Strokes of a Painter

Kabanata 33

Kabanata 33

Officially 

Monday, Fej made it sure to go to work early. Quarter to seven nang sumakay siya ng elevator papuntang 6th floor. Narating niya ang opisina at mangilan-ngilan palang ang naroon. May mga bumati sa kanya at nakipagkilala. 

"Good morning Maam. Ang aga niyo po. Ako nga po pala si Zeno, ang graphic designer," nakangiting sabi nito sabay abot ng kamay para makipagkamay. 

Tinanggap naman niya ito at nginitian. Sunod-sunod na ang iba na nagpakilala. Halos mga lalaki ang nasa department nila. Lahat ng mga ito ay may itsura. Si Zeno ay may mukhang banyaga. Mukhang half-Korean ang itsura nito. He's cute and tall. 

Makikipagkamay na rin sana ang huling lalaking kaopisina niya nang biglang natigilan silang lahat at natahimik. Nabitin sa ere ang kamay nito at kaagad din namang tinago sa likod. Napakunot ang noo niya at lumingon.

Tob was standing in the door way with his stern look. His huge frame and presence seemed to consumed the place. His lips were in a thin line while his hands were inside his pockets. 

Sabay na bumati ang mga kaopisina niya kaya napabati na rin siya. After all, he's their boss. 

"I need you in my office right now," he sounded pissed but maybe it was just her imagination. 

Tumango siya at kaagad na sumunod dito. Walang imik na sumakay sila ng elevator at nagtungo sa mismong opisina nito. Pasimple niyang sinulyapan si Tob. Why does he always look good in anything he wears. He looks hot in rugged clothes but his business attire made him to look dangerously hot. Napansin niyang medyo humahaba na ang buhok nito. Kung siya ang tatanungin, she would prefer his hair long. She doesn't know why but she always have a thing for long haired men. 

Fej was so engrossed with her thoughts that she didn't notice Tob stopped walking. She collided into him and hit her head.

"Aray!" 

Nasapo niya ang kanyang noo at matalim na tumitig sa likod ni Tob. Hindi man lang ito lumingon. Humakbang ito ng ilang talampakan bago siya hinarap. Hawak-hawak parin niya ang noo. 

"Go to the wash room and wash your hands," utos nito habang nakatingin sa mga kamay niya. 

Nagtaka siya kung bakit kailangan niya pang maghugas ng kamay. Kakain ba sila? Eh wala namang pagkaing nakahanda.

"Bakit? Malinis naman ang kamay ko ah?" kunot-noong tanong niya sabay sinipat ang mga kamay kung may dumi ba. 

"Just go and wash your hands. Some dirt are invisible to the naked eyes." 

She shrugged and pursed her lips. Wala siyang nagawa kundi ang pumunta sa wash room para maghugas ng kamay. Baka magalit ang mahal na hari. Hmmp!

Kumuha siya ng sapat na dami ng liquid soap at binasa ng kunti ang kamay. Sasabonin na sana niya ang kamay nang mapasinghap siya dahil hinawakan ni Tob ang mga kamay niya mula sa likuran. 

Her breathing hitched and her heart thumped faster in her chest. His large frame dominated her. His broad chest covered her whole back. His mere closeness made her knees started to feel weak. 

Kinuha nito ang kamay niya at ito mismo ang nagsabon. She couldn't find any words to utter. Ayaw yata gumana ng utak niya lalo pat nararamdaman niya ang mabango at mainit na hininga nito na dumadapo sa kanyang tenga at pisngi. Parang ang bigat-bigat ng pakiramdam niya dahil parang may nagrarambulan sa kanyang tiyan. 

She felt hot all of a sudden. When she looked at their reflection in the mirror, her face was flushed and her mouth was half open while his face looked so serious. Parang lahat ng atensiyon nito ay nasa paghuhugas ng kamay niya.