Steal My Heart (Published)

Chapter 8 continuation

Katatapos lang niyang kausapin si Liana at pinag-usapan nila ang interior design na ginawa nito para sa isang client. She made some alterations and added a vibrant color in the design. Pagkatapos ng changes na ginawa niya ay ready nang i-present sa client ang proposed interior design ng isang kitchen renovation.

Liana will be in charge of the presentation. Kapag okay na sa client ang proposed design nila, ifa-finalize na iyon.  Kapag meron pang babaguhin, ire-revise nila ang design.

She emailed back the updated design to her assistant when she was done.

Pagkatapos ng ilang oras na pagtatrabaho, tumambay na naman siya sa fb. Noon niya naalala ang pictures na naka-store sa kanyang iphone.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally decided to post the pic of the flowers and fruits to her fb. She had already added Benjamin to her contacts but she didn't tag him in the picture.

She captioned the pic: Got these today. Thanks but no thanks. Hope this is the last. #NoOneIsSick #PlayingAround?

Ilang minuto pa lang pagkatapos niyang i-post ang picture ay nag-comment s Nikolas. 'Lovely flowers and fruits. From an admirer? How thoughtful.'

Sinagot niya si Nikolas. 'But I'm not sick though.'

Napapitlag siya nang makitang nag-comment si Benjamin. Pangalan pa lamang nito ang lumitaw sa notification niya pero kaagad na naghabulan ang mga daga sa loob ng kanyang dibdib.

'Playing? Who's playing? Not me. Baka si Nikolas.'

Naiinis siya kay Benjamin pero hindi niya napigilan ang mapangiti. She actually giggled like crazy. Kaagad namang sumagot si Nikolas.

'Hey buddy, I'm not playing, too. So sa'yo pala galing 'yang mga bulaklak at prutas. Wow, man, we haven't knew that you're keeping a romantic bone in your body. Swak na swak sana 'yan kung may sakit si Maru. Hahaha!'

Muli na naman siyang natawa sa nabasa. Mas malakas ang naging halakhak niya. Nikolas really was crazy and funny. And she liked him more for helping her annoy his friend. Hindi na tuloy siya makapag-type ng kanyang sagot.

'Shut up, Nik.' was Benjamin's reply to Nikolas.

'Oh, buddy, and since you already sent flowers and fruits to Maru, I guess I'll send her a gift, too. Guess what? A blender. So that she can make shakes or smoothies out of the fruits you gave her. Brilliant idea eh?'

Matunog na naman siyang napahalakhak sa nabasang comment mula kay Nikolas. Patawa talaga ito. He could easily sell his humor to her.

Kiehl joined the fun on the thread. He dropped a thumbs up icon. 'Ingenious idea, Nik. Go! Talunin mo sa originality si Benj. Lamang ka sa bagay na yun.'

Malutong na 'hahahaha!' ang naging sagot ni Nikolas.

A notification popped up from her inbox so she clicked to open the new message.

Benjamin: I'm glad you like the flowers and fruits.

Tumikwas ang isang kilay niya. Assuming talaga ang mokong na ito. Sinabi ba niyang nagustuhan niya ang ibinigay nito?

She keyed in her response. 'Who said I liked them?'

Benjamin: Well, you posted it on fb. Meaning, you like it. And you're bragging it to my friends. Made my day.

Aba't! Parang gusto niyang abutin mula sa monitor ng laptop niya ang lalaki at kutusan ito. Napaka-assuming talaga ng gunggong na iyon. Naiinis na sinagot niya ito.

'Hindi ka lang assuming, Benjamin, delusional ka pa. Did you read the caption? Basa-basa rin 'pag may time. I hope this is the last. I won't receive anything from you again.'

Benjamin: Masusunod kamahalan.

Mas lalong nadagdagan ang inis niya sa isinagot nito. Aba at iniinsulto ba siya nito? But she just answered with a smiley sticking out her tongue.

Hindi na ito sumagot pagkatapos. She went back to the picture of the flowers and fruits. Nagreply siya, mentioning Nikolas. 'A blender is a brilliant idea, Nik. hehehe...'

'Thanks, sweet. Mwah! The blender is coming.'

Natatawa na napapailing na lamang siya nang mabasa ang reply ni Nikolas. Hindi pa siya nakakasagot nang lumitaw ang comment ni Xavier.

'Ang sweet naman. Inggit ako. lol! Benjamin, beware. There's a coupling going on here and it's not you and Maru.'

Sumagot si Nikolas ng 'Why not?'

'I'm rooting for Marunik than Benjamar. Parang magic lang. hahaha!' si Xavier ulit.

'How about Maruhulk? Ya know guys, beware. Hulk will just come out here and beat the hell out of us.' sabat naman ni Kiehl.

'hahahaha!' na lamang ang naging sagot niya.

It was fun talking with Benjamin's crazy friends and she was having a great time. Pero hindi na sumasabat sa usapan nila ang lalaki. Hindi na rin ito nagpi-pm sa kanya.

Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay nakaramdam siya nang pagkabagot. Parang hindi na yata thrilling ang nangyayari sa fb dahil biglang naging MIA si Benjamin.

Ano na kaya ang ginagawa ng mokong na iyon?

Well, baka naman na-busy na sa trabaho. Baka nagkaroon ng meeting. Baka may kinausap. Baka... she sighed. Ang dami-daming baka ang iniisip niya. Kalowkah!

She yawned. Bigla siyang inantok. She just pushed her laptop to the side and lay on her back.  Ipinikit niya ang mga mata at nakatulog siyang naka-on pa rin ang kanyang laptop.