I watched as Alvin got out of the car. Matangkad siya, kayumanggi, gwapo, kalbo. Mala-Will Devaughn. Lamang lang ng konting paligo si Will. He was wearing a blue and white checkered long sleeves and a pair of dark pants.Huminto siya sa harap ng pinto at pinindot niya ang doorbell. I walked to the door and opened it.
“Hi!” He said with a smile. “Ready?”
Two hours ago pa. “Yeah.”
“Let’s go!” He offered his arm to me. I wrapped an arm around his. Naglakad kami papunta sa kotse niya. Mabango siya pero hindi kasing bango ni Seth. I gasped inwardly at that thought. Hindi dapat sumasagi sa isip ko ang impaktong yun.
“May problema ba?” Tanong niya.
“Ah,wala… wala naman.” Sagot ko.
He opened the car door for me and gently guided me into the car and even buckled me up. He was such a gentleman. Umikot siya sa driver’s side ng kotse at pumasok doon. He placed the key in the ignition and then started the car.
“Alam mo matagal na kitang gusto ayain lumabas, nahihiya lang ako.” Sabi niya habang nagmamaneho. Aw, that was so cute.
“Bakit naman?” I asked.
“Nakakaintimidate ka kasi.” He answered.
“Hindi naman.” I laughed.
“You’re a beautiful, smart and independent woman. Kahit sinong lalaki mahihiyang lumapit sa’yo.”
“Ikaw naman! You flatter me too much.” I couldn’t help but giggle like a school girl.
After a few minutes, he was parking his car in front of a building. Bumaba siya para pagbuksan pa ako ng pinto at inalalayan pa ako pababa ng kotse. He treated me like I was a princess. Pumasok kami sa building, sumakay ng elevator at pumasok sa isang kwarto.
“Ano ‘to?” I looked at him, dumb founded. Bakit maraming upuan? Bakit maraming tao? Bakit may tao sa harap na parang teacher na naglelecture.
“Orientation. Gusto sana kitang i-recruit dito sa networking company namin.” Nakangiting sabi niya.
“Oh…” Iyon lang ang lumabas sa bibig ko pero iba ang sinasabi ng isip ko.
Walanghiya! Hayop! Ilang oras akong nag-ayos. Nagmake up pa ako, nagpa-mani-pedi pa ako, nag-curl pa ako ng buhok dadalhin mo lang pala ako sa lecheng orientation na ‘to. Walanghiya kang kalbo ka!
“This isn’t what I…” I sighed. “I’m going home.”
“Teka, Marian, marami kaming products na binebenta. Meron kaming organic juice, capsules, tea, coffee. Sobrang effective. Maganda sa kalusugan, FDA approved.” He said.
I began to walk away but he still followed me.
“Hindi ako interesado.” I said in a flat tone.
“Panoorin muna natin yung orientation, may libre naman lunch doon. Sa orientation makikita mo yung mga napagaling ng product namin. Meron pa nga may sakit na cancer. Hindi siya nagpa-chemo, yung herbal juice namin ang nagpagaling sa kanya. Noong nagpacheck up siya, para daw milagro dahil nawala daw bigla yung cancer niya.” Patuloy niya.
“Hindi nga ako interesado!” Inis na ulit ko. “Sa iba mo na lang ialok yan.”
“Ako nga, anim na buwan pa lang akong miyembro nakabili na ako ng kotse.”
Chapter Four
Start from the beginning
