The Calm and the Storm

08

08

Tinulungan ko si Ate sa paghahanda para sa reunion nila. She was busy, so I covered the appointments for the reservation and everything. Wala rin namang problema sa akin kasi ang dami niyang ginagawa. Marami rin naman akong ginagawa, pero mas kailangan ni Ate ng tulong.

It was 7 p.m. when she called. I was in the condo while chilling on my sofa. The TV was airing an international reality show.

"Is it okay?"

Tumingin ako kay Ate sa cellphone. Nakaayos na ang kanyang buhok at mukha. She's wearing a royal blue dress.

We have so many similarities. Mas malaman lang talaga ang pisngi niya. Ate has this casual aura while I have a modest vibe. But she's more comfortable to be with. May paka-restrictive kasi ako.

"It's perfect," I replied.

"Talaga? I think it's too much."

"No, Ate. Ayos lang talaga."

She sighed. Ipinatong niya muna ang cellphone sa mesa at tiningnan ang sarili sa salamin. "I look like an old lady."

Mahina akong natawa. "Ewan ko sa 'yo."

"Look, alam ko na masyado akong OA..."

"Naiintindihan ko, Ate. This is a big event for you. These are your friends na hindi mo nakasama sa matagal na panahon. If I were you, I'd be panicking also."

Of course, I would if I were in her place. Lalo na kapag kaibigan ko si Jeno Emmanuel. Habang iniisip pa lang siya, hindi na ako mapakali. I'm starting to get constipated.

Bumangon ako mula sa sofa at nagtungo sa kusina upang magtimpla ng tsaa.

"What if maging failure ang lahat?" she asked. "What if ang awkward pala? I mean, ilang taon din kaming hindi nag-uusap sa personal."

"That's great. Ibig sabihin niyan, mas marami kayong mapag-uusapan."

She groaned. "I think this is a bad idea."

"Hindi naman." Natawa ako. "Huwag ka nang mag-panic, Ate. Kaya mo 'yan."

"I'm just very, very intimidated. Lalo na nandoon si Jeno Emmanuel."

I almost flinched. Almost. Uminom ako ng tsaa at hindi nagsalita.

"He's the most successful one. Alam ko kahit na hindi siya magtino, his family will shoulder him. Mayaman na kaya sila. Imagine being the number one jewelry brand in the country. And they're branching out. Pero he's successful on his own."

I did not know what to react. Nakakatakot na magsabi ng kung ano at baka paghinalaan niya ako. I am so scared. This secret will always haunt me.

"But I should not stress about it, right?"

"Yeah, you shouldn't," sabi ko.

Ate Therese exhaled. "Okay, I need to go."

"Have fun!" sabi ko.

"I will. Thank you for everything, Trinity. Hindi ko 'to ma-a-achieve without you."

After her call, I went back to the sofa. Sinubukan kong mag-focus sa palabas na nasa TV pero wala akong maintindihan. I was about to prepare to sleep when the office called me.

"Ma'am Trinity, may ginagawa ka po ba ngayong gabi?" my subordinate, Anabelle, asked.

"Wala naman. What's wrong?"

"Kasi nag-overtime kami ni Jaypee para sa monthly presentation bukas. Tapos parang may mali, eh. We were hoping you could review it."

I glanced at my wristwatch. 7:23 p.m. "Can you send it through email?"