Sweet Pacific Breezes (Provincia de Marina Series #4)

Kabanata 11

Kabanata 11

Sweet Pacific Breezes

I groaned in frustration. Nawawala ang focus ko sa tuwing inaalala ang araw na iyon. Para bang pinapalabas ni Isidore na hindi ko makukuha ang gusto kong makuha. I am Cleora Celdran, and everybody knows that I always get what I want.

"I hate that guy," I uttered while I was punching the numbers on the cashier.

"Miss, may sinasabi ka ba?" Napatingin ako sa customer na naghihintay ng kaniyang bill. Ngumiti ako at umiling at nagpatuloy sa ginagawa.

Good thing Isidore gave me his permission to take a leave from work. This should help me get my mind off things but no, I just kept on thinking about it. About him. It's frustrating that I can't get him out of my head. Bumabalik sa akin ang mga nangyari nitong nakaraang araw. He was suddenly so approachable and a little friendly. Like he was mocking me.

I gave the customer his bill and thank him for purchasing in our shop. Ako lang at ang isa pang guide ang naiwan sa shop. The others were out for a scuba diving trip with some of our customers. Ganoon din sina Karlo at Cristy. Kung hindi ako pumalit kay Cristy ngayon, malamang ay narito siya at nagbabantay sa shop. I just insisted that she should go with Karlo so they could go on a date. Sayang-saya naman ang kaibigan ko dahil doon.

They should thank me in the end if ever they get married.

"Welcome!" Umahon ako mula sa pagkakaupo nang may pumasok na iilang customers. They asked for a booking so I set them up on a package deal. Naging maingay ang shop dahil sa kanila kaya naiwasan ko ang pag-iisip ng mga bagay na may kinalaman sa clinic.

Although I miss hanging out with Ira, this is just for a day. Babalik din naman ako bukas para sa kaniya. And I should learn how to relax. Hindi pwedeng si Isidore lang ang kalmado sa ganitong sitwasyon. I shouldn't be swayed with just his mere words.

And he wants the challenge? I'll give him that. Ang isang Cleora Celdran ay hindi nagpapatalo. His warning is like an invitation, it's not even a threat. The more you threat a person, the more they are curious about it.

After my leave, I was enthusiastic to come to work the next day. Kahit si Ricky ay nagtataka kung bakit sobrang saya ko kahit may trabaho akong gagawin. Some adults would complain about their daily work, and here I am, coming to the clinic with a wide smile plastered on my lips. I should show them that the leave helped me relax.

"Good morning!" Bungad ko sa opisina ni Isidore nang pumasok ako. As usual, he was sitting on his swivel chair while his eyes were glued on his lucky ipad. Aside from the days that he took care of Ira, walang araw na hindi ko siya nakikitang hawak ang kaniyang ipad. Perhaps, it's already his habit to check on it.

Mula sa screen ng ipad ay dahan-dahang lumipat ang tingin niya sa akin. Kumunot ang kaniyang noo. He should be confuse! I don't usually enter his office with a cheery attitude and a smile. Dapat maging bago iyon sa kaniyang paningin. I should come to the clinic tomorrow with an angry face, para naman mas lalo siyang magulat.

"'Morning," maikling aniya at ibinalik na ang pansin sa kaniyang ipad. Nanatili ang ngiti sa labi ko kahit na hindi niya ako masyadong pinansin. I walked towards his office desk and got something from the plastic that I brought.

Inilapag ko sa kaniyang table ang mainit na kape na in-order ko habang on the way ako sa clinic. I noticed how his finger stopped scrolling on his ipad and his eyes paid attention to the cup of coffee.

"I'm having coffee so naisipan ko na bilhan ka na rin."

"I'm already done drinking mine," aniya at ang mata ay nasa akin na. Napanguso ako saglit bago tiningnan ang kapeng dinala. I can't take it back since I already have one coffee on hand. Hindi pwedeng dalawa ang iinumin kasi hindi naman talaga ako mahilig sa kape.