The Lady In Black (Teresa's Side story)

Kabanata 3

Teresa

"Please serve this at table 4, eto naman sa table 3, thank you."

Napaka busy ng mga chefs sa loob ng kitchen, of course ang dami pa namang mga VIP's costumers na may important visit sa boss naman. Buti nalang at tinawagan ako ni boss Julie.

"Teresa," tawag sakin ni boss Julie habang naghahanda ako ng desert para sa costumers.

"Boss?"

"You can give that to Luca, she can handle the desert. You should rest na." She smiled.

"Naku boss, okay lang. Naeenjoy din naman ako sa proseso. Napakagandang tingnan." I said before finishing the desert that I've working on.

Boss Julie nodded. "I agree, it's beautiful."

Saglit akong napatingin kay Boss Julie. That word beautiful would suit her so well. To be honest, she's simple but gorgeous. Kahit walang gingawa si ma'am, maganda talaga s'ya. Boss Julie is a half Russian, kulay gatas yung balat at yellowish yung hair n'ya because her father is blonde.

But no matter how gorgeous she is, crush ko lang si ma'am. I mean, sino namang hindi magka crush sa kanya eh maganda na nga, mabait pa. Di tulad nung' isa eh maganda nga pero red flag naman.

Napailing nalang ako sa aking isip.

"Boss! Nandito na po yung mga VIP's, they wanted to see you." Biglang pasok ni Monica sa kitchen.

Boss Julie fixed herself first before saying goodbye. "I'll see you after, Tes'. Make sure to take a break."

I smiled back. "Sure boss, no problem."

After the finishing up the desert, naghugas ako ng kamay  at lumapit kay Monica.

"Mon, sino yung mga VIP's? Akala ko ba tatlo lang sila?" I asked.

Monica shrugged her shoulders. "Diko ko din alam eh, basta babae yung kakarating lang. Sila talaga yung main visitors ni Boss ngayong gabi."

"Babae?"

"Oo babae. Tatlong lalake at isang babae. Mga big shots nga tingnan eh, di basta basta." She said with amusement.

They must have been very important to our boss Julie. Baka may kontratang pepermahan?

Binalewala ko nalang yung nasa isip at nagsimula na akong magluto ng ibang putahe at gulay.

I was in the middle of frying chickens when Monica came into the kitchen. Is she in a hurry? Pinagpapawisan kase at hinahabol pa 'yung hininga.

"Monica, you called me?" I said while cleaning my hands.

"Boss Julie wants you in the table. Now." She said sa pagitan ng hininga.

Of course she's running. Napakalaki ba naman ng restaurant.

I nodded. I took out my apron, puts it on the sink and made my way out.

I was running as if it's my last time on Earth. I was looking for boss Julie in the crowd when I finally saw her talking to someone in the table. Lahat sila naka upo sa rounded table. Rinig na rinig ko ang tawanan nila habang papalapit na ako.

When I finally arrived, boss Julie's back are facing me kaya mahina ko itong tinapik sa balikat.

"Oh! You're here." Masayang bati ni Boss.

I nodded. "Good evening boss."

"Sit down, Teresa. Join us." Boss Julie offered a seat.

Anim kaming nakaupo sa rounded table. Tatlong lalake, ako, si boss at 'yung babaeng tinutukoy ni Monica kanina. I can't see her face properly because nakatago ito sa sout niyang hat or bonet ba yan. Can't guess it pretty well.

"Everyone, this is Teresa Delos Santos. One of the best cook in my restaurant. She's still a student but she's worth the experience." Boss Julie proudly introduce me.

Aliw namang nakatingin sa akin ang isang lalaking may edad na. Maybe he's in his 50's.

"You chose greater, Jul. I am impressed knowing that she's still a student with such skills." He smiled.

I can tell this man is handsome. Kulay dilaw ang buhok, ang astig niyang tignan. Para s'yang mafia boss na kinatatakutan ng lahat.

The man smiled again. "I am Zenon Sanchez from Mexico, nice to meet you, young lady."

Sanchez? 

"Nice to meet you too sir," I smiled back.

Sir Zenon cleared his throat. "I heard this restaurant is  very famous in the country and I would like to held the reception for my daughter's wedding." He smiled.

I smiled back. "Congratulations in advance sir,"

He nodded. Boss Julie greeted him as well. "Thank you Mister Sanchez, we will do our best to provide the best food for the visitors."

"Thank you, I can count on you." He smiled back.

"May we know your daughter's name, sir Sanchez?" Boss Julie asked.

Since I am curious as well, I nod along.

"Oh right, sorry for being rude," he looks at the woman beside him. "ladies and gentlemen, this is my daughter."

The woman slowly took off her hat.

My breathing stopped. Parang pinagkaitan ako ng langit at lupa. I knew it, that's why my heart couldn't stay put lately. It's because it's her.

Gusto kong maiyak. Tangina, ang sakit. Akala ko ba wala na sila? Bat' ganon? Kahit gaano s'ya kaganda ngayon, diko maiwasang umiwas ng tingin. Bigla ay gusto ko nalang umalis pero walang respeto 'yun kay Boss Julie.

"Zoey Allistair Sanchez," Ma'am Zoey greeted with a monotone voice.

Nakipag handshake si Boss Julie sa kanya. "Congratulations, miss Sanchez."

Ma'am Zoey nodded her head with a blank expression looking at me. Gulat na gulat parin ako sa kanyang pagsulpot kahit kanina pa sya nakaupo sa harapan. She's looking at me, something is telling me to look at her eyes pero di ko kayang titigan ng matagal. Baka iiyak lang ako sa harapan n'ya. Nakakahiya naman.

Wala sa sariling tumayo ako at nagpaalam kay ma'am Julie at sa mga bisita. "Pupunta lang ako sa bathroom." Sabay ngiti.

Mabilis na lumakad ang mga paa ko tilay may sariling isip ang mga ito. Agad akong nagtago sa cubicle at hinayaan nalang tumulo ang aking mga luha. Di ko na kayang pilitin ang sarili kong kaya ko pa kahit alam kong sa loob ay sasabog na.

I cried silently.

Tangina, anong silbi ng taekwondo lessons ko kung sa pag-ibig lang pala ako mamamatay.

I don't know how many hours I've been inside the comfort room basta I took out my phone and nag send ng message kay Boss Julie na masama ang pakiramdam ko.

"Sakit mo naman ma'am Zoey." Sabay punas sa aking mga luha bago ako lumabas ng Cr.