Dianne
"Good morning, Ma'am Dianne. Sir Lucas—" I raised my hand and shook my head. Tumikhim ang sekretarya ko bago muling sinara ang pinto. Napahugot ako ng hininga at pinagpatuloy ang pag-review sa mga budget proposals ng bawat department para sa taong ito.
Bastard.
I sighed as my day went on without any more interruptions. Goodness.
"Good morning, Ma'am Dianne." I smiled and sat down on my swivel chair.
"What's my agenda for today, Anne?" I opened my notebook and look back on the previous minutes scribbled on the pages.
"You've got a ten am meeting with the Human Resources for the feedback and monitoring of implemented policies and a 2 pm after lunch meet with our architect. This is for the second branch expansion. For the rest of the time, documents are placed on your table for your perusal and approval."
"Okay, thank you. Oh also, please make sure nothing's scheduled on 25th. I have to go back home to our province with Moni."
My secretary nodded in assent but she didn't made any move. I tilted my head. She bit her lip, opened her mouth only to close it after a few seconds.
"What's wrong, Anne?"
"Kasi..." her eyes darted left and right before finally sighing and looked at me straight in the eye. "May naiwan po kasing bouquet of red roses sa lobby. Iyon po iyong iniwan ni.. ano.. ni Sir Lucas." Humina ang boses niya sa huli pero rinig na rinig ko ang pagbanggit niya sa pangalan.
Napahilamos ako sa mukha at mapaklang natawa. "I-donate mo o di kaya iuwi niyo. Hati-hatian niyo lahat. Do whatever you want with it basta wag lang aabot sa akin. Ang gago talaga."
Tumango ng walang sabi si Anne bago tuluyang lumabas ng opisina ko. I sighed and leaned on my chair. I rotated my chair and faced the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the buildings situated around the area.
God, what does he want? Hindi pa ba sapat ang katarantaduhang ginawa niya sa akin noon?
A year ago...
"Sure ka na ba na pupunta ka diyan sa meeting na yan?" tanong ko ulit at tiningala siya. Muling inayos ang kwelyo niyang wala naman gusot.
Hindi nakaligtas sa paningin ko ang pagpigil niya sa pagbuga ng hangin bago tipid na tumango.
"Yes, Dianne. And please, you've been asking me that since morning. Naririndi nako sa'yo." Aniya at walang-sunod na salitang tinalikuran ako.
Huminga ako ng malalim at niyakap ang kamay kong naka-bitin sa ere. Ilang sandali pa ang aking tinagal sa loob ng kwarto namin bago ako nagpasyang lumabas.
"Oh Dianne akala ko ba manunood kayo ng movie ng anak ko?" Takang tanong ni Mama May, ina ng asawa kong si Lucas.
Umiling-iling ako at napaupo na lang sa parihabang sofa namin sa salas. "May biglaang meeting, Ma..."
"Ano ba naman batang yan! Linggo na linggo may trabaho!" Inis na wika nito. "Whatever, go and have this Sunday for yourself, hija. You deserve the rest more than ever." Dugtong niya pa habang buhat-buhat ang nag-iisang taong gulang naming anak.
"No, no. It's fine, Ma. Marami pa namang panahon para lumabas kami ni Lucas—"
"What? No, I insist Dianne. You haven't took a proper rest ever since my granddaughter was born and believe me, I love you more than ever for taking good care of Moni but remember, you must also look after yourself." Hindi na ako nakapalag pa sa mariing wika ni Mama. Tipid akong ngumiti at nagpasyang lumabas na rin ng bahay.
