He Was My Cousin

Chapter 24

Napatingin ako kay Lance. Umiling-iling lang siya at umalis na.

"Really?" I said as I head back to the accounting department. I faced Frina's laptop.

--
Subject: Financial Report
From: tpr.romualde@gmail.com
To: demesa_frina@yahoo.com
Cc: ayannasalvatorre@gmail.com

Frina,

Attached to this email is the financial report for the month ended August.

Regards,
Trystan Paolo R. Romualde
A Beautiful Flower Cafe
--

Napabuga ako ng hangin. Bakit naka-cc lang ako? He should have sent it directly to me! Didn't he realize I was the one who asked for his submission? I thought I was his boss?!

Padabog ang pagpindot ko nang i-download ko ang pinadalang file ni Paolo.

"Walang pirma! I need a signed financial report!" bulyaw ko kay Frina. Agad naman niyang kinuha sa akin ang laptop at aligagang nag-compose ng e-mail para kay Paolo.

Tss. How could he forget about that?

Ilang saglit lang ay nag-reply na raw si Paolo. So he's on his laptop, huh.

--
I forgot to attach my e-signature. The new attached file has been edited.

Regards,
Trystan Paolo R. Romualde
A Beautiful Flower Cafe
--

Hindi ko na binuksan pa ang bagong padalang file. Hinarap ko si Frina. "I don't need his e-signature! That's easy to fake. Kayang-kaya ko ipa-scan ang pirma niya at ilagay 'yon d'yan!"

I stood up. Inayos ko ang skirt ko. "Tell him I need a signed financial report." I leaned closer to Frina. "Make sure that signed report ends up in my desk before this week ends. Or else, ikaw ang malalagot sa akin, Frina."

Napalunok siya kasabay ng paglaki ng kanyang mga mata. I have always been lenient. Naging maluwag ako sa kanila. But was it wrong to just make sure everyone's doing their jobs right?

I think not.

Kaya naman bumalik na ako agad sa opisina ko upang gawin naman ang trabaho ko. When I came back, my cellphone was ringing. It was Mr. Reyes. Iyong kakilala ni Lance sa DepEd.

I put my phone on silent. I don't have the energy to mingle with him. I only entertain him because Lance told me to do so. Dahil na rin iyon sa pagtulong niya sa pag-aayos ng papeles ng school. But I am not up for some what's-up talks right now. My mind's a bit disoriented to do that at this point of time.

I skimmed through the brochures instead. Inaayos ko na kasi ang itinerary para sa educational trip ng mga bata sa January o sa February. Matagal pa pero gusto ko nang asikasuhin ito. Gusto ko kasing mapa-abisuhan na ang mga parents bago matapos ang taon. So they could free their schedules and the kids will have their chaperones.

I was in the middle of going through the rates when I just stopped. I stared blankly at the papers laid on my desk. Tapos ay biglang napadapo ang tingin ko sa desk ni Paolo.

I shut my eyes. Pakiramdam ko na naman ay may nakadagang kung ano sa dibdib ko.

The door suddenly burst open. I looked at it with anticipation. Nang makita kong si Lance lang iyon ay bumagsak ang mga balikat ko.

"Are you really going to be like this, Aya?" matigas niyang sabi nang sumara ang pinto.

"Please, Lance, everything's fine... Can't you see I'm busy here?" minuestra ko ang mga papel na nasa mesa ko. Well, it's kind of a mess.

Lumapit siya at pinulot ang ilang mga papel doon. "Are you out of your mind?!" he asked. "Hindi ba't ito 'yung ni-reject mo no'ng isang linggo dahil sobrang mahal kamo?" Kinuha niya ang iba pang mga papel. "And this one! You said it was dangerous for the kids!"