Stonehearts 4: Diamond

Five

Pinakilala ako ni Miss Suzanna ng lunch sa ibang mga tao sa opisina. Sabi niya maganda raw iyon para hindi ako mabaliw. She said it jokingly but I know there's a big chance that I will go nuts working under that grumpy man.

Marami siyang pinakilala pero grupo ng mga call center agents ang nag-aya sa akin sumabay sa kanila sa lunch. "Hi, I'm Cath." Bati ng babaeng may maikling buhok. "This is Lexy, DJ and Aldrin." Dagdag niya sabay turo sa mga katabi niya sa mesa.

"Hi, Aya pala." I said, recognizing their faces one by one. "Huy atey ang ganda ng buhok mo! Halos parehas kayo ni Lex pero medyo light lang 'yung iyo ano?" Sambit nung Aldrin sabay hawak sa buhok ko.

"May paartsy meaning din ba 'yan?" Patawang tanong naman nung Cath sa akin.

I looked at them weirdly. But I know if Itold them the truth about my grayish platinum hair, they are the ones who'll be weirdened out. I just shrugged my shoulders before croaking a reply. "Wala, pa-cool kid lang."

They cracked into laughters, "I like you atey! Iba ka." Sambit nung Aldrin sabay subo ng Mcdo fries na nasa harap niya.

"So ano, kamusta ang pananalagi mo sa pugad ng mahal na dragon?" Tanong nung DJ, which I guess na bading rin parang si Aldrin. Hindi nga lang siya cross dresser katulad ng kaibigan niya, pero mas malamya siya gumalaw.

"Dragon?" I asked innocently. I don't want to bad mouth Ferris to them. Though I'm pretty sure they know about his bad temper and constant yelling.

"Atey isa lang naman ang dragon na naninirahan dito sa toreng ito." Natatawang dagdag ni Cath. I maintained silence which made them all sigh simultaneously.

"Well, I've been here for five years at isa lang ang masasabi ko. Ganyan na talaga ang ugali niya ng dinatnan ko." Lexy kiddingly said but coupled with a restrained grimace. I bet she encountered Ferris' sour attitude first hand.

I looked down at my packed lunch then Lexy continued. "It's not the same here like what it is said when you're younger Aya. You won't find a pretty princess trapped inside a tower. Dito, dragon ang matatagpuan mo sa pinakatuktok ng kongkretong toreng ito." Those made me jerk my head up. She winked at me before drinking her soda.

DJ laughed, a mocking laugh, seconding what his friend stated. "Baka siya ang may kailangan ng knight in shining armour. Naghihintay nga ako ng pagkakataon na makakakilala siya ng taong makakapagbago ng ugali niya. Kasi kahit si Miss Suzanna na step-mother niya hindi umuubra."

"Step-mother?" I choked out, curious. Nakita kong siniko siya ni Aldrin, but he went on anyway.

"Ayon sa sources namin, namatay sa heart attack ang mommy ni Sir Ferris noong bata pa siya ng nalaman niya na may kabit ang asawa niya. Kabit niyang bente ang agwat sa taon ng daddy niya."

"Si Miss Suzanna?" Mahinang tanong ko. They all fell silent, DJ nodding to acknowledge my thought.

"Ang sabi, hindi naman daw talaga ganyan ang ugali ni Sir Ferris noon. He was quite the opposite, nagbago lang siya simula ng namatay ang mommy niya."

"Pero bakit Sir ang tawag sa kanya ni Miss Suzanna?" At bakit Sir Mateo rin ang tawag niya sa asawa niya?

Cath shrugged her shoulders. "Something about keeping work professional. Pero sa tingin namin ang katotohanan, hindi niya lang talaga tanggap si Miss Suzanna. Haka-haka rin na hindi siya nagpunta sa mismong kasal ni Miss Suzanna at Sir Mateo noon, which was a year after his mom's death."

"Oh." That was all I can say. Oh.

First day on the job and I get juicy gossips about my boss. Maybe I should try understanding him more. He's been through a lot and I can't imagine myself walking his shoes. If that happened to me, I may have turned as bitter and sour as him.

I exchanged numbers with my new found friends before I headed back to my office. Sabi nila pupwede naman daw akong sumama sa mga gimik nila next time, but I don't think Bryce will allow me. Masyadong protective 'yun pagdating sa mga ganitong bagay. But maybe if I introduce him to them, he might change his mind.

I started doing the rest of my to-do-list while Boy Sungit is out on a date with his Bona. Paano kaya natatagalan ng Bona na iyon 'yung boss ko kung ganoon ang ugali?

Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako bago napailing. "Hindi mo naman problema 'yan Minerva Diamond. Kung gusto niyang maging reyna ng hari ng underworld, wala ng kaso sa iyo 'yun."

Hindi naman na bumalik si Boy Sungit buong hapon. I don't know his schedule yet, diba parte rin yun ng trabaho ko? I'm feeling a little worried about him missing some of his appointments. Baka kasi sisihin niya ako, but then again wala nga akong kopya pa ng sched niya so I let the guilt roll off of me.

Natapos akong ayusin ang buong cabinet mag-aala singko na. Hindi biro ang patong-patong na papel doon ha. Bukas ko na gagawin 'yung iba, out ko na rin naman.

Napatingin ako sa relo, 5:15pm. Bryce is on his way by this time. Kailangan ko pang timplahan ng Milo si Boy Sungit. Napakamot ako sa ulo ko, paano kapag hindi siya bumalik dito? Baka mapanis lang 'yung Milo tapos pagalitan niya ako. Kapag hindi ko naman ginawa baka bumalik siya at ganoon rin ang mangyayari.

This is all painted in black and white. No matter what the course is, he will always find a way to shout at me. Buti nga hindi siya bumalik ng alas-dos, kundi baka sinesate na niya ako dahil nawala sa isip ko ang pagtimplahan siya ng Milo.

I sighed while stirring his cup. I said I will try understanding his temerity right? So I should be preparing myself for tomorrow. I know his armalite mouth will fire and wound me endless.

I took a piece of my notepad and wrote, "Here's the last cup of Milo to complete your day Sir Ferris. See you the next day :)" Kahit sobrang labag sa kalooban ko ang smiley na iyon, ipinikit ko na lang isulat.

Pinatong ko ang baso niya sa kapirasong papel na yun. Pumeywang ako saka ako huminga ng malalim. I won't give my dreams up just because I work for the rudest man on earth. Sisiguraduhin kong 'yung ugali niya ang unang susuko at hindi ako.