"Everything is under control Sir but the fact that our clients are already asking if we can offer or perhaps recommend some good interior designers. Usually kasi sa mga clients natin lately gusto nila yung may titingin ng nababagay na design for their homes or offices. Should I just recommend-"
"No."
Agad kong pinutol yung sinabi ng sekretarya ko dahil alam ko na ang kasunod nun. I would rather close my own company than to be partnered with that person. It feels like I ate something from the garbage bin.
"I thought you were one of the Top Professionals here in the Metro pero bakit pagdating talaga sa kanya nag-iiba ang awra mo?"
I glared at Sam who's playing with his pen while leaning on the swivel chair. We're here at the conference room for the monthly progress report of every department here in our firm.
"Iba kasi ang gusto maka partner niyang si Alex. Alam niyo na kung sino."
Dumagdag pa si Bret dahilan para magsitawanan ang mga kasama ko dito sa loob. Seriously? Hindi ko alam kung bakit naging parte 'to ng negosyo ko eh. Mga walang ambag.
"Don't recommend anyone without my final word. Sabihin mo lang muna sa kanila na soon may darating sa firm natin or we can recommend someone outside from our company."
I heard them whistle and they were smiling like an idiot. Is it such a big deal to hire her if ever? This is purely business. Nothing more, nothing less.
"That's all for today. Meeting adjourned."
Nagsitayuan na ang ibang kasama namin pwera nalang kanila Sam and Bret. Syempre what do you expect? Mang-aasar na naman ang mga mokong na 'to.
"So kelan namin siya makikilala?" Sam asked.
"Pwede ba daig niyo pa yung mga kaibigan ng ate ko na masyadong madaldal. Bumalik na nga kayo sa trabaho niyo."
"Dude syempre big deal to sa amin no. Isipin mo nga for how many years hindi kayo nagkita tapos ngayon biglang magtatagpo ulit ang landas niyo?"
"Maybe you had some unfinished business Alex. Signs. Take a good look of it."
Hindi na ako sumagot para hindi na mapahaba ang usapan but deep inside it somehow gave some impact regarding about what they said to me.
Signs. Such a big deal for everyone kasi dito mo malalaman if there is something that's been trying to tell you but of course there are still a big part of me that doesn't believe in such thing as this one.
"How's everyone? Balita ko masyado mong pinapagod ang sarili mo ha? You're overworking yourself."
I met with my sister later that night after I finished work. Nagkita kami sa malapit na restaurant sa opisina ko to have some catch up session with her.
"It's for the company tho. And besides wag kang maniwala sa kanila. I'm good and I can still take care of myself."
It's been a three years since my sister got married and she's currently pregnant with their first baby. They're building their home right now kaya minsan yung dahilan ng pagkikita namin is related sa pagpapagawa ng bahay nila.
"Tama pala bago ko makalimutang sabihin sayo, we got our interior designer already. Late ko na nasabi sayo kasi ngayon lang din naman tayo nagkita ulit."
I am closely paying attention to my sister while she's explaining the credentials of the interior designer that she got. She even handed me out her portfolio and I, myself was also amazed. This must be a good catch if I hire this on my company.
"Well, good taste. Ang ganda ng portfolio niya but I wonder where did you get your designer?"
"Actually nirecommend lang din siya ng isang client ko and then ayun na we met and talked about what I want our house to look like, but you know what she looks so familiar."
"Familiar? What do you mean?" I asked her.
Nag-isip pa ang kapatid ko kung paano niya ipapaliwanag sa akin kung paano nga naging familiar yung nakuha niyang designer. Hindi nagtagal kinuha niya ang cellphone niya at may tinawagan.
"Hey. Hi good evening. Yes it's me. Are you busy tonight? I'm with my brother and we're currently talking about the construction and the design of our house. Do you want to join us para makilala niyo isa't isa?"
My sister sounded so excited and I felt something weird about it. Masyado naman atang napalapit ang loob niya sa designer niya.
"Really? Oh I see. Okay. Thank you. Bye."
Binaba niya niya ang cellphone niya at hindi maipinta ang mukha. Anong nangyari dito?
"Hindi daw siya available tonight eh. Sayang you can't meet her." She said and sounded so upset.
"There's always a next time. Malay mo busy."
We finished our dinner and I drove her home. Agad din naman akong umuwi pagkatpos naming magkita ng kapatid ko to check some of my workloads for tomorrow.
I checked on my wall clock and it's already 1am. Napasandal ako sa upuan ko at napapikit. I overworked again to the point hindi ko na namalayan yung oras.
Napatingin ako sa laptop ko at nakita ang folder na may pangalang "Potential Interior Designers" at agad ko iyong binuksan. I scanned through their profiles and some had a good credentials.
Pero bakit parang may iba pa akong hinahanap?
Out of curiosity I tried to search her name but I forgot what is it. It was so disappointing kasi bakit hindi ko man lang natanong yung pangalan niya nung nagkita kami sa coffee shop.
"The fuck?"
Agad kong sinabi sa sarili ko at napailing ng parang baliw. Bakit parang ang affected ko kung hindi ko malaman ang pangalan niya? Bakit pakiramdam ko ang big deal para sa akin?
Signs.
Could this be a sign that I want to know her more?
Psh. Such a lame excuse Alex. Get a hold of yourself.
