Kiss Me Slow

KMS-10

"Hanggang ngayon hindi parin nahahanap ang nawawalang pera sa department mo, Sari. Ayoko man gawin, we need to do a thorough investigation. And if I order that, it means kasama ka. Ayokong isipin ng mga tauhan natin na porket kapatid kita, exempted ka na."

I sighed. Nakatingin ako sa telepono ko kung saan nagsend ng message si Liam na susunduin daw niya ako.

"Malaking eskandalo ito kung magkataon, as much as I don't want you getting involved specially that this about the company's money--Are you even listening to me, Sarika?"

I smiled to myself remembering the last time we were together. My lips puckered at the thought of him kissing me.

"Sarika!"

"Oh?!" pinamulahan ako ng pisngi nang mapagtanto ko kung nasaan ako. I'm in a meeting with Blue and I'm daydreaming about my best friend! "Shit! I'm sorry, Kuya. Where were we na nga?"

My brother's eyebrows furrowed. "Are you okay?"

Itinago ko ang pamumula ng pisngi ko sa pamamagitan ng pagbuklat sa folder na hawak ko. "About the budget--"

"We are not talking about the budget, Sari," my brother sighed impatiently. "Have you been drinking? Are you drunk? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you using drugs?"

"No!"

"Then what the fuck is going on with you?" napakagat ako sa labi ko nang pagtaasan niya ako ng boses. Napakamot si Blue sa ulo niya. "I have been droning on and on for the past thirty minutes and I don't think you picked up anything from what I've said."

"Sorry, kuya," I apologized timidly.

May ilang segundo na tinitigan lang niya ako bago siya bumalik sa pagkakaupo niya sa lounge chair. Itinukod niya ang siko sa arm rest at hinilot hilot ang pagitan ng mga mata niya. "What is going on, Sari? May problema ka ba?"

I shook my head in response. "Wala, kuya."

"Are you sure? Cause you have been acting weird lately."

"I'm fine, just.." I toyed with the edge of my folder. "A little distracted about this whole missing sales thing."

Tumango tango si Blue. "I understand," mag iisang buwan na naming problema ang nawawalang pera ng kumpanya. Blue asked me to keep it quiet but he's now getting impatient. "What do you suggest we do about the missing money?"

Matapang na tumitig ako sa kanya. "Do a thorough investigation. I don't mind."

"What about you?"

"I don't have anything to hide, kuya," I answered. "mas mahalaga na malaman natin kung saan napunta ang pera."

Humugot ng malalim na hininga ang kapatid ko saka itinaas ang dalawang kilay bago sumandal sa backrest ng upuan. "Alright, I'll talk to Red." I took that as a signal na tapos na ang meeting naming dalawa kaya tumayo na ako. I was halfway towards the door when he called me.

"Yes, Kuya?"

He just looked at me and said nothing. Weird.

I was buried with office work and the upcoming audit I forgot about the dinner Liam and I were supposed to have. It was quarter to seven when he called me.

"Hey, 'you ready? I'm picking you up in fifteen."

"Sorry, Li! Sobrang dami ko pang tatapusin. Rain check muna?" nakangiwing sabi ko habang patuloy na nagta-type sa computer. Nakaipit lang ang telepono sa pagitan ng pisngi at balikat ko. I know I look like a mess.

"What? You're not going to eat? Pupunta ako d'yan, dadalhan kita ng pagkain if you really can't make it."

"I'll just get a sandwich--"