Something That Glitters

13 // Sunday Skies

"Yes, she did. But I won't," I replied, matter-of-factly. "So, as I've said, Mr. Iden, I can accept your request if you're still up for it."

"Well, that will be great, then! One thousand flower arrangements of Snooki Magic on Monday next week."

Nanghina ang tuhod ko sa narinig. Umalon ang boses ko at mahinang napasabi ng, "What?"

Akala ko, mga payb handred lang! Ano 'to, bakit isang libo?

"I'll arrange a call with Tonette for the quotation. And thank you, Snooki. I really appreciate it that you reached out. Thanks a lot!"

"Hehe! Sure."

Bumagsak ang puwet ko sa kahoy na upuan pagkatapos ng phone call at napatulala na lang ako. Damn, old people really knew what they were talking about, huh? Stupid, Snooki, you should've listened!

Nang marinig kong pabalik si Auntie rito sa cold room ay kumaripas ako ng tayo at umakto na parang normal lang ang lahat. Hindi ko na alam ang ginagawa ko!

"O, ano? Nagulat ka sa gustong mangyari ni Liam?" nangingising sabi ni Auntie, hindi itinatago na gusto niyang ipamukha na tama siya at inaasar pa ako lalo.

"Huh? Hindi po, ah!" Pumiyok ako! Natawa si Auntie at napangiwi na lang ako. "Madali lang 'yon, sus! Isang libo? Kayang-kaya!"

Kinuha ni Auntie ang gamit kong gunting at tsaka naglakad sa may pintuan. Tumigil siya roon nang tila may nakalimutang sabihin.

"Sinabihan ko na si Julio na tulungan ka sa libre niyang oras. Ilang araw mo lang 'yan gagawin, kakailanganin mo ng tulong."

I was warmed that she already told Julio about it when I only just agreed to Sir Liam a couple of seconds ago. Si Tonette, advance mag-isip! I liked it.

Nilabas ko sa display area ang mga flower arrangements na ginawa ni Auntie na ako ang nag-finalize. The flowers were all ready for pick-up by our blooming patrons.

It was a seldom job for me to put custom embellishments to the arrangements that my motherflower boss curated. As an intern, or whatever, I did the simplest jobs at that bit. Flower boss loved my handwriting, too, that's why she made me write the custom notes our clients requested.

Or baka tinatamad lang siyang magsulat ng kanya. I dunno.

"Ako na ang bahala sa ating usual routine, Snooki. Pagtuunan mo ng pansin ang sarili mong trabaho," sabi ni Auntie.

"Hai!" Sumaludo ako. "I'll do inventory po muna on the flowers that I will be needing. I will take the liberty na rin to request sa supplier kung may paubos na tayong bulaklak. And oh! Pati materials din nga pala," I said more to myself as I looked at the ceiling.

Hinihilot ko ang sentido ko habang naglalakad pabalik sa cold room. "Good heavens and hell, marami pala akong ganap sa buhay ngayon."

I admit, I was used to doing more admin works at my previous job where it was mostly paperworks and meetings—a heck lot of them! Then, the job proper was done by our good people. But now here, I was both the admin and the people. Tiring but, eh, it's a good challenge!

Sinimulan kong gumala sa loob ng cold room habang may bitbit na clipboard. I wriggled a pen in between my fingers as it clacked against the board.

"Hello, blooming flowers na mana sa 'kin! How are you all today, hmm?"

Sinimulan kong isa-isahin ang mga flower racks at nilista ang mga kakailanganin kong bulaklak. Sa gilid ng bawat pangalan ng bulaklak ay isinulat ko kung kailangan ko nang um-order nito sa supplier. Pagkatapos ay sa mga materials naman ako.