"You've fallen in love," parang isang malakas na hampas sa akin ang mga salitang iyon.
"What?" I asked. I heard her the first time, it's just that I can't believe her bold remark.
"In love ka na tanga," she repeated then I glared at her.
"Paano ka naman nakakasiguro? Maybe what worked for you doesn't work on me," sabi ko, denying it.
"Okay, sabi mo eh," she said and I got irritated kaya binatukan ko siya.
"Aray! Mama si Yesha oh!" sumbong niya kay mama at hindi naman kami pinansin nito dahil alam naman niyang ganito kami simula pa noon.
"But on a serious note sis, think about it," she says, now in a more serious tone.
"What's the point in doing so? We need space for each other to save our companies. And besides, who knows? Maybe if the next time we can be with each other without any speculations, he wouldn't want to be with me already," I said, saying my thoughts.
I heard her sigh.
"You have a point din naman. From the fact that you just recently got to know each other and there's still a lot you don't know about him. Valid naman yung thought mo. Pero, just think about it. Who knows? Maybe his feelings are still the same o 'di kaya bukas matapos na 'to lahat," bahagya naman akong natawa.
"Asa," I said with a little laugh, pertaining to her last sentence.
"Pero 'di ba? May point?" she asks again.
"Oo pero hindi yan ang dapat kong isipin ngayon. Yung skandalo at kaso dapat," I said.
"My lawyers can—"
"Nope. Ayaw kong madamay ang pangalan mo dito. Baka masira pa ang career mo," I cut her off immediately. If there's one thing very important to Yessa, it's her career, I know she will sacrifice it anytime for the people she loves pero ayaw kong gawin niya iyon. Senior high school palang gusto niya nang maging artista at alam kong hindi madali ang napagdaanan niya kaya ayaw ko siyang madamay pa.
"Girls, dinner time," mama announced and we stood up at the same time to go to her.
Nagpatuloy naman ang mga pag-uusap namin hanggang sa umalis na si Yessa pagkatapos kumain dahil nga hinahanap na siya ng kanyang manager dahil tumakas lang ito sa shoot.
Currently it's 10 PM and I'm planning to sleep pero ngayon lang ako binagabag ng mga iniisip ko.
About what Yessa said, what I realized, and everything going on right now.
It's too much to think about but I should dissect it to lessen the burden at some point.
I let out a frustrated sigh and forcefully shut my eyes trying to sleep.
***
Hindi ko naman namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako kagabi. Siguro dala na rin ng daming iniisip at pagkapagod.
I sat down and collected myself before standing up and heading outside.
The meeting starts at 9 AM kaya kailangan maaga ako doon. Inabisuhan na rin ako ng aking sekretarya tungkol doon.
I looked at my wall clock and it's still 7:14 AM kaya hindi ko pa naman kailangang magmadali.
And like usual mornings, I ate with mom, washed the dishes and took a bath afterwards.
For today I decided to wear a pink corset top and a white high waisted wide-legged trouser, I matched it with a coat as well.
Pagkatapos magpaalam kay mama na pupunta na ako sa trabaho ay pinatakbo ko na ang sasakyan.
I arrived at exactly 8:40 AM. Pag-akyat ko sa aking floor ay sinalubog ako agad ng aking sekretarya at nasa likod niya si Engineer Sebastian.
"Good morning," they greeted me in unison.
I smiled sweetly before returning their greeting.
"Are they here?" I ask.
"Not yet Engineer," sagot ng aking sekretarya.
I slowly nodded, sa bagay maaga pa naman.
"We should go to the room first then, doon na tayo mag hintay," I said before walking towards the meeting room I'm pertaining to, sumunod naman sila sa akin.
I sat at the end of the long table at pinatabi ko si Engineer Sebastian sa akin, he's now sitting on the first chair on my left side while my secretary sits on my right side.
"So tell me about yourself briefly Engineer Sebastian," I open a topic.
"I graduated last year po, summa cum laude. My parents are in abroad. Sometimes I sleep with Tito, dahil si Ate Ara at Ate Yra ay wala naman doon madalas," pagbabahagi niya.
"I see. Your age?" I ask, I know I read his resume before but I can't memorize it as I read a lot of resumes.
"Turning 24 this year po," he says and I slowly nod.
"Does Ara and Chase know you're working for RSIL?" I ask.
"Yes po. Ate Ara wanted to tell you when I first applied but I persisted for her not to do so. Parang ayaw ko rin naman po magtrabaho kapag bago niyo pa nakita ang performance ko ay may hatol na kayo sa akin dahil sa pinsan ko," he says, I smiled at him. I totally understand where he's coming from.
"I can see a bright future ahead of you, Engineer. Keep that attitude," I compliment and he smiles and nods.
Na-antala naman ang pag-uusap namin noong tumunog ang pintuan, hudyat na may pumapasok.
I first saw Mark's usual team then Tiffany wearing a blue dress and Mark, his usual button down long-sleeved polo, the first two buttons are open.
We stood up.
"Please have a sit," I say.
Engineer Sebastian and Mark's eyes lock, siguro'y magkakilala sila dahil sa kanilang tinginan.
The ones who just arrived found their respective seats.
At katulad ng pangkaraniwang meeting, nagsimula at nag-usap na agad.
Si Tiffany ang nagdisenyo ng bahay para sa subdivision at ngayon ay nakadisplay na ito sa projector screen.
"I came up with the help of Architect Buena something minimalist in which can cater a lot of people's preferences. Of course by this design, budget can also be eased, ventilations are good and the spaces are equally distributed interior wise," she explains.
I look thoroughly at her design. It's actually nice, puwedeng magkaroon ng bahay ang mga gustong mamili sa murang halaga.
"It's nice. Supplies for construction can up to the design and I totally agree with your presentation, Architect Chen. Your thoughts, Engineer Sebastian?" I ask before looking at my side.
"Uhm... for me, I think we can utilize a little bit of space, for those who have bigger families? Kung titignan po kasi, construction supplies won't make that much of a difference if added a minimal amount of space, kahit na magdagdag ng kaunting presyo at least it's with reason and also, worth it," he says, I slowly nodded understanding his suggestion.
"I'll take note of that," Tiffany says with a smile.
"We will alter the designs a little for that suggestion. Is everyone in favor of what has been discussed already?" Mark asks.
We all mumbled our approval.
"Then it's settled," he says, bumalik naman na si Tiffany sa tabi niya.
I observed them as Mark stands up and pulls Tiffany's chair back so she can sit before he sat down.
I gulped at that view but looked straight forward.
"Our financial manager will now discuss the budget for the project," I say, clearing my thoughts from the view I saw earlier.
Natapos naman ang meeting 'di nagtagal. Napag-usapan din na isang meeting nalang sa susunod na araw bago pumunta na sa lokasyon at tignan iyon.
Of course, to show respect I bid everyone goodbye as they left the room.
"Thank you so much, Engineer Lopez for today," Tiffany goes to me and smiles sweetly so I returned it.
"Thank you as well, Architect Chen," I say before shaking her hand, we were both smiling.
Bumaling naman ang tingin ko sa katabi nitong seryoso ang mukha. Para bang mukha ng una naming pagkikita.
"Thank you, Architect Buena," I say the same thing to Mark, he receives my hand but just answered with a nod.
Tumingin naman agad si Mark kay Engineer Sebastian.
"Good job, Engineer Sebastian," he says, katabi ako nito pero parang wala ako kaya umurong ako ng kaunti.
"Thank you, kuya," he says with a smile.
"Si Brie? Plans on working after graduating this year? Nakapag-usap ba kayo?" he asks.
"Yes po kuya. Parang yung ginawa ko raw din po ang gagawin niya," he says.
Tinapik ni Mark ang balikat ni Engineer Sebastian.
"Just tell if you need anything we'll go ahead," he says.
Agad naman siyang tumalikod na at sinundan palabas si Tiffany.
I froze a little with what happened.
He's not usually like this ah? But how would I know? Baka iyong nakilala kong Mark ay hindi ang totoong Mark 'di ba?
Who am I in the first place to talk about this?
Sino ba naman ako sa buhay niya, 'di ba?
Hinihintay ako ni Engineer Sebastian at ang aking sekretarya na lumabas kaya naman ginawa ko na iyon.
He's taking the "space" seriously. Kasi ito naman ang gusto mo, Yesha 'di ba?
It's either that or maybe he's moved on. Pero moved on saan? Hindi naman naging kami ah?
I tightly closed my eyes with the sudden rush of thoughts creeping in my head all at the same time.
I breathed heavily before informing my two companions that I'm going to my office already.
This day feels different.
I feel different.