I heard Eros is about to go out of his car. I can sense his movement inside his car kahit busy akong ayusin ang sarili ko dito sa labas. When I heard the slam of his car door, alam ko ng nakalabas na ito. I almost gasp with the smell of his perfume. Manly but gentle. I really don't know how to describe it. I gently pinned some of my hair at the back of my ears saka lang ako umangat ng tingin only to gasp with I'm seeing.
I just didn't know he can even be more... err? good looking? That's perfectly an understatement. Nakasuot siya ng black pants, a black shirt inside his open dark blue chekered long sleeves polo. When I stared up at him ay inaayos nito ang suot na white Nike cap.
"I'm sorry." I suddenly said. I actually have to say that because I think it's rude that I've been checking him out.
"Oh please. Don't make me guess for that sorry. Hindi naman siguro dahil sa tissue?" He said. Napailing na lamang ako.
"I don't want to ask about the uhmm tears but my mom once told me that ice cream could be a good help for girls who are crying.. It's pretty effective with my sister, Adi, though. So? You wanna come inside?" He asked pointing back at the restaurant. Honestly, ayoko ng bumalik. I already texted Julien that I need to go somewhere para lang makaalis sa lugar na ito.
"No thank you. I don't have any business in there anyway. I cancelled it already. Besides, di naman masarap yung coffee dyan tsaka wala namang ice cream?" I said. Well, the coffee is good. I just don't want him to have a reason na pilitin pa ako although why am I expecting na pipilitin niya ako?
" Oh really? That coffee is really that bad in there? That's unexpected." He said. Hindi ko alam pero feeling ko ay nadisappoint siya. I just nod a little bit because suddenly I felt unsure.
"I actually have a meeting inside. I'm about to meet someone for the unit I bought along Pasay." he said. Saka ako natigilan. Maybe it's just coincident na pareho kami ng sadya?Then my phone rang, it's Julien. I excused myself to Eros, he raised his hand to tell me to go on while he fished his phone out to text someone.
"Madam! Nasaan ka na? Nasa coffee shop na po ako. E kasi nagtext na sa akin si Mr. De Jesus nandito na daw siya--ay ayan! Nakita ko na kayo!"
Kayo?
Then I looked back at Eros na busy sa pagtetext nang bigla itong napalingon sa akin. I don't know what but there is really something about him that makes me feel comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. Weird.
"There you are!" Eros said when he saw Julien. Nagliwanag naman ang reaction ni Julien nang makita si Eros. I thought I had the same reaction too everytime I see him.
"Mr. De Jesus, magkasama na pala kayo ni Ms. Castillo. Akala ko pa naman ay nagback out na to si ma'am. Tara na sa loob para makapirma na ng deed. Mas matagal pa byahe ko kaysa sa sinadya ko dito. Ang unfair ng life ano?" Daldal ni Julien. Gustuhin ko mang tumanggi sa pag-aaya nito ulit sa loob ng coffee shop ay nahiya naman ako sa effort nitong makarating.
"I guess you'll have to try the ice cream then." Eros said. I answered him with a smile.
Nang makapasok kami muli sa coffee shop ay agad naging alerto ang mga mata ko. Mukhang umalis na sila Tita Olivia. Mas naging magaan na ang pakiramdam ko. Ayoko na ng ganoong klase ng confrontation. I heard staffs greeting Eros, kaiba sa pagbati nila sa mga customers. I got confused.
"Boss! Welcome back!" I heard one of the staff said. Eros chuckled and gave them a high five. Narinig ko din ang pagkamusta nito pabalik sa mga staffs.
I got confused so I tap Julien na ngayon ay nakaupo na sa bakanteng seat.
"I'm confused.. What is Eros in here?" I asked her. Kunot noo naman itong napatingin sa akin.
"Akala ko magkakilala na kayo?" Julien asked.
"Not really. Hindi ko nga alam na siya ang nakabili ng unit ko. We just happened to meet sa isang wedding event as guests, pero we don't really know much about each other." I answered.
"Si Mr. De Jesus ang may-ari nitong coffee shop." Julien said while fixing the papers on the table, ako naman ay nasamid kaya bahagyang naubo. I suddenly remember how I just insulted the coffee in here dahil lang sa masama ang naging experience ko kanina! Nakakahiya!
"Ok ka lang madam? Sabagay, nakakasamid naman talaga ang kagwapuhan ni sir ano?"sabi pa nito. My God Julien!
"Julien!" saway ko dito. Sakto namang balik ni Eros na may dalang dalawang baso na puno ng ice cream. Mas lalo akong nakunsensya sa mga sinabi ko kanina. Goodness! Malay ko ba kasi?
Halos hindi ko matitigan si Eros dahil hiyang-hiya padin ako sa mga sinabi ko dito. What are the odds of bashing a business right infront of its owner! Sadyang minamalas siguro ako ngayon. I sighed.
Saka na lamang natuon ang atensyon ko kay Julien nang magtanong ito kay Eros ng ilang mga personal na bagay. Pasimple akong napatingin dito habang kunwari ay nagbabasa parin ng deed na alam ko naman ang laman!
"So Mr. De Jesus, ang sabi mo nung huli tayong magkausap, hindi ka naman dito sa bansa talaga nakatira. Bakit ka pa bumili ng condo?" Julien asked. For some reason ay napalunok ako. Ramdam kong napatingin sa akin si Eros.
"Right. Sa US talaga ako nakatira. That's because my family is there. My mom, dad and my sister Adi. Doon na kami nakatira since my Aunt died, my mom's sister, that was when I was probably 2 years old. My elder brother is actually the one who stays here more often because he handles the family business here. Ako, huling bisita ko dito, 5 years ago pa.Though I may have small businesses around too, I usually just stay here for about a month, para lang bumisita talaga." paliwanag nito.
"You bought a condo, are you planning to stay longer?" hindi ko napigilang itanong.
"Hmm, it's an investment too. I may or may not. Depends. For now, I'd really like for a place to stay. I'm just sick of the hotels. Well my brother has his house but the both of us couldn't really vibe with each other." He answered.
"Depends on what?" I asked out of curiosity. I was just wondering, what could make him stay if it's not business.
"If I may have a reason to stay longer." He said and my eyes are just glued on him then I notice na medyo malapit ang mukha nito sa akin and so I faked a cough para magkaroon ng rason umiwas ng tingin. I heard him chuckled while signing the deed. Bago ako tumuloy sa pagpirma ay nakita ko pang ngiting ngiti sa akin si Julien. I don't think I'll like whatever she's thinking.
Nang matapos ang pirmahan ay nauna nang magpaalam si Julien dahil may kliyente padin itong imimeet. Eros is back on entertaining his staffs. Ako naman ay nasa labas na lamang ng coffee shop. I am actually torn between apologizing or forgetting what I've said about the cafe. Babalik na sana ako sa loob ng cafe nang makita ko siyang mataman nang nakaabang sa likuran ko. Nakapamulsa ito at nakasandal sa may entrance ng cafe, di na halos kita ang mga mata nito dahil sa suot cap.
"I-I was about to go. Ahmm, and apologize too." Inunahan ko na ito.
"I was actually wondering kung gaano ka pa katagal maghihintay dyan. I can't decide if I'll call you or just stare at you." He said. Pakiramdam ko ay nag-init ang mga pisngi ko sa sinabi nito. Just why the heck would he rather stare at me? Do I look weird?
"I'm kidding." He said. Tumayo na rin ito ng diretso para lumapit sa akin.
"I'm really sorry about what I said about the coffee. It was actually good. Nasabi ko lang iyon dahil I had a bad moment earlier." I said while I keep looking at his eyes na natatakpan ng kanyang sumbrero. Bahagyang itinaas ni Eros ang kanyang sumbrero, I suddenly got concious when I get to see his eyes. I felt my heart jumped a little. His eyes, look... familiar.
"Not a big deal. To tell you, I had some customers too who told me the same. That's because I have a staff there, si Rex. Kapag trip niya gumagawa siya ng napakapait na kape. So I thought, you were just one of his victim." Napahawak ito sa batok habang nagkukwento. I find it cute though.
" Anyway, I realized, I haven't introduced myself well since the wedding. I'm Eros Calix De Jesus." He said and offered his hand for a shake na malugod ko namang tinanggap.
"Armaya Nikolai Castillo. It's nice to formally know you this time." I said. Para akong nakuryente nang hawakan ang kamay nito kaya mabilis dim akong bumitaw. I cleared my throat.
"Thank you too, for the tissue and the ice cream." I said. He just smiled at me. The smile that nearly melts my heart but when I looked straight at his eyes again, I don't know why but I feel like my heart is being crushed.
"I- I have to go. I still need to go back to Archie and submit him something. Thank you for today Eros." I said. His hand reached the top of my head again to pat it. It's comforting.
"Bye." He said shortly. Nauna na akong tunalikod para maglakad but when I heard him stepping away, I glanced back again only to see his back. That blue checkered outfit reminds me of someone. Only that, it has a diffent color. Eros wears a cap and not a beanie but why, why do I have to see some resemblance?
Hindi ka pa ba tapos sa stage na iyon Maya? That's insane. Totally insane. To think that Eros is a different person pero iba ang nakikita ko.
Dumiretso ako sa office para ibigay kay Archie ang resignation ko. I have decided to try D&C since they offered me a good position. I know the possible risks but the world isn't getting bigger. I have to be strong.
Archie did not stop me from resigning. Tutal ay matagal na rin naman niyang suggestion iyon. He was glad and proud to see me step up kahit pa ang sabi ko ay di pa naman sigurado iyong sa D&C dahil magkakaroon pa ako ng interview with the CEO. He was confident that I can make it knowing my performances sa company niya.
Kinabukasan ay naghanda na ako para sa magiging interview ko. I wore a corporate blouse and skirt and heels. Kabadong kabado ako habang nasa taxi. Last night I reviewed the history of the company, some details about the owners and the management, even their services, subsidiaries and other stuffs. Pagdating ko sa building ay nalula ako sa laki at taas nito. May mga nakadisplay sa sasakyan sa lobby, probably for viewing ng mga guests. Fortalejos and Alarcons are on different level! Prim must be thrilled to know that I will be working sa company ng mom ng crush niyang si Vaugn Miguel!
I went to a desk to inform about my appointment with Mr. Kevin Stunner. The lady answered me politely and asked me proceed to a certain floor. She gave me directions which I easily nodded with pero naagaw ng isang babaeng mukhang nagwawala sa harap ng entrance guard ang atensyon ko.
"Bossing naman! Kasama ko nga iyong boss ko, nasa loob. Pinabili lang ako ng kape. Papasukin mo na kasi ako." Pagpipilit nito. Nakasuot ito ng itim na slacks, flat shoes, at pink longsleeves polo shirt, nakapony tail ito at may bangs na halos nagugulo na dahil siguro sa pagmamadali. May hawak itong take-out na coffee.
"Miss, asan kasi yung visitors id mo?" Saad ng guard. Sumimangot naman ang babae.
"Ay kakulit mo! Diba nga sabi ko sa parking kasi kami galing. Wala ngang inissue sa akin na visitors id. Hinahanap na ako ng boss ko nasa taas kameeting boss niyo." Pangangatwiran nito.
"Hindi pwede. May mga kasamahan ka naman diba? Itext mo muna sila para i-assist ka dito." Suhestyon ng guard. Lalo namang nalukot ang mukha ng babae.
"Bossing sige na pleaaaaaase! Intern lang ako. Di ko pa close mga kasama ng boss ko! Maawa ka sa akin! Pangit ba ako? Kapalit palit ba ako? Baka naman pwede mo akong pagbigyan! I swear! Kapag naibigay ko na tong kape ng boss kong masungit babalikan kita dito bibigyan kita ng number ng mga friends kong single! Sige naman naaaaa koyaaa!" Halos lumuhod na ito sa harap ni manong guard. Mahahabag na sana ako pero di ko mapigilang matawa sa kalikutan nito habang nagmamakaawa sa guard.
" Ay magtigil ka miss. May asawa na ako. " Sabi ng guard.
" Kuya! Uso reserba ano ka ba! The more the merrier!" Sagot nito.
"Miss Castillo?" Nawala na ang atensyon ko sa babae at sa guard nang tawagin ako ng isang babae na mukhang kabababa lang mula sa elevator. Hindi ko kasi siya nakikita kanina.
Pinababa pala ito ni Mr. Stunner para sunduin ako. Nakakahiya! Kung hindi lang ako naaliw sa eksena kanina kanina pa sana ako nakaakyat!
"Ms Castillo? Hi. I'm Kevin Stunner. You can call me Kevin nalang. I am Ms. Aldea's secretary. Nasa meeting pa kasi siya for now kaya medyo madedelay lang. You can actually proceed to Sir Ashton. Ihahatid kita sa kanya." Sunud sunod na sabi nito. Medyo nalula ako.
"Si Sir Ashton ay kapatid ni Ms. Aldea, na COO ng company. He once started as the Marketing manager, then Director of Marketing Research bago siya naging CEO noon." Kwento nito. All I did is to nod. I feel so, nervous.
"Kinakabahan ka ba? Don't worry, just be confident. You are well recommended by Mr. Fortalejo dahil you graduated with good performances sa Summerwest. You also had excellent background as the manager of your previous company."
"I am probably just overwhelmed. Thank you for the advices." I said.
Nang makapasok ako sa loob ng opisina ni Mr. Ashton ay nalula din ako sa laki nito. Abala ito sa pagpirma ng mga documents. Mr. Kevin informed him our presence saka lamang nito napaangat ng tingin sa amin. It was just a short interview. Mabait ito at very professional. He gave me some key points on handling the department. He told me some of his experiences. It was a simple interview. Marahil ay kapos din sa oras dahil mukhang may meeting din ito.
Nauna akong pinapasok ni Mr. Stunner sa office ni Ms. Aldea dahil parating na daw ito galing sa katatapos na meeting. I read some of my notes about the company. So far ay wala naman masyadong naitanong sa akin si Sir. Ashton. Probably Ms. Aldea will dahil CEO siya. I heard the door opened at napanganga ako at lalong kinabahan nang makita ang pagpasok ni Ms. Aldea. She is really gorgeous! Mas bata itong tignan sa personal. I was totally stunned by her presence.
Nang makaupo na ito sa upuan na kaharap ko ay napalunok ako. May inabot sa kanya si Mr. Kevin, probably my documents na agad naman nitong inscan.
"So, my brother interviewed you?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am." I answered. I silently breathed to ease my tension. Then she smiled at me. May hawak siyang maliit na papel.
"Relax.. This isn't a formal interview. Pero syempre I may want to test your skills by answering one question. Let's consider this a formal talk rather than an interview. Para sa akin ay pasado ka na din naman." She said.
"If you are to work here, what are you, how and why--" Natigilan ito sabay tingin ng masama kay Mr. Kevin.
"This is Ashton's handwriting. Tapos na siya mag-interview bakit pa niya kailangan mag-ambag sa mga questions?" She asked Mr. Kevin. Napakamot na lang ng ulo si Mr. Kevin.
"Okay, here's another one, if you are to win Ms. Univer---" This time ay napapangiti na ako habang matalim na naman ang tingin ni Ms. Aldea kay Mr. Kevin.
"Who the hell made these questions?" Ms. Aldea asked.
"Mga taga marketing ma'am. Nanonood kasi ata sila ng Ms. Universe kaya, ayan. Inspired." Kevin answered.
"Inspired. Tell them na kapag ako ang nainspire, papagawa ako ng branch outside the universe para sa kanila." Ms. Aldea said. I just don't know if she's joking or she's just like that. She's amusing though. I heard her sigh. Binalik nito ang mga maliliit na papel na laman siguro ay mga katanungan para sa akin. Paglabas ni Mr. Kevin ay sa akin na nakatuon muli ang atensyon ni Ms. Aldea.
"I' m sorry for that. Medyo maloloko ang mga makakasama mo sa marketing. Anyway, I have read your background. Everything about it. I am interested to work with you. I think you deserve the position." she said.
"Hindi po ba parang mataas po kaagad? I mean, I was just a manager on my previous employer. Isn't this seems, a huge step up po?" I bravely asked.
"Lower and higher ranks are just concepts. Depende sa pananaw ng mga nag-eevaluate iyan. I trust you. I'll give you what I think you deserve. If you happen to be on some other companies, they might assign you as a manager again just because you happened to be a manager on your previous employment which I think is unfair for your skills.But then, that is how they evaluate you. That is based on their standards. You just need to be confident no matter what. May I ask you one thing? "
" Of course ma'am. " I answered
" Do you think based on your experience as a marketing manager on your previous employer, was there no point that you learned and improved? "
" I think, I did. I am sure I did." I said.
" When we all had our first jobs, we were all not experienced and yet we were able to adapt. If we hold on to same concepts or standards on hiring then dapat siguro ang applyan ng mga students na trabaho ay students padin? If we keep looking for someone who has vast knowledge and a lot of experiences, how can I even tell if that person is good enough if there are many others? I cannot search the whole world for that one perfect employee. Remember. Even some highest ranked employee can still make a mistake. My company just needs someone who can learn and adapt. Because that is how I started. So, do you think you can be my Director for Marketing Research? " She asked. Nakasandal na ito sa kanyang upuan habang matamang nakatingin sa akin.
" Yes ma'am. I'll do my best and I promise to not let you down. Thank you so much po for this opportunity." I answered. I just feel so glad lalo na nang malawak na ngumiti sa akin si Ms. Aldea. Tumayo pa siya oara kamayan ako.
"Here. This is signed already. Give this to Stutter. Siya na ang bahala sayo." She said.
Who is Stutter? Napaisip ako pero sinunod ko na lang ang sinabi nito. Paglabas ko ay nakita ko si Mr. Kevin na nakaantabay sa pinto.
"Ms. Aldea asked me to give this to Mr. Stutter." Nalukot naman ang mukha ni Mr. Kevin nang sabihin ko iyon.
"Ako siguro yun. Pasensya ka na sa kanya.. If you work here, araw araw kang mabibinyagan ng bagong pangalan. She's terrible on remembering names." he explained
I see. That was probably the reason why I never heard her mentioned my name? Para siguro
hindi hala na nakakalimot siya?
The interview went well. Mr. Kevin gave me lists ng mga kailangan kong iprovide bago ako magstart sa trabaho. I still need to render days of service sa company ni Archie. Even though he told me na hindi naman na kailangan.
Nang makalabas ako nang building ay umuulan at madilim na. I opened my umbrella when I suddenly heard someone familiar.
"Naku naman Aye! Napakamalas naman talaga. Kasalanan talaga nung kuyang guard iyon. Kung naihatid ko sana yung kape, hindi sana ako naiwan? Aba iyong boss kong magaling, di ako naalala? Kalimot limot talaga ako?" I noticed this girl na inaaway iyong guard kanina..She seems talking to herself. Nakaupo ito sa malapit na waiting shed. Napansin kong medyo nabasa ang damit nito at nasira ang flat shoes niya.
"Ayessa! Laban lang! Ulan lang yan. Kaya lang kahirap umuwi nang ganyan kagalit naman ang kalangitan. At itong sapatos na pinama ng inay, naku po, bumigay pa. Malas, malas, malas." dinig kong sabi nito habang dahan dahang hinihimas ang sirang sapatos.
"Here." Lumapit ako dito para iabot ang tsinelas na dala ko. Hindi na rin kasi ako nakapagpalit ng tsinelas dahil nagmamadali akong lumabas. Napaangat ng tingin sa akin ang babae. Ang gulo na ng buhok nito na bahagya na rin nabasa.
"Anghel ka ba ate? Di naman siguro ako napano sa ulan." Sabi nito.
"Naku hindi. Ano kasi, hindi ka makakauwi niyan ng maayos kung wala kang suot sa paa. Wala ka bang payong? Saan ka ba sumasakay? Ihahatid nalang kita." Alok ko dito.
Nagulat ako nang bigla itong humagulgol na parang bata.
"Salamat ate! Hulog ka ng langit! Sinuswerte parin ako kahit papano. Bakit ganun, ang ganda mo na, ang bait mo pa. Why naman ganon? Sure ka ba ate na okay lang sayo?" Tanong nito. Nakaakap na rin siya halos sa akin.
"Oo naman! Ok lang. Tara?" Aya ko dito. Sinuot na rin nito ang tsinelas na binigay ko pero bitbit parin nito ang nasirang sapatos.
"Ako nga pala si Ayessa! Pero Aye nalang for short. " Biglang pagpapakilala nito
"Maya." Sagot ko habang inaayos ang payong ko para magkasya kaming dalawa.
Maglalakad na sana kami para tumawid nang pareho kaming nagulat sa bumusina at humarang na sasakyan sa harap namin. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita kung anong sasakyan iyon. It's a black Audi! That very same car!
"Thank you Lord! Sabi na e, kahit papano may puso itong boss ko." Dinig kong bulong ni Ayessa.
"Hoy Ayessa Joy! Pumasok ka na at ang lakas ng ulan. Gala ka kasi ng gala."sigaw ng lalaking nasa driver's seat nang ibaba nito ang bintana.
" Oo na!" sigaw ni Aye
" Naku, Maya salamat sa tulong mo ha! Kala ko iniwan na nila ako e. Di pa rin siguro ako kaiwan-iwan talaga" Sabi ni Aye. Sunud-sunod na pagtango lang ang ginawa ko. Inalalayan ko pa siya saglit dahil nagtatakbo lang siya diretso sa kotse at nababasa na, malakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko nang makalapit na ako ng sasakyan hawak ang payong.
Nang makasakay na si Aye ay saka lang ako nakahinga nang malalim but I got confused when the car did not even move knowing Aye is already inside. Nang magbukas ang bintana sa passenger's seat ay halos magpigil ako ng paghinga. I literally froze.
"Get inside too. You'll get sick." Radicus said