#OLAPlayPretend
Chapter 4
Date
Just a few minutes after I walked out of Xaiver's office, lumabas na rin si Knoa. Sinubukan kong huwag siyang bigyan ng pansin dahil sa natitirang hiya sa katawan, ngunit ramdam ko ang pagtitig niya sa akin at nakuha pang huminto malapit sa lamesa ko. Para bang talagang nagpapapansin siya upang mang-inis.
Dahil gustong-gusto ko na siyang umalis, I gave him what he wanted. I gave him my attention as I cautiously lifted my gaze at him.
Agad na ngumiti si Knoa. His smile was hinting something, and he even glanced at the iced latte on my desk before raising his iced americano.
Like he was trying to suppress a laugh, he pursed his lips and stopped himself from smiling. Wala siyang ibang sinabi pagkatapos no'n at tinalikuran na lamang ako upang maglakad papuntang elevator.
What the hell? Ayos lang ba 'yon?
Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari. Masyado akong nawindang sa ginawang pagpapansin ni Knoa. Siguro ay hindi niya nainis ang pinsan kaya ako ang pinuntirya.
I bit my lower lip and hung my head low after that disturbing scene. Medyo nahirapan ako sa pagpo-focus sa trabaho, pero nagawa ko naman.
I didn't hear anything from Xaiver right after that. I had a very peaceful afternoon at work. Nang malapit nga lang mag-uwian ay muli kong naramdaman ang pagkabalisa.
"Hindi ka pa uuwi?" tanong ni Joseph habang nagliligpit ng gamit.
"Alam mo namang kasabay ko si Sir Xaiver." Medyo tunog iritado ang boses ko dahil pinaalala niya pa lalo ang kapalaran ko. "May pupuntahan pa kami bago umuwi."
Joseph flashed a small grin. May sasabihin sana siya ngunit tinikom na lang niya ulit ang bibig lalo na nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng opisina ni Xaiver.
As if he was caught red-handed, Joseph hurriedly averted his eyes from me and acted like he had been doing something else instead of talking to me. He seemed also slightly nervous, biting his lip while fixing his things.
Nang binalik ko ang tingin kay Xaiver, nahuli ko siyang naniningkit ang mga mata habang nakatingin kay Joseph. He then turned to me after shooting his other secretary a menacing glare. Lumambot kaagad ang kanyang ekspresyon.
"We'll leave in ten. I'll just finish a phone call and fix my things," Xaiver informed me of something he used to do using his intercom. Hindi niya naman na kailangan pang lumabas.
"Okay. I'll text the driver," sabi ko naman.
Isang tipid na ngiti ang pinakawalan ni Xaiver, ngunit nang dumapo ang mga mata sa aking lamesa ay napakunot ang kanyang noo. His lips also formed a thin line.
I followed his line of vision and saw that he was staring at the empty cup of iced latte from earlier. Nakalimutan kong hugasan at i-recycle ang baso para magamit sa pantry.
When I returned my gaze on Xaiver, he hurriedly turned away and walked back into his office. Nadinig ko ang agarang pagbuntonghininga ni Joseph na para bang kanina pa pinipigilang huminga. Ngumuso ako at nagkibit-balikat na lamang saka nagsimulang magligpit.
I went to the pantry and washed the cold cup before storing it properly. Pagkabalik ko sa opisina ay wala na si Joseph at nagulat na lamang ako nang abutan ko si Xaiver na nakaupo sa visitors waiting area.
Once he saw me, Xaiver stood up and cleared his throat. "Where did you go?"
"Uhm, sa pantry lang. Sorry. Kanina ka pa ba naghihintay?" I subtly glanced at the wall clock.
Hindi naman ako natagalan sa pantry. I still should have three minutes left to spare. Hindi niya naman siguro ako sisisantihin dahil hindi ako lumagpas sa sampung minutong binigay niya.
"Yes. I mean, no."
Bahagyang napakunot ang aking noo dahil sa magulo niyang sagot. Xaiver was still acting unusual, that's for sure.
"The phone meeting ended earlier than expected," he explained.
"Ah sige. Sandali lang. Ayusin ko lang mabilis ang gamit ko," sabi ko at mabilis na kumilos.
Halos mataranta ako sa paglakad pabalik sa aking lamesa. I blamed myself for leisuring around. Puro kape na lang ang nasa isipan ko buong oras na nakalipas. It seemed like I forgot to move efficiently.
"Take your time. I'll just wait here," Xaiver told me when he noticed that I was in a rush.
Hilaw akong ngumisi sa kanya. "Okay," sabi ko pero nagpatuloy pa rin ako sa pagmamadali.
I knew how much Xaiver hated people taking up his time. The last time a potential client got late to a meeting without a valid excuse, he immediately closed the doors for business and didn't look back. I could even remember the exact words he said that time.
"If you are not responsible enough to show up to a meeting on time, do you really expect me to do business with you?"
The potential client that time looked so embarrassed. Mabuti na lang din at apat lamang kaming nandoon dahil pinaalis na ni Xaiver ang mga iba pa naming kasama bago dumating ang ka-meeting.
What happened that time also seemed to spread fast within the industry. Simula noon, ang mga nakaka-meeting namin ay laging mas maaga pa sa amin. They feared that they would have the same fate as the potential client whom Xaiver had turned down mercilessly.
That was why aside from being known as the game-changer, Xaiver also owned the title of being ruthless. When talking about business, you should never expect him to show mercy.
"You drank iced coffee?"
Habang patuloy ako sa pag-aayos ng gamit ay nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Xaiver na nakalapit na sa aking table. He glanced at the same spot where the cup was placed earlier, then lifted his gaze to lock eyes with me, waiting for me to answer.
"Uh, yes," nag-aalangan kong sagot.
I wasn't sure if I should tell him the truth or not, ngunit alam kong wala na akong kawala dahil nakita na niya kanina ang lalagyanan ng kape.
"Which flavor?"
"Iced latte."
"Is that your favorite?"
Napatikhim ako. "Parang ganoon na nga."
Pakiramdam ko ay may part two ang slam book na sinagutan ko kanina. However, instead of typing down the answers, I had to voice them out.
Mas lalong lumakas ang kutob kong talagang siya ang may kinalaman sa survey na pinasagutan sa akin ni Joseph. I had no idea what he planned to do with all that information, but somehow, I felt slightly disappointed.
Sa tinagal-tagal ko nang nagtatrabaho bilang personal secretary niya ay hindi niya man lang alam kung ano ang mga gusto ko sa hindi?
I found it baffling that he could remember small details, such as what foods I ordered and the likes, but he couldn't remember which ones were my favorite. Siguro ay dahil hindi niya naman natatanong o baka wala lang talaga siyang pakialam noon.
What changed his mind? I don't know, and I don't think I would want to know.
"When did you buy one?" sunod niyang tanong na pumutol sa aking pag-iisip at hindi ko alam kung bakit pati 'yon ay aalamin niya pa.
"Kasabay nung sa inyo ni Sir Knoa."
His face brightened up a bit, looking relieved. "You used my card?"
"Yung sa inyo lang ni Knoa. Pera ko ang ginamit ko sa iced coffee ko."
"What?" His gaze went sharp. He obviously didn't like my answer.
Ever since I started working, Xaiver gave me one of his credit cards for all his expenses. Iyon ang ginagamit ko pang-book ng flights, accommodations, and other tickets, at pati na rin pambili ng mga kung ano-anong maiutos niya.
All of the monthly expenses using his credit card should be recorded. The receipts were also kept for bookkeeping. The total expenses on my sheet should always match with his billing statement. Kapag hindi, ibig sabihin ay kung may anong magic akong ginawa at ayaw kong mangyari 'yon. I didn't want to lose his trust, lalo na pagdating sa pera.
"How much is that?" Xaiver probed, looking so worked up.
"175?"
"I'll reimburse that."
Nanlaki ang mata ko. "Hindi na kailangan!"
Alam kong mayaman siya at barya lang sa kanya ang ganoong halaga, but I could pay for my own coffee. He didn't need to reimburse me at all.
"No," pilit niya. "I wanted to buy you an iced coffee earlier. Dapat ay 'di mo na binilhan si Knoa. He doesn't need coffee. I'll ask him to pay you for that."
Napaawang ang mga labi ko dahil tunog naninisi pa siya. Bakit parang kasalanan ko? At bakit sa akin magbabayad si Knoa kung card niya ang ginamit ko pambili?
"Just think of it as my treat to you for doing a great job in dealing with the media yesterday and..." He swallowed, then turned away as if he was embarrassed. "You deserve it."
Ngumuso ako nang maramdaman ang unti-unting pag-init ng pisngi. "Okay..." sabi ko sa maliit na boses. Ayaw ko nang makipagtalo pa sa kanya.
Matapos ang sandaling pagtatalo namin ni Xaiver ay bumaba na kami ng kompanya. His SUV was already waiting at the driveway as usual. I rode with him in the back seat. Tahimik lang kaming dalawa habang patungo sa Manière nang biglang tumunog ang kanyang cellphone.
Xaiver pulled his phone out from his pocket. I used to not be curious about his contacts, but I couldn't help glancing that time. Nakita kong tumatawag sa kanya ang pinsan na si Hariette. He was close with his cousins, so I didn't think of it as something unusual.
Muli akong nag-iwas ng tingin at inabala na lang ang panonood sa labas. However, I didn't know what came into Xaiver's mind as he decided to answer the phone call on loudspeaker. Dinig ko tuloy ang pag-uusap nila ng pinsan.
"Kuya Xavi." Ang kritikal na boses ni Hariette ang una kong nadinig galing sa kabilang linya.
"Yes?"
"Where are you?"
"On the way to Manière. Why?"
"Are you bringing a date with you to my charity ball?" Hariette asked, sounding suspicious.
Napalunok ako at bahagyang napaayos ng upo. I didn't know why I felt slightly uncomfortable to hear that. Pumikit ako nang mariin at pinigilan ang sariling huwag makinig. However, I couldn't not listen when I could hear everything clearly.
"You can say that," Xaiver answered without hesitation.
My eyes widened at that. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Muli akong umayos sa pagkakaupo at kinagat ang ibabang labi.
Xaiver would always invite me to events. As his personal secretary, naisip kong natural lamang 'yon. I was there just in case he would need something within my service.
For the charity ball, I had already expected that he would also take me with him, but not with the identity as his "date."
"I knew it," Hariette replied. "Are you finally submitting to Tita Mira's wishes?"
"What are you trying to say?" Xaiver asked.
Unti-unti na akong napalingon sa kanya. Xaiver's eyes were focused on the screen of his phone. Hindi niya naman ka-video call ang pinsan, pero dahil sa sinabi nito ay nandoon na ang buong atensyon niya.
"Well, Tita Mira called me just a minute ago and asked for a favor," Hariette started explaining. "She wanted me to send an invite to Zoe Bautista of The Alley Hotels. Is she your date? Are you finally settling down now?"
Napakunot ang noo ni Xaiver sa mga sinasabi ng pinsan.
My eyes widened a fraction, and even the smallest movement I did seemed to get Xaiver's attention.
He quickly glanced at me. When he saw me staring, he quickly turned off the loud speaker and put the phone against his ear.
"She's not my date," Xaiver firmly said, his jaw clenching as he gritted his teeth.
I licked my lips wet before biting my lower lip and turning away from him. Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang aking bag na nakaupo sa mga hita ko.
Wala naman akong sinabi o ginawa, pero bakit pakiramdam ko'y napahiya ako?
"Mom wanted to introduce her to me yesterday. Hindi ako pumayag at umalis ako agad. She's obviously pulling strings now for us to meet," kuwento ni Xaiver sa pinsan. "I'm not hiding anything, Hari. If she's my date, then why would Mom ask you to send her an invite? She won't need that if she's with me."
Habang nakikipagtalo si Xaiver ay nilingon ko ulit ang kalsada upang libangin ang sarili at ibaling sa ibang bagay ang atensyon. I should not pry into their conversation. Kahit mahirap pigilan ang pagiging chismosa, kailangan ko pa ring gawin.
Ang ganda naman ng bus. Ang haba at color yellow. Ilan kayang tao ang nakasakay sa loob? Bilangin ko kaya?
"For the fucking last time, Hariette Louisse, she is not my date," iritadong sabi ni Xaiver kaya nawala na agad sa bus ang atensyon ko. "I'm gonna be with Chantal. Not her."
Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili. I choked on air. Sa gilid ng aking mata, kita kong napatingin sa akin si Xaiver nang napaubo ako.
Trying to act as natural as I could, I grabbed my tumbler and drank water without giving into temptation to look at him.
"Yes..." pagod nang sabi ni Xaiver sa pinsan. "You already sent her an invite? Damn it. Whatever. It doesn't matter. Mom will still find ways to let her in even without the invitation. Okay, bye. See you."
Doon na natapos ang pag-uusap nilang magpinsan at nagsimulang maghari ang katahimikan. Inilipat ko ulit ang tingin sa labas. The same bus was still moving beside us. Talagang sisimulan ko nang bilangin kung ilang tao ang nandoon nang biglang nagsalita si Xaiver.
"About the charity ball..."
Every time he speaks, I can't help but give him all my attention. It already became a habit of mine as I was scared that I might miss some of his orders or instructions. Kaya naman kahit hindi pa tapos ang sinasabi'y nilingon ko na siya upang makinig nang mabuti.
"I'm not taking Zoe," he said.
Napalunok ako dahil hindi ko sigurado kung saan tutungo ang pag-uusap namin na 'to.
"Like I said earlier, I'm planning to take you with me," he continued.
"Uh, oo nga..."
Ano ba ang dapat kong sabihin? I knew that he would take me because I was his personal secretary. Trabaho ko nga ang samahan din siya sa mga formal events. It wasn't new to me.
"So... Can you be my date?" Xaiver casually asked, his eyes gleaming with hope.
I forced a smile and pinched my arm hard to keep myself from showing any violent reaction with my face. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.
As if he was growing impatient to wait for any answer, Xaiver clicked his tongue and turned away. "Never mind. You are my date for the ball," he said like he wouldn't allow me to say no.