"Yes, I'm accepting the offer. And I can start in one week's time."
......
"No problem, I'll have that taken care of, and the necessary pre-employment requirements that you sent."
......
"No, thank you for the opportunity. Yes, see you in one week."
------------------------
Pagbukas niya ng email pagdating niya sa office, nabasa niya ang notice officially assigning him to the other division. Tamang-tama, hindi na rin siya magpapagod. Binuksan niya ang isang email niya na matagal na sa 'Drafts', binago ang date at sinend. Nagprint din siya ng isang kopya para pirmahan. Wala ng atrasan 'to.
Tinawagan niya ang admin assistant ng bago niyang division head para siguraduhing nasa office na siya. Kadarating lang daw.
Nagpalipas muna siya ng 5 minutes bago pumunta sa office ni Mr. X.
"Pasok, pasok. Have a seat Richard. Do you want coffee or tea?"
"No, okay lang po ako." Ni hindi niya ito matawag na 'sir'.
"Welcome to your new division. I'm sure you will enjoy for me."
"Yes, natanggap ko po ang notice. I'm sure you will enjoy ordering me around. Kaya uunahan ko na po kayo." Inabot niya ang kanyang resignation letter na naka-address sa HR at naka-copy si Chief at ang kaharap niya.
Matagal tinitigan ni Mr. X ang sulat. "Puwede kong sabihin sa HR na i-reject ito."
Tinuruan siyang maging magalang ng nanay kahit sa mga taong hindi kagalang-galang. "Sa pagkakalaam ko po wala akong maiiwang trabaho. You made sure na naalis ako sa lahat ng assignments ko. Marami din po akong naipong leaves kaya gagamitin ko na rin po as terminal leave."
"I'll make sure you'll regret this. Nobody has rejected my offer before. Akala mo ba magkakaroon ka pa ng career pagkatapos nito?"
"Ikinararangal ko pong maging una na tumanggi. At buti rin po na may tumanggap na sa akin. Siyanga po pala, salamat po sa regalong padala n'yo. Kaya lang po, sa dami ng naging kalat at nasirang gamit sa apartment ko, hindi ko makita kung ano pinadala n'yo."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Ay baligtad po pala, kayo pala ang may pinapahanap. Sayang po sana hindi na kayo naghirap. Ito po ba hinahanap n'yo?" Ipinatong niya sa mesa ang isang USB flash drive. "Andiyan po yung recording ng huling usapan natin. Yung report ko naman po, nakuha n'yo na."
"You're too impertinent for your own good, young man. Be careful."
"Nag-ingat po talaga ko. At dahil po nasa 21st century na tayo, may mga pinagbigyan na rin po ako ng kopya ng recording na yan. Ginaya ko po yung napanood ko sa mga movies. Kung may mangyari sa akin o sa pamilya ko, makakarating yan sa dapat makaalam. Puwede rin pong maging viral online. Uso na po yun ngayon. Maybe not enough to prosecute, pero sapat na po para pagdudahan kayo."
"What will make you think I will stoop down to your level? I don't work that way."
"Kung ganon po hindi siguro masyadong nag-isip yung inutusan n'yo nung isang gabi. Masyado pong halata."
"I hate to disappoint you, boy. We don't do riding in tandems. They're so yesterday. Why would I dirty my hands with your blood? You're not worth it. You're just this small, tiny fish in a big pond. What you deserve is a subtle move, but it will hit you where it will hurt. You're dismissed."
A/N: Small na nga, tiny fish pa? Ano yan, hindi lang dilis, ginawa n'yo pang dulong?
"Salamat po. Magandang umaga po."
"Do not expect that this company will write a glowing recommendation of you. And may I remind you. Things are already in motion and you'll not be able to stop it. That is, if you guess it right."
Hinarap niya muli ang matanda. "Huwag po kayong pakasiguro, marami pa rin pong matitinong tao. At meron po tayong kasabihan, english po baka narinig n'yo na. 'you can lose a battle in order to win the war'."
Hindi na niya hinintay sumagot ang kausap. Huling beses na nyang magka-last say, nanamnamin na lang niya. Ano kaya ibig sabihin niya na 'things are already in motion'? Ano ba kasi, hindi naman ako detective. Uso pa ba 'yon?
Pagbalik sa kanyang cubicle, sinimulan niyang ligpitin ang mga gamit n'ya nang dumaan si Mang Kanor.
"Mang Kanor, my friend. Andiyan na po si Chief?"
"Dumating kanina kaso umalis ulit. Papunta yata sa head office. Nautusan pa nga ako e. Nagkasenior moment na naman. Naiwan 'tong envelope. Pinapasunod at importante daw. May aattendan yata sila ni Mr. M bukas. Buti pa sila pa-attend, attend na lang."
A/N: Mang Kanor, chismoso lang ang peg?
Si Mr. M? Bingo! "Sige po, salamat. Tanong ko na lang sa admin assistant niya kung babalik pa siya."
----------------------
That's just like you, dad. Dropping a bomb and then just leaving it there. Maine remember how she waited for further explanation on her dad's surprise announcement citing his job as the main reason why her mom left. But none came. So like you.
So here she is at the office, trying to make sense of it all. Why his job? Dad was already an engineer when they got married. Is it the long hours? She now remember minor arguments she would hear because of the frequest overtimes and sometimes overnight. Of missed dinners and family outings. Then her dad would make up for it by letting them go with him for out-of-country trips. Bus is that enough to be cause of separation?
She needs to divert her mind. She picked up a printed article and proceeded to go to her department head to ask for feedback. He still insist on printing the articles instead of checking it online.
She was almost outside his office when Ate Kai jumped in front of her. "Huli ka!"
"Ano na naman Ate Kai? Mamaya na muna ang stories about Joon-mo. I get you, you're sad because he just left last night. In-flight pa siguro yon. I'm sure he'll call you later."
"Advance ka naman teh. Siya na ba ang bukambibig ko ngayon?"
"If I'd only known that I only need to introduce you to him to solve my problem, I would have the minute he arrived at the airport."
"Talaga ba? E di hindi ka nakasal at nagka-asawa ng guwapo na, mabait pa!"
She put her hands to her ears. "I'm not listening to this. Fake yung kasal Ate Kai, fake!"
"E kasi naman, ganong-ganon yung napanood ko sa Youtube na civil wedding, gwapo at bata nga lang yung judge. Ang pagkakaiba lang, yung nagkasal sa inyo, mukhang buwan na nagdi-dysmenoria. Napakasungit!"
A/N: Sumbong kita Ate Kai, aalamin non bahay mo.
"Ate Kai, i'm on my way to the boss' office. Just in case you know."
"Sumusungit ka na naman. Hindi siguro nagtext si hubby no? Speaking of hubby. Andiyan sa labas. Di na daw siya papasok."
A/N: Go lang Ate Kai, ulit-ulitin mo lang yan. Pasasaan ba't maniniwala din sila
"Sorry pero you're not going to pull that prank on me again."
"Ayaw mong maniwala teh? O sige, ako na lang kakausap. Ikukuwento ko na lang na namaster mo nang magtype ng isang kamay kasi di mo mabitiwan yung phone mo mula kaninang umaga dahil baka magmessage or magtext siya. Parang ngayon hawak mo na naman."
Still not believing, she turned to the direction of the door. "If he's not there Ate Kai, you will treat me to lunch."
"Pag andiyan, libre lunch ko hanggang friday. Tawagin mo na lang ako kung kailangan n'yo taga-walis ng mga langgam!"
She was still laughing when she went to the lobby and came face to face with Richard who grows more handsome by the day if ever it's possible. And you'll not definitely hear her saying it out loud.
"Hi"
"Hello, napasyal ka." After you failed to text or call since yesterday, all you can say is hi?"
A/N: Ay may bagong hugot. Pero gusto ko yan!
"Uhm, nagpunta ko dito para magpaalam nang personal. Nauna na kong magsabi kay Ms. Ruby at Ms. Kakai. Officially kasi hindi na ko part ng project for the school."
"Oh, really? What happened? But can we still call you if we have questions on the interior design?"
"Technically you can, at gusto ko pa ring makatulong pero baka not proper anymore. Nag-resign na rin kasi ako."
Wait! Resigned from TechPen&Ink? Which means he's no longer the employee of my dad? "Isn't that too sudden? I know it's none of my business. But I'm willing to listen if you want to share and if there's anything I can do to help."
"Mahaba uling kuwento. But the usual reason, the grass is greener at the other side of the septic tank. Yun lang po. Tuloy na ko."
"Yun lang yon?" After you pushed me in presenting my design, iiwan mo ko sa ere? What if I can't do it?
"I will try to keep in touch. KUNG itinuturing mo na ko na friend."
A/N: Bakit sa ilong yata lumabas yung 'friend.' Fishing ka na naman eh!
"Oo naman."
"Tungkol sa design, kaya mo yan. I believe in you. Ito pala yung softcopy ng drawings and the 3D animation file. Pa'no?" He got his backpack from the sofa and prepared to leave.
Why do I have the feeling you're really saying goodbye? She touched his arm to stop him from leaving. "WAIT! Wait. Uhm, you cannot go just yet."
"Ha?"
A/N: Aminin Tisoy, nakahinga ka nang maluwag.
"The software, the application that you used for this, for my drawing. You need to teach me first. Yes, that's it."
"AutoCAD? Now? As in, now?"
"Yes, now. Pa'no kung may kailangan akong ibahin dito? How will I do it? You need to at least teach me the basic."
"May mga free online classes and tutorials, bibigay ko sa 'yo yung link."
"What if I have questions? Tama, pa'no kung may tanong ako. Besides, it's your fault why I got into this mess. Panagutan mo."
"Mess talaga? Hindi puwedeng nakita ko lang yung drawings sa notebook mo?"
"It's still your fault why they discovered it. Iba ang job description ko dito, communication specialist. Not, they're asking me to help in the Interior design. Nanahimik yung mga drawings na yon. You cannot leave until you teach me. Plus, I don't have the application in my laptop. How do I install it?"
"Alam mo, mas maganda ka pala pag makulit ka."
"Are you going to teach me or do I find somebody else?"
"Bakit may pagbabanta? Isang lambing muna diyan."
"Fine, nagbago na isip ko."
"Sabi ko nga. Okay, lead the way."
"Masyado kang pakipot, papayag ka din pala." She whispered as she walks back to the office
A/N: Volume please, Ms. Maine. I can't hear you
-------------------
It was already past 6pm and they were still in her cubicle, the room is almost vacant with most of the people already gone to beat the traffic.
After teaching her the rudiments of drawing shapes, Richard opened the files used as basis for the 3D presentation he made of her drawings and taught her how to make simple edits.
He really has long eyelashes; why didn't I notice before? And does he even have pores? Maine had been staring at his face for the last minute. It's the first time that she sat this close to him. She reaches out to touch....
He suddenly turned to her. "Nakuha mo yung last step na 'yon?"
Her hand suspended in the air, she immediately pointed to the screen. "Which among these figures?"
"Nakikinig ka ba talaga?"
"Yes, of course! Of course, I'm listening" She straightened, took her elbow off from the table and tried to appear serious, arranging her glasses.
"Ano yung huling sinabi ko? Sige, ikaw gumawa."
She took the mouse, then move it around the drawing. "Uhm, can you repeat from the top? Parang may mga terms kasi na hindi ako naintindihan. Baka kailangan lang ulitin the second time."
"No, you do it. More than thirty minutes na tayong nagtuturuan. Pangatlong beses ko nang inulit yung last set of instructions. Bilis, panonoorin kita." He moved his chair closer to her.
Bakit may paglapit? (ctto Sinag) She tried to concentrate and attempted to repeat whatever she can remember from what he taught her and failed miserably. Where did her attention go?
"You know what, I think I will need another lesson. Mahirap talaga siyang matutunan."
Getting more amused by the minute at what she's doing, Richard turned her chair to face him and pulled her chair closer. Maine's eyes widened in surprise. Heart beating faster, yes the horses are back in full force, she insitinctively arranged her glasses.
But Richard has other ideas in mind. He slowly removed her glasses. Maine followed his movement as he put in down on the table. She swallowed nervously as she watches his arms held her shoulders captive. With the colors that she feels spreading across her cheeks, she met his gaze.
"Ngayon, sabihin mo sa kin. Masyado bang mahirap para sabihin mo na mamimiss mo ko?"
"What are you saying?"
"Kailangan pa ba ng ganitong excuse para lang sabihin mo na gusto mo kong makita ulit? Meng, puwede ring maging honest with your feelings paminsan-minsan."
She turned her head and looked at the screen again, the figures not making any sense now. "Hindi ko alam sinasabi mo."
He inched his face nearer. "Then look at me and say that you will not miss me. That you don't mind if you don't see me anymore."
She looked at his clear eyes, pleading eyes. "Do I have to spell it out? Bakit? Nagpapamiss ka ba talaga?" She can't believe she's saying this.
Unable to help himself, he held her face and gently kissed her forehead.
"Mga bes, matagal pa ba yan? Hindi pa ba tayo uuwi? Ma-traffic na o!" They were both surprised when Ate Kai raised her head from sleeping at the opposite cube. They immediately separated and pretended to be absorbed in the drawing again.
A/N: Ms. Kakai, Ms. Kakai, Ms. Kakai! Ang cute cute cute mo! Promise! To the moon and back. Siyempre mawawala ba ang kiss sa noo e trademark na nila yan?
"Oi! nakita ko yon! hahahaha! Nag-moment ang mag-asawa. Sige tuloy n'yo lang yan. Gusto n'yo mauna na ko? Okay lang. Okay lang talaga teh. Ako pa, e diyosa nga ako ng pag-ibig. Gusto n'yo i-dim ko pa ang lights?"
Just then, Richard's phone started ringing and saw that it's Tope'. He stood up to leave the room. "Excuse me."
When he was already out of the room.
"Pards, hindi ko na sasabihin na istorbo ka. Ano balita?"
..........
He listened intently as Tope' shared the update on his request.
"Are you sure na siya yon? May picture? Sorry hindi ko pa rin siya nakikita. Pero sige kung mapapadala mo. Hanap ako ng paraan para ma-verify."
........
"Ano pang dapat kong malaman."
........
"Ano? Nasa listahan ng visitors si Tita Terrie? Teresita Mendoza?"
"What visitors? What about Tita Terrie? Sinong kausap mo?"
It was Maine standing at the doorway.
A/N: Lesson, pag sasagot ng phone at ayaw parinig, distancia amigo. Ngayon, simulan mo nang magpaliwanag