Kabanata 17
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"How are you? Buti buhay ka pa!" Dim exclaimed from my screen. Tumawag lang s'ya para tingnan kung totoong humihinga pa ako.
"Alam mo ba may alam akong shortcut?" seryosong tanong ko sa kan'ya.
"Shortcut? Saan?" takang tanong n'ya.
"Papuntang impyerno," I ended the call before going back to my job.
It's been a couple days since the incident with the Agustins, Joaquin Agustin's birthday party to be exact. And it was plain torture.
My notifications were flooded with questions and rumors about what exactly happened. But later on, the news immediately died so I'm back on track.
"President," Nat went directly inside my office. She's my current secretary since my previous one is pregnant. In addition to that, I'm very unstable when it comes to choosing my workers but she's an exception, I trust her, a lot.
"Postponed daw po ulit ang meeting. The Mendez Group called and told us to just wait for a heads-up," she explained.
"Ilang araw na nilang pino-postpone 'yan! It's ruining my schedule!" inis kong sabi. Ilang appointments na ang na-cancel ko dahil sa hindi matuloy na meeting ng mga Mendez. They told us that the engineering team is still not present.
Mga padiba.
"Tell them to do it now or I won't participate in that project!" kahit pa ayaw kong ituloy, it's always a big opportunity to work with the Mendez. They own a real estate company and I've been working with them since the last few years. It had been a huge advantage since they gave us publicity.
At isa pa, hindi ko sila kayang tanggihan.
"But President—" tumigil si Nat nang makitang seryoso ako sa sinabi ko. She made some calls then glanced at my direction.
"10:00 am po. Mendez Group," I checked my watch and it's already quarter to ten.
"Akala yata nila nagteteleport tayo!" hindi makapaniwala kong sabi. Nagmadali ako sa pag-aayos. Medyo malayo ang building nila sa amin.
I wore my pastel blue coat to cover my white silk top. For the bottoms, I have a skirt like shorts with the same shade as my coat. I run all the way to the parking lot with my white heels.
The sound of my heels echoing the floor gives me power.
Si Nat naman ay kalmadong nakasunod sa likod ko since she's wearing a rubber shoes.
Ako na ang nag-presintang mag-drive since Nat isn't fond of speeds. Pinaharurot ko ang sasakyan but still got stuck on a traffic. I glanced at the time again and it's already past ten.
I sighed and put my pace in a slower motion. Nag-ayos pa ako ng sarili bago bumaba sa kotse. It's better to arrive late than arrive ugly. I removed my sunglasses before walking inside.
"Good morning, Architect!"
"Good morning po!"
I smiled at them. Kilala na nila ako dahil halos dito na ako tumira noong isang taon. We were working on a huge project last year and it's good thing that the Mendez were my partners.
Pagpasok ko sa conference room ay nagtinginan lahat ng tao sa akin. They're all sitting quietly at halos mapatawa pa ako nang sabay sabay pumaling ang ulo nila sa akin.
"You're late, Architect Guevarra," Adelaide Mendez, the CEO of the Mendez Group pointed out.
The reason why I can't say no to this project.
"I know, Miss Mendez. Let's start the meeting," I gave her a wink before scanning the entire place. Inirapan n'ya lang ako.
Si Ade ang nakaupo sa pinakadulong bahagi. I always sit on her right side but today is different. Mayroong nakaupo sa upuan ko. Napahawak ako sa lamesa nang makita kung sino ang nakapwesto doon. My heart twitched in an instant.
Why, of all the places, is he here?
I had no choice but to sit on the left side. Tinitigan ko ang taong nasa harapan ko ng puno ng pagtataka at galit. Katabi ko naman si Dim na hindi ko alam kung bakit nandito.
"What are you doing here?" may diin kong tanong sa kay Dim.
"Babantayan ka," I pinched his arms and he made a silent pain noise. "Ouch!"
"Mr. Silva, do you have anything to say?" Ade asked from Sid's sudden outburst.
"None, Miss Mendez. Please proceed," pormal na wika niya. Natawa naman ako sa pagseseryoso nila. He does modeling so seeing him here doesn't really fit the picture. Mamaya ko nalang s'ya kukulitin.
They were talking about some ideas regarding our agendas. My role is to write each one of them down and make a design as accurate as possible. I grabbed my pencil and started playing it with my hands.
But I can't seem to focus knowing that I am inside one room with a sinner.
"Do you have any suggestions?" Lorenzo Agustin, the head engineer for this project.
He's in the front, discussing about things that are needed and must be prioritized throughout the project. What sorcery does brought the both of to be working together?
I never thought World War III will really come to life.
"Architect Guevarra?" he called as I raised my hand.
He's not wearing any emotions at all! Seryoso lang s'yang nakatingin sa'kin, which is better since I'm not planning to interact with his likes. Inilapit ni Dim ang upuan n'ya sa'kin.
"Since it's a residential estate, why don't we focus more on a homey environment." The project is about a vacation home, similar to a resort but not like one. Ang gusto nila ay parang building-type kung saan may mga kwarto kada floor.
"I don't see any difference of what you're all implying in a simple hotel or condominium. Since the location is a top site, we should maximize our thoughts in the area and create something... new," I explained.
"And what would be your 'something new', Architect?" Lorenzo bit his lower lip, not breaking our eye contact. He was gulping from time to time.
I tried composing myself despite the unsteady pace of my heart. He sounded very professional so I tried matching his movements. Kahit pa gulat pa rin ako sa presensya n'ya, business is still business.
Ang location kasi na napili nila ay sa isang bundok na na-quarry. Some parts are elevated while the others are just flat. They tried restoring it so they came up with a plan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ayaw pa nila iyong tawaging resort, ganoon din naman ang hitsura. Pinaarte pa nila.
"I'll show you." Nat handed me my iPad and I started sketching. Mahirap kasi kung i-eexplain. Not everyone will understand since we don't have similar knowledge regarding things.
I drew at least five to six different styles of houses for a draft. Maganda iyong tingnan dahil hindi pantay pantay ang lupa kaya ang iba ay mukhang nakaangat, ang iba naman ay mababa. I also added my specialty which they called my trademark.
Glasses.
I jumped on to modern designs and tried making it more vintage. It looked a bit off and not contemporary so I replaced the color of the glasses and made it green.
Once I finished, I got up from my sit and went in front. Hindi ganoon kalinaw ang mga larawan pero maiintindihan naman.
"Excuse me," sabi ko kay Lorenzo na nakatitig lang sa akin. Nakaharang kasi sya sa saksakan ng projector.
"Sorry," he said. Napakurap ako. That was the same word I heard from him. Mukhang natauhan naman s'ya kaya umipod s'ya sa may gilid. Hindi nakatakas ang kaba na nabuo sa sistema ko.
"This is just a sample design of the vacation houses..." I continued explaining them the stuffs that will be needed. Tinanong ko na rin kung ano ang balak nilang interior designs since ako rin ang maghahandle nito.
I am the CEO and the Head Architect of DeShines. We doesn't only offer designs but also furniture and other house decorations.
"It's all settled then," Ade gave me a satisfied look. They all agreed on my idea and I felt proud upon seeing the whole room's impressed face.
"We're looking forward to work with you," sabi ng isa sa kasama sa meeting kanina na bago lamang.
"The youth are very impressive these days," sabi pa ng isa. I thanked all of them before gathering all my things.
"What a show, Architect!" Dim whispered beside me. Kaming lima nalang ang natira sa loob dahil nagpaalam na ang iba. Ako, si Nat, Dim, Ade at si Lorenzo na nag-aayos din ng gamit.
"Hanga ka na naman sa'kin." Mayabang ko s'yang nginitian. He only gave me a small chuckle.
"Thank you for your work, Architect," nang-aasar na ngiti ni Ade. Kaming tatlo ang laging magkakasama, sa gala, kainan at kung ano ano pa. We met in college and we clicked.
"Malaki ang ibabayad mo sa'kin," natatawa s'yang umiling.
"How about lunch today?" pag-aaya n'ya. Nagulat naman ako. Bihira kasi s'yang magyaya kasi sobrang kuripot n'ya.
"Ikaw ba talaga 'yan?" kumaway ako sa kanya. Isa pang kuripot si Dim. Pagkakatapos namin kumain, lagi silang maglalabas ng bote tapos paiikutin. Kung kanino tumapat, s'ya ang magbabayad.
At dahil sa kadayaan nila, namumulubi na ako. They always let me pay kaya tuwang-tuwa ako ngayon.
"Engineer, why don't you come with us?" pagyayaya ni Ade. Pinanlakihan ko s'ya ng mata. Almost two painful hours is enough, what more if they would let him come. My excitement faded.
"Sure," pagsang-ayon naman ni Lorenzo na hindi ko inaasahan.
"I think I have a meeting later," I tried smiling at them. Naramdaman ko na naman ang kaba ko. I thought I was getting better until I saw him again for the second time after seven years.
Right, he was the one who brought me to the hospital when I lost consciousness.
"Mamaya pa pong 3 pm ang sunod n'yong meeting, President," si Nat na nakisawsaw sa eksena. Minsan talaga gusto ko ng palayasin ang babaeng 'to. Kung hindi lang talaga s'ya efficient!
"Sabay ako sa inyo Priya," si Dim na mukhang wala na namang dalang sasakyan.
"Ayokong makita ang pagmumukha mo. Kay Ade ka sumabay," pagtataboy ko sa kanya.
"May kailangan kang malaman," inirapan ko nalang s'ya. Lorenzo followed us silently from behind while Ade is entertaining him.
Kanya-kanya kaming pumunta dala ang sasakyan maliban kay Dim na nakikisabit lang.
"Anong kailangan kong malaman?" panimula ko sa kanya. Nakasunod ako sa sasakyan ni Ade at nasa likod naman si Lorenzo.
"Wala naman. Ang daldal kasi kasama ni Ade," maarte n'yang sabi.
We went to Kane's, a famous restaurant nearby. Malimit kaming dito kumain lalo na at nag-o-offer sila ng iba't-ibang dishes.
Pinayungan ako ni Dim dahil sa sobrang init. Nagbukas din ng payong sina Nat at Ade dahil medyo malayo ang parking sa mismong restaurant. Marami pating tao.
I tiptoed and placed a cap on Dim's head. Paniguradong mai-issue na naman kami kapag may nakakita. Pinasoot ko rin sa kanya ang shades ko.
He's really careless and oblivious. Walang pake kung sinong makakita.
Nagulat naman ako nang biglang may dumaan sa gilid ko na nagmamadali. Nilampasan kami ni Lorenzo at nauna nang pumasok sa resto.
"Akala ko si Flash," Dim murmured.