Betina Tiara
~
Habang magka-chat kami ni Carmille sa isang messenger tungkol sa pagdating ng mga pinadalang body guards ni Claudius ay binisita ko na rin ang CVA room messenger. Naabutan kong nando'n sina Seven, Gavin at Zen.
Seven: Claudius, you can trust me with Eli. You know I miss her a lot! >.<
Seven: I felt nothing but the love for that cutie patotie cat.
Gavin: But I think she hates you?
Seven: You think so?
Gavin: Yes, and he will never let you touch his cat, Seven. Pumulot ka na lang kaya ng pusa diyan?
Seven: Pulot... >.< But Eli’s different! Kung may pupulutin man ako, si Eli ‘yon. Hahaha! Kidnappin ko kaya?
Gavin: Claudius will absolutely kill you, ya’ know
Zen: What’s wrong with you, Seven? Could you please quit talking about that trust fund kid and his fur ball? It’s not funny.
Gavin: Hey, Betina’s here!
Seven: Our celebrity is hereee!
Gavin: Wu? Zen orr Betnia???
Seven: Zen, of course. You’re playing! Gotcha!
Zen: Typos...
Zen: Betina, how’s your day?
Gavin: NOOO!
Seven: YESSS!
Seven: Zen, you really hate cats, do you? It’s time for you to love them, especially Eli!
Gavin: He’s allrgic 2 cats, that’s whyyy.
Zen: Yeah! I hate cats. And I don’t even like that trust fund kid coming near me. He smells like cat, he kinda looked like a cat, too.
Bigla ko tuloy naalala 'yung itsura ni Claudius kanina sa office-- looked like a cat? Hehe.
Okay, natawa ako ro'n.
Betina: That’s so mean, Zen. Haha!
Zen: But you laughed? I don’t mind insulting him as long as it’s true and as long as you’re laughing.
Seven: How sweet. Cats are cute, tho!
Gavin: He called you abusive, Seven. That’s why he never let you come near to his cat. Hahaha! You’re aggressive towards Eli!
Seven: Hey!
Zen: I remembered that.
Seven: Guys, if you’re not a cat lover, you will never understand. I just love to play with her! Hug her... rub my cheeks on her... hug her... run in circles... run around with her in my arms...
Gavin: That’s abusive. Hahahahahalol.
Zen: Leave that thing alone with her owner, Seven.
Zen: Anyways, Betina. What are you doing right now? Did you eat?
Gavin: We ate takoyaki!
Seven: Do you want me to answer that?
Betina: What the heck?!
Seven: Hahahahahahahahahaha! What? I’m not doing anything!
Zen: This dummy. Are you watching her right now? I don’t like it, dude. Don’t do that to her.
Seven: I’m not!
Zen: I’m gonna call you, Betina, wait.
Pagkasabi no'n ni Zen ay mabilis na tumunog ang phone ko sa pag-a-akalang siya na nga ito. Pero nakita ko ang pangalan ni Claudius.
Sinabihan nga pala n'ya ako kanina...
"Hello...?"
"Hi," napaka pormal ng tono n'ya, "Did I disturb you?"
"Wala naman akong ginagawa bukod sa pagbabasa ng chats sa CVA room," sagot ko sa kan'ya.
"I see," sandali siyang nanahimik, "About the guest I’m recommending... there’s this restaurant that’s serving indian foods, I tried to set an interview with the restaurant’s chef but our schedule was so conflict--- gusto ko sanang malaman ang recipe sa mga gawa n‘ya para ibigay sa personal chef ko. So I had an idea..."
Personal chef...
"You want me to invite him to the party?"
"You’re quite clever."
"You think he would donate to our charity?"
"Betina, when a guest accepts your invitation, they will definitely donate as long as it’s Charity Vision Association. That name was known all over this country so you don’t have to worry."
They've been running this organization for only four years and yet it seemed so popular already. Kung sa bagay, ma-impluwensya rin naman kasi ang pangalan ng mga members-- gaya ni Claudius at Zen.
I nodded, "Okay. So if ever he accepts, are you gonna ask him for an interview?"
"Hailey will be the one to prepare, I’ll do the interview at the party."
"Okay, what’s his email?" lumapit ako sa lamesa ko at kumuha ng maliit na papel at ballpen, "I’m gonna send him an email tomorrow."
"I believe it’s ‘Haikyancheff@gmail.com’, that’s the email they gave me."
"Got it."
"I know I’m too late to say this but... congratulations again for joining our organization. I hope you’ll take on the task and continue Silvanna’s work without any problem," saad n'ya sa seryosong boses.
Sumandal ako sa swivel chair at napangisi, "Thank you nga pala sa mga body guards na pinadala mo. Ayon sa assistant ko, nando’n na raw sila. Though she said they looked strict and scary."
"Don’t worry. They are responsible and reliable body guards from me. Makakaasa ka na sasabihin nila sa akin ang mga nangyayari sa mommy mo."
"Thank you, Claudius. And no worries, I’ll do a good job. Kita naman sa una kong guest, ‘di ba? I’m not fond of inviting people at the charity and this is my first time but see? I got one."
"I see that," narinig ko siyang ngumisi sa linya, "I like your confidence. You’re a smart girl."
"But... can I have a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Paano ka naging member ng CVA? Did they invite you or you got blackmailed too like me?"
"Light is my bestfriend--- Silvanna and Light are both my friends. Yes, I was invited by Silvanna. Why would I decline if it’s running for a good cause."
Sa bagay may point naman siya...
"Oh, I have to hung up. Elizabeth keeps meowing, I think she's hungry."
Hindi ko alam pero mahina akong natawa, saka ko naalala 'yung pinag-uusapan sa chatroom kanina. Sa kabila ng striktong awra ni Claudius, sa tingin ko'y lumalambot talaga siya pagdating sa kan'yang alaga.
"Go feed her," anas ko.
"Uhh, another thing, Betina... do you like cats?" he asked all of a sudden.
"I’m fond with any kinds of animals."
"Good. Because my cat Elizabeth is my companion. She’s a great example of a beautiful cat," then he went on, "You’re a veterinary doctor, right? Can you be my personal doctor for Elizabeth? I hope you won’t take it as a bad offer."
Medyo nagulat ako ro'n, "H-Huh?"
"Yes. How much do you want me to pay you? Name it," tila naghahamon n'yang tanong sa akin.
"Are you serious...?"
"Your salary as an event coordinator is different from being my personal doctor. Will you say yes?"
Nakaramdam ako ng gana sa mga sinasabi ni Claudius. Hindi dahil sa dobleng pera na maaari kong makuha, kung 'di dahil sa alok n'ya. That’s my real passion anyway, so I think I won’t reject his 'another' offer.
Geez, he's offering me again on my favor.
Hindi ko maiwasang mangiti, "Yes of course, Claudius."
"I’m glad to hear that. You’re now my... personal doctor for Elizabeth. Oh--- I’ll leave now, I bet she’s really hungry. Bye, Betina."
"Yep, goodbye."
"Go to bed early." after that, he hungs up.
Naalala ko tuloy 'yung sinabi sa akin ni Hailey noong nakaraang tinawagan n'ya ako na maaari ko pa ring ipagpatuloy ang pagiging doctor ko, kahit sa tingin ko'y mahirap 'yun, heto at nangyari nga.
Akala ko ay tuluyan ko na 'yong hindi magagawa. Salamat kay Claudius.
Handa na akong matulog nang bigla na namang umilaw ang phone ko dahil sa nag-text. Nakita kong si Zen 'yun.
From: Zen
Kanina pa kita hindi matawagan. Are you still busy?
Nagreply ako.
To: Zen
Sorry. Si Claudius ‘yung tumawag sa akin. May pinag-usapan lang.
Wala pang isang minuto nang makatanggap ulit ako ng text n'ya. Ang bilis n'yang magreply.
From: Zen
That trust fund kid...? Hey, you should be careful when you’re talking to him, huh? He’s not good with his words so he might hurt you so please, don’t talk to him too much.
Kung si Gavin may issue kay Light, si Zen naman ay kay Claudius.
Hindi kaya sa susunod ay si Seven naman ang may issue kay Hailey? Hays.
' ' '
Nilatag ko sa harapan ni Hailey ang notebook kung saan nakasulat do'n ang mga nasabi kong plano kay Ms. Eunida. Dahil kusa lang naman iyon pumasok sa isip ko para hindi ako mabigo sa meeting na 'yun, ang mga nasabi kong 'yon ay kailangan kong panindigan.
Kaya naman sinulat ko lahat ng nabanggit ko kay Ms. Eunida sa isang notebook.
"Our theme has been decided and I’m planning about going of a party theme of ‘world health and free of disease’. Why? We aim to aid the sick and those with physical disabilities. It will seek improvements in medical treatment and promote public understanding and awareness of particular health risks. This is to empower its users with a better knowledge and understanding of their illness so they can make more informed choices about their treatment and future." I explained while pointing out the outlines.
Tumango si Hailey, habang nakahalukipkip naman si Claudius na nanunuod sa akin.
I continued, "Objectives; no one should suffer in silence or feel isolated, building self-confidence, regain a sense of belonging, and learning to laugh again."
"You planned of this for how many hours?" biglang tanong ni Hailey.
Sumandal ako sa sofa na kinauupuan ko, "For only 1 hour... no, actually I think it’s only 30 minutes."
Walang halong biro o pagmamayabang, pero bago ako matulog kagabi ay napag-isipan ko na ang mga ito. Gano'n din naman, kailangan ko ring panindigan ang mga sinabi ko kay Ms. Eunida.
"Impressive," kumento ni Claudius.
Muling tumango si Hailey, "I cannot disagree with that, Sir Claudius."
"And since the guest asked about the party event... sinabi ko sa kan‘ya na sa ‘Protegé Incorporation Hall’ gaganapin 'yun, with the event theme of a classy vibe, though I’m not really sure if I said the right words---"
"You said the right words, Betina." Claudius cut me in, "We usually set the party event at this building hall so I’m impressed that you thought of that. How about I’ll hire you as my new assistant?" he asked in a serious voice-- well, his voice were always serious anyway.
Nagulat ako ro'n, pero mas nagulat si Hailey sa kan'ya dahilan para manlaki ang mata nito.
"Sir...?"
"It just crossed my mind," tugon ng isa.
I laughed sheepishly and waved my both hands, "N-No need for that! You offered me a lot so that’s enough, Claudius."
"Offered you a lot?" lingon sa 'kin ni Hailey.
"I hired her as my personal veterinary doctor for Elizabeth," si Claudius na ang sumagot.
"R-Really, Sir?"
"Yes."
Hailey looked at me overwhelmed, "Congratulations. Sabi ko naman sa ‘yo magagawa mo pa rin ang pagiging duktor mo, e."
"I’m really liking your confidence and strategic plans, Betina. You really are a smart girl." papuri na naman ni Claudius.
"No problem and thank you for saying that, Claudius." tinignan ko sila parehas, "So... did my plans approved your taste? Does it means settled?"
Nakangiting tumango si Hailey sa 'kin, "I see no problem with that."
"Me too," Claudius seconded.
"Thank you for considering. Nakapag-send na rin ako ng email sa binigay mo sa ‘kin, Claudius. Right now I’m just waiting for his response."
"Another guest?" si Hailey, "Pakiramdam ko magiging succesful ito sa tulong ni Betina. I’m honestly getting excited." usal nito habang nakatingin sa bintana, may ngiti sa labi.
I became speechless. Hailey and Gavin are expecting too much from me. They seemed so excited. I feel a little pressured.
"Though this is a good start, personally, I’m not sure we should start making a big fuss for a party we haven’t even confirmed the date for," Claudius spoke in his nonchalant way, "And since expressing excitement is basically a labor for me."
That's no surprise for me.
"At first I thought Hailey would be against it." saad na naman ni Claudius kaya naman napatingin ako sa tinukoy n'ya.
Against...?
Inayos ni Hailey ang kan'yang salamin, "How could you say that, Sir Claudius?"
"Well, I just thought that you would disagree since you don’t fully trust Betina or since it’s not certain that we’d succeed, and now you’re expressing your excitement." seryoso ang tingin n'ya rito, "You told me about your doubt on her first day, right?"
'Yun ba 'yung kasama ko si Zen?
Hindi ko alam kung saan ako titingin. Bahagya akong nailang sa sinabi ni Claudius. Alam ko namang kakikilala palang nila sa akin at hindi 'yun maiiwasan... so I guess I understand her.
Gano'n pa man hindi ko maiwasang itanong sa isip ko kung, hindi ba siya kumportable sa 'kin?
"Sir Claudius, it’s not that I don’t trust her. It’s just that we don’t effing know if Betina will do as well as Silvanna but..." she trailed off there and looked back at me, apologetic.
I smiled at her as if it was nothing-- actually it’s really nothing at all, no big deal.
Claudius’s brows furrowed, "What does effing means...?"
Seriously??
"But now that Betina’s showing us her skills and strategies, I guess I’ll just drop that doubt and fully trust her. So, I’m sorry, Betina for that expression." mababa at pormal na saad ni Hailey.
Natawa naman ako, "It’s okay, Hailey, seriously..."
"Thank you so much."
Claudius stood up and put his both hands in his pocket, "Anyways since it’s settled..." he glanced at his assistant, "Hailey, I’ll have to visit your place tomorrow."
"My... place?" nagtataka ito. Maging ako ay nagtaka na rin.
"I have some business to take care of. Make note of it, I’ll visit after midnight." sagot ni Claudius.
Ngiwing natawa si Hailey, "Sorry but what happened to respecting privacy? Isn’t that on our rules?" usal nito sa kan'yang boss.
"Oh--- my dad’s calling," bulalas ni Claudius habang nakatingin sa kan'yang phone. Lumakad siya papunta sa pinto at binuksan 'yun, bago siya tuluyang lumabas ay nagpaalam pa ito, "I have to answer this, have a good day."
Napabuga na lang sa hangin si Hailey saka inayos ang kan'yang salamin.
"What’s with that? I don’t think that’s within business hours," sabi ko.
"I agree but what can I do? He's my boss," tumayo na ito at kinuha ang mga papel n'ya sa mesa, "You don’t have to care about the last conversation we had, so don’t think about it too much." nakangiti n'yang bilin.