Chapter 20 - The Girlfriend
That long holiday ended in a snap. Siguro parang kumurap lang ako ng ilang beses at nandito na uli ako sa office at stucked up sa desk job ko. I rested my back on my chair a bit and looked at the ceiling. I sighed deeply.
Naisip ko na naman ang nakita namin ni Trein sa pool - sina Nana at Piper na nagme-make out. I know I'm adult enough to know that those things are kinda normal in our age pero hindi naman ako ganoon ka-handa nang makita iyon by accident at lalo na makitang mga kilala ko pa mismo ang gumagawa nun!
As if my eyes are tainted.
Tainted pa talaga ang term ko na parang hindi naman namin yun gagawin ni Trein sa future?
Like, how can I be sure?
We're together but I sometimes we feel stiff towards each other. He's too softie and a gentleman. Though wala naman akong issue dun pero minsan umaasa ako ng slight na gagawa siya ng move sa akin. He do it sometimes but that 'sometimes' is usually cockblocked by other forces of nature!
And for the record, hindi na nasundan ang first kiss namin. We're few days shy of our first monthsary but we still act like shy high schoolers. What if I make a move myself? It wouldn't make me less as a woman 'di ba? Women are always fighting for equality. This shouldn't be an issue at all as long as it's consented.
I rested my elbow on top of my desk and put my chin on my hand.
Makakaya ko bang gawin 'yun? Parang hindi ko yata kaya.
What if I asked Nana or even Piper for advice?
Halos masamid ako. Hindi ba parang ang awkward naman nun?! Those two didn't even know that we saw them. Umalis na lang kami ni Trein malapit sa crime scene at pumunta sa kitchen para kumain ng fruits. O 'di ba ang wholesome namin?!
But what concerns me is the fact that Nana and Piper dated. I was too shocked to ask Trein for more details because I know he's not the type of person who pry on other people's personal lives.
I made a quick trip down the memory lane from the time I met Lianna Yuchengco for the first time.
There's no way na itatago niya ito sa akin. Maybe I should ask her when we meet again. How could she hide it from me? Nakakaloka. Parang gusto kong magtampo ng slight as a best friend! The world is really indeed small.
"Hey, Yuri. Are you sleeping with your eyes open?"
Halos mapatalon ako patayo sa upuan nang makita ko ang mukha ni Trein sa tapat ko.
What the hell!
"Gosh~" sabi ko nung bigla akong ninerbyos.
Narinig ko ang tawanan nina Mommy Lorraine at Dane sa mga pwesto nila. Alam kong nag-init ang mukha ko sa kahihiyan. Shet naman, baka isipin niyang pume-petiks ako sa trabaho ko! Teka, di ba pwedeng huminga lang ng slight at mag-isip ng mga bagay-bagay?
Umiling ako at umupo ng tuwid. "Sir, sorry po. I don't mean to slack off." hindi ako makatingin sa mga mata niya kasi seryoso siyang nakatingin sa akin.
That's one thing with Trein, as long as we're inside the Birchwood building, he's that one stoic, strict boss you'll see. Talo-talo kaming dalawa pag nandito kami sa office.
"No, that's fine, I understand. Just don't do it not unless it's your break time." sabi niya sa akin. "Are you done with what Lorraine has asked you to do?"
Mabilis akong tumango. "Yes, sir. I sent you the soft copy on your email. For your review and approval na lang po."
Pigil na pigil ang paghinga ko. Feeling ko in any moment na kapag mag-exhale ako ay matunaw na ako sa kahihiyan. Yuri Shin naman!
He slightly nodded and put his hands on his pockets. "Okay. Thank you." tumalikod na siya.
"You're welcome, Sir."
Nakahinga na lang ako nang maayos nang makita ko siyang pumasok sa opisina niya.
"You okay, Yuri?" nilingon ako ni Dane.
Tumango ako at ngumiti ng matipid. "Yeah, shit lang, nakakahiya sa inyo lalo na kay Sir."
Kinindatan naman ako ni Mommy Lorraine. "Don't worry, ayos lang yan at normal naman 'yang nangyayari. Buti nga ikaw nahuli ni Sir Trein nang nakamulat ang mata samantalang si Dane e literal na nakitang nakapikit ang mga mata at nakatungo pa ang ulo sa mesa."
Napakamot ng ulo si Dane at nagpipigil na sawayin si Mommy Lorraine. "Mommy naman oh, binubuko ako e. May sakit naman kasi ako nun!"
"Sakit-sakitan kamo!"
Nakipagtawanan ako sa kanilang dalawa nang biglang mag-vibrate ang cellphone ko. I saw a text from Trein so I quickly swiped the screen to see the message.
Are you okay? You seem spaced out. I'm worried about you.
I bit my lower lip to stop myself from squealing. Pinakikilig na naman ako ng Sir niyo habang office hours! Self, kalma lang ah.
I texted him back.
Ayos lang ako. Sorry kung medyo lutang. I'm thinking about Nana and Piper.
Is it because of them kissing?
Yeah. I'm kinda worried you know? I never knew they dated.
Well now you know.
Why didn't you tell me?
Because you weren't asking me?
I silently hit my desk. Oo nga naman pala. Hindi ko malalaman kung hindi ako magtatanong. Talking about a thin line between sarcasm and innocence.
Oh-kay, my bad~
If you're that worried, might as well ask Nana. Or if you're brave enough, ask Piper Kim.
Saka na, magpapalamig muna ako ng ulo.
Sure. Let's eat dinner later. I asked Piper to reserve a table for us.
Sige, anong meron?
I waited for a couple of minutes for his reponse but I got nothing. Syempre hindi naman siya required na mag-reply sa akin in an instant dahil hello? Busy din siya sa trabaho. Indeed, he's busier than me.
"Everyone,"
Kaming tatlo ay napatingin as nagsalita sa harapan namin - si Piper. That Piper Kim! Our eyes met but since he doesn't know that I know his deep-sea secret, he just looked at me normally.
"Our boss' sister, Ms Schwartz, and their Aunt, are coming. I'm just letting you know in advance para hindi kayo biglang magulat mamaya pag dumating sila." he said.
"Copy." sabay na sabi nina Mommy Lorraine at Dane.
Napatango na lang ako dahil hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko. I've met Aria already but I have yet to meet their aunt. Like, what the hell am I suppose to do or act? As far as I know, she's a controlling Aunt to Trein. Kaya nga sila pinagkasundo ni Lianna nung una 'di ba? Yuri Shin, kalma, okay? Hindi naman siguro siya nangangain ng buhay?
But yeah. That's what I thought it'll be.
I almost froze from my seat when I saw the Aunt.
Shit, I haven't seen a sophisticated woman such as her. She's just a small woman but of high dignity. Bigla akong kinabahan nang makita siya. What if Trein introduced me to her? What shall I do? Magustuhan niya ba ako para sa nephew niya? Paghihiwalayin niya ba kami tulad ng mga nakikita ko sa TV at nabasa ko sa mga novels?
So much for this. Natutulad na ako sa mga webcomics na sinu-support ko e.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am Madonna, Miss Aria." we said in chorus.
Ma'am Madonna, the aunt, just slightly nodded at us while Aria waved her hand. When our eyes quickly met, she winked at me and I smiled back at her. In-escort-an sila ni Piper hanggang sa loob ng opisina ni Trein.
Piper then told us to continue our work kasi bababa pa raw siya sa may Starbucks para bumili ng kape at pastries. Wala namang nasabi sa akin si Trein na pupunta dito ang half-sister at ang auntie niya. Baka biglaan siguro.
"Yuri!" Tinawag ako ni Piper. Mukhang siyang haggard na parang hinabol ng aso. Ano naman ang nangyari dito?
"Oh bakit? Anong meron?" tumayo ako para tignan siya.
"Can you give these to them inside? I have a meeting to attend and I'm running late." nagmamadaling sabi niya.
Hindi na niya ako hinintay pang makasagot at saka na lang niya binigay sa akin ang tray na may mga kape, cheese cake, at cookies. What the heck. Don't tell me nananadya 'to si Piper Kim! Ugh!
Tinignan ko sina Mommy Lorraine at Dane pero imbis na tulungan ako e patay-malisya silang tumingin sa mga monitor nila at bumalik sa pagtatrabaho. Shit, are they that really intimidating?
I composed myself. Girl, Yuri, kaya mo 'to. Ipapasok mo lang naman 'yung tray sa loob ng office ni Trein, ibababa mo sa coffee table, babatiin mo sila tapos aalis ka na. And that's it.
I took three deep breaths before I knocked at the door and gently opened it. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nanginginig pa rin ako habang hawak ko ang tray. Sana hindi ako halatang kabado.
"Miss Aria, Ma'am Madonna, coffee and snacks for the both of you." sabi ko tapos dahan-dahan kong ibinaba ang tray sa coffee table.
"Thanks, Miss Shin." sabi ni Trein. Tinanguan ko siya at napangiti ng hilaw.
"Hi Yuri, how are you?"
Nagitla ako nang bigla akong batiin ni Aria. Alangan namang deadmahin ko siya 'di ba? Of course I have to greet her as well. "I'm fine. How about you?"
"I'm doing good." matipid na sagot ko.
Sinabi ko sarili kong hindi ko titignan si Ma'am Madonna pero parang may magnet yata ang mga mata niya kaya di ko maiwasang mapatingin din sa kanya. Shit, she's almost glaring at me like examining me in whole! Nakaka-conscious na parang gusto ko na agad lumabas dito sa opisina ni Trein.
"You know her?" tanong ni Ma'am Madonna kay Aria.
Am I screwed now?
"Well, yes, Yuri's Trein's girlfriend." Aria proudly said.
To answer my question, yes, I am screwed. Super screwed.
"Girlfriend?" ulit ng Auntie nila.
Nagkatinginan kami ni Trein. He just shrugged his shoulder na parang ayos lang sa kanya na binuko kami ng kapatid niya. Kung ready siya dito, pwes ako hindi!
Tumayo si Trein sa tabi ko at dahan-dahang humawak sa wrist ko. "Yes, she's my girlfriend, Yuri Shin. Yuri, this is my aunt Madonna."
"H-hi Ma'am." bati ko sa kanya.
Hindi siya umimik, sa halip ay tinignan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Ang awkward lang ng atmosphere dahil walang nagsasalita na kahit sino.
"Auntie, don't frighten her. She's a nice lady! 'Di ba, Trein?" Aria nudged her brother.
"Yeah, she's always been nice." Trein slid his hand down my palm and gently squeezed it. Napatingin ako sa kanya.
"See?" Aria grinned.
"You ditched Lianna Yuchengco for this lady?"
Her question sent me shivers down my spine. Ito na bang kinatatakutan kong mangyari? Hindi niya ako tanggap as girlfriend ng pamangkin niya tapos paghihiwalayin niya kami? Damn, wag naman sana!
"Maam--"
She coldly stared into my eyes. "Yuri, I'm not talking to you." she turn to Trein. "Answer me."
"No. Miss Yuchengco has ditched me because she has her own reasons. I met Miss Shin outside office and we're not doing indecent here while on work. You can ask Piper for a graphical summary of her performance. Her numbers can speak for her." Trein said in full conviction. Nahalata niya sigurong nanginginig na ang kamay ko kaya lalo niyang hinigpitan ang hawak dito.
Nakakainis naman e, wala dapat ako dito sa sitwasyon na 'to pero hindi ko rin naman mapipigilan. I should just face it but the fact that I'm here is really knocking me out.
"Yuri." tinignan niya ako ng mataman.
I feel like candle. Para akong mauupos at unti-unting nanlalambot.
"Yes, Maam?"
"Do you know that this is a conflict of interest? Dating your own boss? Isn't it indecent?"
"Auntie? How can you talk to Yuri like that? She isn't like what you think she is!" Aria came into my defense.
Inirapan lang ni Ma'am Madonna si Aria kaya natahimik ito tapos bumalik na naman ang tingin niya sa akin.
"As long as we're separating personal matters from work, I don't think it's indecent, Ma'am. Sir Trein and I are working professionally and our relationship doesn't hinder anything related to what we do here." matapang na sagot ko. Go Yuri! Walang magpapalakas ng loob mo kundi ikaw lang!
"I told you, Auntie. Miss Shin and I can count on each other while we're working. You don't have to worry about anything." Trein assured her.
Tumango lang si Ma'am Madonna pero hindi pa rin naaalis ang tingin niya sa akin. Is she thinking twice about me now? Pasado na ba ako sa taste niya? Or this time, ayaw niya naman sa mukha ko?
"Are you two dating with the intention of marrying each other?" biglang tanong niya sa aming dalawa.
Nagkatinginan kami ni Trein. I remember what he said to me before when I was a stand-in for Lianna while wearing a pink wig. He wants me to be his girlfriend that he'll eventually marry. Parang ang haba naman ng hair ko at feeling ko kinaganda ko.
Trein wrapped his arm around my shoulders and give it a little squeeze. It feels calming na parang sinasabi niya na hindi niya ako iiwan sa ere sa panggigisa sa akin ng Auntie niya. Kulang na lang magiging fried rice na ako dito sa kakagisa ni Ma'am Madonna sa akin.
"Of course." he simply said but with full conviction.
So his stand never changed.
Damn, I'm loving this man even more.
"Alright, Just don't get in the way of each other while you're at work."
I sighed in relief.
Hindi ko na maalala kung paano ako nakalabas ng buhay sa opisina ni Trein. I decided to get a breather and went to the pantry to go for a quick break. Parang humina ang tuhod ko sa kaba! I tapped my cheeks and relaxed myself. Uminom ako ng malamig na iced tea galing sa vendo machine. This has soothed me and helped me calm myself.
My golly.
Yung pagod ko parang hanggang uwian na agad.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated. I thought the message is coming from Trein but from my mother. Ano na kaya ang balita sa kanila?
Yuri, my daughter, umuwi na si Yoojin dito sa bahay. Biglaan ang nangyari. He was laid off by his company.
Shiz. Kumusta na kaya ang injuri ni Kuya? I quickly typed a reply.
As long as safe siya, Mother. Kumusta na siya? Magaling na ang injuries niya?
He's fine naman na. Dito na lang niya itutuloy ang therapy niya kaso mukhang malaki-laki ang gagastusin e. Hindi ko alam kung saan kukuha ng pera. Nagbabayad pa tayo ng utang.
Whatever it takes, hahanap naman ako ng paraan para makatulong sa bayarin sa mga utang namin at sa paparating na therapy ni Kuya Yoojin.
Boyfriend mo na si Trein 'di ba? Pwede bang manghiram ka na lang sa kanya para mas mabilis?
Mother, no. Please leave Trein alone. I did not date him just for money.
E bakit ka pa nagboyfriend ng mayaman?
I stopped replying her message. This is what Trein's aunt has asked me - if I'm only dating her nephew for money. Syempre hindi! I never thought I'd be dating a Senior Vice President in my whole damn life. Our relationship has nothing to do with my family's debt or my mother's gambling issues.
I dated Trein simply because I like him. His fortune doesn't have anything to do with this. Or his fame.
Look, I think I really need to draw the line now.