Undying Flame (Nathan Kyle & Jhauztine Chloe Story)

Chapter 9

Nasa opisina na ako pero titig na titig pa rin ako sa ballpen na hawak ko. Hindi ko alam kung gagamitin ko o hindi. Ang lakas pa rin ng kabog ng dibdib ko.

Ang lahat ng nangyari sa Dreamer's Bean ay parang panaginip. Sa sobrang saya ko parang gusto ko nang halikan kanina ang sahig ng shop.

Akala ko nga ipapasok niya sa usapan si Reena pero hindi. We talked about random things. Kung anong klaseng engineer daw ba ako, kung paano ako napadpad sa trabaho ko, mga bagay-bagay na tinatanong mo kapag gusto mong makilala ang isang tao ng husto.

Ang mali ko nga lang ay hindi ko siya natanong ng mga bagay na gusto kong malaman. All I did was to answer all his questions, he doesn't seems to mind but still, I miss the perfect oppurtunity to know a bit more of the person I have love all my life.

He again walked me by my building and watched me until I disappeared on the lift. I know because before I can even step inside the elevator, I took a peak and saw him waving at me from outside.

He was sporting his gorgeous grin, and I tried to return it without looking constipated with raging butterflies in my tummy.

Sobrang komplikado man nang nangyayari sa amin ngayon, masaya pa rin ako dahil may mga ganitong pagkakataon na naipagkakaloob sa'kin.

I know when I confess to Dawn about this, she'll really slap the hell out of me. Buti na lang, she's still busy with Emer kaya wala pa siyang masiyadong chance magisa ako.

It's already ten in the morning when Sir Anton asked me to see him in his office. Mukhang urgent dahil siya mismo ang nagtawag sa'kin at hindi ang sekretarya niya.

"Kumusta ka sa mga projects mo, Chloe?" tanong niya agad pagkatapos niyang bumalik sa upuan niya.

Sinunod ko naman ang turo niya, at inukopa ang upuan sa harap ng malaki niyang mesa, "Okay naman, Sir. May problema po ba sa mga clients ko?"

Nakita niya siguro ang kaba sa mukha ko, "No, you're clients are fine. I called you here kasi may bagong project na ipinasa satin dito sa branch. Automation ulit ito, medyo busy pa kasi ang manager mo sa hawak niya ngayon lalo na't siya rin ang may hawak ng Manual Testers. When I asked him who does he recommend for this, ikaw ang una niyang nirekomenda."

Napatango ako, kaya ko pa naman humawak pa ng isa. "Kaya pa naman, Sir."

"Sigurado ka? I don't want to overload you."

"Yes, Sir. Kayang-kaya." I gave hime a confident and reassuring smile.

Napansin kong nawala ang pagkakunot ng noo niya. "Sige. I-se-send ko sa'yo ang file na pinadala ng main. Ikaw na bahala mag-aral. Everything you need is there."

"Yes, boss! Leave it to me." Saka ako umakmang tatayo pero may pahabol pa siya.

"Please do your best with this client, Chloe. I have specific instructions from the bosses to not disappoint the owner. Medyo pihikan daw kasi ito at hands-on sa kanyang kompanya."

"Noted, boss. Ako bahala." I again nudge him the idea that I won't met hin down.

I hurried back on my cubicle and immediately opened the file. It's a Finance Holding Company. Mukhang na-closed na nila ang contract dahil sobrang daming demands ang nasa file na pinadala sa'kin. Lahat may 'as soon as possible' sa dulo.

I set aside my other tasked for today and researched about the company. Basing from Google, it's a huge company. Which is why I'm confused their need of outsourcing people for automating some of their services.

Deciding to stop wasting time, bumalik ako kay Sir Anton para tanungin kung puwede ko na ba ma-meet ang client na 'to para makapagdesisyon na ako kung ilan ang team ko ang maiistasyon sa kompanyang 'yon.

Agad namang umaksyon ang sekretarya ni Sir Anton at bago mag-lunch nasabihan niya ako na nabigyan ako meeting sa may-ari ng alas kwatro ng hapon. Not actually ideal for me, but since this is a meticulous client, hindi na ako nagrekamo.

I started taking down notes and reminders for every demand the owner wanted. Sobrang dami kasi and I really want to be careful para maiwasan ang complications.

At around two thirty, nagpaalam na ako kay Sir Anton. I was already in my car when I received a text from Kyle. Kahit alam kong malaki ang chance na sa pagkakataong ito ay may koneksyon kay Reena ang mensahe niya, hindi ko pa rin napigilan ang sarili kong ngumiti.

Kyle: Clo, kita tayo mamaya?

Me: Anong oras? I have a late meeting at 4PM.

Kyle: Oh. I was hoping to see you during your afternoon break which I assume is three, pero hindi pala kakayanin. Next time na lang.

Na-disappoint naman ako agad. At the same time, gusto ko rin malaman kung bakit niya gustong makipagkita.

Me: Why? Did something happen?

Kyle: Yeah, it's Reena. Bigla kasing hindi nagpasundo. I'm kind of worry.

I purred my engine to life and let it garner for a while. Napaisip pa ako kung mag-re-reply pa ako. Sabi ko na ma-di-disappoint lang ako, eh. But if this is the only way I can keep my contact with him, I'll grab every chance I get. Even if it hurts.

Me: Is that not okay?

Kyle: I have a feeling na 'yong boss niya ang maghahatid sa kanya.

Me: Can we meet around six to talk about it?

Kyle: I can't. I have to wait for her to get home. Kailangan ko pa siyang asikasuhin at masigurado na hindi niya makakalimutan mga gamot niya.

My heart constricted when I read his words. God, he's head over-heels in love with her and she's so dense not to notice it. I pity him.

Me: Is she sick?

Kyle: Nothing serious. Sige na, I'm taking too much of your time. We'll reschedule some other day. Thanks, Clo.

And I let that message hung.

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng inis sa Reena na 'yon. She really doesn't deserve him. Kahit hindi man niya intensyon, parang na-te-take advantage niya na ri si Kyle.

Then I heard Dawn's voice in my head, 'ikaw rin naman, na-te-take advantage niya. Anong pinagkaiba ni Kyle kay Reena?'

I let my teeth sink on my bottomlip. Napatingin ako sa bag ko at nakita ko si No Face na nakasilip doon.

My subconscious is right. Wala akong karapatang magalit kay Reena dahil desisyon naman ni Kyle ang lahat. Parang ako, choice kong magpakatanga sa kanya kahit alam kong wala akong mapapala.