CHAPTER 11
1778 Words
HAZE knocked on the door of her Boss’s office before she entered. “Ma’am, pinapatawag niyo po ako.”
Grace smiled. “Have a seat.” She gestured her seat on the chair in front of her desk.
“Thank you, Ma’am.” After seating, Haze placed the folder she was holding on her boss’ table. “Ma’am, this is the report you were asking. I already sorted it.”
“Thank you, Haze,” Grace opened the folder. She scanned it for a moment before closing the folder and placing it on her desk. She looked at Haze and smiled. “Congratulations!”
Nagtaka naman si Haze. “Ma’am?”
Grace smiled again. “This is now your last day being my assistant. You can now be focused on your work as the Senior Accountant. I already found a new assistant.”
Napatango si Haze. Nakahinga na siya ng maluwang dahil mababawasan na ang trabaho niya. Hindi na siya masyadong mapapagod at hindi na rin siya mag-o-overtime.
“Mukhang nakahinga ka ng maluwang.” Natatawang sabi ni Grace. “I know why. Don’t worry, I already asked my husband to double your salary this month.” She put her finger in front of her nose. “It’s just a secret. Don’t tell anyone.”
Haze smiled. “Thank you, Ma’am.” Masaya niyang saad. Pero sa likod ng kaniyang isipan, iniisip niya kung sino ang magiging assistant ni Ma’am Grace.
Grace nodded. “You’re welcome.”
Haze took a deep breath after she went back to her cubicle. —finally, no more overtime. She stretched and smiled.
When the clock struck four-thirty, she fixed her table, retouched her make-up, and combed her hair, then she was good to go. She picked up her sling bag and her laptop. She said goodbye to Janine and exited their office.
Walking out of the building, she heard someone calling her name. She could only sigh and ignore that person. Pretending she didn’t hear anything as she continued walking.
“Haze, wait!”
Humarap sa harapan ni Haze si Jade.
“Uh?” Nagkunwari si Haze. “What is it?” she asked.
Jade smiled. “Going home? I can give you a ride.”
Haze politely refused. But Jade was persistent.
“You always refused my offer, Haze. Come on. Don’t be shy. Let’s have dinner first before I drive home,” said Jade and tried to get Haze’s bag but Haze stepped back.
Haze smiled but it was a fake smile. “Jade, I’m fine. Just do your thing. Don’t mind me.”
“Haze, I just want to drive you home. You always refused me.”
That’s because I am not comfortable. Haze thought and sighed. “You know what—”
“Haze.”
Haze stilled, hearing the familiar voice, her heart also beats fast, and she slowly turned around to look at the person who called her name. Her eyes widened when she saw the person who had been in her mind these past few days. “Nicolo…”
Nicolo looked handsome in his white polo shirt, khaki pants, and white shoes. His hands were in his pocket. Nicolo smiled and walked towards Haze.
Haze was still dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe that she’s seeing Nicolo. Hanggang sa makalapit sa kaniya ang binata, nakatingin pa rin siya rito. “You… how did… kailan ka pa nandito?” tanong niya kay Nicolo habang ramdam niya ang mabilis na pagtibok ng kaniyang puso.
Nicolo smiled again. “Of course, I’m here for you.”
Mas lalo pang bumilis ang t***k ng puso ni Haze. “For me?”
Nicolo nodded. “Yeah.” Then he saw Haze’s bag. He smiled. “Give me,” he took the bag of Haze’s laptop and put it on his shoulder. “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
Haze had already forgotten that Jade was with them. She nodded at Nicolo. “Let’s go.”
Hindi alam ni Haze kung ano ba ang dapat niyang maramdaman. She was confused about herself. She wasn’t comfortable with men but Nicolo, she felt different. It’s the feeling that she was comfortable but unsure if she was really safe so she’s still vigilant.
“Where’s your house?” Nicolo asked. They were walking together and Nicolo was holding Haze’s laptop.
“I don’t have a house. But my apartment was not far from here. Fifteen minutes walk.”
Nicolo nodded. “Was it safe? Walking here?” he asked in a concerned voice.
“Yeah, I’ve been doing it for years. Wala pa namang nangyari sa akin. If I have over time, I will hail a taxi or get in a jeepney to go home.”
Nakahinga ng maluwang si Nicolo. “That’s good.” Then he saw a restaurant. He looked at Haze. “Let’s eat first before I’ll send you home.”
Haze looked at Nicolo. “We’re not close. Why are you asking me to eat with you?”
“That’s why I am asking you to eat with me so we can become close,” said Nicolo, and smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you. We will just eat. That’s all.”
Haze stared at Nicolo for a moment before she nodded her head. “Alright.”
Nicolo nodded. In the corner of his eye, he saw someone. Then the corner of her lips curled up. Trying to take away what’s mine? Dream on. He thought. He saw the man who was talking with Haze earlier. He heard everything and what made him happy was that Haze refused the man’s offer.
“I am not familiar with the restaurants here. How about you pick?” Nicolo said as he looked around. The Philippines was different from Italy.
“I know a restaurant,” said Haze. “Let’s go.”
Dinala ni Haze si Nicolo sa restaurant kung saan lagi silang kumakain ni Janine. It was a small restaurant but the food is delicious. Isa pa, kilala na siya ng may-ari kaya minsan nabibigyan sila ni Janine ng discount.
“Is this place okay with you?” Haze asked as they sat on one of the vacant chairs.
Nicolo nodded. “I’m not picky.”
Haze showed a small smile.
The owner came to them and gave them the menu. Haze looked at the menu then she looked at Nicolo. “Do you know Filipino food?”
Nicolo shook his head. “I’ve been here before but I didn’t have the chance.”
Haze nodded. “Then I’ll order. Two meat dishes and one vegetables dish.”
“Alright. It’s good for me.” Sumang-ayon si Nicolo.
“Chicken Caldereta and Pork Adobo,” Haze said to the owner. She looked at Nicolo. “Adobo is one of the special dishes of Filipinos.”
“Oh, really? Then I’m lucky to have it for dinner.” Nakangiting wika ni Nicolo. Iyong uri ng ngiti na parang wala pang nagawang masama sa tanang buhay niya. Nicolo’s tender side will only appear when he was with Haze.
Haze smiled and looked for drinks. “What drinks do you want? Coffee? Juice or softdrinks?”
“What do you want?” Nicolo asked back.
“Ahmm, I’ll go for coffee.”
“Then it’s coffee.”
Haze could only shake her head and look at the owner. “Two coffees. Thank you.”
“Wait for it.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” said Haze and looked at Nicolo. “Are you just following my words?”
Nicolo chuckled. “I told you I am not familiar with the Filipino food.”
Haze stood up. “I’ll go and get some water.” She went to the counter. Sumulyap siya kay Nicolo. Nicolo had this innocent look in his face. Kusang gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ni Haze. She took the glass pitcher, filled it with water, and got two glass cups. She went back to her seat and poured the two cups with water. Then she pushed the cup towards Nicolo.
“Thanks.”
While waiting for their order, Haze couldn’t help but ask Nicolo. “Don’t get me wrong but I was curious. What are you doing here?” she asked. “I mean, I was surprised to see you here.”
Nicolo smiled. “I came to live here.”
“Live here?” Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Haze.
Nicolo nodded. Well, I only came here for you. “Yeah. I came to live here. Moreover, I already got a job.”
Haze frowned. “I saw you at the conference in Italy. I thought—”
Nicolo raised his hand. “I went there on behalf of my boss,” he said
“Oh.” Haze nodded.
When their order arrived, they immediately started eating. Nicolo nodded at the taste. “Tasted good.” He thumbs up.
Haze smiled. His face obviously tells that it really tasted good. She thought. Then she stilled for a moment. Medyo naguluhan siya sa kaniyang sarili. Though she and Nicolo met in Italy, Nicolo even saved her life. They are still stranger but the way she showed a smile was genuine. She does not force herself to smile. What was happening to me? I was not like this before.
“Haze? Earth to Haze.” Nicolo flicked his fingers in front of Haze.
Napakurap si Haze. “Uh? What were you saying?” she asked.
“What were you thinking?” tanong naman ni Nicolo.
Haze shook her head. “Nothing.”
Nicolo raised his eyebrow. “Nothing? But you fell into deep thoughts. You don’t even realize that you’re putting rice in your water.”
Mabilis na napatingin si Haze sa kaniyang base. “Sorry.” She apologized.
Tumayo si Nicolo saka siya kumuha ng isang baso para kay Haze. Nang makabalik siya sa dalaga, nilagyan niya ng tubig ang baso nito.
“Thanks.”
Nagpatuloy silang dalawa sa pagkain. This time, Haze tried to shake off the nonsense things in her mind and focused on her food. They were both satisfied with the food they ate.
“Eat with me again tomorrow?” Nicolo asked.
“Let’s see if I don’t have anything to do,” said Haze.
“Alright.”
After paying the bill, Nicolo escorted Haze home.
“Thanks.”
Nicolo smiled. “Then I’m going.”
Haze waved her hand and opened the small gate. Before entering, she looked back and saw Nicolo walking away. I don’t know but I have this weird feeling in me. I feel like I am looking forward to see him again.
- Writer
