Imperious Series 3: As Always

Chapter 6

"ALAM MO BA kung ano ang tsismis?" Alma asked Lyka when their boss was gone out of their sight. Ito ang nakatokang mag-assist sa kanya sa mga gagawin. Magaan ang loob niya rito dahil mabait ito kaya naman vibes silang dalawa. Tiningnan lamang niya ito at hinintay ang sagot nito sa sariling tanong. "Totoo ba? Jowa ka raw ni Sir Bryan?" Umiling siya rito. "Iyon kasi ang tsismis."

"Tsismis lang iyon. At tsaka paano ako magiging jowa noon, eh ang yaman-yaman nito tapos tagalinis lang ako ng kwarto sa pagmamay-ari nilang hotel?" sagot niya habang inaayos ang kobre-kama.

"Aba malay mo mala-Cinderalla pala ang buhay mo at si Sir Bryan ang prince charming mo," komento pa nito.

"That would be impossible," turan niya. As of now, she doesn't have any time for her lovelife. Her focused was to work hard to finish her studies to help her Yaya Mila.

Panay ang kwento ni Alma sa kanya sa buong panahon na magkasama sila maging hanggang sa mananghalian na sila. She brought her snack and lunch. Sayang kasi ang ipambibili niya ng pagkain. Idadagdag na lamang niya ito sa allowance niya lalo't marami ang kakailanganin niya kahit na irregular student lamang siya.

The shift given to her was six am up to two pm because her class hours will start at three in the afternoon. Last night, she told her Yaya Mila regarding the part-time she had and flared up and was disappointed. But then, she explained her side at wala na rin itong nagawa pa kundi suportahan ang naging desisyon niya. Kung kayat mas maagang itong nagising upang ipaluto siya ng agahan kasama na nang mga babaunin niya sa trabaho at sa paaralan.

She was busy eating her lunch in the cafeteria with the new maintenance crew like her, when a commotion happened. Nagkagulo ang mga naroon dahil sa biglang pagkawalang malay ng isang empleyado na kumakain. With the knowledge she had, she immediately ran towards them.

Pilit niyang isiniksik ang sarili sa kumpulan at nakita ang walang malay na babae. She kneeled, pulled her stethoscope from her pocket and checked her vitals and breathing. Wala namang tumutol sa kanya habang sinusuri niya ito. Habang ginagawa ito ay nagpatawag siya ng ambulansiya sa mga naroroon. She also asked for first-aid kit available at masuwerteng meron naman. Saktong nalapatan niya ng paunang lunas ang babae nang dumating ang ambulansiya at ang doctor ng hotel. Ibinalik niya ang stethoscope na hawak sa bulsa. Mabuti na lamang at dala-dala niya ito ngayon. Pagkatapos ay bumalik sa dating upuan at ipinagpatuloy ang kinakain. Ganoon din ang ginawa ng mga nandoon na parang walang nangyari.

"Doctor ka?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Alma sa kanya habang ipinagpapatuloy ang pagkain.

"Not yet. But I'll be one in the future," nakangiting sagot niya sa tanong nito.

"Wow! Akalain mo iyon. Pero bakit?" muli nitong tanong na sinegundahan naman ng mga kasamahan niya. Ipinagkibit-balikat na lamang niya ito.

Just after they had lunch when the manager asked for her in the office. She immediately to see her.

"I heard you did great awhile ago," bungad nito sa kanya. She looked please with what she did awhile ago.

"I just did first-aid on her, Ma'am," magalang na sagot niya rito.

The manager told her she would transfer her in the health department as a nurse-aid because it was vacant for a long time. So much for a first-day job and she was glad. Not that she doesn't like her job but it was so sudden. She could do it again of necessary but to be transferred immediately just because of that, she was lucky, so lucky. Hindi naman siya tumanggi sa alok nito dahil mas mai-a-apply niya ang pinag-aaralan and aside from that, mas malaki ang kita roon kahit part-time lamang. When she agreed, the manager discussed her salary. Tuwang-tuwa siya lalo na't bukas na ito effective. Then out of curiosity, she asked her regarding the rumor Alma told her this morning.

The manager didn't deny it especially that Bryan Santos, their boss, recommended her. But despite the recommendation, the manager said she agreed and couldn't complain nor disagree due to her credentials which is overqualified on the first job they gave to her. So she said that when she heard what she did at the cafeteria she immediately asked for her regarding her transfer.

Lyka likewise asked if Mr. Santos has something to do regarding her transfer but the manager denied it. And she was relieved with it.

The next day she went to work, she was now a nursing-aid at the hotel's clinic. May sarili na rin siyang table na naroon katabi ng nag-iisang nurse roon. Myra just like Alma was jolly and kind to her despite her age. She was in the early forties so with her husband, the doctor of the hotel, and were blessed with two children. Natuwa rin ito na may kasama na sila ng asawa nito na mag-aasist sa mga maisusugod sa clinic. Sabi pa nito, in case of emergency at home, may tatao na raw sa hotel lalo pa't soon to be doctor naman daw siya. She was fluttered with the trust they are giving to her and she will not disappoint them most especially the management.

Today, she was on duty until five in the afternoon dahil wala siyang pasok maghapon. Tomorrow, she'll be here at six am until two in the afternoon and so on. The management really considered her class schedule and she was thankful to that.

The whole afternoon wasn't that busy though may mangilan-ngilan na naisusugod sa clinic. She was also given a hint about the monthly check-up of the employees of the hotel. When her shift was done, it was almost dark. Dark because the rain will soon fall again in no time. She was heading towards the exit when the rain poured so hard. Employees gathered in front to shelther. Sakto ring nandoon si Alma at ang mga kasamahan niya sa maintenance department.

"Paano na naman kayo ako makakauwi nito?" problemadong wika ni Alma. Ganoon din ang problema niya lalo na't wala pa siyang dalang payong. Alam naman kasi nilang tag-ulan pero tinatamad pa rin silang magdala.

Out of nowhere, a car stopped in front of them. Then the window rolled down appearing their handsome boss' face. "Miss Gusmani?" malakas na tawag nito sa kanya. Sa kabila ng malakas na ulan ay narinig pa rin ng ibang naroroon ang pagtawag nito sa kanya at pinagtitinganan na siya ngayon. "Hop in!" muli nitong tawag sa kanya.

She hesitated. Ano bang kailangan nito sa kanya? And it's awkward, hindi ba nito alam iyon? She didn't mind her boss and to her surprise, talagang bumaba pa ito ng sasakyan. He took her arm, pulled her towards the car at pinasakay siya nito pagkatapos ay umikot ito at pumasok sa sasakyan. He started the engine without even asking where she'll be heading. Isang malalim na buntong hininga na lamang ang pinakawalan niya nang makitang nagkukumpulan at nagbubulungan ang mga empleyado habang nakatanaw sa papalayong sasakyan ng boss.

Hindi pa sila nakakalayo nang magsalita ito na labis niyang ikinagulat.

"Lyka Isabelle Gusmani, will you be my girl?"