Chapter 2
1409 Words
As soon as my name echoed from his throat, everyone at the quarters stopped and gaped at me as if I was bizzaro, as if I was something erratic.
Sir Anton looked at him with questioning eyes. The pricked smiled at him, flashing the mocking grin he used to have way back in college. Gusto ko siyang lapitan para mabura ang nakakainis na ngiti niya. Lord, bakit naman ganito? Why oh why?
"Kilala mo siya?" Sir Anton inquired in surprise, voicing out the question I know everyone's been dying to ask.
Hindi pa ba obvious boss?
He answered but his gaze was securely fixed at me, "Yes Sir. Vinang and I go all the way back."
Then someone from the room finally spoke, "Vinang?"
I cringed at the name. Ang tagal tagal na noong natawag ako sa pangalan na 'yon. I crinkled my nose and gave him a nasty frown.
"Oh, sorry. Architect Thea Aguilar pala." Paninikis niyang muli. Gustong-gusto kong lumapit sa kaniya at hampasin siya gamit noong folder na binigay sa akin ni Sir Anton kumakailan.
I fisted my hands, preventing myself from strangle the life out of him.
"Zyam?" I found my voice but with a mockering tone. Now it's his turn to frown and glower at me. Oh how he hates when he's called by his nickname. I could still remember he doesn't want that nickname of him and most of all he doesn't want to know by everyone his birthday. I secretly grin in victory.
Then there was a long, deep silence. I know every single person in the room is in daze with our familiarity with each other. Hindi lang nila alam. Kung gaano namin katagal kilala ang isat-isa siya rin ang lalim ng init ng dugo ko sa kaniya.
Boss eventually cleared his throat, "Okay, back to work everyone. Thea, Zyrus please join me inside my office." He mutterred before he stalked away, Zyrus following him.
I groaned. Gusto kong maghalumpasay. Hindi pa ba sapat ang pagkikita namin? Kailangan talagang kausapin pa kami ng sabay? I can't stand to be close to him without my blood boing to 100C.
"Huy, Thea. Ano iyon? Anong nangyari?" Jena asked as she popped her head above the divider of our cubicle.
I closed my eyes shut, massaging my temples. "Jena, 'wag muna ngayon please."
I saw her pouting once I opened my eyes again. Oh I know her, she will want all the juiciest gossip she can take. I shook my head before I took my phone and headed inside the boss' office.
Zyrus was already sitting comfortably on one of the chairs in front of Sir Anton while he was talking casually, something about London and Bridges.
I was still frowning and for the second time this day, our eyes again fastened with each other. And no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to peel my gaze off of him.
"Ah, still the cranky and moody Vinang from college." He remarked as soon as I sat on the vacant chair adjacent to him.
I glared at him, "Still the cocky, good for nothing Zyam from college." I fired back.
His grinning lips turned into a tight, straight line when he pursed it in disapproval. We both scowled at each other. If it was cartoons, you'll probably see static with the way we resent each other.
Boss cleared his throat again breaking the glaring contest. "So you two knew each other." He started.
Oh for the love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Hindi pa ba halata Boss?! For a moment I want to shout him the obvious.
I was about to answer but Zyrus immediately beat me to it. "Yes, college. We met during our youthful days in college. Classmates kami sa ilang mga General Education subjects. 'Diba Vinang?" There's that wicked grin again.
I scowled at him even more. "Will you quit calling me that." Iritableng sambit ko.
But he just chuckled. Doon pa lang alam kong na-e-enjoy na niya ang paninikis sa akin, like he used to. He always fancied playing tricks on me when we're still at the university. He bullied me to the extent of me wanting to quit school. Ganoon siya kalala. I hated him. Really hated him, he made my college years a very ugly memory.
"I can clearly say that you two don't like each other. Tingin niyo pa lang sa isa't-isa ay nakakamatay na." Muling pukaw ni boss sa sama ng palitan namin ng titig.
I mentally spit thanks to God. Yes boss! Diba? Hindi ako makakatrabaho kung siya rin lang ang i-pa-partner mo sa akin! I am willing to work with anyone lahit hindi ako sanay, anyone. Just please anyone but not him. Huwag lang ang demonyong iyan.
"But..."
Oh God no! Oh God!
"But this means more challenges for you guys."
I groaned in despair before burying my face in my palms. No, this is not happening! Kill me! I rather be sentenced to death by lethal injection than to be stuck with him for months.
I just heard a roar of laughter from Zyrus. "Oh, Vinang sure love challenges. Diba Vinang?" He asked as if we shared a rich history together.
Parang gusto ko tuloy magbiyahe kami sa London para maitulak ko siya sa tulay na project niya roon!
"I sure hope you'll bring the best in each other. Think of this as the greatest hurdle you need to pass Thea. Ikaw na rin naman ang nagsabi rati na kailangan mo ng challenge. Being the employee of the year for the seven consecutive years, I'm sure na-bo-bore ka na sa trabaho mo." Boss even kid. Hindi ito ginagawang biro!
"Just tell me this is a bad dream." Pagmamakaawa ko.
I again heard that annoying chuckled from the demon beside me. "Vinang, I'm too handsome to be a nightmare."
God! His cockiness makes me want to skin him alive. Ang sarap niyang balatan ng buhay.
I looked at him dead in the eyes.
"Fine. So be it. Let's make each other life a living hell. Looking forward to be finally working with you Engineer Zyrus Liam 'Zyam' Llanza Ortega." I said sarcastically before holding out my hand.
He smirked at me wickedly, oh-so-devilishly before he took my hand and shook it. "I hope it will be a complete pleasure to be working with you Architect Altheyah Divina 'Vinang' Mendez Aguilar."
We are again lost into each other's gaze. I was looking at him in pure annoyance, letting my anger at him pour out intomy stare but him, his eyes were convexing into an irritating smile and I hate it. I hate him.All of him. And all I ever wanted was this nightmare to end.
Nauna akong lumabas ng opisina, naiwan pa si Zyrus sa loob dahil may mga pag-uusapan pa sila ni boss. I huffed out my frustrations as soon as my butt touched my chair.
I leaned on my desk, "Lord, help me." I whined.
I heard girls giggling from above me so I looked up and saw Erlina, Jena and Nikka ogling at me.
"Grabe, kanina chineck namin ulit ang profile niya tapos kanina lang din namin napansin na mutual friend ka namin. " Erlina started. Oh here we go again with the goddamn topic.
"So saan kayo nagkakilala? Share ka naman Thea." Nikka followed, her voice literally begging.
I want to put something in ear just to muffle their voices out. A cotton? A cork? A f**k!ng horse? Just to keep them out my ears.
Then they stopped talking when we heard boss' office doors opening, they were murmurs from Zyrus and Sir Anton but I'm too exhausted to care. A few minutes with him and my energy had drained to zero.
Paano na lang ang ilang buwan? Buwan? Jusmiyo buwan ko siyang titiisin.
Okay kalma muna Thea. Deep breathing, magtatrabaho ka na lang muna. Think happy thoughts. Think about Warren. Then I let my eyes wanders to Warren's picture, my happy place.
Narinig ko na lang ang impit na tili nila Jena kasunod ng mga yapak papalapit sa akin. Nilingon ko at nakita ko si Zyrus na nakasandal na sa cubicle ko.
"What again?" Inis na tugon ko.
Ngumisi siya bago naupo sa susunod na cubicle, sa dating puwesto ni Warren. Wala akong nagawa kundi tumitig sa kaniya.
Then boss' voice echoed on my head, "working closely with you.."
Fücking hell, I didn't actually think boss mean it literally!
- Writer
