Way of Forever

Kabanata 7

"Sir, nandito na po ‘yong iniutos n'yong file."

Napatayo si Levine at pumunta sa harapan ng salamin. Inayos nito ang buhok at ang necktie bago bumalik sa upuan.

He clears his throat. "Come in."

Pumasok ang assistant nito na si Xy bitbit ang papeles.

"Ikaw ang nagdala?" tanong ni Levine nang ma-realize na hindi pala si Maeve ang pumasok sa opisina niya.

"Sir?" Takang napatingin si Xy sa boss niya. Eh, isa 'yon sa mga trabaho niya ‘di ba? Sa kanya idadaan ang mga papeles na ibibigay sa boss.

Napahilot na lang sa sintido si Levine. Stupid! Malamang sa assistant niya talaga ibibigay lahat ng reports bago sa kanya. Tss.

"You can leave it here."

He looks at the clock. It was exactly seven in the evening meaning labasan na ng mga empleyado. Nakauwi na kaya ang dalaga?

-----

[Maeve, gusto mo bang sunduin kita? Kaso matatagalan pa ako dito sa office dahil may meeting ang team.]

Applying a lipstick, Maeve answers, "No need, Dyosa, medyo malapit naman ang tinitirhan ko sa kumpanya." She fetch the comb inside her bag and brush her hair.

[Okay, okay. Take care!]

"You too."

Maeve examined herself in the mirror. She’s now ready to go. Sumasakit ang leeg niya, nakakapagod kasi ang ginawa nila kanina dahil rush pala na ipapasa ang documents sa Sabado at sinabihan sila kanina na tapusin na ito dahil i-re-review pa ito ng top management.

She walked out with the bag in her hands, she waited for the elevator to open up. Nang sumakto ito sa kanya at bumukas bigla s’yang napatigil sa paghakbang sana nang makita kung sino ang nasa loob nito.

“Good evening, sir,” bati niya pero nasa labas pa din siya ng elevator. Paunahin niya na kaya ito?

Levine c****d his brow. “Why don’t you go inside?” By his side was Xy who was also looking at Maeve with awe.

“Xy,” he called, coldly.

“Yes, sumabay ka na sa amin ni b-boss,” Xy stuttered. What did he do? Bakit ang sama ng tingin sa kanya ng boss niya?

Maeve hesitated for a second before stepping in. Nasa unahan siya ng mga ito at nasa magkabila naman ang dalawang lalaki. Why does this look like she was the boss here?

Levine looks ahead. Kitang kita sa harap nila ang kanilang repleksyon. Hsi eyes darted towards Maeve’s reflection na straight lang na nakatingin. Maya maya ay bigla itong tumingin sa side niya kaya napatingin siya sa taas ng kisame.

Xy tried to hold back his laugh. Now he knows why his boss glared at him. Masyado namang pahalata ang boss niya. Ibang-iba talaga ang personality nito sa kapatid na si Lorenzo. If it was his boss’ older brother hindi ‘yon mag-aalis ng tingin at lalaban pa.

The elevator dings. Maeve stepped out and turned to bid a farewell, “Goodbye, sir.”

Napatango si Levine habang nakapamulsa. His eyes lingered at the back of Maeve as a sense of comfort filled inside of him.

-----

Maeve waited for a taxi. Medyo marami-rami sila sa kantong ‘to kaya siguro mahihirapan s’yang makapara lalo pa’t mag-isa lang siya at walang kasama. Lumakad siya ng ilang metro. Maya maya isang itim na kotse ang pumarada sa kanya.

The window rolled down the face of the man who was with her in the elevator. ‘What the hell is his problem? Bakit palaging nagpapakita ito sa kanya? Does he have a hidden agenda?’

“Hindi ka pa nakakasakay?”

“Nakita niyo na po ba na nakasakay na ako?” she snapped sarcastically. Then she realized it and quickly apologized. “Sorry, sir.”

“You can come with us. Ibaba na lang kita sa bahay mo.”

‘Ah~ so sweet.’ “No, I’m okay. Besides baka may masabi ang iba d’yan lalo pa’t lumalapit kayo sa akin.”

Levine frowned. “I’m just helping.”

Maeve wanted to roll her eyes. “You’re helping but not everyone will understand your intention.” Napaka-judgemental kaya ng tao ngayon. This is the society they are living in.

Levine also thinks of it. Yeah, but where’s the fun in that? Fine, sa susunod ulit.

“Okay, suit yourself.”

Itinaas na nito ang bintana ng kotse at humarorot na paalis.

“I never knew na close kayo ng VP,” ani ng isang boses sa likod ni Maeve. From the voice of it, it was from the nerdy girl she encountered in the cafeteria.

“Ano ba ang ibig sabihin sa’yo ng salitang close?” tanong niya pabalik. Honestly, she’s a nice person but people annoy her. Like b***h, if you don’t talk any sense just shut your mouth.

“Just because someone took the initiative to come to you for once doesn’t mean you are close to that person, Kate,” dagdag ni Maeve.

“I’m sorry kanina. Hindi ko naman sinasadya na ma-o-offend ka sa sinabi ko,” nakayukong tugon nito. She didn’t dare to fight with a woman like Maeve. Hindi siya nito pag-aaksayahan ng panahon.

“It’s okay. Hindi ko naman kayo mapipigilan mag-judge.”

Pumara si Maeve ng taxi at binuksan ang passenger seat. “Gusto mo bang sumabay?” she asked Kate who was silent.

Umangat ang mukha nito. “Ayos lang ba sa’yo?”

“Tumaas ang kaliwang kilay ni Maeve at gumuhit ang isang ngisi. “Of course.”

Kate’s eyes sparkles. “O-okay. Thank you.”

To be honest, nakakainggit ang confidence ni Maeve. Gusto din maging gano’n ni Kate pero nahihiya siya at wala s’yang confidence sa sarili. She looks up to see Maeve’s side face. Pinagpala ang babaeng ito.

-----

“Hello?”

[Dumiretso ka daw sa bahay ngayon. Father wants to talk to you,] ani ng kapatid ni Levine na si Lorenzo sa kabilang linya.

“Why?”

[I don’t know but I think it has to do with arranged marriage.]

“What?!” Damn it! Bakit ba kailangan pakialaman siya ng daddy niya?

“Fine,” sagot niya sa malamig na boses at ibinaba ito. He open his mouth and said, “Sa bahay tayo ng magulang ko.”

Pagkaabot nito sa bahay ng magulang ay walang mababakas na ekspresyon ang mukha nito. He was mad.

“Anak,” bati sa kanya ng ina. Hinagkan niya ito at doon lang siya nahimasmasan ng kaunti. Nakakawala talaga ng bad mood ang ina.

“Where’s dad?”

Louisa forced a smile. “Nasa taas ang daddy mo hinihintay ka.”

Nagpaalam si Levine at umakyat na. Mabibigat ang bawat hakbang nito. Kaya hindi sila magkasundo ng ama, eh. Palagi itong may sinasabi sa kanya more on the negative side. He knocks on the door.

“Pasok.”

“What do you want to talk about?” he asked, distantly.

“You’re not young anymore, Levine. Remember Glaiza? You’re Auntie Kim’s daughter? We talk na i-fixed marriage kayo. After all, emerging our business will greatly escalate our network and connection.”

“I will not marry anyone.”

Levine’s father c****d his brow. “Why? Palagi ka na lang nambababae, are you not planning to settle down?”

“Settle down, you mean arranging a marriage for me?” Levine chuckled darkly.

“Don’t worry, dad… I’ll let you meet my girl, soon.”