Poisonous Love (Keanna & Gavin Story)

Chapter 19

The moment I opened the email from Qantara's HR, I closed my eyes tightly. Gavin stole my phone away from me to read the email addressed to me. Hinayaan ko siya dahil ayos lang sa akin na siya ang unang makabasa.

I sent an application last week for my OJT without Gavin's knowledge. Ngayon ko lang sinabi sa kanya nang makitang sumagot na ang HR. I purposely didn't tell him because he might do something in my favor. He was slightly mad at me for not telling him, but I was glad that he came to understand my reasons. I told him I applied in a different company on the same line. We'll that's partly true because I needed another option in case Qantara wouldn't accept me.

Nervousness crept into my veins and flowed along with my blood. I already prepared myself for a rejection, though. Alam kong mahirap ang makapasok sa Qantara para sa isang OJT. Bihira lang silang tumatanggap ng ganoon. They also have very high standards. Wala pa ata ako sa kalingkingan no'n. I just really wanted to try and see if I could defy my expected fate.

"Ano ang nakalagay?" tanong ko kay Gavin habang nakapakit pa rin ang aking mga mata.

"Hmmm..." he only hummed.

Napakunot ang aking noo dahil sa kanyang pang-iinis. Hindi ko alam kung magandang senyales ba iyon o hindi.

"Ano nga?" iritado ko nang tanong sa kanya.

"What do you want to hear from me?"

he asked.

"Kung ano ang laman ng email galing sa HR ng kompanya niyo!" bahagyang tumaas ang aking boses. "Ano ba kasi ang nakasulat? Sabihin mo na sa akin."

Magre-react pa lang sana ako nang kuhanin niya ang aking kamay. Inilipag niya sa palad ko ang cellphone.

"Ikaw na ang magbasa," dagdag niya.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and read the email sent by Qantara's HR.

Good day, Ms. Keanna Amelie Peredo!

We have received and reviewed your application of your interest to become a student trainee in Qantara Corporations.

This email is meant to acknowledge the endorsement letter of the trainee referred by the department head of their program and the dean of their institute for an on-job trainee. In line with this, we are very pleased to inform you that you have been accepted in one of the limited positions we have for our on-job trainings applications.

Hindi ko na tinapos ang pagbabasa nang mabasa kong tanggap ako upang makapagreact sa sobrang tuwa. Nilingon ko si Gavin na ngiting-ngiti habang nakatingin sa akin. Mabilis ko siyang niyakap at napahalakhak siya sa aking reaksyon.

"Even if you told me beforehand, I trust that you'd make it on your own," he told me as he hugged me back. "I can't wait it to be with you for the whole summer. Never thought I'd be this excited for our OJT."

I just smiled and hugged him tighter. Niether did I.

The sense of achievement was dripping all over me. Still, for me, it was a good decision not telling Gavin about my OJT plans. If I did tell him, I'd doubt that he did nothing if I got accepted. Mas gusto ko itong sigurado ako. It was my skill that let me in to my dream company and no power had been done in order to achieve it.

I believe when it comes to achieving our goals or making our dreams come true, you should work hard fo it and head to the long path instead of taking a shortcut. If you will take the latter, it will not be the same to those who took the long path. You will still feel like it's lacking. You can't be truly happy and sufficed. You will tend to look for more, until you realize that you can't find the satisfaction in life and you will die in vain.

That's not what I want for my life. I'll work hard to achieve my goal. If ever I won't be successful like what I've planned, I'll make sure to still have a smile on my face because I know I did everything I can. I will have no regrets. Now, that's what I want.

"Hindi pa ba magsimula ang OJT mo?" tanong ko kay Jethro habang naglalagay ako ng kaunting kolorete sa mukha.

He suddenly went to my apartment with a breakfast take-out in hand early in the morning. It was a good thing that he did though because I was busy preparing that I couldn't find time to cook my meal. Now, he was just waiting for me to leave the apartment. He said he wanted to spend time with me because he'd be very busy once his OJT starts as well.

"Next week pa nga," sagot niya.

Tumango-tango ako at saka tinabi na ang mga make-up sa isang malaking pouch nang matapos na akong mag-ayos. Tiningnan ko ng maayos ang aking sarili sa salamin. I was wearing a white off-shoulder blouse and a pink pencit cut skirt. I bought different colors of this pencil cut skirt from the Riverside Night Market haul that I did last week. Bumili ako ng mga damit na susuotin ko sa pagta-trabaho sa Qantara. I needed to look presentable. Mabuti na lang at maraming magaganda at murang damit doon na maganda rin ang quality.

"You look so happy," puna ni Jethro habang nakatingin sa akin.

Nilingon ko siya at mas lalong napangiti. I guess I really couldn't hide how happy I was. Ever since Gavin and I became a couple, it felt like I was floating on cloud nine. There's an unexplainable excitement everyday knowing that we might see each other or even the thought of talking to him.

"Masaya akong masaya ka," seryosong sabi niya.

"Baka maiyak ka pa ah?" biro ko sa kanya dahil ayokong masyadong maging emosyonal.

"Pero nakakainis ka pa rin minsan," bigla niyang pagbawi at natawa na lamang ako.

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang may kumatok sa pintuan kahit nakabukas naman ito. I saw Gavin standing there. Isang tango at ngiti ang ibinigay niya kay Jethro at natutuwa akong ibinalik ni Jethro ang ngiting iyon.

"Are you ready?" Gavin asked me the moment his eyes settled on me.

"Yes!" I excitey said and grabbed my shoulder bag from the sofa.

Tumayo si Jethro upang sumabay na sa amin palabas ng aking apartment. Gavin offered to drop him off to whenever he was about to go, but he refused the offer. Hindi na namin siya pinilit dahil alam kong kapag ayaw niya ay ayaw niya talaga. Maybe he's going to meet someone.

"Are you excited?" Gavin asked me when we were already near Qantara.

I could feel my legs slightly trembling not because of the cold air coming from the aircondition of his car but because of the nervousness that I was feeling. I thought that I was already got my composure, but it's really different once you're bound to experience the real thing.

Hilaw ko siyang nginitian at saka tumango. Excited naman talaga ako! One of my dreams was about to come true, why wouldn't I be excited?

He laughed. "You look constipated though. You sure you're excited?"

Sinimangutan ko na siya ngayon. Mas lalo lamang siyang natawa sa aking reaksyon bago niya hinawakan ang aking kamay at dinala sa kanyang labi upang mahalikan.

"You'll do great. I know you will," he assured me.

I wonder how his words could immediately change everything. His trust in me was able to lift the nervousness. Now, all I could feel was the warmth of his hand holding mine so tightly like he's passing all his strength to me.

Surprisingly, I felt so light when we stepped in the lobby. I was feeling confident, especially because Gavin was beside me. I already expected that he'd be getting the employees' attention not just for the reason that he's the heir of the company, but also because he stood out to much not to be ignored.

"Let's meet Daddy first," Gavin told me when we got in the elevator.

Pinindot niya ang pinakamataas na palapag ng gusali. Tumango na lamang ako dahil halos isang buwan ko na ring hindi nakikita si Tito Bryson. Our last encounter was when we ate dinner for Tita Gaile's birthday. It was in Gaile Savory Hub. A lot of their relatives were invited, and Gavin introduced me to everyone.

"Nandiyan ba si Tita?" tanong ko sa kanya.

He shook his head and smile. "I don't think so," he answered. "Most probably, Mom is either at Gaile Savory Hub or at Gaile Burton Academy. She doesn't come here often."

Lumabi ako at tumango-tango na lamang.

"Why?" he probed. "Do you miss her?"

Nguniti ako. "Nakakamiss naman talaga si Tita. Lagi siyang maraming kwento."

"She's actually asking me to bring you home for dinner. Hindi ko lang nasasabi sa'yo dahil alam kong abala ka pa sa paghahanda para sa OJT mo," sabi niya naman. "But I do hope you can come home with me tonight after work."

"Hmmm... Pag-iisipan ko muna..." sabi ko sa kanya at nagkunwaring pinag-iisioan ng aking maging desisyon.

He didn't buy my acting and pinched my cheeks instead while wearing a huge smile on his face. He knew I loved his family so much, especially his mom, that I wouldn't reject his invitation to spend time with them.

We were walking hand-in-hand going to

his father's office. The employees' eyes were not just on him but also on our intertwined hands. I could already hear their unsaid questions just by looking at their faces which were thirsty for answers.

Tipid kong nginitian ang mga nakakasalubong naming mga employee. Siguro ay iniisip nila ngayon kung sino ako at bakit hawak-hawak ng future president ng kanilang kompanya ang aking kamay. Pati ang sektetarya ni Tito Bryson ay nagulat nang dumating kami ni Gavin.

"Is my dad already inside?" Gavin asked the secretary.

"Y-yes, sir!" medyo nauutal pa nitong sagot.

Gavin smiled at her. "Thanks."

Ginawaran ko rin ng ngiti ang sekretarya bago sumunod kay Gavin papasok sa opisina ni Tito Bryson. Agad naman akong namangha sa ganda ng opisina at kahit hindi ko sumatin ay alam kong mas malaki pa ito sa akin apartment.

"Oh, nandito na pala kayo!"Tuamayo si Tito Bryson mula sa kanyang office chair upang lumapit sa amin. He kissed me on my cheek as a greeting beforw he turned to his son. "I've got papers for you to work on. It's im your desk."

"We shouldn't have come to greet you, huh, Dad?"

"Atlest you wouldn't be surprised anymore." Tito Bryson laughed as he looked at me. "Gavin will lead you to the Marketing Department, Keanna. If there's anything you need, don't hesitatw to consult your head. You can also bother your boyfriend here. I know he wouldn't mind."

Bahagya akong natawa. "Ayos na po ako, Tito."

Tito Bryson smiled and nodded. "Great! I hope you'll have a great time in Qantara."

"Thank you po." I expressed my gratitude.

"No problem," he said before tapping Gavin's shoulder. "I have a meeting. I'll leave in you in-charge. Take care of Keanna, too."

"You didn't have to say the last part. Of course, I'll take care of her," sabi naman ni Gavin.

Pakiramdaman ko ay namumula na ngayon ang aking pisngi. Minsan talaga ay kahit nasasanay na ako sa mga mabubulaklak ng mga salita ni Gavin ay hindi ko pa rin maiwasan ang kiligin. Iyon ang hindi nawawala.

Pagkarating namin sa Marketing Department ay abala na ang lahat sa pagta-trabaho pero nang makita kami ni Gavin, lahat sila ay bahagyang napahinto. Alam kong halos ten minutes na akong late pero suguro ay babawiin ko na lang 'yon at mag-oovertime.

"I'm sorry po kung late siya, Ma'am Nilda. My father asked us to meet him in his office first," si Gavin na ang himingi ng pasensya.

"Nako! Wala pong problema, Sir. Wala pa naman pong masyadong gagawin ngayon," agad na sabi ng aking head bago lumingo sa akin. "Keanna, 'di ba?"

Nakangiti akong tumango. "Opo."

Tunuro niya ang bakanteng cubicle sa hindi kalayuan. "Iyon ang magiging table mo rito. Mayroon na ring iilang files na kailangang i-encode roon."

Chemicals of excitement suddenly filled up my bloodstream. I've been waiting to apply what I've learned in school to an actual work. Now, the time has finally come!

"Sige po! Gagawin ko na po agad!" masigla kong sabi at saka inexcuse ang aking sarili upang pumunta sa aking sariling lamesa.

The table looked so neat and the computer also looked brand new. May mga ilang office necessities nang nakahanda roon gaya ng mga ballpens, pencils, stapler at iba pa. Maayos din ang pagkakasalansan ng mga files na ipapagawa sa akin sa lamesa. Pati ang office chair ay mukhang kumportable.

"Are you fine here already?" Gavin asked me when he came closer and briefly scanned my cubicle. "Do you need anything else?"

I turned to him and smiled as I shook my head. "Okay na ako rito. Magta-trabaho na ako kaya bumalik ka na sa opisina mo at may pinapagawa pa sa'yo si Tito."

He playfully shot his brows up. "So, you're my boss now, huh?"

Kinunot ko ang aking noo sa kanya. "Tumigil ka nga," suway ko. "Bumalik ka na roon!"

He laughed once again that almsot echoed the office because the other employees were very quiet. Nahiya tuloy ako at mas lalo ko siyang pinaalis. Mabuti na lang at sumunod na rin siya dahil mukhang importante rin ang pinapagawa sa kanya ni Tito Bryson.

"Hi!"

I was slightly surprised when a girl suddenly came up to me. I took a quick glance at her ID and saw that she's also a trainee like me. I got so excited thinking that she wanted to be friends with me.

"Hello!" masaya kong bati pabalik sa kanya.

She casually moved her chair closer to me. Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang aking table bago nanatili ang matang nakatingin sa akin.

"So... are you Gavin Alcantara's girlfriend?" She went straight to the point in expressing her curiousity.

I was slightly taken aback, but I still managed to smile and nod.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay sa akin. "Bakit dito ka nag-OJT?"bigla niyang sunod na tanong. "I'm sure do you have your own company, right? Bakit hindi ka sa kompanya niyo nag-OJT? Training mo na rin bilang heiress."

Napatigil ako sa kanyang mga tanong. Muli kong naramdaman ang agwat namin ni Gavin sa isa't-isa. This wasn't the first I felt this disturbing feeling, but I still couldn't ignore it. Pakiramdam ko'y mulin namamaliit ang aking pagkatao dahil sa kanilang pag-iisip tungkol aa akin.

"Uh... Wala kaming ganoon." pag amin ko.

Mukhang naguluhan siya sa aking sagot. "Walang ganoon?"

Bumuntong hininga ako saka taas noong ngumiti sa kanya. "Wala kaming kompanya. Mayroon lang kaming simpleng hanapbuhay sa probinsya namin."

Her jaw dropped and her mouth shaped in an 'O'. She looked so shocked and disappointed that I wasn't who she thought I was.

"Oh... Okay..." she sounded really disappointed as she moved her chair away from me.

I started to feel uncomfortable. Nawala ang excitement ko sa pagta-trabaho pero ginawa ko pa rin lahat ng kailangan kong gawin. Ilang sandali pa ay pumunta ako sa comfort room para umihi at ayusin ang sarili.

"Yes! I'm telling the truth! Tinanong ko siya kanina," natatawang sabi ng babaeng pumasok sa comfort room habang ako'y nasa loob ng isang cubicle.

Her voice sounded familiar, and I had come to realize that she was the trainee who talked to me earlier. Mayroon naman siyang kasama ngayon.

"She's not an elite? Hindi tagapagmana ng kahit anong kompanya?" paninigurado ng babaeng kausap na mukhanh hindi rin makapaniwala.

I didn't have to think hard in order to know who they were gossiping about. It was very obvious that they're talking about me.

"Oo!" eksahederang sagot niya. "Mukhang babarian pa. Mayroon daw simpleng hanapbuhay sa probinsya nila."

"Oh my gosh! Why did Gavin fall for her?" she asked like Gavin falling in love with me was an absurb thing.

I've never been this disrespected. Sa lahat ng pangmamaliit na naramdaman ko ay alam kong ito ang pinakatatak sa puso at isipan ko. Their worda cutting my heart into pieces and pushing down my self-esteem that made me lose the confidence I kept on rebuilding.

"I don't know but I think he's bewitched. Galing pa naman sa baryo. Baka mangkukulam," natatawa niyang biro.

Nagtawanan silang dalawa ng kanyang kasama. I tightly clenched my fist while trying to keep my tears starting to pool inside my eyes.

"For sure, she's a gold-digger," she said with conviction like she really knew me to think of me that way. "Siguro kaya siya nakapasok dito dahil girlfriend siya ni Gavin. Why would they reject her, right? Baka mawalan pa sila ng trababo."

"Iyan din ang iniisip ko!" Dinig na dinig ko ang pagkatuwa sa kanyang boses. "Kanina nga ang lakas ng loob niyang malate sa unang araw dahil kasama niya si Gavin. Parang si Ma'am Nilda pa ang nahiya sa kanila."

"Ay, nako! Hayaan na natin siya. Kakarmahin din 'yan."

They both laughed once again before they went out of thw comfort room. I heavily sighed, trying to gather my sanity and keeping me whole. Nanghihina akong lumabas ng cubicle at dumiretso sa mga sink upang tingnan ang aking sa sarili sa salamin.

Are you not worthy to be the great Gavin Alcantara's girlfriend?

Mariin akong pumikit at yumuko. Insecurities were eating me up once again. Ilang beses akong huminga ng malalim bago ako nagdesisyon na lumabas at bumalik sa opisina. There I saw Gavin sitting on my chair while looking at the data on my computer that I was already done encoding. He was very oblivious to the employees who kept on glancing at him, especially the girl beside me who's shamelessly staring at him with an obsence look.

"Bakit ka nandito?" tanong ko sa kanya ng makalapit ako.

Nguniti siya sa akin at agad na tumayo sa aking upuan upang ako ang makaupo. Hinarap kong muli ang computer para ipagpatuloy ang aking ginagawa.

"Lunch time in five minutes," he said. "Sabay na tayong kumain."

"Late akong maglu-lunch," sabi ko sa kanya. "Nalate ako kaninang pumasok. I want to make it up for it."

He nodded as he understood where I was coming from. "I'll wait for you, then."

I just sighed again and let him be.