Chained Destiny

Chapter 7

MAINGAT na binuksan ni Siggy ang pinto para silipin ang boss niya. Alas-otso na ng gabi, talagang hindi ito lumabas o tumawag sa kanya. Nakaupo ito sa throw pillow sa sahig at nagta-type sa laptop. She adjusted her reading glasses. May ilang tasa rin ng kape at mineral water sa tabi nito. The lights were dimmed at but the projectors brought enough light to the room.

"Do you need anything? Dinner?" Hindi pa ito kumakain mula kaninang umaga, she only had her cup of coffee in the morning. Hindi ito sumagot. Invisible siya sa mga mata nito. Kinuha niya ang sandwich sa mini-fridge at ipinatong sa coffee table. He had to tiptoe and avoid all the papers and binders on the floor. Hindi man lang siya tinapunan ng tingin ng dalaga. She's in the zone.

Natapos na niya ang trabaho ngayong araw. Nakakain na rin siya ng hapunan. He decided to take a nap on the couch in the outer office. Destiny did not mention what happened on friday. Parang walang nangyari. Are you affected? Niyakap niya ang unan.
It's not easy not to think about it. He and his boss literally fucked each other! Maybe it's just a spur of the moment, nasa Acropolis sila at kahit sino ay mapapasailalim sa pantasya. Natigil ang pagmumuni-muni niya nang mag-ring ang cellphone sa bulsa. Someone's calling. He took his phone out and answered the call.

"Kuya Siggy! It's Gabe!" Bumalikwas siya ng bangon.

"Nasa Pilipinas ka?" The last time he heard ay nasa Singapore si Gabe, isa itong chef sa five-star hotel doon.

"Yes! Surprise! Nasaan ka? Kita naman tayo." Halata ang excitement sa boses nito.

"Kailan ka pa dumating?"

"Kahapon lang. I'm here at Tomas Morato with our other cousins." Ibinigay nito ang address ng bar kung saan naroon ang mga ito. Mabilis siyang nag-ayos at binalikan si Destiny. Nasa gaanoong ayos pa rin ito.

"I need to go. Magkikita kami ng pinsan ko. Will you be okay?" Isang simpleng 'uh-huh' lang ang isinagot nito. He texted Gabe telling him he's on his way.

NAGMAMADALING pinindot ni Siggy ang elevator button. He's late! Pinuntahan niya si Destiny sa bahay nito kanina ngunit wala na ang dalaga roon. It's ten in the morning, she's probably arrived in the office. He's tapping his foot on the floor, ngayon lang siya na-late sa trabaho. Ayaw pa naman ni Destiny nang nale-late. Pagdating sa floor ay nilagpasan ang desk niya at pumasok sa opisina ni Destiny.
He's lost for words, she's on the couch, typing on her laptop, wearing the same clothes from yesterday!

"Have Ms. Lena Madrigal in my office in an hour." Isinara nito ang laptop.

"You stayed all night?!" Bigla siyang na-guilty. He left her alone. Kung hindi siya umaalis ay malaki ang tyansang mapauwi niya ito.

"Clean all this mess and print all the documents that I emailed to you. I will take a shower." Based on the tone of her voice, she's in a bad mood. May bedroom at shower room sa opisina ni Destiny, yes, she can stay all night and have some sleep but she didn't. He printed all the documents first and then put all the binder back to the boxes. Niligpit rin niya ang mga laptop at projector. He ordered breakfast for her. Tiyak na magbababad ito sa shower.

Kumuha siya sa closet ng isusuot ng dalaga at inilatag sa kama. Paglabas nito sa banyo ay tinuyo niya agad ang buhok nito gamit ang blower habang naglalagay naman ito ng moisturizer sa mukha at katawan.

Iniwan niya ito para makapagbihis. Eksaktong dumating ang pagkain nang lumabas ito ng kuwarto. Isinilbi niya ang omelette and french toast pati na kape. She finished her food quietly.

"Did you find out what you're looking for?" Inayos niya ang office table.

"Yes. Being a senior head accountant must be really nice." He took the empty plates from the table.