The Calm and the Storm

01

01

Lutang na lutang ako nang pumasok sa loob ng building. That was Jeno Emmanuel Serese! My crush in college! It's as if a storm formed inside my mind.

Ba't ang hot niya?! Tsaka anong ginagawa niya malapit sa company? And he still recognizes me! Oh my gosh! May pamilya na ba siya? I forgot to check if he has a wedding ring. May girlfriend ba siya?

When the elevator opened, I was shocked to see my sister's face.

"Trinity!"

She jumped and hugged me. Nanigas ako. Now we are talking about perfect timing.

"Ate," I acknowledged.

Kumalas siya sa yakap ngunit nakahawak pa rin siya sa mga balikat ko. "Omg, Trinity! The presentation."

"Bakit? Anong nangyari?"

Tumili siya. "It was a success!"

My heart leaped in joy when I saw how happy she was. Sa likod ng makeup niya ay ang mga malalaking eyebag at pimples dahil sa puyat at stress.

I was the witness to her preparations. Kaya naman napatalon na rin ako.

The people were looking at us while we were jumping up and down like kids.

"Sabi ko naman sa 'yo, eh!" sabi ko.

"But I stuttered! And I was nervous! Sobrang obvious kaya kinakabahan na ako."

"So, kumusta ang promotion?"

"Ayun nga... Maghihintay na lang ako sa final verdict. The board will discuss about my presentation. Sana nga tawagin na ako. I'm so anxious."

"We deserve a celebration."

"Of course!" aniya.

Ate Therese was happy. Very happy. And it brought me back to college days.

Our parents were always busy. As businessmen, we understood it. Kaya mas naging malapit kaming dalawa.

She would protect me. I would protect her. She would make me happy. I would do the same.

We almost have the same features. Mas mataba lang ang kanyang pisngi. They would classify us as twins even if Ate was two years older.

"Ate..." tawag ko.

"Yes? Anong plano natin? Pupunta ba tayo sa beach? Dinner? Naku, nakakatakot mag-celebrate kahit wala pa namang sigurado sa promotion."

I inhaled. "It's not about that. Kanina kasi..."

"Bakit? Anong meron?"

"Nakita ko si Jeno Emmanuel Serese."

Ate's eyes went wide as she gasped. "Omg, talaga?"

I nodded.

"Mabuti naman kung ganoon! We were planning for a reunion kasi with my college friends. Sobrang busy na kasi ng lahat, lalong-lalo na 'yang si Jeno Emmanuel kasi nag-masters pa."

So may master's degree siya in business? Mas naging hot tuloy siya sa paningin ko! And it's not helping!

"He's so busy at hindi na namin siya ma-reach. Kaya naman it's good to hear that he's home."

"Yeah," I tried to be cheerful.

I was so close to telling her about the whole situation. Ayoko lang talagang masira ang mood niya.

Ate was so happy with her successful presentation. I don't know what will happen if I tell her that I once had a crush on Jeno Emmanuel. Or kung ano ang naramdaman ko nang nagkita kami ulit.