Lasta Sanco (A Collaborative Novel)

Chapter Seven

Distancing myself

Ariadne

"Miss. Lorie, this is the first presentation file, it's complete and ready to be presented." Nakangiti kong inabot kay Miss. Lorie ang folder na hawak ko. Naglalaman ng mga tinapos kong paperworks for the past two and a half days. Kinuha niya naman sa'kin 'yon agad at chineck ito.

"Hm? Hm.. Very nice, the output is well done and understandable.. Thank you, Felicity." Paglingon sa'kin ni Miss. Lorie at saka inilapag ang folder sa kaniyang tabi. Tumango naman ako at akmang aalis na nang tawagin niya ako ulit, "oh wait."

"Since you're here, will you please take care of this? One of our employees took his sick day leave. So he's not here today." Iniabot naman niya sa'kin ang maliit na pulang flash drive. Nakangiti ko namang kinuha 'yon at saglit na tiningnan at saka tumango-tango kay Miss. Lorie.

"Of course, miss."

"Thank you, sorry for suddenly giving that work, it's a video presentation that just needs some editing and needs more Info's, I'll be needing that next week."

"Yes, miss, I'll take care of this."

Agad rin naman akong nakarating sa desk ko pagtapos, sinaksak ko ang flash drive na binigay ni Miss. Lorie at tiningnan ang laman nito. Video presentation nga tungkol sa sales na gawa na kaso hindi pa kumpleto at kailangan pa nga ng karagdagang editing. Same topic lang din naman sa susunod na paper work na gagawin ko.

Huminga nalang muna ako ng malalim habang nakatingin sa computer ko at saka nag-type para sa karagdagang information na ie-edit ko sa video file.

"I could help you with that."

Hm?

Nilingon ko agad ang boses sa'king likuran. Just to see Hector's face that is TOO close to me! Sa bigla ko at sa bigla niya ay agad kaming napaatras palayo sa isa't-isa. "Uy!"

"Ah? Ahaha.. it's you..." Awkward ko pang pagtawa at saka napakamot sa sentido ko. Shocks, that startled me. I felt my heart skipped a beat.

"Ehehe! Sorry, nagulat yata kita.. by the way!" Agad niya namang hinila ang katabi kong swivel chair at inusod ito sa tabi ko at naupo. Saka niya sinilip ang screen ko at binasa saglit ang kasalukuyan kong tina-type.

Really, everytime he's interacting with me, I can't help but to stare at him at alalahanin mga naging usapan namin two days ago in the middle of the rain.

As if it was one my sudden best moments. I can't help but to smile a bit secretly while he's not looking.

Even though hanggang do'n lang ako..

"Ooh? I could help you with this! Would you like to grab some coffee later? Do'n na rin natin 'yan edit, I brought my laptop with me."

I was truly happy.

"Sure ka? Hindi ba may mga paper works ka rin na inatas sa'yo?"

"Ahaha! Then help me too, a work could be done fast if there's a helping hand; let's be partners!" Itinaas pa niya ang isang kamay niya sa'kin. Trip niyang makipag-apir.

Ngumiti naman ako at napahagikgik at saka tumugon sa apir niya. "Yey!"

"Thank you."

"Eheh! Of course, ikaw pa."

*****

"Maybe we should add more details regarding its definition, para mas clear at mas ma-present 'yong designs na ipo-propose."

"Yeah, that could work, and maybe we should add more designs na original sa'tin, I'm starting to come up with a new idea about the design for this," ani ko naman. Turo ko pa sa isang logo design tungkol sa new product na maaaring i-release din ng company incase ma-approve ito. Nagsimula naman din akong magsulat sa mini notebook ko for the details for its design.

And the original worker of this flashdrive did a great job as well.

"Dang, that would be great, Ariadne," nakangiti namang ani ni Hector while looking at the screen. Gamit nga namin ang laptop niya and we're here at this coffee and dessert shop na nakapwesto sa pinakababa ng building namin. We're both taking notes too.

"Want more coffee?"

" Ah no, I'm good." Nag-thumbs pa ako saglit at saka muling nagasikaso sa laptop.

"Ahaha! Well I want more, bili lang ako ulit."

"Go."

Tila excited pa siyang tumungo sa counter ar um-order nga ulit ng panibagong klase ng coffee.

After taking notes for this business project, I look at him again. He seems to be having a good conversation with the coffee guy there. I took a slight deep breath and took my eyes away from him. Tumitig nalang ako ulit sa laptop while trying to come up with some new ideas for this presentation.

I am truly happy that I'm with him but..

Is this even okay?

I feel like, my feelings is getting deeper which is not supposed to be happening. I can't help but to look back from that night in the middle of the rain.

Feeling ko that time, finally he notices me, finally he started to see me.

But no, it's not like that. He just appreciates me for being me but that doesn't mean anything romantic.

Now, realizing that, my heart aches a little.

Siguro dapat...

Napatigil ako sa pagiisip nang tumunog ang isang phone sa tabi ko, it's his.

I could see the message notified from his screen. I was surprised for a moment there nang mabasa ko ang message.

Nathalie:
Love, can we talk? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that, please let's talk. I'll be waiting at the coffee and dessert shop at your work. Malapit na ako, let's meet.

It's... his girlfriend..

For some reason, parang may napakaraming karayom ang nagtipon-tipon at tumusok sa dibdib ko. Napalunok lang ako at napabuntong-hininga.

Agad ko naman niligpit ang notebook ko, sakto at palapit na pala siya habang dala-dala ang kape niya. Inayos ko lang muna ang laptop niya at saka binunot ang flashdrive. From that moment, nakalapit na siya sa'kin habang nagtataka.

"Why did you do that? Are we done?"

"Ah..." Agad naman napakagat-labi sa kaunting kaba at sakit but I still manage to show a smile. "Sorry, may gagawin pa pala ako, thank you for helping me, for now I'll be going."

"Eh?"

Agad na akong umalis sa table at akmang aalis na ng humarang naman siya. Napahigpit tuloy ang hawak ko sa notebook ko while still trying to smile. "Wait, why? I didn't even got to see your new ideas, we're partners right?" He's tone is sad, he's just being like that, a part of his personality.

"Y-yeah! That's why if you need help, just ask me. By the way, I'm sorry for peeking at your phone. I saw a notification of a message.. F-from your girlfriend." Nilingon ko pa kung saan nakapwesto ang phone niya at tumango-tango sa kaniya.

Mukhang nabigla naman siya sa sinabi ko at saka agad lumapit sa phone niya at tiningnan ito. While he's busy looking at his phone, I took that opportunity to leave that place, leaving him.

I was fast that I was able to hide behind a wall a bit far from that shop. I took a deep breath at sinilip pa siya do'n. Looks like he's looking for me habang nagtataka. Naupo nalang din siya sa pwesto namin do'n.

I was about to leave nang mapansin ko naman agad ang babaeng lumapit sa kaniya. She's familiar--ah that's it. That's his.. his girlfriend.

She's beautiful.

He seems surprised nang makita siya, agad pa siyang napatayo. That girl immediately hugs him and he slowly hugs her back.

That's it, I should be leaving..

I should be distancing myself.