The Calm and the Storm

17

17

It was difficult to adjust in the new condo. But it's better than the first time I moved alone. Unti-unti na rin akong nasanay. It was far from the office. At kapag hindi ka pa maaga, maaabutan ka ng traffic. Kaya naman maaga na talaga akong gumigising.

"Oh, you're here!" ani Ate Therese nang magkita kami sa cafeteria.

"Good morning," bati ko.

Sabay kaming pumila. Nag-order ako ng kape dahil inaantok pa talaga ako. I was about to walk away when my sister called me.

"Come on, maaga pa naman. Let's drink our coffee together," yaya niya.

"Okay, sure."

It was raining outside. Nakaupo kami sa gilid ng glass wall kaya tanaw namin ang labas. Matagal na rin noong huli kaming nagkaharap ni Ate. Lately, we were busy with our schedules that we did not have time for talking.

But as she smiled at me, I remember the secrets I suppressed.

"So, kumusta ka na?" she asked.

"I'm fine. Marami lang tinatrabaho kaya palagi akong nasa loob ng office ko."

"I agree. Marami talagang trabaho. I remember na may meeting mamaya. Araw-araw na lang may meeting."

I sighed and took a sip from my coffee.

"Anyway, wala tayong work this weekend. Let's hang out. Sa condo mo na lang."

My stomach clenched because of guilt.

"I'll bring food tapos mag-karaoke tayo!"

"Actually... lumipat na kasi ako, Ate."

Her smile slowly disappeared but she still tried to sound positive when she said, "Talaga? Kailan lang?"

"Last week."

"Oh..."

Naging tahimik kami. I was holding my cup of coffee, feeling the warmth of it. Ate Therese sipped from hers.

"Wow... It's just... Nakakapanibago."

"I got busy with work," I reasoned out. "It must have slipped my mind."

Impossible. I always say things to my sister. Kahit napaka-busy ko na ay hindi ko pa rin siya makakalimutang i-text. Ngayong mga panahon lang talaga kami hindi nagkakausap.

"Galit ka ba?" mahina kong sabi, nakokonsensya.

"I'm not." She smiled. "Ayos lang. I guess I'm just shocked."

"In a good way or in a bad way?"

"Of course, it's in a good way."

We went to our respective offices after our talk. I knew Ate Therese was bothered. We were so close. Hindi ko rin naman inakala na dadating kami sa ganitong punto.

I was so dependent. I used to seek her permissions and suggestions even if I am already an adult. It's as if my eyes were slowly opening.

Nang hapon, may meeting na naganap. Nagtungo ang mga department head sa meeting area. Nagkasalubong kami ni Ate at ngumiti siya sa 'kin. I smiled back even if I was uncomfortable with the talk we had.

"As of this month, the sales are stagnant. It's good but I know we can be better," pahayag ng aming boss.

I opened my notebook to take notes of the meeting.

"We are in the business industry. Maraming kompetensiya kahit saan. So it's important to boost sales. Especially that we have an important deal right now."