Traitor

CHAPTER 3: Encounters and Misencounters

Napakaganda naman nito.

Win can't help but admire the spacious lobby of the building where he is. Napakalaki at napaka-elegante ng pagkaka-design ng buong building. Hindi na rin siguro siya magtataka kung pati ang elevators nito ay high-tech.

Mabilis na tumungo si Win sa receptionist ng building para itanong kung anong floor niya dapat i-meet ang HR manager na kausap niya. He accepted this job because it is the closest to his heart. He followed what he really wanted to do.

He graduated with a degree in Community Development. It's not a usual course that one takes in college. In fact, baka nga sa sampung mag-aaral para sa kolehiyo, baka isa o wala pang magte-take ng course na ito. His course is centered around planning, developing, monitoring, and facilitating community projects, particularly the ones implemented by the government.

Ito ang napili niyang kurso because as cliche as it sounds, helping others has been one of his dreams. He's also good at planning and developing projects. When he was in high school, he helped organize outreach programs, concerts, fundraisers, and other community development-related activities. Naging presidente din siya ng Student Council at Corps Commander ng kanilang military training. He's an all-rounder. Pero pinakamasarap sa pakiramdam ni Win ang tumulong sa iba, partikular na sa mga batang nangangailangan ng kalinga. Even his family does outreach programs when it is necessary. It's a good thing that his dad works for an NGO in the country kaya marami silang acccess sa mga projects like this.

"Hi, Mam! I'm here to meet Ms. Gen from HR? May I ask what floor I should go to?" Win asked the receptionist. She looked young and very friendly. Hindi naman naging suplada ang naging sagot nito kay Win.

"She's on the 12th floor, Sir," she replied and smiled back. "But before that, may I ask you to key in your contacts in that computer over there?" she added, while pointing at a nearby station where computers are located. Lahat ng computer ay Apple. Kaya muling napabulong si Win, Sosyal!

After Win keyed in his details, he went to the receptionist again. She handed him a key card, and told him that it is for the elevator use. Kailangan lang daw niyang sumakay sa elevator 3 at gamitin ang key card to enter. Sosyal talaga. Nangangain yata ng tanga yung elevator nila, muling naisaisip ni Win.

He started walking towards the elevator. Habang naglalakad ay sinubukan ni Win na kapain ang telepono niya sa bag. Kailangan niya kasing i-message ang mommy niya na nakarating naman siya ng matiwasay sa location ng office. They were all very supportive of his decision to take the job. Parang lahat sila mas excited pa sa kanya.

He was close to getting his phone when somebody bumped into him. Nalaglag tuloy ang hawak niyang key card. Mabilis na pinulot ni Win ang card, pero nagulat siya nang makitang ang elevator sa harap niya ay papasara na. Kaya mabilis niyang pinasok iyon nang hindi tinitingnan ang number nito. Naisip na lamang niya iyon ng biglang bumungad sa kanya ang isang mukhang ayaw na sana niyang makita kahit kailan: Bright Vachirawit.

Automatic na napairap si Win sa binata. Sa lahat naman ng pwedeng makasabay sa elevator, ito pa talaga! Lord, ang bait ko naman these past few days diba? tanong ni Win habang pinagmamasdan ang supladong mukha ng binata. He has that smug expression, mayabang, mapangmata, mukhang hindi marunong bumaba. Kaya mas inis na inis si Win na ito ang nakasabay.

Hindi muna kumibo si Win. Hindi rin naman kumibo si Bright. Nananantiya si Win, at dahan-dahang umaahon ang inis sa dibdib niya dahil ni hindi man lang nagsalita ito. Hindi naman niya ini-expect na makipag-usap ito in a friendly manner, pero hinihintay sana ni Win na kahit sarcastically ay may sabihin ito. Nang hindi na mapigilan ni Win ang sarili ay siya na ang bumasag ng katahimikan sa loob ng elevator: "So, no sarcastic remarks or anything?"