The Calm and the Storm

18

18

Mr. J: Are you free on your day off this week?

Nasa isang meeting ako nang matanggap ang mensahe ni Jeno Emmanuel. Kunot-noo ko itong tinitigan. I was about to reply but I stopped myself to focus in our meeting. Nasa harapan si Annabelle at nagpe-present tungkol sa budget na gagamitin ng team.

Day off? This week? May pinaplano yata siya. Usually, 'pag may plano siyang mag-date kami ay hindi naman niya pinapaalam nang maaga. Unless...

"Ma'am Trinity?"

I did not notice that I was already smiling until they all looked at me. Umayos ako ng upo at tumikhim.

"Yes?"

"I was asking about the clarification of the schedule, po."

I brushed off Jeno Emmanuel's text and focused on the meeting. Luckily, it went well. Nang mag-dismiss na ay iniligpit ko ang mga dala at lumabas na ng meeting room.

"Ang blooming niyo po, Ma'am," ani Jaypee nang magkasabay kami.

"Iba po ang ngiti niyo, ha," ani Annabelle na sumulpot naman sa isa kong gilid.

"Kayo talaga."

Umiling ako at natawa. I bid my goodbye and went inside my office. I texted Jeno Emmanuel back as I sat down on my swivel chair.

Me: I think wala naman akong sched. Why?

He replied back within seconds.

Jeno Emmanuel: Can I call?

Me: Of course, babe.

Lumitaw ang pangalan niya sa caller ID at kaagad ko naman itong sinagot.

"Hello?" ani ko.

"So... are you sure you are free?"

"Hindi ko pa alam pero wala naman akong sched. But it will be my day off, so I will not work. Bakit?"

"I want to invite you to my business trip."

Napangiti ako. "Business trip?"

"For two days and one night."

My stomach churned, not because I was hungry, but because I thought of spending a night with him alone.

"Wow... Okay..."

"Okay lang ba sa 'yo?" he asked.

"Of course."

"Hindi ka ba conservative? Baka 'di ka kumportable." I could picture him smiling on the other line.

"Yeah. Pero saan ba?"

"It's in a different place."

Masyado na akong kinabahan kaya nakalimutan ko nang itanong kung saan kami pupunta. After the call, I avoided to talk about his trip. Ayaw kong makarinig pa ng ibang detalye patungkol doon.

I spend time with Jeno Emmanuel. It's fine with me. But an overnight?! Para naman akong bata neto!

Nang makauwi sa condo, nag-text ako kay Aida.

Me: Kung hindi ka busy, pumunta ka sa condo. ASAP.

Nakalatag ang isang trolley bag at iilang mga damit sa sahig ng condo. May mga sapatos din at mga pouch. Pagkatapos kong mag-dinner, kaagad akong naghanda ng mga isusuot. May dalawang araw pa naman ako, pero hindi ako mapalagay!

Nang dumating si Aida, nagtungo kami sa kuwarto. Itinapon ko ang sarili sa kama.

"What is this? May balak ka bang magbakasyon?" tanong niya.