Ineffable Menace of Love (PDA Series #1)

Kabanata 58

Please be vigilant of sudden switches in point of view from first person to third person and back to first person.

Kabanata 58

"But mommy will never get angry," ani Aumi sa maliit nitong boses.

Yureev was on the verge of collapse, as if the world around her had come to a standstill. Syllvester, who was about to leave the office, also came to a halt.

Nagkatitigan si Mawi at Yureev. Kitang-kita sa kanilang dalawa ang pagkataranta. Sumenyas si Yureev na lumabas muna sila ni Aumi ngunit sa paggalaw ng mga kamay ni Yureev ay ang paglingon naman ng anak niyang si Aumi.

"Mo-" Mawi's hand quickly and urgently covered Aumi's mouth before he could utter a word.

"Sorry po, Chairman. Ang kulit po kasi ng anak ni Roxy." Mawi forced a laugh, though traces of surprise were still evident on her face.

Si Aumi naman ay litong-lito sa ginawa ni Mawi. Nalipat ang tingin niya kay Syllvester at ganoon na lang ang paghugot ng hininga ni Yureev nang makitang yumuko nang bahagya ang ulo ni Syllvester at magtagpo ang mga mata nilang dalawa ni Aumi.

"Ah... It's fine. Ano asan nga pala si Roxy?" kahit kabado ay naitawid pa rin ni Yureev ang sasabihin niya. Her hands clenched together below, fingers fidgeting out of fear.

"N-nasa labas pa po, Chairman." tumayo si Mawi at bahagyang yumuko, "P-pasensya na po. Lalabas na po kami, Ma'am."

Tumango si Yureev at sinulyapan ang anak niyang si Aumi na ngayon ay nagsalubong na ang kilay at nakatitig kay Syllvester.

Ganoon nalang ang pag-igtad ni Yureev nang lumingon si Syllvester sa kaniya. Halos sapuin niya na ang dibdib dahil sa kaba.

"W-what?" takot ang bumabalot sa puso niya ngayon habang nakatitig kay Syllvester.

"You let your employees bring their children here?" Syllvester intervened, pointing at Aumi who was now giving a hostile glare to the man in front of him. Mawi's hand still covered the child's mouth.

Lumunok si Yureev bago sumagot, "And why not?"

"Children are a distraction at work and noisy. My advice to you is to instruct your employees so that you can also focus on your work." he commented, providing his opinion and a bit of a lecturing tone.

Nagulat naman si Mawi at Yureev sa komento ni Syllvester.

"G-get out," nanlumo si Yureev dahil sa narinig. Tinuro niya ang pintuan, hinang-hina at hindi makapaniwala sa tugon ni Syllvester. "Get out," she whispered weakly.

"Wala ka sa lugar para pagsabihan ako ng kung ano ang dapat kong gawin at iutos sa mga empleyado ko," pagpapatuloy ni Yureev sa halos kapus na ang boses.

"It's an advice, this is not a playground." sagot ni Syllvester at lumingon pabalik sa harapan niya.

"And kiddo, whoever your mother is, tell her not to bring you to the office because it might be inconvenient." pagpapaintindi niya kay Aumi at tinuro si Yureev, "Do you see that woman? She's working, and if there are kids here, she might get disturbed. She doesn't like noisy environments." habul komento pa ni Syllvester sa kalmado nitong boses at nilagpasan na sina Mawi at Aumi.

Her lips quivered, unable to believe what Syllvester said to Aumi. Alam niyang komento niya lang ito at payo, pero ang sabihing nakakadistorbo ito ay parang pinipiga ang puso niya bilang ina.

Yureev knew that Syllvester's comment might have been meant innocently, it resonated more profoundly than she had anticipated.

It wasn't just about his son's presence in the workplace, it was about her identity as a mother and a professional.