Ceaseless Fire

Chapter 6

Chapter 6
Cheated

Tahimik lamang ako at hindi na ginalaw ang pagkaing nasa harapan ko habang hinihintay ang pagdating ng kontrata. Ang sarap pa naman ng mga putaheng nasa harapan ko ngunit nang dahil sa mga sinabi ni Orion ay nawalan ako ng gana.

Orion was just staring at me while I kept my sight away from me. Pati siya ay tumigil na rin sa pagkain.

What he said was somehow true though. Hindi ko naman 'yon tinatanggi sa sarili ko. Masyado akong nagpadala sa trahedyang nangyari noon at hindi na ako nakapag-isip ng maayos. But I tried to seek some help. I tried to think of ways on how to pay for my parent's debts. For him to call me useless hurt my pride and stepped on my efforts. Hindi porket hindi ko naisip ang mga paraang naisip niya ay wala na akong silbi.

My plan to forget everything that happened between me and him before, popped and vanished like a bubble.

"I'm sorry to keep you two waiting..."

Napalingon naman ako kay Attorney Navarro na kakarating lang na may dala-dalang clip folder. Inilapag niya iyon sa ibabaw ng lamesa kung saan mayroon pang space.

He then turned to look at me. "Hello, Miss Castellano," he greeted me with a smile. "It's nice seeing you again."

Nginitian ko lamang siya bilang ganting bati at napatingin naman ako sa nakalahad na folder sa aking harapan na hawak-hawak ni Orion.

"This is the revised contract," he stated.

Kinuha ko naman ito at agad na sinimulang basahin ang mga nakapaloob doon.

"Read and comprehend everything that's stated there," he said. "Kung wala ka nang gusto pang ipabago o ipadagdag sa kontrata ay pwede mo na 'yang pirmahan at pipirmahan ko na rin. We have Attorney Navarro with us to be the witness of our agreement."

Binasa ko naman ito at nakita kong nandoon na ang mga kondisyon na gusto kong isama niya sa kontrata at tinanggal ang mga dating nais niyang ipaloob dito.

I was satisfied with the terms and conditions of the revised contract.

"Okay na sa'kin," tipid kong sabi at nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. "Pipirmahan ko na."

"Here's a pen, Miss Castellano."

Bigla naman ang pag-alok ni Attorney Navarro ng fountain pen sa akin upang mapirmahan ko na ang kontrata.

"Thank you." I smiled at him and took the pen to sign the contract.

I signed the left side of all the pages and also signed above my full name before giving the contract back to Orion.

He also did the same thing I did and signed the papers beside my signature and also above his name. Attorney Navarro also signed the contract with our witness.

"Kailan ako magsisimulang magtrabaho?" tanong ko naman matapos nilang pirmahan ang kontrata.

"You'll start working tomorrow. There are available uniforms at the stock room in the hotel. Sa tingin ko ay mayroon namang size mo doon," Orion answered. "As for your name plate, you might also get it tomorrow. I'll ask the head of the housekeeping department to secure one for you. She'll also guide you with your duties and give you your schedule."

Tumango-tango ako. "Kung ganoon ay aalis na ako," sabi ko na lang at saka tumayo. "Maraming salamat."

"Wait!" Attorney Navarro stopped me from going and held my wrist. "Won't you finish your meal before you go?"

Umiling naman ako at ngumiti. "Busog na po ako. Salamat na lang."

"Pero sayang ang pagkain. It's already lunch time. Matipid ka lang ba talagang kumain?" He sounded so concerned of me.