Ethereal Love

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Try
  
  
  
The room fell silent. Some are lowering their head while some are giving me pleading glances like a child asking for their mother's help.

One harsh sigh and Eliron stood up from his seat. I looked up to him. He's really pissed, he didn't even adjourned the meeting and just walked out of the room.

Halos sabay-sabay ang mga kasama ko sa kwarto na suminghap. Bumugtong hininga ako at tumayo na.

As I gathered some documents, naglapitan ang ilan sa akin. I sighed again knowing why they're approaching me.

"Miss Alquizar," tawag ng nasisiguro kong si Arch. Agoncillio.

I glanced at him. He quickly smiled at me. My vision past through him, I smiled and nodded to some board members as they walk out of the room. Isang ngiti ang ginawad ko kay Arch. Agoncillio bago magpatuloy sa ginagawa.

"I only want to improve my designs. Kaya may mga binago." paliwanag niya sabay tulong sa akin.

Huminga ako ng malalim at huminto. Bumaling ako sa kaniya. Ang mga kasamahan niya ay nakatayo sa kaniyang likuran halatang pilit ang ngiting ginagawad sa akin. I then looked at Architect who's looking at me with hopeful eyes.

I smiled. "I understand, Architect."

Tila nabuhayan siya sa sinabi ko. Lumawak ang ngiti niya at pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa ko. He handed it to me after. I sighed as I accepted it and thanked him.

"Kung may hindi nagustuhan si Architect Falcutila, pu-pwede 'kong baguhin iyon. Please, tell him. I will do it."

Dahan-dahang naglaho ang ngiti niya ng umiling ako.

"Naiintindihan kita, it's not bad to change your design to make it better. But what you did, you totally neglected what our client wants, Architect. Sigurado akong yun ang ikinagalit ni Sir." mapait akong ngumiti sa kanila. "To satisfy our client is our top priority here. Focus on our clients more than showing off to our boss."

Tumango-tango siya. "I will, tell him I'll change it. Please, Miss Alquizar."

Nginitian ko na lamang sila. Sinundan niya ako sa paglabas ko at pinagbuksan ng pinto. Tinanguan ko siya at agad nang umalis.

Bumuga ako ng hangin ng makapasok ng lift. This is how other employees are treating me now. I'm like their savior whenever they did something wrong. They are all giving me special treatment and it's making me feel very uncomfortable.

Tuwing pumapasok ako ay pinauulanan nila ako ng bati, some are even offering to carry my bag for me. Nanghihingi pa sila ng permiso kung pupwedeng sumabay sa lift. Tuwing kinukuha ko ang inorder na lunch namin ni Eliron sa reception, ang daming nagaabot ng pagkain. But that doesn't mean everyone likes me. Madalas din akong nakakarinig ng mga masasamang salita para sa akin at mga gawa-gawang kwento upang siraan ako. It reminded me of when we were still at college. May ilang boto sa relasyon namin, may ilan 'ding ayaw at naninira.

I remembered my younger self. Sa loob ng isang cubicle ng restroom, pilit na inaalo ang sarili matapos marinig ang mga masasakit na salita na binabato sa kaniya ng kapuwa niya estudyante. I smiled bitterly to that.

Nang marating ang tamang palapag, bumalik na ako sa aking desk.

I promised Danica that we will have lunch together today. Noong nakaraang araw pa niya ako kinukulit na magkita kami. Alam ko ang dahilan ng kagustuhan niyang iyon. Well, I did promised to tell her so...

I check my cellphone and saw a message from her.

Danica:

I'm on my way to the restaurant. See you! :D