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"Oh, Antoinette. Ayos ka lang ba dito?"
"Yes, Ma'am. Still good."
I smiled at Fritz, 'yung manager sa hotel na pinapasukan ko. She's always been a big help since I started here as a front desk receptionist. Akala ko mahihirapan ako rito pero gumaan ang lahat dahil halos lahat sila, tinutulungan ako. Isang linggo pa lang ako rito pero palagay na agad ang loob ko sa lahat. I'm happy to enjoy work with them.
"Oh, my!" Aila squealed beside me.
I looked at her, confused.
"Balita ko, papunta rito si Sir Philip! May party sila sa rooftop! Makikita natin siya. Gosh!"
"Sino 'yun?"
Umirap siya at umarte na parang nagsabi ako ng isang malaking joke.
"Duh?! Si Philip Rojas? 'Yung sikat na artista sa Pinas ngayon? Sobrang sikat niya, 'di mo kilala? Marami rin siyang commercials and billboards! Nakita mo ba 'yung billboard niya sa Ayala? So hot!" she squealed yet again. "Kapatid niya si Sir Chase, 'yung CEO nitong hotel. Kaya lagi siyang tambay rito pag free siya."
I shrugged. May dumating na guest kaya roon ko na muna itinuon ang atensyon ko.
I was busy greeting guests when there was a sudden commotion near the front door. Napunta roon ang atensyon ko. Passed by the glass door was a tall guy wearing a simple white shirt and denim trousers with his sunglasses pushed forward his head. He has a pretty face. And his hair... slightly messy.
He stopped on my table and shamelessly placed his toned arms on it. He held his chin and acted like he's surveying my whole existence as he stares at me.
I nervously looked at him and slightly bow my head. "G-good afternoon, Sir."
He arched his brow. "You're new here?"
"Yes, Sir..."
"I'm Philip," he said, offering me his hand for a shake.
Nanlaki 'yung mga mata ko. So he's that Philip?
Inabot ko iyong dulo ng kamay niya at agad din binitawan. "N-nice to meet you, Sir."
The side of his lips rose up. "Then I'll expect to see more of you, Miss..." his eyes dropped on my nameplate. "Antoinette. Wow. Nice name."
He gave me a playful winked.
Then left.
I exhaled the amount of air which I refused to let go earlier.
He's... intimidating.
"Good morning! Aga, ah?" Fritz greeted.
"Sayang 'yung kaltas pag na-late," I laughed.
Bago mag-simula, inayos ko muna iyong table ko. Hindi kasi ako makapag-trabaho kapag makalat. It bothers me. Sa tatlong buwan ko nang pagta-trabaho rito ay ito na iyong lagi kong ginagawa. Time runs fast. Parang dati, first week ko pa lang dito at nangangapa pa.
I was wiping my table when suddenly, a folded small piece of paper fell down on the floor. My mouth pressed on a thin line.
Meron na naman?
'I can only see the beauty in the person I am secretly admiring from afar. Can't wait for you to finally know me.
Chocolates! It will lighten up your mood.
-Your 116'
Napatingin ako sa gilid ng table ko. There is, indeed, a box of chocolates. Ang dami ko nang stock niyan. Araw-araw na lang kasi may dumarating na chocolates at letters pero 'di ko naman alam kung kanino galing dahil wala namang pangalan doon sa note.
"116..." Kumunot 'yung noo ko.
Is this a code? Lagi kasing mayroong ganito sa bawat dulo ng letters na natatanggap ko.
Itinabi ko na muna ang mga iyon nang biglang may guests na dumating. I accommodate their questions and got busy straight for the whole day.
The next day, as expected, meron ulit chocolates at letter na naka-lagay sa front desk. I read the letter and stopped myself from smiling. Ang corny.
'Morning! Do you feel tired already? You've been running through my mind the whole night. :-(
Eat your chocolates! I always see you but I can't brave myself enough to talk to you. You're making me feel like a scaredy-cat.
-Your 116'
He's cute.
"May employee party tayo, Antoinette!" Aila informed me.
"Talaga? Kailan?"
She grinned. "Sa November 6! Birthday kasi ni Sir Philip. Free party!"
"November 6 'yung birthday niya?" I asked, surprised. That's my day, too. Hindi ko na lang sinabi kay Aila dahil ang dami na agad niyang ikinuwento tungkol kay Sir Philip.
Time runs fast that it was November 6 already. Tutal naman, may party mamaya, e 'di dito ko na lang din isi-celebrate iyong birthday ko.
We'll work until 6 pm. Alas siete naman 'yung start ng party. Pagdating ko sa table ko, naroon na naman 'yung chocolates at letter.
'Happy birthday! More chocolates for you. Let's see each other later?
-Your 116'
My mouth went agape.
Wala akong pinag-sabihan na ngayon ang kaarawan ko.
116. It means November 6? My birthday? But it says... Your 116. I kind of thinking about someone but it's impossible. Bakit niya naman gagawin 'to?
He's like... on a different level than mine.
Evening came up and I was frigging nervous.
Nag-simula ang party. Maraming drinks, maraming sumasayaw, malakas 'yung music.
I looked around, nagbabaka-sakali na baka makita ko 'yung nagpapadala sa 'kin ng sulat kahit wala naman akong clue kung anong hitsura niya. Ininom ko iyong isang shot ng liquor sa baso ko.
I just wanted to know who he is.
Ayoko kasi nung iniisip ko.
Ilang beses pa lang kami nagkaka-usap ni Sir Philip. It was always about work. Hindi pa lumalagpas ng five minutes 'yung usap namin.
Imposibleng siya 'yun.
Biglang may lalaking nag-salin ng alak sa baso ko na kauubos ko lang ang laman. I looked at the guy and my mouth parted in surprise.
"S-sir..." I barely speak.
"Hi!" he greeted enthusiastically. "My name is Will."
"Huh?" Second name niya ba 'yun? Philip Will?
Lumapad iyong ngiti niya.
"God's will for you..."
My jaw dropped.
"Was that... a pick-up line?" I asked, heart's beating so loud.
It's impossible.
"Papakilala nga pala ako sa 'yo nang maayos." He shifted on his seat. He smiled before offering his hand. "Hi, Antoinette. I'm your 116."
