Catalina Konan

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Taas-noo akong lumabas ng opisina ni Sir Dennis matapos ang trenta minutos na pag-uusap namin. Hindi ko mapigilan ang ngiti ko habang naglalakad, kulang na lang ay tumalon-talon pa ako sa sobrang katuwaan.

At dahil masaya ako sa naging resulta ng meeting... bawat taong madadaanan ko, hindi ko pinapalagpas na batiin.

"Hi, Magandang hapon sa inyo!" bati ko sa grupo ng kalalakihan na nag-uusap-usap sa isang tabi.

Nagtaka ang mukha nila sa 'kin at hindi nakapagsalita. I just shrugged and gave them my sweetest smile.

"Good afternoon!" muli kong bati sa isang babae na nadaanan ko.

"Hi! How are you doing?" bati ko naman sa isa.

"Hello! Ang ganda ng jacket mo."

"Hi! Good afternoon po!"

"Hi! Hi!"

"Hello to you, have a good da---" natigil ako sa pagbati at sa paglalakad nang may makabangga akong tao.

"Sorry!" we said in chorus.

I blinked when a familiar face subconciously scratched his head and smiled innocently at me, "I-Ikaw pala ‘yan..."

Suminghap ako nang makilala siya. Ito 'yung lalaking nakabangga ko no'ng unang punta ko rito sa office ni Sir Dennis. Tignan mo nga naman ang pagkakataon, talagang nagka-banggaan na naman kami.

"Yeah it’s me. Galing ako sa meeting kay Sir Dennis and I’m happy to say that he approved my invitation, finally!" I stated merrily.

"Oh? Congrats!"

Nilagpasan ko na siya at tinaas ang isang kamay ko bilang paalam, "Thank you! I’ll go ahead."

"Oy!"

Huminto ako at nakangiti siyang tinignan nang tawagin ako.

The guy paused, then gradually smile, "Sana hindi na tayo magka-banggaan sa susunod na pagkikita!" he waved his hand, "Ingat ka!"

With a nod, I waved back, "Sorry na! See you next time!"

Come to think of it, we haven't known each other's name, right? Tatanongin ko sana ang pangalan niya pero tumalikod na 'to at dire-diretso nang naglakad.

Well, I guess I’ll save it for next time.

Paglabas ko ng building, nagbigay ako ng mensahe kay Hailey na maayos ang kinalabasan ng meeting ko ngayon kaya naman niyayaya ko siyang lumabas para bawian ng libre pero... tinanggihan niya dahil marami daw siyang ginagawa.

Masaya lang ako dahil nakita ko sa mukha ni Sir Dennis kanina ang satisfaction na gusto kong makita sa kan'ya noong unang meeting namin. He complimented me and that made my day today. Though I really wanted to hear that from Sir Claudius, hearing a good compliment from a guest is undoubtly enjoynment too.

Sana sa susunod kay Sir Claudius naman manggaling 'yun...

Kaya naman naghanap ako sa CVA room ng pwede kong ilibre ngayong araw! Yey!

Konan: Good day, guys! I’m feeling super duper good today. Anyone wanna grab a snack with me? My treat!

Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong paghihintay sa sagot ng iba, sa huli ay wala rin akong nakasama. Si Gavin, nasa school daw ngayong maghapon. Si Tiara, out of town kasama si Zen. Si Hailey, busy sa trabaho. Si Seven, inaasar lang ako sa chat.

Kaya naman bumalik na lang ako sa office para magdiwang ng mag-isa.

But on my way, an unexpected person caught my attention. It was Sir Claudius who was standing right in front of this huge glass window at the corridor. I can clearly see that he was talking on his phone with one hand in his pocket. Just by staring from his back, made my heart nervous for no reason.

I didn't expect to see him outside. He was so busy these past few days that he was always in his office doing his works.

Just then I realized that... it's been quite awhile since I last saw him.

...and I remembered about his arranged marriage.

Humarap si Sir Claudius sa gawi ko kasabay ng pagbaba niya ng kan'yang cellphone. Nagkasalubong ang paningin namin, pagkatapos ng ilang araw, nakita ko na naman ang seryoso at walang emosyong mukha niya. Segundo palang ang lumilipas pero dama ko na agad ang pagod sa mata niya.

"What are you staring at?" I heard his cold, dominant voice.

I winced, realizing I was staring at him casually, "A-Ano... w-wala, wala!" I forced a smile.

Hindi na siya nagsalita kaya naman nanahimik din ako habang nakatingin sa itim na mata niya. I can't help but stare as I saw fatigue on his unapproachable face.

I cheerfully greeted everyone I encountered back at Sir Dennis's building but now that Sir Claudius was now in front of my eyes, I couldn't even say a formal 'hi' or 'hello' to him. I'm honestly getting nervous. Matagal ko nang kilala si Sir Claudius pero hindi naman ganito ka-lala 'yung kaba ko sa tuwing magkakaharap at magkakatinginan kami. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang sarili ko magmula ng mag-umpisa itong kaba ko.

Gusto ko siyang batiin kahit na alam kong pagod siya sa mga trabaho, gusto kong tanongin kung kumusta ang lagay niya pero... nahihiya ako, sobrang nahihiya.

Lord, nasa'n 'yung Konan na hindi nahihiya kay Sir Claudius dati? Nasa'n na?

Nabalik ako sa wisyo nang bumuga sa hangin si Sir Claudius at isuksok ang parehong kamay sa bulsa ng kan'yang pantalon, "I thought it’s nothing? What is it, Konan? Do you have something to say?" tanong niya.

Nilagay ko ang dalawang kamay ko sa likod at napakagat sa ibabang labi. Gusto ko siyang kumustahin pero nahihiya talaga 'ko!

Argh!

"U-Uhm... Sir Cla--- I mean, Claudius..." I can't help but stammered.

Hindi siya sumagot at nanatili lang na nakatingin sa akin. Gusto kong tuktukan ang sarili ko sa simpleng tanong na hindi ko masabi-sabi! Like, what the fudge, Catalina Konan?!

"What?"

Ngumiti ako, "Sabi nila nakakatulong daw ang tsaa para makapag-relax ang isang tao. G-Gusto mo bang timplahan kita? Mayro’n sa office ko."

Teka, hindi naman 'yun 'yong sasabihin ko 'di ba? Why do I sound like I was inviting him in my office?!

"So my exhaustion shows," he sighed, "Then, taking a short break with you won’t hurt, I guess," he suddenly walked and came close to pass me by. I smelled a fainted, bitter-sweet fragrance on his body.

Shemay... what an attractive scent.

"I’d love to have a red wine instead of tea. Would that be fine with you?" Sir Claudius casually asked in a low voice, but my heart thrumped so loud I could hear it.

That was an unintentional invitation in the first place but... thinking he took it earnestly made me... made me happy.

With an amused smile on my face, I nodded willingly.

"Mm!"

' ' '

Kagaya ng gusto ni Sir Claudius, nagpadala siya ng red wine dito sa office ko. Akala ko pa nga ay yayayain niya 'kong uminom no'n dahil nakita ko 'yung pangalan ng wine niya, 'Handpicked Cabernet Sauvignon'-- which was the wine my old friend and I used to talked about. Sadly, we didn't make it to the point to share it with each other.

Sa mahal ng red wine na 'to, imposibleng bilhin ko 'to lalo't gusto ko lang naman tikman ang lasa. Pero sabi ni Sir Claudius sa 'kin...

"No. I can tell your alcohol tolerance is too low. This red wine is hot, meaning it has high alcohol content."

Hindi naman ako pala-inom ng alak pero hindi rin naman ako inosente ro'n. Anong tingin sa 'kin ni Sir Claudius? Magwa-walwal? Ano ba 'yan, titikman lang, e.

Ka-chat ko si Hailey sa messenger, tinatanong niya kasi ako kung anong ginagawa ni Sir Claudius dito at dahil busy siya sa wine niya, sinabi ni Hailey na iiglip lang daw muna siya saglit. Tawagan ko raw siya kapag paalis na si Sir. Kaya naman para makapagpahinga si Hailey ng mahaba-haba at alam ko namang lublob sila pareho sa trabaho, kailangan kong panatilihin si Sir Claudius dito ng medyo matagal.

Tinitigan ko si Sir Claudius na nakaupong-de kuatro, hawak ang baso sa isang kamay at blangkong nakatingin sa bintana.

Even if I don't ask, I can see his weariness.

"B-By the way, how are you feeling?" sa wakas ay naitanong ko rin. Dumako ang itim na mata niya sa 'kin.

Sandaling nasa akin ang pagod niyang mata. Nagdudulot ng kakaibang kaba sa akin ang paningin na 'yun. Tinititigan lang naman niya 'ko pero grabe 'yung tibok ng puso ko.

"C-Claudius..."

"I wanted to ask something to you, Konan," malalim na bulalas niya.

Hindi ako sumagot at tumango lang sa kan'ya.

"I don’t know if you can answer but... what do you think of a father who’s tied up his son and the company in a little package and is planning to hand it over to his fiancée’s business partner?" seryoso at walang kaemo-emosyong tanong nito.

That made me remember about his arranged marriage... but what is it? Is he going to open up with me?

"Uhm..."

"I’m not okay for real."

Napaglapat ko ang aking labi. There, he answered my question with all honesty.

Sumimsim siya sa kan'yang hawak na wine glass at pagkatapos ay sinandal ang kan'yang ulo sa sandalan, hinilot niya ang kan'yang kabilang sintido.

Habang hindi ko malaman ang tamang sasabihin, naikuyom ko na lamang ang kamao ko. I'm not expecting this. First when he came along alone with me, second is this... he is actually trying to open up. Something that naturally people do to release those kind of ill feeling.

"Are you mad?" mahinang tanong ko.

Matagal bago niya ako naisipang sagutin sa gano'n posisyon, "I don’t know. All I’m feeling is this extreme anxiety from work and from someone."

"Your father?"

Hindi siya sumagot at naiintindihan kong tama ako. In the first place, alam naman na ng buong CVA ang tungkol dito.

Lumunok ako at pilit nilakasan ang loob sa kabila ng kaba ko, "Gusto kong mabawasan kahit kaunti ang stress mo k-kaya... ano, ipagdarasal ko na sana ay matapos na ‘to."

Lalong humigpit ang pagkaka-kuyom ko nang tignan niya ako.

"I’m not in the position to say something like this but... please try to get some rest. Uhm, you know the old saying, ‘health is important’. Don’t let the anxiety eat you up," bigkas ko pa.

A look of consternation slowly came over Sir Claudius's face as he listened to what I said.

What--?! Did I say something wrong? Is he angry?

"B-But of course I’m just concern to my boss! Even when you’re looking tired, you still looked handsome!" bawi ko agad.

I bit my tounge. What did I just say?! Sa sobrang pagka-taranta ko na baka na-misunderstand niya 'yung sinabi ko ay ayun, hindi ko na inisip kung anong lumabas sa bibig ko.

Binaba niya ang baso sa lamesa at humalukipkip na lamang, "I’m aware that my exhaustion is showing. I was just kind of flustered to hear that from the likes of you."

Ngumuso ako at umiwas ng tingin. I bet that's a little insulting, huh? May mga panahon naman na hindi ako slow!

"But since you were able to noticed faster than normal---"

"T-That’s harsh!"

Bumuntong hininga siya at napapikit. Naging malaya tuloy akong titigan siya ng buo. Kung tititigang maigi, sobrang perpekto ng itsura ni Sir Claudius-- parang si Zen, pero mas lamang para sa akin si Sir Claudius. Sa kabila ng pagiging seryoso niya sa lahat ng bagay ay ang malakas niyang dating sa kababaihan. Hindi ko masisisi ang mga babaeng gusto makuha ang atensyon niya, parang ako.

'Yun nga lang, may parte sa akin na gusto kong makuha ang atensyon niya at papuri ng buong-buo, solido.

I hastily shook my head at the thought. It's starting again! The strange and weird feelings is starting to grow again! Ano bang kinakabog-kabog ng puso ko rito? Ano?!

Huh? D-Don't tell me I'm in love...?

Nooo! With Sir Claudius?! That's imposible! Papuri at atensyon lang ang habol ko dahil boss ko siya! That is all!

Saka si Gavin ang gusto ko...

"I can’t believe that my father is completely blind by a woman and selling off his son along with the company’s reputation. He’s unbelievable," dismayadong bulalas bigla ni Sir Claudius.

"I-I heard your father’s getting married," usal ko.

Dumilat siya at dumiretso sa bintana ang paningin, salubong ng bahagya ang kilay nito, "Yes. The woman named Anastasia Ong is my father’s fiancée."

"And then... her business partner’s name was Lauren Lovato? Your soon to be---"

"Don’t say any further, Konan," he looked at me intently, "I don’t plan on marrying her."

I pursed my lips. What I heard made my heart a little bit comfortable.

"The Urban Foody is a complete no-name," anas niya pa, "I haven’t really heard of the name and it’s really annoying to think that father accepted his fiancée’s offer to get me married."

"So you mean it was all his fiancée’s plan and not your father?" I asked.

"Obviously without any doubt."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita agad. Unti-unti ko nang na-a-absorb na talagang mahina siya pagdating sa kan'yang mga nagiging babae. Parang ang lakas naman yata ng loob no'n na ibigay ang ideyang ipakasal si Sir Claudius sa business partner niya.

Hindi ko talaga ma-gets ang isip ng mga mayayaman. Akala ko ay sa palabas lang totoo ang arranged marriage.

"My father wants me to marry that Lauren and have our company purchase The Urban Foody. He’s trying to do what a business man would never do. How blind do you have to suggest that to his son? And now he’s angry just because I refuse? This is freaking unbelievable," muli siyang nagsalin ng red wine sa baso at diretsong ininom 'yun, "I shouldn’t contact him until he gets his womanizing habits out of the way."

"F-First calm down and think about it objectively," maingat kong sabi sa kan'ya.

He stared at me for a moment. A strange feeling filled my heart, looking at his deep eyes and soft face...

"Claudius."

"Yes," bahagya niyang niluwagan ang suot na kurbata, "I lost myself there."

"It’s okay, I understand that you’re tressed out. Hindi ko maisip kung gaano ka-bigat itong problema at pag-aalala mo pero sabi ko nga, ipagdarasal ko na sana maging maayos din ang lahat sa ‘yo," ngumiti ako sa kan'ya, "Iyon lang naman ang magagawa ko, e."

Hindi na naman agad siya nagsalita at tumitig na naman sa 'kin bagay na lalo kong kinailang. Napapansin ko na ang hilig niyang tumitig... pero syempre, hindi lang sa 'kin, pati kay Tiara.

Pero maya-maya, parang nagkaroon ng himala. The side of his lips curved into a smile and chuckled in a low, sexy voice.

"Amazing. Did your voice changed?"

Nagulat ako, "Huh?"

"Your voice is calming me down. Is this how I wanted to hear more from you?" saad niya habang nakatitig sa 'kin, "So please speak in that usual quiet voice. It’s working."

My... my voice is calming him down?

Oh my God.

Lumakas ang atake sa puso ko. Gusto kong ipaulit sa kan'ya ang sinabi. Ano raw? Did he just... complimented my voice? Alam kong hindi 'yun related sa trabaho pero pakiramdam ko, sobra-sobra na iyon sa akin.

"Konan?" pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko.

There... it feels really good to hear you say my name, Sir.

With this pleasureness, I smiled at him genuinely and continued to talk about whatever that comes to my mind. Sinimulan ko sa mga bagay na natutunan ko sa buhay noong high school ako hanggang college at nagagalak akong makita na nakikinig siya sa 'kin, tumititig ng matagal at tumatango bilang pagsang-ayon.

Right now, it feels warm that we are equal about having each other's company good and calm.

This is strange, but I love it.