Memories

Grabeng pagpipigil ang ginawa ko huwag lang magawang irapan si Celine. Kulang na lang ay dumugo ang tainga ko habang nakikinig sa baluktot niyang ekplenasyon habang kahaarap si Calder.

Magsisinungaling na nga lang kasi sa taong may baong resibo pa talaga. Tapos ngayon, iiyak at painosente pa.

I mean, girl, sana okay ka pa. After all the lies? And after all the damages that had been done? Sa tingin mo may maisasalba pa ang luha mo?

"Convince me that you are not planted," Calder dangerously provoked the woman.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Jerome at sabay na napailing. Kaya dapat hindi ginagalit ang tigre, eh.

My eyes squinted when I saw how Miss Vicente's eyes became unfocused. Maging ang kamay niya ay naging malikot din. She started fidgeting with her fingers while her head was bowed down.

"Silence won't help you, Celine," Jerome urged her. "Sabihin mo na ang totoo."

"S-Sir," she uttered in a trembling voice.

"I don't have all day to wait for you," Sir Calder replied.

Napangiwi na lang ako nang maramdaman ang lamig sa boses niya. Kahit akong sanay na, tinataasan pa rin ng balahibo tuwing naririnig ko siyang gumagamit ng ganitong timbre ng boses.

Sa lahat ng maling puwede mong gawin kay Sir Calder, ang traydurin siya ang pinaka hindi mo dapat ikonsidera. He's a good man, there's no doubt about that. But the moment you betray him for your personal gain, that's when you'll witness how dangerous daggers could be hidden behind his silence.

Dahil kapag nagalit siya, kabahan ka na.

He wouldn't let an intentional betrayal be forgotten that easily. Lalo na kung may kinalaman sa Mandana. It's his blood and sweat; his heart and life. To try destroying it by doing something like this is never an acceptable deed for him.

"You're wasting my time," Sir Calder said with obvious disappointment.

"I-I'm sorry," she trembles.

"How much did it cost us because of this incident?" Sir Calder asked without even breaking his stare towards Celine.

"2.5 million, Sir," I answered. It was the data presented during our last meeting. "Only for the raw materials. It does not include the salary, efforts, and time by the chefs and apprentices."

The new course was supposed to be launched by next week in ten different branches. Sigurado kami sa plano na iyon, at kumpiyansa kami na magiging successful ang release kaso ay biglang nakompormiso dahil sa nangyari ngayon.

Hindi naman puwedeng sa Clark lang ang ipo-postpone dahil for sure, sa ibang branch din ng Grand Garden ay nilabas na nila ang menu na iyon.

"Please note that it's an estimate, Sir Calder. Since ongoing pa ang investigation, wala pang eksaktong amount na naibibigay sa akin. But I trust that Jerome will be able to provide all needed data in a week." Binigyan ko nang tingin si Jerome.

"That is noted, Miss Barsabal," he answered.

Binigyan ko siya ng magaan na ngiti. Kanina pa kasi siya mukhang kinakabahan.

"Work for it," walang emosyong wika ni Calder na kinakausap si Celine.

Awtomatikong napatingin kami ni Jerome kay Calder. Kahit si Celine na palaging nakauyo mula pa kanina ay napatingin din sa kaniya. Walang nagbago sa blangko niyang mga mata, taliwas iyon sa kabang nakabalatay sa mukha ni Celine na palala nang palala.

"I'll pay all the damages," she responded after a while.

Napangisi ako roon. Para na rin niyang inamin na sinadiya niya ang nangyari, at mukhang gano'n din ang dating sa lahat ng mga naroon.

"I'm not receiving any cents from you. You. Work. For. It." Calder stood up and stared at her after saying those words with his menacing voice. "You should've thought of the people who worked hard for that course. You are not just ruining my company, but also invalidating the efforts of those who developed that menu for months."

Gusto kong palakpakan si Sir Calder ngayon. Never agitate someone silent as they say. Dahil kapag napuno sila, bawat salitang lalabas sa bibig nila ay matatakot ka. And that was the exact feeling he's making me feel right now.

But above all that, being the best leader in my eyes makes him different. Hindi lang pera ang laman ng isip niya kundi maging ang mga taong nagtatrabaho para sa kaniya. Ni wala man nga siyang binaggit na tungkol sa pagkalugi niya dahil sa insidente.

"Mag-resign ka, mag-AWOL ka, wala akong pakialam. The moment you leave my company, I'll press charges against Grand Garden. I'll make this a big deal. I'll get the media involved. I'll make sure it will be grand that people will boycott your cousin's hotel. Your choice," he bargained, but obviously not leaving any other choice of Celine to choose to.

Matapos ang mahabang lintaniya na iyon kay Celine ay nilingon niya si Jerome. I could see him fighting against his nervousness. He probably hasn't seen this side of Calder before.

Hindi naman kasi siya nagpupunta ng ibang branches madalas sa ganitong dahilan. Kaya hindi nakakagulat na makita ang kabang nababakas ko sa kaniya.

"Assign her to the back kitchen. Make sure we won't lose more than what we already did," malamig na utos niya kay Jerome.

Walang salita na lumabas siya opisina na iyon at tinalikuran kaming lahat. Atubiling sumunod naman ako sa kaniya. Binigyan ko lang isang tango si Jerome bago tuluyang umalis.

Hindi na rin ako nagsayang pa ng enerhiya na harapin si Celine. Noon pa man hindi ko na siya gusto. Ramdam ko lang na parang may mali sa kaniya. Hindi naman ako nagkamali.

Akala ko ay huhupa na ang iritasyon ko para sa araw na 'to. Pero nang lumabas kami sa restaurant ay siya namang paghinto ng isang nakakairitang nilalang sa harapan namin ni Sir Calder.

I rolled my eyes upon seeing how Evita the witch looked at me from head to toe. Bitchesa talaga ang bruha!

Kahit na kating-kati ang bibig ko na magmaldita sa kaniya, wala akong ibang magawa kundi ang manahimik. Mas mataas pa rin siya sa akin kahit na ayaw ko ng reyalidad na iyon. I still need to pay her respect.

"Later, Evita," Calder firmly said without even bothering to look at her.

Nilagpasan niya ang babae na agad namang humabol sa kaniya. "But Calder, I'm already here."

"No one told you to be here this early." He stopped walking that made Miss Evita halt her steps, she was now talking to his back. "And I need a proper business proposal for your suggestion. Don't waste my time with your scribbles."

I inwardly celebrated the treatment Calder gave her. Ang sama ng ugali ko pagdating sa kaniya pero hindi ko rin mapigilan na magmaldita rin pagdating sa bruha na 'to.

I mean, deserve! Ang feeling kasi masyado porket matagal na silang magkakilala ni Calder. Kaya kung tratuhin ako akala mo binili na niya ako.

I'm just returning the energy she's giving me. I can't force myself to generously offer her my goodness especially when she is never good to me.

"Let's go, Capri." He didn't even bother to wait for my response and just continued walking.

Nilagpasan niya si Evita, tinungo ang elevator at hinintay ang pagbukas no'n. Susundan ko na sana siya nang hawakan ni Evita ang braso ko.

Mali.

Mas tamang sabihin na paghaklit ang ginawa niya dahil agad kong naramdaman ang pagbaon ng kuko niya sa balat ko dahil sa higpit nang pagkakahawak niya.

"Stop lurking around Calder, bitch," she warned me.

Ay, tanga! Secretary ako, paano akong lalayo kay Calder?!

Nagbaba ako nang tingin sa kamay ni Evita. Matapos ay ang pagsalubong ko sa mga mata niya na ngayon ay nanlilisik nang nakatitig sa akin.

There is an obvious anger in her eyes mixed with envy that she cannot even hide. Napangisi ako, wala pa man akong ginawa nagagalit na siya.

Matamis ko siyang nginitian. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa akin at marahang inalis sa pagkakakapit sa braso ko.

"Too bad, Miss Evita." Mas tinamisan ko pa ang pagkakangiti ko sa kaniya. "I'm Calder's secretary. We're bound to stick together... twenty-four seven," I taunted.

Ngumisi ako sa kaniya bago siya tinalikuran. Kung puwede nga lang mag-flip hair pa para lang mas asarin siya ginawa ko na. Kaso kabastusan na iyon.

Nagpupuyos sa inis na iniwan ko siya roon. I felt satisfied with how I left. Para akong kinoronahan sa pagyayabang ko ng katotohanang iyon. I just know how to hit her nerve in the right place to make her taste an instant defeat.

Nakasalubong ko ang mga mata ni Calder nang balingan ko siya. Hindi niya kasi inalis ang paningin niya sa amin magmula pa kanina.

"What did you tell that woman?" Calder asked when I stood beside him.

"Truth," I answered with a sweet smile.

"What truth?"

"Na secretary mo ako. Binantaan ba naman akong lumayo sa iyo. Paano ko kaya gagawin iyong, eh, sekretarya mo ako," iritableng reklamo ko. Nag-flip hair ako. "She needs to get used to the fact na kasama mo ako araw-araw."

Pinangunahan niya ang pagpasok sa loob ng elevator. Kaming dalawa lang ang nandoon ko. "Crazy," he commented while shaking his head.

"Binaliw mo, eh," sagot ko.

"What did I do?" he asked with clear confusion in his voice.

Tinuro ko ang malabong repleksyon naming dalawa sa saradong pintuan ng elevator. Our obvious height difference was visible as we stood side-by-side.

Calder stands six foot five inches tall while I am five foot four inches which is obviously smaller than him. Halos hanggang balikat lang niya ako. Ang laki pa ng katawan niya dahil batak din siya kung mag-gym kaya mas lalo siyang nagmumukhang malaki.

Without having much thought, I took my phone out of my back pocket. Nagpunta ako ng camera para kuhanan ang repleksyon naming dalawa. "Smile," I uttered with a grin.

Walang pahintulot na kinuhanan ko ng litrato ang repleksyon naming dalawa. Hindi naman siya nagreklamo sa akin.

"Look, ang cute." Pinakita ko sa kaniya ang kuha ko.

A smile out of satisfaction formed on my lips while staring at it. Ang cute kasing tingnan lalo na ang height difference namin. Idagdag pa na pareho kaming naka corporate attire. Nakapalda at blazer pa kasi ako na kulay brown habang siya naman ay kumpleto pa ang gray na suit na suot habang nakasuksok ang dalawang kamay sa magkabilang bulsa ng kaniyang gray din na slacks.

Ngiting tagumpay na humarap ako sa kaniya. "Alam mo ba kung anong klaseng bulungan ang palagi kong naririnig tuwing naka-field tayong dalawa?" Walang imik na umiling siya habang nakatitig pa rin sa akin.

I cleared my throat and got myself ready to imitate those girls' voices. "Be, ang pogi! Ang laki ng arms! Ang gwapo! Umiigting ang panga! Masarap siguro sa kama!" panggagaya ko gamit ang patili ngunit mahinang boses.

"What the hell?" he asked in disbelief. Nangunot pa ang noo niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

Tumatangong nag-iwas ako nang tingin sa kaniya. "Kung naririnig mo lang sila, maririndi at maririndi ka."

But I can't blame them, though. With the kind of looks he has? No doubt that every girl he passes by will drool over him. Calder has this diamond shaped face almost similar to mine that is heart in shape.

Calder has thick and unshaven eyebrows unlike my perfectly shaped soft-arched ones. Alagang thread 'yan. I have black down-turned eyes while he has monolid dark hazel pair ones which makes him look much more intimidating. Parang bawat tingin, eh, tiger-look ang dating.

While my lips are shaped like a heart, Calder's lips are thin and rarely smils But my favorite part of his face is his aquiline-shaped nose. Nakakainggit kasi. Iyon akin kasi, although hindi naman pango, pero may katabaan, lalo na sa tip.

"I don't hear anything, Capri. You must be imagining things," he denied.

"I doubt." Mahina akong natawa. "Malinaw ang pandinig ko. Kahit tsismisan mabilis kong naririnig. Isa pa, ilang beses ko nang narinig ang mga 'yon. Gusto ka ngang ikama, eh."

"Capri," he uttered in his warning voice. "Your words."

"Eh, iyon ang narinig ko," pagdadahilan ko, napapanguso pa.

He hissed. "Stop it, it doesn't suit you."

Napanguso na lang ako. Kahit kailan talaga walang sense of humor itong taong ito. "Okay po."

"Good," kuntento niyang tugon.

***

I took another shot of the tequila that I ordered a while ago. Wala akong magawa sa unit kaya bumaba ako ara pumunta sa bar na nasa labas ng Mandana. Open bar 'yon kaya may kalamigan. Humahampas kasi ang hangin kahit na nasa may bar counter na ako.

I can't fall asleep for it's still too early. At walang mapaglibangan kaya lumabas na lang ako. I didn't mind looking out of place with my corporate attire. I just minded my own business. Lahat kasi halos ay naka bikini na pinatungan lang nila ng sarong. We're on a beach resort after all.

"One martini."

Napatingin ako sa bagong dating na naupo sa tabi ko. Awtomatiko akong napangiti nang makilala siya. "It's been a while, Montero," bati ko sa lalaki ng may ngiti sa mga labi.

The familiarity embraced me while looking at him. It's been a while since I last saw him.

Nginitian niya ako ng malapad. He turned his back on the counter to face me sideways. "Thought I'd never see you this day. Narinig ko lang kay Sir Jerome na bibisita raw kayo dito."

"Hmm," sang-ayon ko. "May inaayos lang na problema tungkol sa issue against Grand Garden. Plus a business meeting with Miss Evita." I nudge his arm using my elbow. "Ikaw? Balita ko balik main ka na ulit?"

"Yes." Alas' smile grew bigger. "I'll see you more often then." Humalakhak siya, mukhang tuwang-tuwa.

"Kalokohan mo, Alas," naiiling na sabi ko.

Pero ang ngiti ay hindi na rin mabura sa mga labi ko. Alas is a really good friend of mine. Sabay kaming nag-apply sa Mandana at sabay rin na nakakuha ng posisyon. I was hired to be Calder's assistant while Alas was hired to be an IT specialist.

About two years ago nang ilipat siya sa rito sa Clark. Until now hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong dahilan. Kahit nang tanungin ko ang HR hindi rin ako binigyan ng sagot. I asked him too but he refused to give me an answer. Hanggang sa nakalimutan ko na.

"What, Capri? Hindi mo man lang ba ako na-miss kasabay mag-lunch?" natatawa niyang tanong.

I laughed with him. Dalawang taon na rin pala akong hindi kumakain sa canteen ng Mandana. Simula noong umalis siya, hindi na rin ako tumungo roon. I don't want to feel lonely eating alone kaya hindi na ako umulit simula nang umalis si Alas.

"Actually, hindi na ako kumakain doon," natatawa kong kuwento. "Ang awkward lalo na kung mag-isa. Alam mo namang hindi ako masyadong nakaka-mingle iyong mga tao sa baba."

"Busy ka, eh," komento niya.

"Kailangang kumita ng pera. Maraming umaasa," mapait ngunit pabiro kong tugon.

Mahirap kasing maging alipin ng salapi lalo na kung may mga pinapaaral ka pa. Kaya nga hindi ko na tinanggihan ang kumpaniya ni Sir Calder dahil mas marami akong benefit kaysa sa nai-o-offer kong serbisyo.

Sahod pa lang at bonuses solve ka na, may libreng accomodation pa. Hindi rin mahirap pakisamahan si Sir Calder, noong una lang talaga.

"Capri."

My laughter lost its sound. Walang isang segundong pag-iisip na nakilala ko ang nagsalita. How can I not? I've been hearing that voice every day for six years now.

"Sir Calder," gulat na bati ko.

I didn't expect him to be here. Napatingin ako sa wrist watch ko. It says ten in the evening. Ang expect ko ay kung hindi pa siya didiretso sa unit ay kausap niya pa rin si Miss Evita hanggang ngayon.

"Sir," Alas greeted with the same smile he gave me.

"Montero," he greeted back using the surname of Alas. "I'll see you at the main office." He extended his hand for a shake which Alas took immediately.

"Thank you for the opportunity once again, Sir," sinsero niyang pasasalamat.

Calder nodded his head at the man I am with after taking his hand for a shake. Pagkatapos ay nakapamulsang hinarap niya ako. "Let's go. It's getting late."

Napakunot ang noo ko. As I already know him long enough to memorize his actions and mood, I could clearly read in his face how dark his expression was. Kahit na madilim ang open bar na kinaroroonan namin, kita ko ang bahagyang pagsasalubong ng mga kilay niya.

Madilim din ang kaniyang mga mata kung saan mababasa mo ang iritasyon. Pero bakit? Sa anong dahilan?

I wanted to disregard his words and continue my conversation with Alas, but I know that going against Sir Calder is not the best thing I should do right now.

"Mauna na ako," paalam ko kay Alas.

"Is your number still the same?" he asked in a quiet voice. I nodded with a smile. "I'll see you around."

"Too short for a reunion it was, Alas." I slightly let a laugh out. "Have a good night."'

We exchanged smile, familiar with the friendly vibes between us. Makikipagbeso pa lang sana ako sa kaniya nang marinig ko ang pagtikhim ni Calder mula sa likod ko.

I saw Alas smirked at that. "Bumabakod na yata."

I quickly punched his shoulder to disregard his words. As if naman. "Maiwan na kita."

Hindi ko na tinagalan pa ang pakikipag-usap kay Alas. I immediately went beside Sir Calder who now looks more irritated than earlier. Mas malalim na ang gitla sa kaniyang noo ngayon at mas madilim na rin ang mga mata niya na sobrang talas kung tumingin.

I stood beside him, and to my surprise, he circled his arm over my shoulder. He possessively wrapped it around me as if he was reclaiming his property. He didn't bother to bid even just a quick farewell to Alas. Basta na lang niya akong tinangay paalis ng walang binibitawang kahit na isang salita.

"It's past my working hours Sir Calder," pagpapaalala ko nang kami na lamang dalawa.

"I know," he answered firmly.

"P'wede naman siguro akong gumawa ng mga bagay na gusto ko," sambit ko, hindi na itinatago ang iritasyon.

"What are you implying?" Calder stopped walking, which made me stop, too.

Calder removed his arm on my shoulder and placed his hands inside of his pockets. Seryoso niya akong tiningnan.

Unti-unti kong naramdaman ang pagkabuhay ng kaba sa puso ko habang sinasalubong ang tingin niya sa akin na matalim at seryoso. Daig pa ng lamig ng pakikitungo niya sa akin ang lamig ng panggabing hangin ngayon.

Sa lahat ng kabang naramdaman ko dahil sa kaniya, ito na yata ang pinakakakaiba. Sa likod kasi nang katahimikan ni Calder, ramdam ko ang ingay na isinisigaw ng isip niya.

"That I should have time for myself." I crossed my arms over my chest area, trying to ease the coldness he's giving me. "Yes, I am your secretary, but outside my working hours I am just Kaiya Capri Barsabal. A normal citizen of this country who deserves to have the freedom of doing whatever she wants."

"Quiet," he ordered right after I finished my words.

As much as I want to rebel against him, I obliged like a good kid. I even acted like zipping my mouth like a child does.

Mariin niya akong tiningnan. At sa sobrang talim nang pagkakatingin niya ay para na rin niyang sinasabi na may napakalaki kong kasalanan.

He smirked at me, and my heart thundered at how hot he looked. Anak ng tokwa!

"I'm sure that we aren't just that, Capri," Calder whispered with his raspy voice.

Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko na mapalunok dala ng matinding intensidad ng kaba na dulot niya.

Nag-iwas ako nang tingin sa kaniya. But as stubborn as he could get for tonight, he cupped one side of my face, and with a gentle force he made me face him again.

I immediately felt a sign of defeat realizing that he hasn't forgotten that. Akala ko hindi niya maaalala, akala ko wala lang sa kaniya.

Akala ko lang pala.

"Sir, don't," I anxiously uttered, trying to escape the conversation.

I earned his sigh before he slowly gave our bodies some distance. Muli niyang ibinulsa ang kaniyang mga kamay bago nagpatiuna sa paglalakad.

But he stopped three steps ahead of me.

Hindi na huminto sa pagpintig ng maingay at malakas ang puso ko habang nakikipagtitigan sa likod niya.

"For the record, Capri, we still have a lot to talk about. Remember that."