I look at the file one more time, his full name is Theo Arvin Wilson – 32 years old, he studied and graduated abroad. He has 3 siblings and he is the youngest, his parents are still around. He is the current CEO of the Wilson Corporation, he move in the Philippines 6 months ago and just year and a half ago he got divorce. Binalik ko sa folder yung file and press the buzzer, sa kakaisip ko muntik pa akong lumagpas sa babaan ko.
“I’m here to see Arvin” sabi ko sa receptionist. Nagkatinginan ang dalawang babae at sabay na tumingin sa akin.
“Oh! I mean, Mr. Wilson. I’m here to see Mr. Wilson” I said with an awkward smile. A second later ay lumapit sa akin ang isa lalaking naka black suit.
“This way ma’am” aniya nito. Tumango ako rito at sumunod sa kaniya, kita ko pa sa gilid ng aking mga mata na nagbubulungan yung dalawang receptionist. I just roll my eyes.
Arvin’s office is in the 12th floor, sinalubong kami ng assistant niya, the man in black suit told her my name. Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa at ngumiti ito sa akin and offer her hand.
“Jane, right? I’m the one who emailed you. Nice to meet you” sabi nito.
“Hi, nice to meet you too…” kunot noo kong sabi, I don’t know what is her name.
“Oh, sorry I’m Andrea.” sabi nito pagkatapos ay bumaling ito sa lalaking naka black suit. “We’re good here, thanks Dale”
Tumango yung lalaki at umalis na. Andrea guided me patungo sa waiting room, he called Arvin at nasa meeting pa daw ito.
His company is huge, I mean I know his rich but this is crazy, he is rich-rich. Gosh! I look at my phone for the 5th time it’s already 4:45pm, I’ve been here for more than 2 hours now. What is taking so long? Tumayo ako at nagtungo sa cubicle ni Andrea.
“Hi, sorry to bother you but is Arvin still in the meeting?” I ask, trying to be polite.
“Uhm yeah” dry nitong sagot, she didn’t even bothered to look at me. I sigh, bumalik ulit ako sa aking kina-uupuan.
I waited for another hour, nasa 13% na yung battery ng phone ko, I am bored and hungry. Damn it ano ba pinag mimeetingan nila? Kung papaano buhayin si Jose Rizal? Ugh! Tumayo ako ulit at lumabas sa waiting room, I can’t wait any longer kung di pa din tapos yung meeting niya, uuwi na lang ako. Paglabas ko ng room ay saktong lumabas din sa Arvin galing sa meeting room. Sumandal ito sa pinto at nakapamewang habang nakatingala sa kisame.
“Hey..” sabi ko, nagulat ito at tumingin sa akin.
“Jane, what are you doing here?” kunot noo nitong tanong.
Napakunot noo din ako, what the hell?
“Wha-what? I received an email from your assistant las—”
“Oh right, listen this is not a good time. I’m sorry” putol nito sa akin at pagkatapos ay bumalik na ulit ito sa meeting room.
WHAT THE HELL?!! Is he serious? I’ve waited almost 4 hours for him and ito lang yung mapapala ko? Gigil na gigil akong nagtungo sa table ni Andrea. I handed her the folder at nag-iwan ng mensahe para kay Arvin. I saw her smirk at tiningnan na naman ako from head to foot, tumaas ang kilay ko at tinanong kung may problema siya. Bigla itong natauhan at umiling-iling, inirapan ko lang siya at umalis na sa floor na iyon.
Dumating ako sa apartment ko around 8pm, dumaan pa kasi ako ng supermarket at nag grocery konti. After kong magluto ng adobo ay naligo ako, I am trying so hard not to think about what happened earlier, the nerve of that guy! Subukan niya lang magpakita sa akin, kakalbuhin ko siya.
After kong maligo at magbihis ay inihanda ko na ang aking dinner, nakaramdam ulit ako ng gutom pagkatikim ko sa adobong niluto ko. I was about to sit down when my phone rings. I roll my eyes, ugh speaking of the devil. Sinagot ko yung tawag.
“Jane?” sabi ng lalaking nasa kabilang linya. Hindi ako umimik.
“I’m so sorry about today” pagpapatuloy nito, hindi pa rin ako nagsasalita.
“Please, talk to me. Andito ako sa baba ng apartment mo” sabi nito.
“What?!” pasigaw kong tanong.
“Hey, relax. I just want to talk” sabi nito.
May sayad sa utak siguro tong lalaki na to, sinabihan ko siyang umakyat and ended the call. A minute later ay nag doorbell na ito sa pinto. Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago ito pinagbuksan.
“Come in” I coldly said
“I’m sorry, hmm what smell so good?” distracted nitong tanong. Tinaasan ko lang to ng kilay, tumalikod sa kaniya at naglakad patungong kitchen, sumunod naman ito sa akin.
“Okay, I am sorry. That meeting was so unexpected, my father was there. Anyways, I am so sorry. Andrea informed me that you waited for so long there” pag-eexplain nito.
“Almost 4 hours, Mr. Wilson. 4 damn hours” sabi ko sa kaniya
“I don’t know what to say Jane, I am sorry. Kaya nga after the meeting dumiretso agad ako dito” sabi nito
“What? kakatapos lang ng meeting niyo?” gulat kong tanong, sinipat ko ang orasan sa kitchen and it is almost 10 pm.
“Seriously, ano ba pinagpulungan niyo at inabot kayo ng ganitong oras?” sunod-sunod kong tanong.
He sigh. “Just work stuff” sabi nito.
Tumingin ako sa kaniya, he looks tired.
“I’m sure di ka pa nag di-dinner, sit and join me” sabi ko sa kaniya.
“Thank you, I’m starving. Oh adobo, ikaw nagluto?” tanong nito.
“I did, don’t tell me di mo alam paano kainin yan?” tanong ko habang kumukuha ng plato and utensils for him.
“Well, as long as di nakabalot sa plastic yung rice I’m good” sagot nito. Inirapan ko lang siya.
After eating ay nilagay ko yung mga pinagkainan namin sa sink habang nakaupo pa din siya sa dining table, kanina habang kumakain ay tahimik kami pareho. Hindi nga siya nagbibiro when he said he was starving naka round 3 siya ng kanina eh. Napapa-iling na lang ako, huhugasan ko na sana ang mga pinggan ng magsalita ito.
“Thank you so much sa food, I am so full” sabi nito.
“Talaga? Di halata” sarcastic kong sabi. Tumawa ito.
“Yeah, I was busy the whole day. Anyways, I think we should talk” pahayag nito
“Sure, go on” sabi ko.
“Hmm, why don’t we go somewhere else?” aya nito.
“Where?” kunot noo kong tanong
“May park naman siguro nearby, let’s go there” sabi niya
“Fine, bihis lang ako” sabi ko at nagtungo sa aking kwarto. I choose to wear a white dress and a purple cardigan, medyo chilly sa labas eh.
We arrive at the park in less than 15 minutes, he parked his car sa medyo madilim na part…