KABANATA XI: Lunch

"Would you like a coffee?" I asked him politely. "No thank you." He smirked. Sumandal ako sa swivel chair ko, making myself comfortable. "You've just arrived right? Well, welcome to Manila Mr. Wright Punzalan." I remarked.

"Thank you. But the welcome is kind of cold don't you think?" He grinned at me while tapping my table. "Is being late a 'warm' welcome here?" Namuo ang kamao ko. Fine! Ako na ang lata and all! "Well, I'm sorry. I didn't know about an early bird guest would come." Banat ko.

"Too early, even I am not informed of your sudden arrival." His forehead creased at my statement. "Very well then, pag- usapan na natin ang demands ni Mr. William Punzalan." Pag-iiba ko ng usapan. The conversation would be inappropriate if we continue bickering. 

"We want 40 Billion for shares, every 6 months." He frankly said, "I think that is just a mere coin for an international company." Lumaki ang mata ko pero kumalma ulit ako. Ganoon ang karami ang gusto ni Mr. William Punzalan? I think that's too much. "I think Mr. William Punzalan trust us too much."

"Hindi ba kayo katiwa- tiwala?" I paused. He's pretty good with words. A good skill in this industry. "Besides, I am the one requesting for 40 Billion." He smirked. "Siguro, kailangan natin i-consult muna si President Villanueva in that amout of money. It's okay if its 20 Billion or so, but 40 Billion? That isn't easy to produce."

"We request 40 Billion because we all know WZX Industry and Aveuna Corporation  are capable of such good quality. WZX produce good materials and Avuena is popular and trusted. 100 Billion would be easy to achieve." 

"What would be the ratio then?"

"60, 40."

"That won't do then." I chuckled and grinned at him. "WZX isn't our only supplier. We have Zaxha, Octew, Ungacchi, Polst and many more. Those are our only suppliers, we also have our manufacturers and local distributors such as DT, Vacta, Kellie and others." He furrowed his eyebrows in frustation. "We are a corporation, Wright. Not a charity, everyone deserves the prize they acquire."

"As I've said, we have good quality materials!" Bigla niyang tinaas ang kanyang boses, causing me to flinch. "Then you're saying our members have bad quality products?" He scoffed and glared at the window. I've been in that position before, acting all reckless.

"But don't worry Mr. Wright Punzalan, we'll think about the offer."

Tumayo siya at inilahad ulit ang kamay niya. Kinuha ko naman ang kamay niya, we shook hands. "I'll send you our final conditions and demands tonight." Sabi niya. I nod as a reply. "Very well, we'll send ours too. We'll call you soon."

"Let me escort you." Lumabas kami ng office ko and we received various greetings. Nakapunta kami ng lobby. Nadatnan ko si Sec. Alfonso na paikot- ikot.

"Jiro!" Sigaw nito. Tumingin naman siya kay Wright, binati niya ito at agad- agad nakipag- shake hands. "Oh, anong meron? Mukhang kabado ka at problemado."

"Andito pa kasi si..."

"Si?"

"Nandito pa kasi si Ms Tulio." Sabi nito. Bakit nandito pa siya? Bakit hindi pa siya umuwi? "Nasaan siya?" Tinuro niya ang isang babae na naka- upo sa isang bench. She's wrapping her hands around her. Lumapit naman ako sakanya.

"Bakit  nandito ka pa?" Tanong ko. Tinaas niya ang ulo niya at lumaki ang mga mata nito. "Puwede dito muna ako? Kahit saglit lang." I sighed at tumungo. She smiled at me. She's cold, I could tell because she's shivering. Hinubad ko naman ang coat ko at sinuot 'toh sakanya. 

"Thank you." Sambit nito ng mahina. "Marami ka ng utang saakin." I smiled. "Oo nga." She chuckled and wrapped the coat around her tightly.

"Jiro baby!" I mentally face palmed myself and sighed. I looked at Salmara and she seemed to be confused. I frowned with her tone of voice; Natasha Isles.  I turned around and put up a fake smile. "He-hey." I stuttered. Tumingin siya kay Wright. "Hey Wright! Long time no see!" Bati nito sakanya na may kasamang kakaibang ngiti. "Didn't expect to see you here." Ani ni Wright. They know each other? What a coincidence.

"Bakit mo ako iniwan kagabi?! Ha?!" She shouted and pushed me, na ikina- gulat ko. "I was taking Salmara home." Sabi ko habng tinuturo si Salmara na mukhang gulat din. "Ah! So ikaw pala si Salmara? Who the heck are you to come with my man?!"

I rubbed my temples at nilagay ang aking kanang kamay sa beywang ko. I puffed my hair and looked at Salmara's face. She silently chuckled, she's enjoying this. "Oh?! Bakit ka tumatawa?!" Sumigaw ulit si Natasha. "No- nothing." Sambit nito at tumayo ng tuwid, mukhang natakot siya. Naka- lunok talaga ng mega phone 'tong si Natasha, she's one heck of a scary girl. 

"Hey future Mrs. Villanueva!" Tumalikod naman ako at nakita si Mark na kumakaway. "Are you talking to me?" Tumalikod naman si Natasha at ngumit kay Mark. "Shut he f-ck up." I mouthed him and he just shrugged. Argh! What a nice secretary!

"No! I'm talking to Salmara. Hi!" Tinigna ko si Salmara at nagulat siyang muli. Mayroong lumabas na usok sa tenga ni Natasha. Oh, she's really angry. "What?!" Lumapit naman si Mark, kasabay si Wright na mukhang hindi alam kung anong nangyayari. 

"Yup! Diba?" Inakbayan ako ni Mark gamit ang kanang kamay niya habang inakbayan niya naman si Salmara gamit ang kaliwa niya. He contracted his arms together causing Salmara and I heads' almost touched. "These guys are getting married soon."

"What are you even saying?! No! Ne---"

"Shall we go have lunch?" Wright interrupted. Phew, what a savior. "That's a good idea." I glared at Mark, tinanggal niya ang pag- akbay saamin ni Salmara. "Let's go." I remarked.

We were at a fast food chain. Naka- upo na kaming lahat, hinihintay langnamin ang order namin. Tahimik kaming lahat. 

"Achoo!" Nabulabog ang katahimikan dahil sa pag- aching ni Salmara. "God bless you." Wright blurted. Pagkatpos noon, tumahimik ulit.

"Bakit ba ang tagal ng pagkain?" Iritang tanong ni Natasha. The funny thing here is we are all dressed formally (except Salmara) in a fast food chain.

Beep

Binuksan ko ang phone ko at nakitang nag- message si Salmara.

From: Bride

     Ang awkward :( Sana hindi na lang ako sumama

...

To: Bride

      Same.

...

From: Bride
   
       So anong paborito mong number sa electricfan?

...

To: Bride

     Ha? 3.

...

From: Bride

     Thank you for that information hoho. Awkward din kasi dito sa text ahaha.

...

"Jiro ko! Sino 'yang ka- text mo?" Biglang sambit ni Natasha pero malambot ang tono nito; parang nagpapa- cute. Tumingin na lamang ako sakanya ng masama.

"None of your business." Sabi ko at tumingin kay Salmara. Nakita kong tumatawa siya ng palihim.

Tumunog ulit ang phone ko.

From: Bride

          Didn't expect you like this kind of a woman. The cute-sy type and... possesive.

...

To: Bride

         Don't expect because I really don't like it, at all. Save me

...

From: Bride

          Aye, aye Captain!

...

I chuckled at her text. This girl, really. Finally, dumating na rin ang pagkain namin. Halata sa mga mata namin ang pagkagutom.

We all ate peacefully. Ayun, tahimik ulit. "Uhm, excuse me. I think I should go now." Wright said and stood up. "Really? Then have a safe trip." Salmara said and smiled. Wright waved and left, he looked rushed. Mark suddenly nudged me and a grin is plastered on his face. What? He hummed and mouthed, "You're glaring at him."

"No!" I mouthed. Why would I glare at him? "Excuse me, I'll just go to the restroom." Pagpapaalam ko. Tumungo naman sila kaya dali- dali akong pumunta sa restroom.

Walang tao sa restroom. It's just me, alone. I washed my hands but slowly I feel my scar aching. The scar I got from punching the mirror. The pain worsened until I feel really dizzy.

Then my mind crumpled, my heart suffering. Why is it happening again?! Bakit ngayon pa?! Tears flowed from my eyes.

"I miss you so much." I heard a hollow voice. It's Nabi's voice. "Don't cry for me please."

I turned around and saw her at the corner, her face still blurry. I am definitely hallucinating. "I can't stop it."

"I know you can. Tumigil ka na."

"Sabi ko hindi! Hindi ko kaya!" It's the fucking truth! I want to live peacefully without her. My mind wants to forget her completely and permanently. I don't even fucking know her!

But why does my chest always aches for her? To the extent I can't breathe anymore?

"Just leave me alone."

"I won't."

"Lumapit ka! Fuck it, I hate you!" Then she ran. She ran out of nowhere. I followed her and went out of the rest room.

Nahilo ako ng sobra. I crashed on the floor, adapting to the pain.

"Jiro!"

KABANATA XII: Find her

Roses for Jonghyun. You're free from the darkness now dino jjong 😭💞 You've done well. You've worked hard. Now, rest.