Embers of Love

Chapter 05

We arrived at the construction site thirty minutes later. At dahil sadyang mapang-asar itong Errol, siya pinag buksan niya ako ng pinto ng sasakyan—na hindi naman niya ginagawa para sa akin dati. Sinamaan ko agad siya ng tingin pero nginisian lang ako ng siraulo.

“Siraulo ka talaga,” bulong ko sa kanya.

Ngumisi naman siya lalo tapos ay kunwari ay inaayos ang suot kong helmet. “Hindi pa tapos ang pustahan natin. Kailangan kong masigurado na mananalo ako syempre,” ani niya.

I rolled my eyes and pushed him away from me. “I told you, I am not betting on anything. Ang siraulo mo talaga!”

Errol chuckled and said, “It’s already on, Adie. At saka, ikaw rin naman ang mag be–benefit nito. Matutulungan ka niyang maka–move on sa tarantado mong ex-boyfriend tapos magkaka-boyfriend ka pa! It’s like hitting two birds with one stone.”

“Hitting two birds with one stone mo mukha mo! Tigilan mo ako, Puro na lang katarantaduhan pumapasok sa utak mo,” sagot ko naman.

Naiiling ko na siyang iniwanan doon at dumiretso ng lakad papuntang site office. Naroon na si Sir Jun and Juan Emilio pagpasok ko, kinakausap ang in-charge sa project para sa up-to-date na progress ng construction sa dam. Lumapit agad ako para makinig.

Engr. Carlos De Vera, the project in-charge, explained to us the progress and the ongoing activities. I was listening attentively when my eyes caught Errol’s mischievous grin to me. I arched my brow at him that made him grin more. He then, using his eyes, signaled me to glance at my right side.

I did. I followed where his eyes directed me only to catch Juan Emilio’s eyes locked on mine. His brows were creased and lips were in thin line as he stared at me darkly. Napaiwas agad ako ng tingin.

Problema nito?

“As I was saying, we need to use other equipment to make the activities faster without damaging the existing rebars in the platform area,” Engr. De Vera said, explaining the part where we need to do some renovation on the dam’s platform.

“We can use a hydraulic machine for that,” I said. “The machine won’t damage the rebars, and it is faster than the chipping hammer.”

“Are you talking about the machine the company purchased a month ago?” Sir Jun asked and I nodded.

“I have studied the machine’s specs and I am convinced how precise and productive that would be. It will make our productivity faster than usual,” I answered.

Sir Jun nodded before he turned to Errol. “Please coordinate with the warehouse regarding the equipment. Tell them that we need the machine ASAP.”

“Noted, Sir,” Errol answered and immediately fished his phone from his pocket to call the warehouse in-charge.

“How long will the machine arrive here? Won’t that affect our productivity today?” Juan Emilio asked.

Sir Jun shook his head. “Tonight, Sir, if the warehouse releases it before noon. For now, we will continue to use the chipping hammer.”

“How fast will productivity increase if we use that machine?” Juan Emilio continuously asked.

“About twice or thrice of the current, Sir,” I answered when Sir Jun glanced at me to answer.

Juan Emilio nodded then fished his phone out of his pocket. “What type of machine are we talking about?” He asked.

Confused, I answered him. I told him the brand and the machine’s name.

“This one?” he asked, showing me his phone screen.

He searched for it!

I nodded and said, “Yes. That’s the machine.”

“This can fit on a chopper. How long will your warehouse release this machine?” He asked and I wide-eyed looked at Sir Jun.

“They are already processing the transmittal, Sir,” Errol said.

“Alright. Where is your warehouse located? I will send a chopper to pick up the machine,” Juan Emilo asked again.

“Ah… Bocaue, Bulacan, Sir,” Errol answered.

“Alright. I will ask one of my staff in Manila to pick it up from there and bring it here. Please coordinate that to your warehouse in-charge,” he said before excusing himself to call that staff he was talking about.

“Chopper daw, girl.” Errol whispered to me after Juan Emilio left. “Kung totoo ngang may gusto ako sayo tapos siya karibal ko? Susuko na agad ako. Hindi na agad ako papalag,” ani niya.

Sinamaan ko lang naman siya ng tingin bago umalis sa pwesto niya. I followed Sir Jun when he went out of the office to check the construction.

The project just started three months ago, but unfortunately, there would be a repair already. Although it's just a minor repair, still, this won't be a good impression for the client. Now, we are just hoping that Mr. Juan Emilio won't lose his trust to us for this project.

"You are really knowledgeable about your work, huh?" Juan Emilio suddenly spoke behind me.

It was so sudden that I almost jumped on my spot. I held on my chest where my heart was beating too fast.

"Uhh... I have to," I just answered. My work as a Planning Engineer requires a thorough study about the project and work scope to create a convincing plan–convincing because everything still depends on the actual workforce.

"Still, your knowledge and skills are impressive. I am very impressed," he said, looking directly at my eyes. He wasn't smiling but amusement is very evident on his face.

Ano na naman ba 'to?

"Uhh. Thanks?" I answered and I hate how it sounded like a question.

Dios ko naman, Adrielle! Ikalma mo! Kumalma ka! I scolded myself.

Juan Emilio arched his brow. "Do you think I was not telling the truth just to impress you as well?"

He asked and I immediately shook my head. "No," I said. "I just really feel awkward every time I receive compliments."

He smirked. "Well, then, I think you should start getting used to receiving compliments and praises from me."

"Huh?"

"There's a lot of things that deserve praise about you..." He looked at me from my heart down to my feet. His smirked grew wider that it turned to be a smile–a beautiful smile. "Has anyone told you that you have such beautiful eyes?"

Huy!

My mouth parted and my heart beated so wildly it felt like it would jump out of my ribcage any moment now.

Tang-ina naman!

He chuckled and added, "I just noticed that and wanted to tell you in case no one said it."

Nalaglag na tapos tumakbo na palayo sa akin. Pakiramdam ko ay tinakasan na ako ng puso ko kasama pa ata pati ang baga ko dahil halos hindi na ako makahinga sa mga narinig ko sa kanya.

Ano ba naman kasi ito? Bakit naman kasi biglang may pa-compliment ang isang 'to? Hindi naman ako nag tatanong!

I sighed and bit my lips. "Uhm... Thank you. I often receive that."

Juan Emilio nodded. "I see. I just hope that they also told you how beautiful you are when you smile or laugh," he said and I think I'm going to collapse now, here in front of him.