SEE YOU

Chapter 19

Sabay na nagtungo si Joreign at Henry sa meeting room. Hindi ito kalayuan sa kuwartong pinaglabasan nila. After all, hindi naman ganoong kalaki ang establishment kung saan sila naroon. Kaya nga inalok ni Joreign si Timothee bilang architect dahil nag babalak na siyang tumingin nang mga lupa na possibleng pagtayuan nang kumpanya. Now that Timothee had agreed to be her architect, engineer na lang ang kulang.

Pinagbuksan siya ni Henry ng pinto at doon ay sinalubong siya nang mga business partners niya at potential investors na gustong mag invest sa kumpanya. There were a few familiar faces, they were the ones na nakikita niya lagi sa mga business gathering and other parties. She greeted and welcomed everyone before she sat on her chair in the middle. She had already explained the terms and conditions of the contract that they were signing kaya naging maayos ang flow nang meeting.

Present din naman doon ang attorney niya kaya kung may iba pang katanungan ang mga clients ay pwedeng doon na sila diretsong magtanong. They proceeded with signing the contract and afterwards, isa isa nang nag tayuan ang mga tao bidding their farewell and wishes kaya isa isa ring nilapitan ni Joreign ang mga investors at nagpasalamat.

Matapos ang successful na contract signing ay nanatili muna si Joreign sa meeting room kasama ang attorney at secretary, they reviewed the contract again to make sure nothing was wrong. After no'n ay umalis na rin ang atty. niya kaya lumipat na si Joreign sa room niya.

Nakasunod si Henry sakaniya bitbit ang iba pang files na kailangang mabasa at ma aprubahan ni Joreign. Nang makapasok sa room ay agad na naupo si Joreign at minasahe nang kaonti ang balikat at batok, medyo nangalay siya at malamang sa malamang ay mas mangangalay pa siya dahil sa gabundok na papeles na ipinatong ni Henry sa desk.

She did a few more stretching before finally diving into the pile of work that she needs to finish. Her hair tied up in a bun, she was wearing her specs, and she loosened one button of her blouse. On the desk was her computer, the papers she needed to review and sign and beside her is a newly brewed hot coffee.

Joreign lifted her head and casually took the telephone and dialed for Henry. After a few seconds he picked up, "Yes Miss Meraki?"

Joreign took a sip of her coffee, "Do I have other meetings for today?" She puts down the cup and reaches for the pen.

A few paper noises were heard on the other end of the line before she heard Henry again, "That is all for today Miss, tomorrow your schedule is full. Would you like me to reschedule something?"

Joreign shooked her head as if she was talking to Henry face to face, "No. Thank you." Ibinaba niya ang telephone at muling ibinalik ang atensiyon sa papeles.

She was typing away on her computer, many hours had passed and her tidy desk became a mess. Kung kanina ay isa lang na tasa nang kape ang katabi niya, ngayon ay nasa apat na ito. A few crumpled paper were on the floor, her hair was a mess at gusot na rin ang damit niya. She didn't minded what she looked like, she's working like a beast and she wasn't aware of the time that passed by.

And now, it is late. Kanina pang nag paalam ang mga empleyado niya at maging si Henry ay kanina paring naka-alis. She's still there reviewing some papers. Mukhang wala ata siyang balak umuwi dahil hindi niya man lang tinapunan nang tingin ang wall clock sa room niya.

She was writing some notes on her notebook when she was disturbed by a knock. Napahinto siya sa pagsusulat at itinuon ang tingin sa pinto na naka-lock. A few seconds passed and there was silence kaya isinawalang bahala niya yung katok at bumalik sa trabaho. She was holding her pen and was about to write when she heard a knock again, this time it was twice.

She then looked over the wall clock only to find out that it was already 10 p.m.

Alam niyang siya na lang ang nasa building at alam niyang may kung sino mang kumakatok sa labas nang pintuan niya ngayon. Napatayo si Joreign nang may kumatok na naman, this time nagmamadaling binuksan ni Joreign ang drawer kung saan naroon ang pepper spray at isang defense stick. She knows martial arts, she's a black belt holder pero walang saysay ang lahat nang 'yon kung may dalang baril ang taong nasa labas nang pintuan niya. Isang bala lang ang pwedeng makapagpatumba sakaniya. Alam niya 'yon.

Hinubad ni Joreign ang sapatos niya kaya naka apak na lang siya ngayon at ni-set ang phone niya sa video bago niya ito inilagay sa mataas na parte nang cabinet, hinarangan pa niya ito nang halaman para hindi halata. She pressed record at bumaba na siya sa pagkakatung-tong niya sa upuan. She slowly approached the door, there was only one light in the room. The windows are closed kaya walang ibang hangin do'n kundi ang hangin na nanggagaling sa Aircon. Pero pinagpapawisan si Joreign.

She heard a knock again and this time she had the courage to open up the door. Hindi na niya inisip o tiningnan kung sino man ang makakaharap niya agad niyang pinalo 'yong taong 'yon gamit ang stick at inis-spray-an niya pa nang pepper spray.

She was screaming whilst beating up the man, "Sino ka?! Wala kang makukuha dito Gago!" Pinalo niya ang taong 'yon ng stick na bakal at para bang nakulangan pa si Joreign doon, tinapon niya ang stick at parang boxer na pinagsususuntok ang lalaki.

"Ah!! T-teka-," she punched him straight where it hurts. The most sensitive part of a man. His beloved junior. Napaluhod naman 'yong lalaki habang hawak-hawak ang pinaka maselang bahagi nito. Joreign was on high alert when the man was down on his knee. Medyo hinihingal pa siya at mahigpit na hawak niya ang pepper spray.

"f**k! f**k! f**k!!" Sigaw nang lalaki. Namimilipit ito sa sakit at sinuntok pa ang sahig. Nabitawan naman ni Joreign ang hawak na stick at spray nang mabosesan ang lalaki.

The man was still on the floor, crouching and twisting from the pain. When he lifted his hoodie up that's when Joreign immediately got on her knees while both her hands was covering her mouth. She couldn't believe what she just did to Vin!

Nanlaki ang mata niya nang masalubong ang mata ni Vin, he was teary eyed while bitting his lips hard.

Nanginginig ang kamay ni Joreign at nangangatal ang boses niya. "S-s**t! Wha- what did- what have I d-done?" She went near him and she didn't know what to do.

"I'm so sorry!!" Paghingi ni Joreign nang tawad. Hindi umimik si Vin kaya mas lalong nag alala si Joreign.

"H-huy Vin! Sorry! Mag-salita ka naman d'yan." She was stuttering due to shock. Nakaluhod silang dalawa sa harap nang pintuan at hindi magkaintindihan si Joreign.

"Masakit ba? Ano? Papa-hospital na kitaa!" She got up and was about to rush to the room to get her wallet and stuff pero nahawakan siya sa wrist ni Cluvin. She looked at him with worry.

"Help me get up." Kaya tinulungan naman ni Joreign si Cluvin, inalalayan niya ito hanggang sa makaupo ito sa couch sa room niya. Napahinga nalang nang malalim si Cluvin sabay tahimik na pinunasan ang mga takas na luha sa kaniyang mata.

"Ano ba kasi trip mo ba't bigla ka na lang kumatok nang gano'n?? Akala ko akyat bahay ka or something!"

Cluvin laughed before replying, "Jo, walang sino mang akyat bahay ang kakatok sa pintuan bago magnakaw. Hindi naman sila gano'n ka-tanga." Mariing bigkas ni Cluvin, clearly he was being sarcastic. He was shocked at how strong Joreign was kaya hindi siya nakailag nang makailang beses siyang hampasin ni Joreign nang bakal na stick sa ulo, at sa iba pang parte nang katawan niya.

Joreign was rummaging through her drawer and brought out a first aid kit, she then walked through the mini-fridge to get ice cubes.

"Mukha ba 'kong akyat-bahay?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Cluvin. He's not upset with her, rather, he was amused by how she can protect herself. At hindi inaaakala ni Cluvin na he'll get the chance to see this side of Joreign. He then again laughed like he wasn't feeling any pain. Pero pa simple parin niyang pinupunasan ang luha niya.

"Akala ko nga eh diba," Joreign rolled her eyes and proceeded to apply some ointment on his hands. She then gave him an ice bag. Tinanggap 'yon ni Cluvin but he was just holding it still.

"Oh? Tutunawin mo 'yang yelo! Ilagay mo sa ulo mo." Pa-nenermon ni Joreign na akala mo kung sino eh siya 'tong may dahilan kung bakit nabugbog si Cluvin ngayon.

Ngumiwi naman si Cluvin nang lagyan ni Joreign nang alcohol ang sugat sa braso niya.

"Saang ulo?" Mapanlokong tugon ni Cluvin. Tinarayan naman siya ni Joreign at diniinan ang pagkakahawak sa kamay nito kaya napabalikwas si Cluvin sa sofa.

"Hindi ako nagbibiro Cluvin," gigil na saad ni Joreign sa nakangiting si Cluvin.

"Hindi rin ako nagbibiro Joreign," makulit na sabi nito pabalik sakanya. Itinaas niya ang ice bag sabay sabing, "Ba't kasi isang ice bag lang binigay mo eh dalawa ang ulo ko?" Hindi mapigilan ni Cluvin na asarin si Joreign dahil talaga namang hindi nakaka-disappoint ang reaksyon nang dalaga.

Sinamaan siya nito nang tingin at hinampas ang mga parteng iniinda ni Cluvin kaya naman napa-aray siya. Dito niya napagtanto na magpinsan nga si Joreign at Dalta dahil pareho silang sadista minsan.

"Ano ba! Gagamutin ba kita o dadagdagan ko 'yang mga pasa mo?" Pananagot ni Joreign. Asar na binato ni Joreign nang towel si Cluvin sa mukha saka naglakad patungo sa upuan niya at doon umupo. Nakabusangot ang mukha nang dalaga, halatang pikon na. On the other hand, enjoy na enjoy si Cluvin sa nakikita niya. Tawa pa ito nang tawa kahit pa masakit parin ang ilang parte ng katawan niya.

Asar na ininom ni Joreign ang kape sa desk niya, hindi nakakatulong ang mga tawa ni Cluvin at sa halip na kumalma ay mas nabad-trip siya.

"Kaya naman pala gan'yan ka kung umasta eh nakailang kape ka na!" Akmang ihahagis ni Joreign ang tasa pero tinaas na ni Cluvin ang kamay niya.

"Oh, kalma na. Hinga nang malalim...sabay buga." Ibinaba ni Joreign ang baso at naalala niyang nag rerecord pa ang phone niya. Kaya tumungtong ulit siya sa upuan.

"Teka, huy! Baka mahulog ka d'yan!" Nag-aalalang sabi ni Cluvin, pero hindi siya pinansin ni Joreign.

Nakuha na niya ulit ang cellphone at pinindot ang stop button sabay tingin kay Cluvin.

"Ano ba kasing nakain mo at hindi ka man lang tumawag? You should've called out my name para hindi kita napagkamalang magnanakaw d'yan."

Tumayo naman si Cluvin at lumapit sa desk. Ang ice bag ay nakalagay sa ulo niya at may ilang band aid ito sa mukha at kamay.

"At least ako kumain eh ikaw? Nag kape lang?" Pamimilosopo ni Cluvin. She again rolled her eyes. Napatawa ulit si Cluvin.

"Tsaka anong hindi kita tinawag? I called you earlier but you wouldn't answer your phone, at nung nand'yan na ko sa pinto I also called out your name but you wouldn't respond," itinuro ni Cluvin ang tasa nang kape. "Hinay hinay kasi sa kape baka tumagos ka sa pader."

Napabuga na lang nang hangin si Joreign. Aminado siyang sobrang busy siya at may time talaga na iniiwan niya sa drawer ang phone niya dahil ayaw niyang magpaistorbo.

"Eh ba't ka nandito?" Tanong niya.

"Eh kasi po I was worried when you didn't answered any of my calls. I figured na nandito ka pa kasi as I was eating at the cafe just right outside I saw your employees go home pero hindi man lang kita nakitang lumabas,"

"And I borrowed your secretary's spare key to enter kasi mukhang wala kang balak umuwi. Kaya nandito ako para iuwi ka. Tara na."