Purely Business (Tagalog) - COMPLETED

CHAPTER FIVE

Hindi mapakali sa upuan niya si Art. Ilang beses na siyang parang tanga na bigla na lang natutulala tuwing makikita ang dimples ni Liz and it’s not okay. Sa tuwing magkakalapit sila ng dalaga, iba talaga ang nararamdaman niya para rito. It was more than a week since the first time he saw her pero pakiramdam niya ay matagal na silang magkakilala, bagay na imposible dahil buong buhay ni Liz ay nasa UAE ito at umuuwi lang ng Pilipinas para magbakasyon? Isa pa, sa ganda at hubog ng katawan nito, imposibleng hindi niya ito matandaan, baka nga isa na ito sa mga naging babae niya kung sakali mang nakita niya na ito dati pa.

Pagkalabas ng dalaga sa opisina niya para sagutin ang tawag sa cellphone nito, pakiramdam niya ay sinisilaban ang buong katawan niya lalo na ang namumukol sa gitnang bahagi ng katawan niya. He called her extension and told her not to disturb him na sinunod naman nito sa pag-aakalang busy siya lalo’t ipinasa nito ang email mula sa Sales and Marketing Department. She doesn’t even have the slightest idea that he wants to pleasure himself while thinking of her. Now, he felt like he’s really a p*****t kahit pa nga labis ang kaniyang pagpipigil sa sariling gawin ang bagay na hindi nararapat gawin kay Liz. But, damn! This girl is really a tease! He tried his best to relax and divert his attention at work. He was handling himself so well… not until Liz called him. Atubili pa siyang sagutin ang tawag nito dahil baka hindi na talaga siya makapagpigil pa.

“Yes?” he answered trying to be as casual as possible.

“Your girlfriend is at the reception,” anito saka ibinaba ang phone.

He was a bit confused saka na-realize kung sino ang tinutukoy nito. And did he hear her right because of the way she said it, she sounded jealous. Alam niyang may umuugong na balita sa buong kumpanya patungkol sa kaniya at kay Diana. As always, he did not bother correcting it lalo at wala namang katotohanan. But now, he should put a stop on it. Napabuga siya ng hangin, then realized that he’s doing it because of Liz. And damn, he’s in big dilemma! Inis siyang umahon sa pagkakaupo saka lumabas ng opisina niya. Hindi nakaligtas sa kaniya ang ginawang pagsimangot ng dalaga.

‘Gotcha!’ sa loob-loob niya trying to conceal his smile by showing his frown.

He tried so hard to calm himself. Instead of going out, he shut the door of Liz’ office and walked towards her. He grabbed her swivel chair and turned it so she could face him. Awtomatikong rumagasa ang init sa mukha niya at kaba sa dibdib niya nang ganap nang mapalapit dito. The dark makeup in Liz’ eyes seemed absent as he looked at her deeply. There was pure innocence in those surprise and confused eyes, which made him liked her more. Talagang magkakasala siya kung hindi niya kokontrolin ang sarili niya. Napahigpit ang hawak niya sa swivel chair na para bang doon ibinaling ang panggigil na nararamdaman.

“A-Art, are you okay?” Her voice was so alluring, as if inviting him to do something hot and wild. Nakakunot ang noo nito habang matamang nakatitig sa kaniya.

He swallowed a lump then let go a deep sigh. He clenched his jaw while still staring at her. Finally, he gave up. He bit his lower lip then stood up and stepped back. If he will follow what his body says, she might leave. As he noticed, she is far different from other girls she knew. And the feeling of not being liked just added fuel to his desire of getting her attention no matter what.

“Could you do me a favor, Liz? Could you tell her that we’re busy at the moment?” he said instead then looked away.

Bagama’t nabigla ay walang alinlangan itong sumunod sa sinabi niya.

“Thanks,” aniya saka siya humakbang papasok sa opisina niya. He suddenly stopped and turned around. “Just so you know, Diana is not my girlfriend,” patuloy niya saka tuluyang pumasok.

Nakahinga siya nang malalim pagkapinid ng pintuan ng opisina niya.

‘What’s wrong with you, Art? Why are you acting like a teenager?’ puna niya sa sarili niya bago padaskil na umupo sa swivel chair. ‘Get yourself together, Art. Now’s not the time to flirt! You need her and you can’t afford to lose her now,’ saway niya sa sarili saka nagpakawala nang malalim na hininga.

Makaraan ang halos tatlumpung minuto ay narinig niya ang pagtawag at pagkatok ni Liz. She handed over the printed report saka alanganing nagpaumanhin.

“I would like to apologize for what I’ve said earlier. I did not mean anything. Iyon din kasi ang—”

“It’s fine. I just want to clarify it to you. I casually date but not exclusively, I think you should know that,” putol niya sa sinasabi nito. Huli na nang ma-realize niya ang sinabi and it’s too late to take it back.

Tila hindi nito matagalan ang titig niya kaya’t nagbaba ito ng tingin bago tumango. He sighed then spoke in a serious tone. “I already ordered our lunch. I don’t have time to go out and we need to finish the proposal for review and editing.”

“Noted,” anito saka lumabas ng opisina niya.

Kulang na lang ay dagukan niya ang sarili. He doesn’t want her to think that he’s an asshole pero ayaw rin niyang isipin nito na committed na siya and with the gossiping around his company, malabong hindi makarating dito ang mga babaeng nakikipag-date sa kaniya every now and then.

He admit, ngayon pa lang siya nakaramdama ng ganito katinding atraksyon sa babae and maybe, the fact that she seemed not interested on him, gave him the drive to challenge himself that she will like him eventually.

Ngunit tila may sumuntok sa dibdib niya nang umuwi sila ng araw na iyon. He was about to offer her a ride when he saw a man walking towards her. Umabrisiete agad si Liz sa lalaki habang naglalakad papunta sa harap ng building. He was the same man na nakita niyang sumundo rito sa coffeeshop sa groundfloor last Friday. He chuckled then shook his head. He never asked her about her personal life since it was mentioned in her resume that she was single. Now, it’s confirmed. Kaya pala hindi ito interesado sa kaniya dahil taken na ito. Single but in a relationship.

***

“HOW’S your mom?” bungad-tanong ni Liz pagkasakay niya pa lamang sa kotse ni David nang sunduin siya nito para ihatid sa opisina. Umuwi ito sa bahay nito kahapon pagkahatid sa kaniya at muling lumuwas ngayon para tapusin ang iba pang transaction sa recruitment agency.

“She’s fine. May padala siya sa ‘yo, nasa likod,” anito.

“Ah, really? Thanks,” nakangiting sambit niya saka bumuntong-hininga at iniikot ang leeg niya.

“Tired?” puna nito na bahagyang nakangiti.

“Yeah. Ramdam ko pa rin ang pagod ko kahapon. Feeling ko, there’s an upcoming audit,” natatawang pahayag niya.

“Well, we can still rehire you if you want,” udyok nito.

“Yeah, tempting, but I’ll pass,” sagot niya.

“May papa ka na bang na-meet? I’m sure maraming models doon na puwedeng pagpilian,” kinikilig na sambit nito.

“Yeah, models, not canned goods! Isa pa, busy ako sa work, I don’t have time to even think about it,” sagot niya sabay irap.

“Hay naku naman, girl! Papaano ka makakahanap ng papa ro’n kung wala kang time lumandi? Girl, your clock is ticking, alalahanin! I’m sure maraming mga models do’n na papasa sa panlasa mo,” biro nito sabay binirahan ng tawa nang hampasin niya ito sa braso. “What? Totoo naman, ah! Nasa Pilipinas ka na, girl. Legal ka nang madiligan,” patuloy na biro nito.

“Crazy! Ano’ng tingin mo sa’kin, dried plant?” mataray niyang sambit.

“Ahm, yeah, tuod to be exact!” humahalakhak na sagot nito.

“Grabe, ‘to! Hindi pa ako desperate, ‘no. Isa pa, wala akong balak maging cradle snatcher, ‘no. Ang babata pa ng mga staff doon and to be honest, I still did not meet any of our models dahil hindi pa ako nakakapunta sa 21st floor,” paliwanag niya.

Saglit siyang tinapunan ng tingin nito nang mag-pula ang stoplight. “Well, how about the managers? Perhaps, your boss? Besides being a man, you are keeping mum about him. Is he married? Has children? Pogi? Yummy?—”

“Stop, stop! My God, there’s nothing special about him kaya hindi ako nagkukuwento, ‘no,” iwas niya saka ipinikit ang mata dahil matalas ang pakiramdam nito, he’ll definitely find out if she’s lying or not the moment he looks into her eyes.

“I bet it’s the contrary,” hindi naniniwalang sambit nito saka siya inismiran at muling ibinaling ang atensyon sa daan.

As much as possible, she wanted to keep her feelings to herself. Wala siyang pinagkuwentuhan ni isa man tungkol kay Art at kung bakit siya bitter pagdating sa pakikipagrelasyon. Everytime David asks, she keeps telling him that she just wanted to focus on her career.

David will be staying with her for another two days saka ito tuluyang uuwi sa probinsya para makasama ang pamilya nito bago bumalik sa Dubai.

“So, I will pick you up by 5:30, then, we’ll go shopping and clubbing. Huwag ka nang tumanggi, isa pa, kasama mo naman ako, so do not worry. I’m sure naman na hindi mo na talaga mararanasang pumunta sa mga bar oras na umalis ako. Malay mo naman, doon mo ma-meet ang Prince Charming mo,” anito saka kumindat sa kaniya.

Tumirik ang mata niya saka napilitang tumango. Pagbibigyan na niya ito tutal wala namang pasok bukas kaya’t okay lang na mapuyat siya.

“Oo na!” aniya saka umibis ng sasakyan at nagmamadaling naglakad.

“Liz!” muling tawag ni David sa kaniya nang malapit na siya sa entrada ng building.

He gestured a flying kiss then waved. Natatawang napailing na lang siya sa ka-sweet-an ng kaibigan. Kung hindi lang ito bakla, malamang, mafo-fall siya rito dahil hindi lang guwapo at matangkad, sobra rin itong maalaga at malambing. Nakangiti pa rin siya nang pumasok ng elevator habang nakatungo at nasa isip si David.

“Husband or boyfriend?” Muntik na siyang mapatalon nang biglang may tumikhim at magsalita sa likuran niya dahil ang buong akala niya’y siya lang ang sakay ng elevator. Paglingon niya ay amused na nakasandal sa likuran si Art habang magkasalikop ang mga braso. He sounded annoyed or maybe, she’s just mistaken.

‘Huwag kang assuming, Liz!’ saway niya sa sarili saka alanganing sumagot.

”Boyfriend,” sagot niya ng may ngiti sa labi.