Capitulo 8
1406 Words
Tokyo's P.O.V
I just finished talking to my secretary when I receive another call from an unknown number.
"Hello, who's this?"
"Hi Babe, it's me Venus."
Venus? Who's Venus?
"Oh.. Uh, hey. Why are you calling?"
"I am just wondering if where are you right now? Since we'll be in lockdown you might wanna stay here with me in my apartment."
Huh? Di nga kita kilala, pupunta pa ako riyan.
"That's so sweet of you but I'm sorry, I can't. I'm flying to Japan later."
"Why?! Is that important than me?"
"Biglaan eh. My father's in the hospital right now so I can't stay with you."
"Ganun ba? Fine."
"Look, I gotta go. Take care of yourself."
Nagsasalita pa siya pero ini-end ko na ang tawag sabay block ng number niya. Aside from I don't remember her, I got pissed too because of the tone of her voice. Sira ulo ba siya? Uunahin ko muna ang papa ko of course.
I'm already done packing my things and just making sure I didn't miss anything when I heard the door opened. Probably it's Amber so I went out with my baggage. But I notice her eyes are red so I put down my baggage then rush towards her.
"Hey pal, you okay? Why are you crying?"
She didn't utter a word then starts crying again so I hug and comfort her. When I notice she's done I put my hands on her shoulder and face her.
"Okay ka na?"
"Hindi eh."
"Ba't ka umiiyak? Tell me."
"Wala akong trabaho. Anong gagawin ko?"
"Oo nga pala. No mass gathering at tigil pasada ngayon ang public transportation. But hey, kaya nga iiwan ko sa'yo yung isa sa debit card ko diba?"
"Hindi naman pwede 'yan. Alam mo 'yan."
"Pero you need it. I don't mind if you use it also for your family. Padalhan mo na sila Tito at Tita."
"Hindi talaga Tokyo. Sobra sobra na ang tulong mo sa'kin. Libre mo na nga akong pinatuloy dito. Mag iisip nalang ako ng ibang paraan."
I sighed. Kung di ko lang 'to kaibigan binatukan ko na 'to, and I don't even care if she's a girl. Ang tigas kasi ng ulo.
"Oh Amber Rose, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko sa'yo. Still, iiwan ko pa rin sa'yo ang isa sa debit card ko just in case of emergency. My conscience cannot bear if something bad happen to you."
Pinaupo ko muna siya para pakalmahin at dumiretso ako ng kusina to check my stocks. Kaya pa naman ng kalahating buwan pero kailangan niya pa rin mag grocery. Who knows when this lockdown will end. After checking, I grab a glass of water for her.
Naabutan ko siyang kalmado na kaya inabot ko sakaniya ang baso ng tubig at uminom naman siya.
"It would be better if you'll just stay here Amber. Take a rest."
"Hindi ihahatid na kita."
"You sure?"
"Yes. Asan susi ng kotse mo?"
"Here."
Pagka bigay ko sakaniya ng susi ay inayos niya muna ang sarili niya saka kami umalis at nag punta sa kumpanya ko. Naikwento niya rin sa'kin na patay na pala ang may ari ng kotseng minamaneho niya, yung pag iimbestiga sakaniya ng PDEA at ang hindi inaasahang pagkikita ulit nila ni Jonah. Wow, kaya siguro emotionally tired siya ngayon but then naisip ko si Jonah. Hmm.. Jonah. What if..
"Dito na tayo. Dito nalang ako sa kotse mag aantay."
"Ah.. Sige. I'll be quick."
Bumaba na ako sa kotse at pumasok sa building. Agad naman akong binati ng mga empleyado ko pero pinatigil ko muna sila sa kanilang ginagawa.
"Listen up everybody. I want you all to finish whatever you are doing right now then go home as soon as possible. Make sure to check your email also starting today as further information and instructions will be provided while the whole city is in lockdown. Do you understand?"
"Yes Mr. Lee."
Matapos ang announcement ko at ang chorus nilang pag oo ay dumiretso na ako sa meeting room para imeet ang team ko.
"We will still release full compensation for this month. Also, Mr. Zamora I'd like you to procure sacks of rice and whatever included in a relief pack so we can distribute it to our employees. You have my permission to use our vans."
"Of course Mr. Lee."
"Shall we get it from the contingency fund Mr. Lee?"
"Yes Miss Dela Peña."
"Are you sure? I mean that's our budget for the year."
"Miss Dela Peña, iisipin mo pa ba 'yan? This is a global crisis so we better use it. Will resume the meeting tomorrow 7pm. I have to go now. Excuse me."
Iniwan ko na sila at pumunta sa office para kunin ang ilang dokumento bago umalis.
"Damn, kung kailan magkakaroon kami ng big break saka naman ito nangyari."
Umiling-iling nalamang ako at saka linisan ang opisina ko. Habang pabalik sa kotse ay puro pasasalamat ang naririnig ko sa mga empleyado ko. Ngumiti nalamang ako sakanila. Sa di kalayuan nakita ko si Amber na may kausap sa cellphone niya. Mukhang si Tita ang kausap niya dahil narinig kong binanggit niya ang "Mama".
"Mukhang di muna po ako makakauwi Ma. Halos triple na nga ang traffic dito pagka announce kanina na lockdown na simula bukas. Pero wag kayong mag alala, gagawa pa rin ako ng paraan para may maipadala ako sainyo. Tiis tiis muna tayo sa kita natin sa tindahan. Mag iingat din po kayo."
Nang matapos na niyang kausapin si Tita ay napansin niya akong nag aantay sakaniya.
"Kanina ka pa?"
"Di naman. Amber, uulitin ko. You can use my card if you need anything."
"Sinabi ko naman na Tokyo.."
"Just reminding you."
Umalis na kami at nag tungo sa airport. We're stuck in traffic however, since Amber's a driver she was able to find short cuts so we arrived in the airport at exactly 1:00 PM.
"I'll go ahead now."
She seems to cry again so I hug her tight. I am worried to be honest. Amber is actually tough and independent but she's fragile sometimes. I need to do something. You are genius Tokyo so think.
Nagpaalam na ako at pumasok sa airport. Hours passed by and time to board. Pag pasok ko sa eroplano ay sinalubong ako ng isang flight attendant. Her face is familiar though.
"Hi Mr. Lee."
"Hi. Your beautiful face is familiar. Have we met before?"
Tumawa naman siya ng mahina bago sinagot ang tanong ko.
"Yes. If you still remember your flight from Manila to Cebu last year around Ber months."
"Oh yeah. I remember that. I'm sorry. So you're into international flights now huh?"
"Yes Mr. Lee. Let me assist you to your seat."
"Certainly."
I followed her to the business class and she helped me find my seat.
"Enjoy the flight Mr. Lee."
"Thank you. I'm sorry but may I know your name again? No offense but I'm not good on memorizing names."
"Angela."
"Angela. Beautiful name for a beautiful woman."
"Haha! Thank you. See you later."
"For sure."
I winked at her which made her giggle then she went back to her work. While waiting for the departure, I open my laptop to check my emails. Tonight will be a long night. I mean, di lang ngayong gabi. Pati sa mga susunod na araw. We need to plan, for the company, shareholders, stakeholders, employees, etc. Iniisip ko palang gusto ko ng mag mura. But then, what really bothers me is my bestfriend. I should come up with a solution for her before I leave the Philippines. Then I remember him.
"Yes, brilliant ka talaga Tokyo."
Although I know it might be awkward for her and probably she might get mad at me but I don't care as long as she's okay dun lang ako mapapanatag. I still have time to make a phone call so I called Bart.
"Bart."
"Yes Boss?"
"Bigay mo sa'kin number ng taong 'to. Is it possible for you to provide it to me within 5-10 minutes? Malapit na kasing umalis ang eroplano."
"Oo naman Boss. Ako pa. Ano pong pangalan nung tao?"
"Jonah. Jonah Clemente. He's an engineer if not mistaken. Halos ka edad ko rin lang siya."
"Right away boss. Tawagan kita after 5 minutes."
"Cool."
Di nga ako binigo ni Bart. Saktong 5 minutes tinawagan niya ako't binigay ang contact number ni Jonah. Agad ko rin naman itong tinawagan at nang marinig ko na siya sa kabilang linya ay sinabi ko kung sino ako.
"Tokyo? What a surprise. How did you get my number?"
"Nevermind that. Listen, I'm about to take off in a few minutes so I'll make it short and quick. Get Amber in my place. Let her stay with you for the meantime."
Sinabi ko sakaniyang di ako mapapanatag na mag isa lang ang kaibigan ko sa condo ko. After a few minutes I heard his response.
"Are you kidding me? I'm outside of your condo's building."
- Writer
