Till There Was You

Chapter 6 : Her New Tasked

BETHANY

Hindi na niya nadatnan si Gib nang paglabas niya sa shower. Samantalang hindi naman niya maintindihan ang sarili kung bakit dismayado siya sa pag-alis nito.

What did bother her was the fact, na ang binata lamang ang laman sa kanyang isipan buong umaga. Like nagtitimpla siya ng kape at wala siya sa sarili kung kaya muntik na siyang mapaso sa hot water. Another one is that, paulit-ulit siyang nag ta-type sa kanyang ipapalabas na story.

Neverthless, it turned out to be worthwhile, nang dumating ang kanyang boss sa newsroom. She had to approached him that morning about pursuing the story on gambling and possibly Marco Montez connections, as well.

Sinabi niya rito na mag se-set siya ng meeting with the police intelligence division at Camp Crame, and upon hearing that, Pit Lopez her boss had gone a step further.

"I have a friend with the Department- Senior Supt. Dwayne Corpuz." he said thoughtfully. "He might be able to fix it so you could work alongside one of their men." he shot her an inquiring look. "Sasabihin ko nalang sa kanya that you're up to a little investigative reporting, huh Dalman?"

"Yes sir!" tugon niya, at saka tinawagan ng kanyang boss ang kakilala nitong Coronel.

Just thinking na magkikita na naman sila ulit ni Gib caused a triumphant smile to curve her lips. Nagulantang nalang siya nang biglang magsalita ulit si Pit Lopez.

"Nakausap ko na si Senior Supt. Corpuz." sabi nito sa kanya. "Can you get over to the Camp to see Supt. Sayson in-" he consulted his watch. "-half an hour?"

"Sureness!" mabilis na sagot niya dito.

"Good." sabi ng kanyang boss at bigla itong natigilan. "Dalman, ano na naman ang ginawa mo sa iyong buhok? Nagmumukha ka na tuloy na amerikanang hilaw."

She bit her lip and smothered a rare feeling of embarrassment. Bagong dye na naman kasi ang buhok niya.

"I was just in the mood for something different." sagot niya sa amo.

"But anyway, it looks good on you." papuri naman ng kanyang amo. She shyly smile, hindi pa kasi niya narinig na may pinupuri ang kanyang boss.

"Siyangapala Dalman, I don't expect to be disappointed on this. So you better come up with something good on this Marco Montez character." parang lumipad naman ang papuri nito matapos sabihin iyon ng kanyang boss. "And for heaven's sake, be careful."

She couldn't prevent the smile that crossed her face at Pit's words. He might fool some people, but he didn't fool her. He was just a little bit of a softie at heart.

Like Gib Sarmiento? Napakunot-noo lamang siya. Heto na naman siya. Pero bigla nalang niyang naalala ang sinabi sa kanya ni Gib, na huwag daw siyang magpapatulog ulit ng estranghero sa bahay niya. Syempre naman noh. Ngayon lang din niya na realized ang sinabi ni Gib. Nagtataka nga siya sa sarili eh, kung bakit hinayaan lamang niyang pumasok at matulog sa kanyang bahay ang lalaki.

On the second thought, it wasn't any wonder, after all. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang siya, tas kinuha na niya ang kanyang bag, nag swiped out siya, and made her way out from the newsroom.

Pagkababa ng pagkababa niya sa kotse nang makarating na siya sa Camp Crame, huminga muna siya ng malalim at saka tinapik-tapik niya ang hood ng kanyang pink na mini cooper. Yan kasi ang gagawin niya kapag medyo kinakabahan siya. This was a big break for her. She was tired of pulling utility duty, covering lightweight stories whenever the staff was short.

Kaya itong storya na to ang magbibigay sa kanya ng big chance, the chance to show her boss Pit Lopez what she could really do. Of course, if things went as she hoped they would, she would have to share some of the glory with the police division, but it would be worth it. Lalo na kapag e assigned talaga siya ni Pit sa mga police precinct, sigurado siyang araw-araw makakuha talaga siya ng malaking storya.

She smiled her satisfaction as she step inside the Camp building. Hindi talaga niya pakakawalan ang storyang ito, not until she at least climb a few rungs of the ladder to success.

"Bethany Dalman to see Supt. Sayson, please." masiglang sabi niya, announcing herself to the grizzled-looking desk sergeant.

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