Jayzi Point of View:
"And our latest rate right now is more higher than last year. Aside from that, if we can get the Del Falcon Corp. from France as our business partner, it will also help our company to increase more. Del Falcon Corp. was ranked as a number one Company in France. They were known as a Legendary Corporation because of it unbreakable record when it comes to Hotels and Restaurants. The corporation is really secured to their movements since they were discovered. That is why, many business men tried their best to get the chance to be partnership with them."
"Del Falcon. Hmm.. Then how can we get that Del Falcon?" One of our shareholder asked.
"It's said that they will be helding a grand party next month. It was Del Falcon 12th anniversary and our company were invited. It also said that the heir of the Del Falcon will present there too. So it will be a good opportunity for us to meet the next owner of the Del Falcon Corporation. Many businessmen will also take this opportunity but base on our calculations, it will be more wonderful for the both company if they'll invest to us."
"Then it's settled." I just said and look into my wrist watch. I still need to fetch Xaira. "Dismiss."
Tumayo na ako at lumabas ng meeting room at saka tumungo sa office para kunin ang susi ng kotse.
Knock Knock Knock...
"Sir?" Pagbukas ng pinto ng sekretarya ko.
"What?"
"Dala ko na po ang mga papeles na pinapakuha niya sa HR department." Wika nito at isinara ang pinto.
Lumapit ito sa lamesa ko at inilapag doon ang mga papeles.
Akala ko ay aalis na ito pero hindi. Umupo ito sa mesa ko at pinagkrus ang dalawang hita.
"Is there anything that you need, Ms. Diamante?" Walang emosyon kong tanong dito.
Ngumiti ito nang nakakaakit habang deritsong nakatingin sa akin.
Nakapalda ito ng maikli habang bukas ang isang butones ng kanyang blouse kaya mababakas mo ang maganda hugis ng katawan at hita nito nito.
"Are you really into that girl, President Sandoval?" Malagkit niyang ani habang ibinakod ang dalawang kamay sa likuran.
I just look at her and smirk. "Behave yourself, Ms. Diamante. You are just my mare assistant and I can kick you out here if you still insist that idea of yours." I just said and take out the key from my table's drawer.
Agad siya tumayo at inayos ang sarili niya. "I'm sorry, President Sandoval." She immediately apologized. "Please excuse me." Dagdag pa nito at dali-daling lumabas ng opisina ko.
Kinapa ko ang cellphone ko sa bulsa ko at saka tinawagan si Xaira.
Nakakadalawang ring palang ay sinagot na niya ito agad. "Hey."
"I'll be there in 15 minutes. Tapos na ba ang trabaho mo?"
"Yeah. Hintayin mo nalang ako sa labas ng kompanya, hinihintay ko lang talaga si Papa dahil isasubmit ko pa sa kanya ang mga hinihingi niya saking papeles."
"Okay. I'm on my way."
"Okay. Ingat sa pagmamaniho."
"Okay. Bye." I just said and hang up the phone.
Lumabas na ako ng opisina at agad na nagtungo sa parking lot.
May mga employees akong nakasalubong at panay ang mga bati nito hanggang sa makarating ako sa kotse ko.
Agad akong nagtungo sa kumpanya ng mga Villaranda at nang makarating ay tinawagan kong muli si Xaira.
"Hello." Pagsagot nito sa tawag ko.
"Where are you? I'm down here."
"Pababa na rin."
"Okay. I'll wait you here."
"Osige. Nasa elevator na din naman ako e."
"Okay." Aniko at saka pinatay ang tawag.
Hindi naman nagtagal ay natanaw ko na din si Xaira papalabas ng building.
Nakangiti itong papalapit sa akin at nang makalapit ay agad itong yumakap.
"Gosh! I miss you!" Wika nito kaya naman tumugon nalang din ako.
Humiwalay ito sa pagkakayakap at saka kumapit sa kanang braso ko.
"So, where do you want to eat?" She immediately asked.
"Anywhere." I just respond.
"Then let's go to the famous restaurant that my friend just recommended me. They say na masarap daw ang pagkain doon, do you wanna have a try with me?" She excitedly said.
"Yeah, sure."
After I said that ay sumakay na kami ng kotse at nagtungo sa Restaurant na tinutukoy ni Xaira.
Tahimik lang ang naging byahe namin at hindi naman kalayuan ang Restaurant kaya mabilis lang kaming nakarating doon.
Nang makarating ay pinark ko ang kotse bago bumababa at inalalayan si Xaira. She held my arm and we both entered the Famous Lovely Dream Restaurant. I didn't know why the owner named it that way but I can see the class of it.
The waitress entertained us. "Good morning ma'am and sir."
"Good morning. May we get a table for two, please." -Xaira
"Ow, Okay. This way ma'am, sir." Nakangiting itinuro nito ang daan patungo sa isang mesa. Malapit sa glass wall at talagang makikita mo ang ganda ng lugar na ito.
Nakangiting umupo si Xaira at hinarap muli ang waitress. "Can we have the menu please." She said.
I just look at her, observing every move and words that she is playing. 'I was actually deceived by that look and action.' I said in my mind.
"Ow, here you go ma'am, sir." The waitress responded and hand us the menu.
"What do you like, Jayzi?" She suddenly asked and look at me.
"Anything. I'll just ordered the same as yours." I just replied.
"Okay, great. Can we have the most expensive one, for two and a glass of red wine, please." She ordered.
"Okay ma'am. Would you like also try our desert, Panna Cotta? It was an Italian dessert." The waitress recommended.
"Hmm.. Okay. Isang order din n'on. My boyfriend don't like dessert, so I'll give it a try." Tugon nito at nakangiting iniabot ang menu rito.
"Okay ma'am. I'll excuse myself first."
Nang makaalis ang waitress ay nakangiting muli na bumaling sa akin si Xaira.
"So, how have you been this past few days, Jayz?" She asked.
"Busy. How about you?" Tanging tugon ko.
"Ow, don't overworked yourself okay." She worriedly said. "And same as yours. Busy. Gusto kasi ni Papa na matuto daw agad ako para daw matulungan kita in the future, in case na ikasal na tayo." Nakangiting paliwanag pa nito.
'Marry her? But I already have my wife. And she was taken away by that Madrigal.'
Nakaramdam na naman ako ng iba't-ibang emosyon dahil sa kadahilanang iyon.
'Where the heck are you, Xaiyi."
"Jayzi?.."
'I shouldn't have left her that time."
"Hey, Jayz."
'Damn it. Just a little more time, Xaiyi. I will definitely get you back and will never leave your side.'
"Jayz?!" Napabalik ako sa diwa ko nang medyo may diin na ang boses ni Xaira.
"Yes?"
"I was calling you for 5th times, Jayzi. What's happening with you?" Kunot-noo nitong tanong.
"I'm sorry. I was just thinking about something else." I apologized.
"And what's the something else?" Mausisa nitong tanong.
"Work. Sorry." I lied.
Magsasalita pa sana si Xaira nang biglang dumating ang order namin.
"Please enjoy your meal." Sabay na sabi ng dalawang waiters.
Hindi na ako kinulit pa ni Xaira at kumain nalang din kami.
***************
Meanwhile in France~
Xaiyi Point of View:
"Nasaan na ba kasi iyong Kean na 'yon?" Nagmamaktol nang wika ni Hyden.
"Baka natraffic lang." Pagdadahilan ko rito.
"Traffic my ass, Xaiyi. Nasa France tayo, hindi sa Manila." Inikot pa nito ang mata. Parang baliw talaga.
"Dadating na yon. Alam mo namang workaholic iyang kaibigan mo." Totoo naman kasi e. Masyadong naging masipag si Kean nitong nakaaraang isang buwan. Nangako kasi itong bibisita kaming Pilipinas pagkatapos ng anniversary ng kompanya nila Hyden. Hindi ko nga akalaing hindi lang ito basta doktor.
"Oh ayan na pala ang, jerk." Mataray na wika nito. Minsan talaga parang gusto kong isiping may sakit sa utak ang lalaking ito.
Tinignan ko si Kean na papalapit sa amin. May dala itong isang tangkay ng malaking Rosas.
"What made you so long?" Hyden annoyingly asked.
"Sorry. Dumaan pa kasi akong flower shop para kunin 'to." Natatawa-tawa pa nitong rason.
"Yeah right, dude. Alam mo, you're so corny. So mais." Kumento pa nito.
Natawa nalang si Kean at bumaling sa akin. "Here's your roses, miss beautiful." Iniabot nito ang bulaklak sa akin at medyo natatawa ko pa itong tinanggap.
"Thank you, Kean. Sana di ka na nag-aabalang bigyan ako lagi ng bulaklak." Papaano ba naman kasi? Araw-araw niya nalang akong binibigyan nito.
"Tsk tsk. Did you know, dude. Magsasawa talaga sayo iyang si Xaiyi. Ang corny talaga naman kasi talaga ng mga banat mo." Hyron sarcastically said na ikinatawa ko nalang din at ni Kean. "Gayahin mo kaya ako, isang kindat ko lang, nafafall na." He proudly added.
"Yeah right, Ry. Kaya pala hanggang ngayon ay wala ka paring girlfriend." Natatawa pang asar nitong si Kean.
"Because I'm choosy. I'm so gwapo kasi at given na iyon para maging choosy ako. I hate easy-to-get-girls." He defensively explained.
"Naku, ewan ko sa iyo. Tara na at pumasok, magsisimula na iyong sene." Awat ko sa mga ito at hindi na din sila pa pumalag.
"Oo nga pala. Antagal kasi nitong si Kean. Dapat hindi na kita isinama e. Magiging third wheel ka lang sa amin ni Xaiyi." Umiirap na nitong ani.
"That is why I am here." Makahulugang sagot naman nitong si Kean.
Natatawa nalang ako sa dalawang ito. Lagi nalang kasi kalukuhan ang mga salitang lumalabas sa mga bibig sa tuwing magtatagpo.
Pero kahit na ganoon ay masaya ako dahil nakakasama ko sila kahit na wala akong naaalala. They were actually helping me to create a new and wonderful memories that I'll never regret in this life. I'm so glad to have them.
**************
08/01/2020