"Stop messing with me, Damon." inis na sabi ko. Pano kasi, umaga'ng umaga, nambibwiset.
"Just admit it. You like me." ngumisi pa sya e. Sira ulo nito promise. "Hulaan ko, kinilig ka dun sa meaning ng mga sinabi ko kahapon, 'no?" pang-aasar pa nya.
Speaking of, kinilig nga ako.
And so? Bawal ba?
Lumapit sya sakin. Lumayo naman ako nang kaunti. Naiinis nanaman ako sakanya nang bumulong sya sakin.
"Kroshka." his whisper sent shivers to my spine. And remembering the meaning, it made my heart flutter.
"I'm not one, Damon Lopez." naiilang na sabi ko. Sa gwapo nito? Sure akong marami 'tong tinatawag na ganyan.
"Not one? Why?" lumapit sya lalo sa desk ko, kaya tumayo ako at akmang lalabas nang hinigit nya ang palapulsuhan ko at ipinirmi ako sa spot office chair na hinila nya papunta sa harapan ng glass wall, making me kinda tremble in fear. "You're the only one. You're my only kroshka." dagdag pa nya.
He has to stop.
Akmang itutulak ko sya nang ikulong nya ako ulit. Pinilit kong kumalma kahit nagwawala na ang buong sistema ko.
I'm here for work, ano ba?
Gamit ang lahat ng lakas na naipon ko, itinulak ko si Damon na ngayon ay nakangisi nanaman sakin. "You're strong now, huh?"
"Obviously." inis na sabi ko. "Now shut up and let me do my work." pinal na sabi ko saka tumungo sa desk ko. Bumuntong hininga naman sya saka umupo rin sa desk nya.
"But you know, it's true. I'm falling for you. And even in that state, I can say that this isn't just the gusto feeling." sabi nya habang nakatingin nang deretso sakin. "It's like, there's something in your smile. Everytime you smile, I want to do everything for you to remain smiling as long as your jaws won't hurt. I love it when you smile." nakangiting tinapos nya ang pagkahaba-habang speech nya.
Binalot ang opisina ng nakakabinging katahimikan. Naririnig ko ang malakas na pagtibok ng puso ko, sana'y hindi nya ito naririnig, kunwari hindi ako apektado.
I smiled at him. I was stunned when his look softened. "I love it when you just shut up and tell me what to do, you stupid." I said without taking off the smile I'm wearing.
He frowned immediately. "And here I am, thinking that my secretary is being sweet." tumayo sya saka lumapit sa water dispenser. "Scammer." he spat.
"Evil." I spat back.
"What did I do for you to call me evil now, hmm?" tanong nya. Anong ginawa nya?
"Hindi mo na tanda? Pinahiya mo ako'ng bwisit ka." inis na sabi ko. Bwisit talaga sya e. I mean, pinahiya nya ako noon, unang pagkikita namin yun e.
"Hey, I didn't mean to." his look softened again. "Sorry for that." mahinang sabi nya. Natandaan nya pa?
Naawa naman ako nang kaunti. Hindi ko namalayan na ako pala'y nakangiti. "Fine. But you're still the Evil Damon. Now give me something I should do, Sir Damon." sabi ko.
Bumuntong hininga lang sya saka tumingin sa wall clock. "It's nearly lunch time. What do you want for lunch?" tanong nya.
Napatingin din ako sa wall clock. It's 11:35 am. Tingnan mo nga naman. Wala pa akong nagagawa maliban sa pakikipagtalo sakanya, lunch time na agad.
"Anything." tanging sagot ko.
He nodded at me and left the office. While waiting for him to come back, his phone rang. I picked the phone up and looked at the name of the caller.
Helena Rae calling....
I was supposed to put it back when I accidentally pressed the answer button. And I was supposed to talk when the one on the other side talked. Anger is evident in her voice.
"Damon Lopez!" the woman shouted.
What the?!
"How dare you leave me in the restaurant! I was about to tell you that we're about to get engaged, but what the actual fuck?! You told me about that... what's the filthy name again?" tanong nito.
Confused, I opened my mouth to talk but no words came.
"Ah! Selena Aiah Tuazon, isn't it? I can't believe you, Damon. We've been together for nearly a decade, and you'll show up here just to tell me that you're breaking up with me because of that woman? What did you say, the last time we talked before yesterday? Ah, the woman's family lives near the kabukiran, she seduced you with a love potion for sure! Those sluts!" asik nito.
Hindi na ako nakapagpigil, nagsalita na ako.
"Miss, good morning. This is Selena Aiah Tuazon, the filthy secretary you're talking about." I saw Davon enter the office, holding the food he brought for me. I mouthed listen. "I am not a slut, and if that's what you're thinking, I came from a decent family who knows nothing about love potions and things like that which never exists. I'm sorry that Sir Damon broke up with you yesterday." my boss mouthed that's my secretary and did a thumbs up.
"How dare you call him Damon! I'm the only one allowed. Hindi mo sya pwede'ng tawagin na Damon, you bitch." asik nito sakin. Ah, marunong pala mag-Tagalog. Well.
"I'm not a bitch. And, kung gusto mo'ng ikaw lang tatawag sakanya na Damon, edi kainin mo yang Damon na tawag mo, lunukin mo, isaksak mo sa baga mo. I'm used to talking calmly over the phone, but if the one on the other side talks nonsense shits like you, I'll do the same, bitch." I spat. "He's my Davon now."
I saw Davon's lips part, I smiled.
"You, you're really a slut! I'm a multimillionaire while you-"
"Ano?" hamon ko.
Silence enveloped the office while I'm waiting for whatever she'll say.
"I, Helena Rae Moiler, am a multimillionaire. While you, you're just a mere secretary. I still can't believe that my Damon chose his mere secretary over me." her voice screams bitterness.
"Miss Helena Rai Moiler, I'm sure you own a company." sabi ko.
"Yeah. I own many popular companies." she said, boasting.
"Well, I'm sure that your secretary isn't as good as me. And to apprise the likes of you, I'm not a mere secretary. I'm not one of those. Have a good day." I said and ended the call.
Davon smiled at me and opened his arms. I went for a hug. "You did great. That's my girl." his husky voice sounds so good.
This time, I let the smile go out. And damn, I love his scent. Perhaps, I love him too?