My phone kept lighting up. It's on silent mode but the caller keeps on calling kahit hindi ko na sinasagot. I am on a meeting with the team. I just ignored the call and attentively listens to the discussion.
"Aren't you gonna answer that?" puna ni Boss sa telepono kong nakapatong sa mesa.
"Huh?" Honestly, hindi ko napapansin yung telepono ko na nagriring. I am always on silent mode and used to ignoring calls kung di naman importante. Kaya no matter how many times the caller keeps calling, kung di ko gustong kausap, I won't answer.
Nilingon ko ang cellphone ko. The call ID says "Sweets". Obviously it's from my boyfriend rather ex-boyfriend.
"Oh sorry 'bout that. Don't mind it. It can wait," paumanhin ko. I flipped my phone to hide the screen. He gave me a stern look. He seemed have read the caller ID and he probably has issues on it.
"I think that's your boyfriend. It maybe important as he keeps calling," aniya. Napasandal siya sa upuan and looked at me more sternly.
Nilingon ko ang mga kasamahan namin, they all are looking at me. Somehow, nakakaramdam ako ng embarassment. But I don't want him to treat me like that. Humarap ako sa kaniya. Took my phone while giving him a scowling stare. At sa mismong harap niya, I switched off my phone.
"My apologies for the distraction, sir. But as this is a very important discussion, I intend to ignore anyone who calls me at this time kahit pa boyfriend ko siya. And that's professionalism," I tried to say it platonically but it end up sounding like I'm furious as I maintain my scowling face.
Bahagyang sinalubong niya ang tingin ko. But iniwas din niya and spoke to the team.
"Anyway, I think that's it for now. Discussion dismissed. Thank you," he said to everyone in a calm and friendly voice.
Everyone replied thank you and started to take all their stuff and left. As his now Executive Assistant, I am required to be the last one left in his office. Kasalukuyan kong inaayos ang mga dokumento niya and gamit when the last person left the room. When everyone was out, he stood up, lumapit sakin, pick up my phone from the table and open it as it is turned off. Hinayaan ko lang siya sa ginagawa niya.
"Your passcode?" He asked. Aabutin ko sana ang telepono ko to key in my passcode thru biometrics pero iniwas niya iyon. "Give me your passcode?"
I rolled my eyes and gave him the number. Wala akong balak makipagtalo sa kaniya regarding cellphone authority. Wala naman akong sekreto sa cellphone ko. Besides, he declares his authority to me. Kung makikipagtalo pa ko, he'll just insist.
"What's that number for?" he asked.
I remembered. Hindi ko pa nga pala natatanggal ang bakas ng ex ko sa cellphone ko. It's not that ayoko, it's just that hindi ko pa inaasikaso ang paglilinis ng cellphone ko or pag-bubura ng memories namin. We've been together for 7years. Madami-daming burahan yun.
Kahit alam kong di niya magugustuhan, sinagot ko pa din ang tanong niya. "That's my ex's birthday."
I saw his eyebrow raised. He even gave me a diva look. Napangiti ako. I know he's jealous. And I am liking it. I hope to milk this longer. Para tuloy ayoko munang magbura.
"Ah so, ako pa talaga ang gusto mong magpalit?" he said.
"Don't be childish. That's just a passcode," aniko na natatawa.
He started pressing things on my phone and as I saw it, the first thing he did was blocked my ex's number. He even deleted it. Then, he went to settings and changed my passcode. Hindi ko nakuha yung nilagay niya.
"What did you put in?" reklamo ko.
"My birthday," he said as he handed me my phone.
"I don't know your birthday!" aniko na medyo natatawa.
"So goodluck! Kapag nabura yung biometrics mo, you won't be able to use your phone," aniya sulking as he sits on his chair.
Napailing na lang ako. Magtatanong na lang ako sa HR mamaya. But I didn't tell him that.
"Why does he keeps calling you?" Akala ko tapos na siya. Hindi pa pala.
"Malay ko. Magkasama tayo, hindi ko naman siya sinasagot," simpleng sagot ko. Binalik ko na ang atensyon ko sa pagliligpit.
"Is he begging you to take him back?"
Nag-isip ako. "Sort of. But actually, the last time we talked, he didn't accept breaking up. He just wants me to clear my head and call him if I am ready." But it's been 3weeks now and desidido na talaga akong makipaghiwalay sa kaniya. Thus, I kept ignoring his calls.
"Bakit hindi mo pa kina-clarify sa kaniya? Are you making him wait?" hindi nagbabago ang expression ng mukha niya. He's sulking, somewhat mad and sarcastic.
"No. I just don't want too much drama. I believe I have told him what I want to say. Kung di na niya yun matanggap, hindi ko na problema yun. Besides, it's easier for me to ignore him kasi magkalayo kami," with all honesty kong sagot.
"Do you still want him?" sinasaktan ba nito ang sarili niya?
Napabuntong hininga ako. Tinigil ko ang pagliligpit, humarap sa kaniya then walked towards him. Bahagya ko pang nilingon ang pinto kung nakalapat ba iyon. Then, somewhat hesitating mabilis akong kumandong sa kaniya and throw my arms around his neck and gave him a kiss.
"Is this enough to shut your mouth and stop you from asking pathetic questions?" tanong ko.
He smiled widely as if liking what I did. "The door is not lock," bulong niya.
Tumayo ako, "I know," I said habang pabalik sa ligpitin. "Anyway sir, kung wala ka ng kailangan sakin, I have to go back to my station and madami pa kong tatapusin," aniko as I have cleaned up all the documents.
Nanatiling nakatitig lang siya sakin. Still smiling.
"Alright then. I'll just be on my table if you need me," aniko as I am about to leave.
"Wait!" He called off. "Come here, may ipapagawa pala ako sayo," he said. He was back in his boss self as he opened his laptop. Napalapit ako to see kung ano ang iuutos niya. "Look at this," aniya as he pointed something on the screen of his laptop. Dumukwang ako to look closely. But to my surprise, he grab me and sat me on his lap then gave me another surprisingly passionate kiss.
It took awhile before he released it. Tila ako lumutang. He's smiling widely nang bitawan niya ko.
"Now, I want you to say you love me and that you will never talk to him again," he said almost whispering.
Napangiwi ako with a slight smile. "I couldn't stress this even more. I love you. I love you. I love you. And I won't talk to him without you not knowing, promise. Is that ok?"
His grin widens. He kissed me again. "God, I love you so much!" He exclaimed. "You better leave now, or else di ko na mapipigil ang sarili ko."
Natatawang napatayo na ko. I picked up my stuff, winked at him, and head out the door.
Napailing na lang ako when I was out of his view. Somehow, things are somewhat better... for now.