#CTG10 Chapter 10

I got disapproving looks from Charlie when he learned that I actually went to the job Dad wanted me to take. We had a deal that I'd turn down the offer and he'd tell Dad that he didn't want to go back to school yet. But when I went there yesterday, I thought it might be fun... I mean, at least I'd get to apply what I learn in school?

Naka-ayos na ako para bumalik doon dahil ngayon iyong bagong schedule. Kakausapin ko muna iyong kaibigan ni Dad and from there, baka ipakausap na ako sa HR for formalities...

"Charlie," I called. "Talk to Dad. Just tell him you don't want to go back yet. I'm sure he won't force you."

"I thought you didn't want to work?" he asked back.

"It's just for the summer," I said. I didn't want to argue with him. I already do a lot of that in school. The last thing that I needed was to defend myself at home, too. And Charlie's not my enemy. Ayaw niya lang na magaya ako sa kanya. "Wala rin naman akong gagawin dito sa bahay. You know me. I get easily bored," I explained.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "I know it's hard to say no... but at some point, you'll have to learn."

Tumango ako. "Yes... I'm sure. Now, you have to do your end of the deal."

Charlie looked conflicted, but I reminded him of what he always tells me—you're the captain of your own ship. It's your life; you decide what you want to do with it... Because at the end of the day, it's your happiness at stake—not others, but yours.

And everyday, I still try to do that.

Little by little, but progress is still progress.

Pagdating ko sa company, nandun na si Mr. Tiu para kausapin ako. He just told me to talk to him if ever I needed anything and then he told me to talk to the HR for the briefing. I just thanked him for the opportunity to work for his company, but I doubted that I'd go to him for any favor. I just didn't like making shortcuts. Sure, nahihirapan ako, but I learn more by doing it myself.

"If you have any more questions, just drop by the office," the HR head told me. I just politely nodded at her. Pumunta ako sa lugar kung saan ako magpapagawa ng ID and then dumiretso sa cubicle na assigned sa akin. I was told na nasa labas pa raw iyong lawyer na iaassist ko, pero ni hindi man lang ako naka-sampung minuto sa upuan bago ako ipatawag...

And the work offically commenced.

I was given three complaints and was tasked to read them and do notes... and if I believe there's a probably case there, to find related cases.

And I hated to admit it, but I was enjoying the work I was doing. It's like solving a puzzle. May staements na naka-lagay, but not all statements are facts... Some are fabricated stories made by people to gain. And it was up to me to see through those lies.

"Miss Viste."

Agad akong napa-tayo sa pwesto ko nang marinig ko ang pangalan ko. My lips parted at first because I thought that I would be meeting the lawyer assigned to me... but my face fell when I saw who it was.

I should've known.

"Lunch?" he asked.

"Di pa ako tapos."

"Tignan mo 'to..." he said. "Sabi mo sa 'kin illegal na hindi maglunch. Tapos ganyan ka rin?"

I rolled my eyes. Talent niya bang ibalik lahat ng sinabi ko sa kanya? I said it before and I'd say it again... He'd make a damn good lawyer.

"Di pa ko tapos," I reiterated.

"Don't worry, 'di mauubos kasong babasahin mo. Maraming reklamo sa kumpanya na 'to," he said, shrugging. "Kain na kasi tayo."

"Kailangan ba kasama ako?"

He laughed. "Syempre dahil friends tayo."

I arched my brow. "Friends na tayo?"

He nodded. "Oo... Ayaw na kitang landiin kaya friends na lang tayo."

"As far as I can remember, ayaw mo akong landiin dahil intimidated ka sa 'kin... Not simply because ayaw mo lang."

Sinandal niya iyong gilid ng katawan niya sa pader ng cubicle ko. He crossed his arms and grinned at me.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think na masama ang loob mo dahil hindi na kita nilalandi," he said and I arched my brow at him. "But since I know you better, I'd say na honest na tao ka lang talaga."

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa. Ibinalik ko iyong atensyon ko sa binabasa ko. I was in the middle of reading the statement given by the passenger who complained about his lost check-in luggage. I needed to find something para hindi mag-apply iyong extraordinary diligence requirement para sa common carrier.

"Queen Elsa," bulong ni Iñigo sa tenga ko. I almost jumped from my seat dahil sa gulat. I internally cursed.

"Kapag sumama ba ako maglunch sa 'yo, 'di mo na ako guguluhin?"

He nodded like a kid. I sighed. Why was I stuck with this guy?

* * *

"Ayaw mo niyan?" he asked.

"Ha?"

"Yung ulam... Ayaw mo?"

"Okay lang," sagot ko.

"May iba namang ulam. Order kita, gusto mo?" he asked again.

"Okay lang ako," I replied.

"Sure ka? Kapag kasi pares, ang lakas mong kumain... Ni hindi pa nga nangangalahati 'yang pagkain mo ngayon," he said, pointing at my food. It's chicken and rice, but I wasn't a big fan of chicken. Okay naman... but this particular chicken tasted dry.

"No, I'm fine," I reiterated. May sandwich naman ako sa bag—something I learned from Jax. Para kapag nagutom ako bigla, may pagkain ako.

But Iñigo stood up and went to the counter. I sighed when I saw him ordering again. Ang kulit. Okay lang naman ako. 'Di naman ako masyadong gutom. 'Di naman talaga ako malakas kumain—siguro nasanay lang siya na kapag pares, 2 cups of rice iyong naka-kain ko... Exception to the general rule naman 'yun.

"Adobo," he said, putting the bowl of viand in front of me. "Walang pares... pwede na muna 'yan."

"Okay lang naman ako," sabi ko sa kanya.

He smiled. "Kain ka na."

Dahil sayang naman iyong pera ni Iñigo, kumain na ako. He was smiling when he saw me eating. I made sure that I finished everything on my plate. He gave me two thumbs up when I did. Pakiramdam ko talaga bata ang tingin niya sa akin... Although totoo na mas bata ako sa kanya, 'di naman niya alam 'yun.

When we finished eating, Iñigo looked at his watch.

"May 15 minutes pa. Lakad muna tayo sa labas, gusto mo?"

"Balik na ko. May babasahin pa ko."

"Trust me, 'di mauubos babasahin mo... You really have to learn how to chill, Miss Viste," he said, smiling gently at me. "Life's not always about working, you know? Work-life balance. 'Yan talaga ituturo ko sa 'yo."

"Ituturo mo sa 'kin?"

He nodded. "Sa school, sure ako mas matalino ka sa 'kin... pero sa life? Mas marami akong alam sa 'yo. I'm gonna teach you how to relax and live a little."

"Tuturuan mo akong makipaglandian sa med students?"

Bigla siyang natawa. Sumingkit iyong mga mata niya. "Grabe naman 'to! Iniisip mo ba na nilalandi ko lahat ng med student?"

I shrugged. "I wouldn't be surprised if you do."

"Hindi naman."

"Pero may nilalandi ka?"

"Bakit parang galit ka?"

"Bakit ako magagalit?"

He let out a nervous laugh. And then combed his hair using his fingers. His eyes were slanted from the smiling. I really needed to get back to my cubicle and read.

"Those med students are my... friends," he said like he was trying to phrase them nicely.

"Friends?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Friendly ako."

"So... friends? Kagaya nito?" tanong ko sabay turo sa aming dalawa. "Friends tayo sabi mo."

He laughed nervously again. "Damn, Charisse Faith Viste. Bakit parang kinakabahan ako dito?"

"Bakit ka kakabahan? Unless may ginawa kang masama?"

"Wala akong ginagawang masama, okay? And for the record, no, hindi friends kagaya natin. Ibang friends 'yun. Iba 'yung friendship natin."

I rolled my eyes. 'Di naman ako pinanganak kahapon para hindi malaman kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin. I stood up and carried the tray. Nilagay ko iyon sa patungan bago naglakad pabalik sa cubicle ko. I could hear Iñigo's hurrying behind me.

"Galit ka?" he asked. Ang bilis niyang maka-habol.

"No."

"Bakit parang galit ka?"

"Hindi ako galit. Bakit ako magagalit?"

He laughed. "You know, magsisimula na akong mag-isip na type mo ko... Ganyang-ganyan kapag nagseselos, e."

I faced him and rolled my eyes—para makita niya kung gaano siya nakaka-inis. "We're just friends, okay? Hindi ako nagseselos. 'Di kita type. Ang mga gusto ko, 'yung kagaya ni Jax," I said just to make him stop.

The smile on his face fell. For a few seconds, he wasn't able to come up with anything... It felt weird for a moment because Iñigo's the kind of person who always had something to say. He's quick on his feet. But for a moment, he got nothing.

"Sabi ko nga," he said with a smile, but it was a different smile from the ones he usually showed at me. Huminto siya sa paglalakad. "Sige. Lakad muna ko sa labas," he continued, waving at me before he turned his back and walked on the opposite direction.

I turned my back against him, too, and went back to my cubicle and read my cases.

* * *

The day ended quickly. I made a few notes, but I wasn't done yet. Hindi pumasok iyong assigned na lawyer sa akin dahil biglang may emergency yata siya. It's okay, though. Na-brief naman ako sa kailangan kong gawin. Dapat lang matapos ko na 'yung assigned sa akin bago siya bumalik.

So far, I was really enjoying... Though I doubted kung ma-e-enjoy ko pa 'to once the school year starts.

Hanggang 5pm lang iyong pasok, but it was almost 6pm when I decided to go home. Inaayos ko iyong gamit ko. I was tempted to stay for a little bit longer, but I remembered Iñigo's work life balance speech. He's right though—I needed life.

Nang maayos ko 'yung gamit ko, pasimple akong naglakad papunta sa cubicle niya. Isasabay ko na lang siguro siya pauwi para maka-tipid siya... Hindi naman siguro ako isusumbong ng driver dahil mabait naman sa 'kin 'yun... Alam niya kasi kung gaano ka-higpit si Papa.

"Iñigo," I called when I saw him still buried deep in the pile of folders on his table. Kung akala ko marami na 'yung ginagawa ko, mas marami 'yung sa kanya.

"Yes?" he asked, writing something on the yellow paper.

"Pauwi ka na ba? Gusto mong sabay ka na sa 'kin?" I asked because I was just thinking na sayang naman matitipid niya sa pamasahe... Pandagdag baon niya na rin 'yun.

He stopped writing and looked at me. "May pupuntahan pa kasi ako mamaya, e," he said. I nodded. Galit ba siya sa 'kin?

"Okay," I said.

"Bukas na lang, pwede?"

I shrugged. "Okay."

"Bye, Charisse," he said. He smiled again before he returned to writing. I stood there awkwardly for a few seconds before deciding to leave. Dumiretso na ako sa labas. Naka-tayo ako sa isang gilid. I sent a text asking kung nasaan na iyong driver kasi medyo 20 minutes na akong naghihintay. He told me na sobrang traffic daw pero malapit na siya.

Babalik na muna sana ako sa loob para magbasa na lang hbang naghihintay... pero natigilan ako nang makita ko si Iñigo na papalabas ng building. I watched as he walked quickly towards a black SUV parked in front of our building. The car was heavily tinted kaya hindi ko nakita kung sino iyong nasa loob. But when Iñigo opened the door on the passenger side, that's when I saw who was inside the car—iyong babae na naka-salubong namin sa school. Iyong med student na may kakaibang friendship si Iñigo.

'Dun pala siya busy.