1 Longing

The hurting rays of the sun strike to my skin as I am watching it behind the glass windows of this office.

Five years have already passed and here I am having all my dreams come true. Totoo nga ang sabi nila kapag you are focused on a certain thing, you'll possibly get it as what you have wanted it would be. And that's what I did with the past years since I have left. Isinantabi ko muna ang kagustuhan ng puso ko, ang magmahal.

"Ma'am Ylliana, gusto daw po kayong makausap ng chairman," my secretary disturbed me from my flying thoughts.

" Alright."

Nagsimula na akong maglakad papunta sa opisina ng chairman. Bawat empleyadong madaanan ko ay bumabati sa akin at binabalikan ko naman sila ng pagngiti.

Pagkarating ko sa kanyang opisina ay nadatnan ko siyang nakaharap sa malaking glass window na nagsilbing pader ng opisina. Kitang-kita rito ang nagtatayugang mga gusali na unti-unti ng binubuksan ang kanya-kanyang ilaw.

"Good afternoon, Sir. Gusto niyo daw po akong makausap?" bating tanong ko.

"Diba sinabi ko sa iyo na Gio na lang?" anito.

Humarap sa akin ang isang lalaking nasa edad ng higit dalawampu. He has this welcoming aura with his brilliant smile. Ang tabas ng kanyang buhok ay katulad ng sa isang sundalo. Singkit ang kanyang mga mata na sumasabay sa kanyang pagngiti. Lumapit siya sa akin at kita ang agwat ng tangkad niya sa akin. Abot ang tuktok ng aking ulo sa kanyang baba.

"I should call you Sir because you are my boss. That's my approach of respect to you..."

"Yeah whatever, Yana. I prefer you calling me on the first name basis," aniya at may kasama pang pagkindat.

"So why did you call me, Sir?"

"Ah! I just wanted to ask if could you be my date, for a certain business party?"

"I think you should ask Miss Caroline, Sir. She's a better partner when it comes to business matters," suhestiyon ko pero sinagot niya ako ng pag-iling.

"No, no, no. I want you to be my date tomorrow evening. And I can see that I will get the deal because I am with you."

"Pero hindi po ako sanay, Sir sa mga ganyan. Yes, I can face some investors, sponsors, or businessmen. But to be in a party of bigtimes and tycoons? No, Sir. I'll refuse it."

Friday evening and here I am already done with my make up and hair. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang pumayag kay Sir Gio sa pagsama sa party ngayong gabi. I will be wearing a black tube dress that was revealing a bit of my chest and back. It had a high slit on the left side revealing also my legs.

Nang matapos ako sa pagbibihis ay kinuha ko na ang aking white clutch at bumaba na sa lobby nitong condominium dahil nandoon na si Sir Gio.

"Wow. What's your name, Miss? Gorgeous, right? You look stunning," aniya at iginiya ako sa front seat ng kanyang trailblazer.

"Thank you, Sir..."

Sa biyahe ay abot-abot ang kaba ko para sa party. This will be my first time. Idagdag pa ang maya't mayang pagsulyap sa akin ni Sir Gio. Nang hindi ko na makaya ay nagsalita na ako.

"Quit it, Sir."

"Quit what?"

"Stop looking at me and just focus your eyes on the road..."

"Sorry. Ang ganda mo kasi..." he said while chuckling.

Nang makarating kami sa isang hotel na siyang magiging venue ay nakita ko ang maraming bisita na dumadalo doon. Men were wearing their business suits and women have their glamorous gowns.

Agad na bumaba si Sir Gio upang pagbuksan ako at iniabot naman niya sa isang valet ang susi ng kotse.

He held my waist as we walk at the grand red carpet going towards the entrance. Some reporters of fashion and business magazines took photo of us. Ngumiti ako sa kada click ng camera kahit na sobrang kabado ko ngayon.

"Mr. Corpuz, is she your girlfriend?" tanong ng isang reporter malapit sa entrance.

"Not yet," walang pasubaling sagot ni Sir Gio habang patuloy sa pagngiti sa bawat madaanan niya.

The reporter grinned at me suddenly. Hilaw ang ngiting naigawad ko sa kanya.

Cathy, Sir Gio's secretary, guided us on our way to the presidential table where business tycoons are there. Everyone greeted us.

There's only one seat left at my right and it seems like they're waiting for the person who will sit there. He or she must be the biggest investor here.

"So, what's the name of the beautiful young lady here?" tanong ng isang nasa 40s na lalaki. His clean cut hair made him look like he was an army general.

Beside him is a gorgeous woman wearing an elegant cream dress. Her hair is tied up in a very sophisticated way. Paminsan-minsan ay bumubulong sa kanya ang katabi na sa tingin ko ay ang kanyang asawa.

"This is Ylliana Margarette Roxas, my General Operating Director, Mr. Sanchez," tugon ni Sir Gio.

"Can I dance with you later?" biglang bulong sa akin ni Sir Gio.

"There's a dancing portion tonight?"

Nabaling ang atensyon namin sa naging ingay sa mesa nang dumating ang isang lalaki. Hindi ko siya agad nakilala dahil nasa likuran ko siya ngunit napako ako sa aking kinauupuan ng marinig ang sinambit ni Mr. Sanchez.

"Oh! Mr. Sacortoza, glad to meet you tonight!"

Sumamyo ang pamilyar na bango sa aking ilong. That same scent I used to long for.

"It's good to be back here..." aniya at nagtama ang aming paningin.

I don't know if it is longing that I saw in his eyes.