"BAKIT?" Aiah asked. Hindi makapaniwala sa mga lumabas na salita sa labi ni Rodrigo. "Care to tell me why I should take orders from someone like you?" Tumayo siya sa kinauupuan at inihampas sa dibdib ng lalaki ang folder. Anger rose from within, hindi nakapagpigil si Aiah. "Is my situation some kind of joke to you?"
"Mukha bang laro ang lahat sa'yo?" "I don't play silly games, Aiah. And as far as I am concerned alam mo ang bagay na ito," Rodrigo said, unfazed. "Hadn't your grandfather told you that you'll work under my supervision as my personal secretary?" "This is bullshit!" She spat in his face. Iniitsa niya sa ere ang laman ng folder. Papers are now everywhere on the floor. "I'm going to see my grandfather now. Ikaklaro ko ang lahat!" Aiah walked out of his room, fuming mad. Rodrigo sighed while staring at the closed door ahead. Halos ibalibag na ng babae ang pinto sa sobra nitong galit. This is another matter he meant to discuss with Vincente Villegas. Alam niyang magmamarakulyo ang babae dahil sa probisyon nito. This is also the matter he wanted to convey that last night with Aiah hadn't they set on the wrong foot. Hindi niya nais mabigla ang babae but he needed a secretary dahil nag-resign si Ofelia. Ofelia was his secretary since he assumed thr position of the CEO. At di hamak na malaki ang tanda nito sa kanya but still very efficient with her work. Kung hindi lamang ito kailangan mag-alaga ng apo sa Laoag ay hindi ito magbibitiw. Why he offered more compensation and benefits but Ofelia still resigned. "I've been in this company since forever, Rodrigo," parang anak na ang pagkilala nito sa kanya. Nagsimula ito bilang sekretarya ng kanyang lolo at the age of twenty three. She's one of the pioneers of the main office. "Panahon naman na para alagaan ko ang aking pamilya." With a knowing smile, niyakap siya ng mahigpit and bid him farewell. Ofelia was gone for months now and there's struggle to hire another competent secretary. Nariyang ayaw niyang pumili ng babae dahil sa kalaunan ay hindi ito efficient. They tend to focus on him and lose track of work. Rodrigo hate inefficiency. At masasabi niyang ganun din kapag lalaki in another matter. Vicente Villegas suggested to make Aiah his secretary. Ayon dito'y graduate ng Business Administration ang babae na kanyang ikinagulat. He just knew a bits of her, at isa na doo'y walang working experience si Aiah. "Try her at hindi ka magsisisi, Rodrigo. Kilala ko ang apo ko," Vicente seemed proud the last time they talk. Sa isip niya'y what a doting grandfather. "Bakit ba ako naghahanap ng batong ipupukpok ko sa sarili ko," Again Rodrigo sighed as he sat back on his swivel chair again. There's a lot of work to do. A lot of papers to deal with. Maiging maikasal sila agad at nang maayos na ang kanyang schedule. "This is bothersome..." At nagsimula siyang magbasa ng mga business proposal na may isang linggo na sa kanyang table. He may act like he had control over things but it's actually slowly slipping away. Hindi niya kayang magtrabaho magisa with all the paperworks and meeting. He could play the superhuman however Rodrigo knew a human body can only do so much. He needed his goddamn secretary. ~•~ "Lolo, what is the goddamn meaning about what Rodrigo told me?" Aiah came in his office like a raging storm. Vicente was reading some business periodicals when she out that aside abruptly and make him face her. Hindi maipinta ang mukha sa inis ng kanyang apo. "Ano't sinasabi niya na matapos naming ikasal ay magiging personal secretary niya ako?" "Haven't I told you? Ah, tumatanda na siguro ako," nasabi niya at natawa. Nawala sa isip niya ang bagay na iyon. Alam niyang ikagagalit iyon ni Aiah but he cared less. He wanted to make her learn about the scope of business. Even the secretarial job is fundamental for the role. "Yes, you heard him right..." "You'll be his secretary right after your marriage. Why can't you? Asawa ka ni Rodrigo. Bakit pa maghahanap ng iba kung nandiyan ka naman..." "But still..." Para bang naupos na kandilang napaupo si Aiah sa isang sette doon. "Do I have to endure all of this?" "Hindi pa ba sapat na ikakasal ako sa lalaking iyon tapos magiging sekretarya pa ako. Ako, si Aiah Villegas, sekretarya?" "You see, Aiah, you are more capable that what you think?" Aniya sa apo. "This is a challenge, apo. Make him see your worth not just a wife but as a competent secretary. Alam kong kaya mo iyon." "Why would I?" Aiah retaliate. "Bakit ko pa kailangan i-prove ang sarili ko sa mga taong nahusgahan na ako ng tuluyan." Napatango-tango si Vicente. Point taken. Mukhang una pa lang ay hindi na magkasundo ang dalawa. Well, this is an opportunity for Aiah to cross the bridge. "Aiah, Rodrigo may act like high and almighty but his a logical man. Make him see who really is Aiah Villegas behind the headlines," he urged her. "Make him acknowledge you as a person. Mas mabuti din kung mapaibig mo ang asawa mo." "Lolo!" She looked flabbergasted. Halos mangamatis ang buong mukha ng apo sa hiya. How innocent! He tried not to laugh hard kung hindi'y mababaling muli sa kanya ang inis nito. "Why would I kung mag-asawa lang kami sa papel?" "Call it whatever, apo, but you two are still married. Try it," he sipped on his already called tea. "Challenge him. Make your husband fall in love with you. At kapag walang nangyari within six months then you are free to get divorce." Aiah took a moment of silence, clearly thinking everything through. Ilang saglit pa'y napabuntong-hininga ito. "I am counting on your words, Lolo. I should probably get myself ready to get married." Noon di'y nagpaalam na ito para makipagkitang muli kay Rodrigo. He assumed they'll be talking about marriage. Church or civil wedding, it doesn't matter. So long as makasal ang dalawa ay ayos na kanya. -•~ SHE'S the most strange woman he ever met. She's a predicament that he hadn't figure out. While it's too early for that, ang pagbabalik nito sa office niya matapos umalis kanina ay hindi niya lubos maintidihan. Any woman would have got a cold shoulder at the thought of being manipulated. Maaaring palipasing pa ang ilang araw bago makipag-ayos. But Aiah Villegas, she's different. Ito mismo ang lumapit sa kanya para maisa-ayos na ang kanilang kasal. "I want a civil one," Aiah talked to him while having dinner on this Italian Restaurant. She's the one who wanted to eat at the place that night, for a change. "Lolo ko lamang ang dadalo sa side ko. How about you?" Sabi nito'y it's one of her favourite restaurant and would want the reception exclusive to this place. Wala naman kaso iyon kay Rodrigo. She could have whatever she want, the simplest to grandiose wedding a woman could ever imagine. Money will never be a problem. Tama si Aiah. Masarap ang pagkain doon. He sipped on his wine and said. "No one. Ako lang mag-isa." He saw her brows furrowed then shrugged her shoulder. "Well, ikaw ang bahala. But it would be nice if there's other witness to this marriage. Don't you have any friends or relatives?" "Why I'd like to ask the same? Bakit ang lolo mo lang ang dadating?" A question not to belittle her. Just curiosity got the best of him. Aiah wiped the side of her mouth. Doon napatingin si Rodrigo. "Can't trust anyone fully, can you? A few is better than a crowd full of masks. And it's my wedding..." "I only want my favourite person to witness it. Nothing more---" bago pa man matapos nito ang sasabihin ay inabot ni Rodrigo ang labi ng babae. He wiped the side of her mouth she forgot to do earlier. There's a smudge of pasta sauce on the lower right side of her lips. It's bothering him somehow at di niya napigilan ang sarili. On instinct, he wiped the sauce with his thumb. "That's uncalled for," Aiah pulled him from his terrain of thoughts. "Hindi na sana ito maulit." "I doubt that," Rodrigo pulled back, gaining a little bit of self control. "I'm having a beautiful wife soon. Was I not permitted to even touch my own wife?"TULAD ng laging nangyayari, mabilis ang oras at araw kay Rodrigo kapag trabaho ang pinaguusapan. Lagi't lagi ay kulang ang oras para matapos ang lahat. His meeting with Vicente Villegas was a little bit brief. At pagkatapos noo'y may pinuntahan pa siya sa Makati na isang proposed site para sa isang business expansion. He's supposed to head back home. Mabuti na lang at naalala niyang magkasabay silang dalawa ni Aiah na pumasok kaninang umaga. With that in mind ay nagpasya siyang bumalik ng Dela Costa Estate. Pwede niyang ipasundo ang asawa sa driver pero hindi niya ginawa. That would be irresponsible on his part as her husband. Pero hindi niya tinanggal ang posibilidad na wala na ito sa opisina. Knowing her, baka agad din nitong sinukuan ang tila napakaimposibleng gawaing iniwan niya. Well, naiintidihan niya ang sentimyente ni Aiah. Sino nga ba naman ang magtitiyaga sa mga papel na iyon? Not the Aiah Villegas that he knew. It took her one hour to arrive at the parking l
MADALAS nang nakakaligtaan ni Rodrigo ang mag-lunch. As soon as he dismissed Aiah from the basic lesson, agad niyang sinumulan i-check ang mga papeles sa kanyang table. Hindi niya pinansin ang kanyang cellphone na kanina pa may notification. Wala siyang panahon na mag-baby sit sa mga loko-lokong iyon. Imagine his dismay when the three of his executives turned friends almost brawl in front of his wife. Wala na talagang piniling oras at lugar ang kalokohang ng mga ito. Oo, kalokohan dahil nag-ugat lahat sa babae ang pagaaway nila. Ah, ano ba ang mayroon sa mga babae para kabaliwan ng mga lalaki? Iyon ang naglalaro sa isip ni Rodrigo habang nagpapalitan ng mga salita sina Kyle at Liev. Hindi niya pa alam ang buong kwento at wala siyang balak alamin. Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi niyang walang magandang dulot ang pagkakaroon ng babae sa buhay. Hinayaan niyang halos magpambuno ang dalawa habang nagiisip. At naalala niyang nandoon si Aiah sa loob ng meeting room. She looked sma
NANG matapos ang pirmahan ng kontrata ay nakinig si Aiah sa maikling orientation mula kay Gina. Dismayado siya sa nilalaman ng papel pero wala siyang magawa. Tipong hinahamon talaga nito ang katatagan niya. At nuncang ipakita niya sa asawa na hindi niya kaya hamon nito. She'll learn about this goddamn secretarial job the soonest possible time. "You're good to go, Mrs. Dela Costa---" "Aiah na lang, Gina," naririndi siya sa kakatawag nito sa apelyidong iyon lalo pa't asar talo na naman siya sa asawa. "Kapag tayo lang ang magkausap, call me Aiah. Masyadong formal.." "Well, Aiah. Hayaan mong ihatid kita sa top floor," prisinta ng huli. Mukhang nakuha niya ang kiliti ni Gina. Kung tutuusi'y mabait ang huli, masyado lang pormal dahil working hours pa. Aiah learned that Rodrigo's previous secretary, Ofelia, resigned due to family reason. Na ang magalaga sa apo ang priyoridad nito ngayon. It's been months since she left. At kahit madaming aplikante vying for the positi
"THE hell!" Nakita ni Stacey ang balitang kasal na si Aiah Villegas kay Rodrigo Dela Costa. And it was just yesterday! Kakababa niya lang ng eroplano galing Davao nang mag-check ng kanyang social media. At hot topic ngayon ang unexpected wedding ng mga ito. Stolen photos are everywhere. "Bakit hindi ko ito alam?" Nawala siya sa sirkulo ng ilang araw dahil sa drama ng kanyang pamilya na naka base sa Davao. It's something critical, related sa kanyang mana, at hindi pa rin naresolba. Still, she got back to Manila for a change of pace. At kulang ang sabihing nagulantang siya sa balitang kasalan na iyon. At tinotoo nga ng gaga ang sinabi nito? Pakiramdam tuloy ni Stacey ay iniwan siya ng kaibigan sa ere. With that thought in mind ay madali siyang nag-hire ng taxi. Dapat sana'y magpapahinga siya sa sariling condo pero naisip niyang mas urgent na makita niya si Aiah. Baka naman nabibigla lang ang huli? Baka hindi nito alam na ang kasal ay hindi parang mainit na pagkain na kap
KINABUKASAN ay laman na ng bawat pahina ng entertainment at business section ang kasal ni Aiah Villegas sa CEO na si Rodrigo Dela Costa. Naipalabas na din sa isang sikat na showbiz news ang balita, with stolen pictures from their way out of the mansion at maging sa reception. Maraming natuwa, congratulating the newly weds. May ibang nagpahayag na scripted and kasal tulad ng sa mga telenovelas. At ang natitira ay walang pakialam sa buhay nilang dalawa. Tama ang hinala ni Aiah. She couldn't sleep the entire night! At gusto niyang mainggit sa lalaki. Bakit na kahit magkatabi sila sa iisang kama'y ang daling lumalim ng tulog nito? Walang nakapagsabi sa kanya na sheer torture ang unang gabi ng may asawa! "Aiah, are you born in a cave or what? Unang gabi ninyong mag-asawa at walang nangyari. Yes, this is sheer torture!" Diin pa ng kanyang isipan. She scoffed at mas lalong kinipkip ang comforter sa kanyang dibdib as if protecting her. She's lying at the far edge of her side o
IT'S just a bluff. He was just teasing her. And her reactions are quite amusing. Her face as red as ripe tomatoes, Rodrigo can't help but to tease her more. Trabaho matapos ang kasal? That didn't even crossed his mind. And to think that she's already talking about it felt like they hadn't even married. Parang pangkaraniwan lang na araw kay Aiah ang lahat; exchange platonic vows, wear their gold wedding bands, and signed the papers. They even got their picture together. Even the kiss they share was uncalled tulad ng sabi nito. Pero bakit parang wala lang dito ang lahat. Weird but Rodrigo felt humiliated to such extent. "Hindi ba't ordinaryong araw din ito sa'yo?" Agaw pansin ng kanyang isipan. He's still looking at those brown eyes that seemed to haunt him. "Two can play this game, don't you think?" "Hindi ako nagbibiro, Mr. Dela Costa..." Aiah hissed. Her eyes were glaring at him. Siya naman ngayon ang tumaas ang isang kilay. He leaned closer. "Kasal tayo'ng da