The Unknown Truth

Yumie stretches then look at the clock. Past 1pm na pala. Hindi pa naglulunch ang boss niya. She stood up mula sa pagtipa sa harap ng computer and head straight to the pantry. May dala siyang baon para kay Zeek. Iyon na lang ang ihahanda niya rito. She fixed the meal in plates, reheated it and prepared it nicely sa isang tray.

Pumasok siya sa opisina ni Zeek with the tray in her hands. She saw Zeek sleeping on the sofa. Napailing siya. Lumapit siya rito at nilapag sa center table ang pagkain nito. Nagtatalo ang isip niya kung gigising ba niya ang amo or hindi. Napangiti siya. Zeek looks so innocent kapag tulog. Malayo sa domineering character nito kapag gising.

It was very busy lately. Halos panay na nga ang overtime nila just to finish all task that needs to be done. As an incoming President of Callejos Tech, Zeek have been so bummed in all his responsibilities. Madalas nagrereklamo na ito na walang ibang lifestyle kundi ang pagiging workaholic na lang. He complains like a kid but he is serious in his work. Tila inaari din naman nito ang responsibilidad na inaatang rito. And as his assistant, she is his shadow.

Hindi niya alam kung gusto lang talaga nitong lagi siyang kadikit for he admitted his affections on her or sadyang part lang talaga ng obligations niya ang sundin ang mga utos nito. After the incident of affirmation, Zeek have been very vocal and obvious in his feelings for her. Sinasabi nitong hindi ito marunong manligaw kaya't he was acting as if they were really in some kind of relationship. Hindi niya ito masaway especially alam na ng buong kumpanya how the VP feels towards his assistant. No one would even dare to touch her. In fact, even the CEO Ismael himself supports him. So all she can do was to play along.

Kung gano ka-vocal and obvious si Zeek sa feelings nito sa kaniya, siya namang straightforward niyang sinasabi dito na hindi pa ang pakikipag-relasyon ang focus niya. Zeek accepted that but still insists to let him be what he wants to be. Hindi na siya umapila. Ok na muna siya sitwasyon nila.

Napabuntong hininga siya and decided to wake up Zeek or else lalamig ang pagkain nito which would mean additional work for her.

"Boss..." she softly shook him on the shoulder. Zeek didn't budge. Lumapit pa siyang lalo rito and shook him a little harder. "Boss, wake up. Your lunch is ready. Baka lumamig."

Zeek didn't move. He must've been so sleepy. Napabuntong hininga si Yumie. She decided na mamaya na lang ito gisingin. She was about to pick the tray up when Zeek grab her by the hand and pulled her towards him. Na-out of balance siya kasabay ng munting tili as she landed on top of Zeek. Halos madikit ang mukha niya rito when he wrapped his arms around her. Nanlalaki ang matang napatingin siya rito as Zeek slowly opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Next time, wake me up with kisses para madali akong magising," he said naughtily.

Yumie's lips twitch in annoyance. She forecefully pushed Zeek para kumawala sa yapos nito. Mabilis siyang napatayo habang bumangon naman si Zeek and sit up sa sofa. He looked at the food. It was a chicken soup dish na niluto ni Nana Felicia. Since she reheated it medyo mausok-usok pa yun.

"Smells good. Just like a home cook meal," ani Zeek malapad ang ngiti nito. Yumuko pa ito para langhapin ang pagkain. Nakamasid lang siya dito. When Zeek touches the bowl, bigla din itong napabitaw. She must've over heat it since napaso rin ito sa init. Out of instinct mabilis niyang hinagilap ang napasong kamay nito at sinipat iyon.

"It's hot kaya nga nilagyan ko ng plate sa ilalim," aniya. Medyo namula ang kamay ng binata but it was not that burnt.

"So pano kakainin yan? You know I hate too hot food," reklamo ni Zeek. Yumie knows it kaya nga hindi niya ito sineserve-an ng mainit na kanin. Even his coffee has to be cool down at warm termperature bago nito inumin.

Yumie lifted the bowl thru the plate underneath. She took the spoon as well and scoop a soup. Inilapit nito iyon sa labi ang blow it. Doing it ng paulit-ulit. Zeek looked at Yumie with amusement. He liked what she's doing. He felt being taken care of very well. Umusod siya palapit rito and opened his mouth wide na parang nagpapasubo. Natigilan si Yumie but understood what Zeek meant. She rolled her eyes but obliged. Isinubo niya rito ang hinipan niya ng sabaw. Zeek eagerly ate it. He was smiling even wider.

"It taste even better."

Yumie can't help it. Napairap siya but then she was also smiling. Zeek was acting childish again. Inulit nito ang action nito kanina and she feed him again. Nang hindi na masyadong mainit ang sabaw, nilapag iyon ni Yumie sa mesa. Zeek looked at her as if complaining.

"Uh.. hindi pa ko tapos kumain," maktol nito.

"Feed yourself. Baka maibuhos ko na sayo yung sabaw," banta ni Yumie. Ngumiwi lang si Zeek but finishes his food.

"How about you, did you have lunch?"

"I'm not hungry," sagot niya.

Zeek look at her with a side eye. "Just because you don't feel it doesn't mean you don't have too. We have so much work to do, you have to eat your meals right. Mahirap na baka magkasakit ka," Zeek tone became bossy. Nawala na ang childish character nito.

It fascinates her how Zeek shift his character from one thing to another with just one blink.

He pushed towards her ang half eaten soup nito.

"I'm not sharing your food. I prepared it for you. I'll eat later," natatawang tanggi niya. Zeek is giving him a meal that has been eaten by him. Kahit na hinahayaan niyang tratuhin siya nitong bilang girlfriend niya, it doesn't mean she'll eat the food off in his own plate. Wala pa sila sa ganung level.

But Zeek as persistent as he is, insist to feed her. "If you're not eating this, I won't finish it! I won't eat anymore."

Tinaasan lang ito ni Yumie ng kilay. Saka sila nagtagisan ng tingin. But as always, wala siyang panama sa pagiging makulit nito.

"Ok, fine. But I'm getting my own bowl," tumayo ito at tumungo sa pantry. She returned with a bowl and a spoon. Zeek took out his bowl then pour some of the chicken soup. Muli nito iyong inabot kay Yumie and they eat together.

"By the way, I have checked some proposals from the marketing. I have taken a few notes and highlighted what needs to be revised. Please have it returned to them. Also, please tell them stop submitting trash work. Masakit sa ulo mag-analyze ng reports that makes no sense," turan ni Zeek referring to the works he had accomplished.

Tumango-tango si Yumie as she was finishing his bowl. "Yes, Boss. I'll let the Department Head knows."

Ilang minuto din silang kumain with light conversation about some of the work when they finishes both their bowls. Tumayo na si Yumie to clean up the bowls, when they heard a knock on the door kasunod ng pagpasok ni Ismael Callejos.

"Busy?" nakangiting bungad nito.

"Dad!" mabilis na napatayo si Zeek at lumapit sa ama. Yumie just bow her head and fixes the wares na nasa center table. "We had just lunch."

Ismael looked at his watch. "It's 2pm. It's late for lunch. Inoover work mo ata ang Assistant mo."

Napakamot lang sa ulo si Zeek. Yumie just smiled and picked up the tray saka nagpaalam sa dalawa na lalabas muna. Pareho pa silang nakasunod ng tingin kay Yumie as Yumie left the room.

"She's a keeper," turan ni Ismael as Yumie was out of earshot. "I like her for a daughter-in-law."

"Dad, wag mo kong pangunahan. Nahihirapan na kong suyuin yan. She hates it kapag makikialam ka pa," sabi ni Zeek. "Why are you here?"

"I told you to visit the ranch when you get back. Mina has been pestering me of your whereabouts," ani ng ama niya.

Zeek rolled his eyes. "My schedules have been hectic. Do you know how much workload I got this past few days? We can't even eat lunch on time," reklamo ni Zeek.

"I don't get why are you so fussed up and too serious when you weren't like that 9 years ago," biro ni Ismael na half truth. He used to be the happy go lucky Zeek 9years ago. But he became the heir of Callejos Empire. He put worth in his kingdom.

Nahilot ni Zeek ang batok. He did learn kung saan niya namana ang naughty side niya and his persistent attitude. His Dad was really his older version.

"I just have to finish all things this week. I'll visit as soon as possible," sagot na lang niya.

Napatango-tango si Ismael in agreeing sa sinabi niya. He started walking around the room as if may naghahanap ng chance to tell him something. He stopped in front of his collections. Ismael looked at some of his stuff.

"May kailangan ka pa, Dad?" turan ni Zeek na napansin ang alumpihit na expression ng mukha ni Ismael. His Dad seemed to be waiting for him to urge him to speak.

Ismael gave a deep sigh saka humarap sa kaniya. "There's one more thing that I need to talk to you about..." His expression had shift into a more serious tone. It made Zeek a lot curious.

*****

Inilapag ni Yumie ang pinag-gamitan nila ni Zeek sa hugasin. Panandaliang natigilan muna siya as she gave a deep sigh. Her thoughts were left in Zeek's office. In months na nagtatrabaho siya sa Callejos Tech, she have been seeing Ismael Callejos regularly. She might have been at ease around Zeek but with the Emperor himself, it was always an eerie feeling. The way the old man looks at her is like a mystery. Tila nababasa nito ang laman ng utak niya. Tila kilala nito kung sino talaga siya. At first she just thought, that it is some kind of related to Zeek's feelings for her. Tila ba nang-uuyam lang ito. But Ismael's personality is not like that. He maybe at times cheerful but most of time his strict and scary. He had only seen him cheery kapag kausap nito si Zeek. Everyone else were all just minions to him.

Nakakapagtaka sa kaniya the way she always felt a different feeling towards Ismael Callejos. She hated the man. Yun ang tintaktak niya sa isip niya. But everytime he sees him she felt...

'Home...' she thought.

She was still in deep thought nang pumasok ang tagalinis ng opisina nila. Binati siya nito.

"Lilinisin na po ba yan, Ms. Yumie?" tanong nito sa kaniya.

Napalingon si Yumie sa sink and looked the used wares na inilapag niya kanina. "Ah yes, please. Pakihugasan na lang," pakisuyo niya sa tagalinis.

Tumalima naman ang tagalinis as she walked out of pantry. Bumalik siya sa opisina nila ni Zeek. She looked at Zeek's door, natanawan niya mula sa siwang ng glass wall that Ismael Callejos was still there. Tila masinsinan ang usapan ng mag-ama. Nakatalikod sa pinto si Ismael but she can somewhat see Zeek's serious face upon listening to his Dad. He seemed drawn to what he was saying. Yumie decided to get back in her tasks.

Inabot pa ng 30minutes bago natapos ang usapan ng mag-ama. Lumabas si Ismael sa pinto kasunod ang anak. Mabilis siyang tumayo bilang pagbigay galang sa pinaka-Boss nila. Napahinto ito nang mapadaan sa kaniya.

"Son, you are definitely overworking her," turan nito sa anak ngunit sa kaniya nakatingin. Ibinaling niya ang mata kay Zeek. Zeek didn't even smile. He is so serious na hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit.

"Nakakapagpahinga ka ba ng tamang oras, hija?" turan ni Ismael.

"Po?" Napalitan ng pagtataka ang experession niya sa tanong ni Ismael. "Ahm... y-yes po..." she replied na medyo nauutal.

Napatango-tango si Ismael. Then he took something out of his pocket. Saka inabot nito iyon sa kaniya.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Yumie when she saw what Ismael was giving her. Nagpapalit-palit ang tingin niya sa maliit na botelyang hawak nito na inaabot sa kaniya, kay Zeek at mismong kay Ismael. It was her mother's calming oil. How on Earth did Ismael have it?

Ismael urge her to take the bottle. He was smiling mysteriously. He saw how Yumie's curiosity flooded his face. Alam niyang kilala ni Yumie ang calming oil na iyon.

"Take this," turan niya. "This will help you sleep better..."

She was shaking when she reached for the small bottle. She pulled herself to calm down. She needs to pretend na hindi niya alam ang tungkol sa botelyang iyon. Ismael Callejos could probably detect that something is going with her.

"T-Thank you, s-sir," She felt like crying. But she control herself to show so much emotions. She couldn't say any other words. Natatakot siyang she might burst kapag nagsalita pa siya. Nanatili na siyang nakayuko habang nilalaro sa kamay ang calming oil na binigay ni Ismael.

Nilingon ni Ismael si Zeek. He had confirmed what he had just told his son about. And by the looks of Zeek's reaction, he seemed believed it.

"I'm gonna go now," turan ni Ismael kay Zeek. "Visit the ranch as soon as possible. You'll understand when you're there," anito then left.

Zeek remained standing sa harap ng nakayukong si Yumie. Mariin ang tingin niya sa dalaga. She was obviously shaking. And Zeek can feel na kinokontrol nito ang sariling emosyon.

Yumie cannot take it. She had to let it out. Alam niyang nakatingin pa rin sa kaniya si Zeek and she was about to burst out. She pulled her last strength and without looking at him, mabilis siyang nagpaalam upang pumunta sa lady's room.

"Excuse me, mag babanyo lang ako saglit," hindi na niya hinintay si Zeek sumagot. Halos patakbo na niyang tinungo ang banyo.

She locked herself in one of the stalls as she burst to cry. The calming oil clenched in his palm. Yumie let out all the tears she had inside. She knows its her mom. Nang kinuha niya ang calming oil noon sa sasakyan ni Zeek she just thought na baka huling botelya na iyon for she hadn't seen anything else kay Zeek noon. But when Ismael handed it to her, she knows there's more of it. Her mon could've formulated it herself but Ismael could've taken her formula. Whatever it maybe Yumie felt her mom she longingly missed. She somewhat felt hope that she can be home soon. She didn't know how but she sure hoped for it.

She was sobbing loudly when she heard the restroom door opening. Bahagya siyang kumalma and waited for the person to leave. But she heard the door being locked and a slow walk from the outside.

"Yumie..." Zeek called out her name.

Napasinghap si Yumie. Mabilis siyang nagpahid ng luha. Fixed herself. Then went out of the cubicle.

"This is a girl's toilet. Why are you here?" turan niya kay Zeek. She was hoping na hindi mapansin ni Zeek ang namumugto niyang mata. But it's really impossible.

Nakatingin ito sa kaniya particularly in her eyes na namumugto sa pag-iyak. She figured out that Zeek knew that there's something wrong with her.

"People will think that we had a lover's quarrel kung lalabas kang namumugto ang mata. I had to improvise and say na sinundan kita dito para suyuin at makipagbati sayo. Whatever I did, I'm really sorry," turan ni Zeek.

Napayuko siya. She felt like crying again. Humakbang palapit sa kaniya si Zeek. He reached for her chin and lifted her face. The specs of tears was still popping out in her eyes. Zeek wiped it out with his fingers.

"It confuses me on what's the reason why you are crying. But if you don't want to tell me, hindi ako magtatanong. But I just want to let you know, for whatever that you are going through, please let me be with you," seryosong sabi ni Zeek.

Muling nangintab ang mata ni Yumie sa tinuran ni Zeek. Hindi niya napigil ang sarili. She throw herself at Zeek saka humagulgol sa dibdib nito. She couldn't tell him why, but she is very much willing to accept his shoulder to cry on. For 12 years, she hadn't had someone she can really cry on. Being away with her family, taught her to deal with her pain alone. Kahit alam niyang anak ng kaaway si Zeek, Yumie felt kakampi niya si Zeek this time. Zeek slowly patted her back and let her cry her heart out...