Albert woke up happily. He remembered his date last night with Diana. Even though it started as an epic fail, the night lasted great. And Diana seemed to enjoy, not minding the setting of the place. He checked his phone. There is a reminder on his calendar. Curious, he opened it.
REMINDER: DIANA'S BIRTHDAY
He checked the date, it's January 18! It is indeed Diana's birthday. He will not greet her now. He doesn't want to be the first to greet her. He will be the last, just so it will appear that he forgot it. He put his phone down and stood up from the bed.
When he was all ready to go, he went to work. Since it is Monday, there are a lot of paper works
to be done, so as soon as he arrived at the office, he started to work. It was always the typical set up: some people were doing paper works, some were gossiping, some were having a picnic in the offices, and some were just walking back and forth, procrastinating. Albert shook his head and continued his work.
He was actually busy when he came across a form that was named Diana Mendoza. He
remembered Diana. How will he court her? Does she even like traditional courting with flowers and chocolates? Should he give him flowers and chocolates every day? What if he gives her flowers and chocolates alternatively? Or, should he just pick her up from her work every afternoon? Will she agree?
He sighed with all those ideas. He checked his phone. The reminder was still on his notifications bar, but he did not remove it.
He might actually really forgot to greet Diana if he removes it. So he let it sit on his notifications bar. He
put his phone down and continued his paper works. He still has a lot to finish so he doesn't need a
distraction.
'What if l will just ask her out from time to time? I think that will work. But, will she agree? I think
not.' he said to himself.
Again he was led astray with his work. He shook his head and shrugged off the thought.
'Focus, Albert, focus. It's Monday! You need to finish all of this paper works before the day ends!'
He reprimanded himself. 'After that, you still need to deal with the monthly gross report. You still have to do a lot today! So no to procrastination!'
"Yes, focus, focus, focus!" he said loudly to himself.
"Woah, that's the spirit! Seems you really had a great weekend, Albert!"
He raised his gaze and saw Beth, the vice mayor's secretary. Beth smiled at him, so he smiled back.
She held out an invitation card.
"What's that ?" he asked and took the invitation card from her.
"Invitation. Vice told me to distribute it to the employees. For those who are not going to attend,
there will be a punishment." She said and winked at him.
"He really said that?" he frowned.
"Yes, he did! By the way, who will you go with?" she asked.
He shrugged his shoulders.
"1 don't know. I'm still occupied with this monthly gross report. I will think of someone later." He
said and put down the invitation card on his table.
"If they refuse to go with you, you can always ask me. That is, if l'm still available. Don't be shy
and text me, okay?" she said and turned around.
"Okay." He called out.
She just raised her hand as a reply. He returned his focus on his report. When he finalized his report, he saved it and closed the file. He picked up the invitation card again and read the contents.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO OUR GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
Where: HOTEL ANDREI, CAUAYAN CITY, ISABELA
When: JANUARY 23, 7 PM
Attire: FORMAL
YOUR PRESENCE 1S HIGHLY APPRECIATED!
Albert thought of inviting Diana first, but knowing her she will just refuse, especially, she doesn't
know anyone who will be there except for him. He texted Nez.
HEY NEZ. YOU BUSY? CAN I CALL YOU?
He waited for a reply. After a few minutes, his phone chimed. He checked it.
"SURE, DEAR. I'M NOT PARTICULARLY BUSY, JUST PREPARING FOR DIANA'S SIMPLE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.
It was Nez. He called her. After a few rings, she answered the call.
"Yes, hello people of the Philippines, how may I help you?" Nez said on the other line.
"Hi Nez! Are you busy this coming weekend?" he asked.
"When particularly?"
"Saturday night."
"1 had plans on that night. Why do you ask?" she asked.
"Well, not to be rude and no offense meant to you, but I actually thought of asking Diana first but
knowing her, she will just say no immediately." He said.
"Oh dear, offense not taken. I totally understand but, I will be travelling to Tuguegarao on Saturday night to arrange my papers next week because I will be going back to Canada next month. You
should definitely ask Diana. I know she will be considerate of you. Just tell her that I asked you to talk to
her. Or better yet, I will just tell---"
"No, it is fine, Nez. I will just tell her myself. It would be awkward if the invitation will come from you... you know what I mean."
"Okay, if you say so. But just tell me if you can't tell her so I could help you."
"Yes. Thank you so much Nez."
"Yeah, no problem dear. By the way, did you greet her already?" she asked.
"Not yet. I was planning to greet her later."
"Okay. By the way, if you want to join later, you could come here at their house. I prepared a little
something for her since I will be out again for a couple of years."
"Can 1?" he asked.
"Of course! I have a better idea. Just pick her up after school so you could come, too."
"That's actually a great idea. Sure, I will just pick her up later."
"See you then. Bye!" Nez said and cut the call.
He put down his phone. He continued his paper works. He was too busy to notice that it was
already lunch time. If Beth hadn't come to his desk, he could have spent his lunch break doing paper works.
"Hey, Albert, I know you had a great weekend, but that doesn't mean you're going to starve yourself today." She commented
"Why, what time is it?" he asked and checked his phone: it's already fifteen minutes past twelve.
"I was busy, I didn't notice the time." He replied to her.
"Let's go and have some lunch. By the way, have you decided who will you ask on the event?"
"Yes, but I haven' t ask her yet. Maybe later this afternoon." He replied.
"Okay. Let's go then." She said.
He stood up and grabbed his wallet.
"By the way, who will you go with?" he asked.
"1 don't know. There are three who's asking me to go with them, and l can't decide so, if your pick won't go with you, just text me."
He looked at her suspiciously.
"You have three men lined up to go with you and you're asking me to text you if my pick won't go
with me?" he asked, puzzled.
"Yes! Because at least, I don't have to pick among them."
"And they will torture me to death. Knowing those guys..." he said and shook his head as he remembered how bully Beth's suitors were.
He's not afraid of them, actually. He just doesn't want to get into a fight because of a lady she doesn't even like and a lady he only see as a friend.
"If they bully you because of me, then they're not worthy of me and my time. How could they bully the nicest man I've ever met! And a very close friend of mine, may I add." She stated.
"Well, that's thoughtful." He said.
"You are the nicest man I've ever met! Gentleman, nice, kind, don't take advantage of me... You
know what, the woman you will fell in love with is very lucky. I hope she sees that."
"1 don't know." He remarked.
"Oh dear, am I sensing an unrequited love here?" she asked and looked at him with mischievous smile.
He held his forehead. She laughed.
"Oh my Gosh! That's very unfortunate!" she said laughing
"Why are you bullying me so suddenly?" he asked and raised one of his brows at her.
"I'm sorry, Albert, I just... I can't believe you fell into an unrequited love! Sorry, did I offend you
with my laugh? I didn't mean to offend you." she said apologetically. He sighed.
"It is fine. You're actually right, but I guess that's just how love is." He stated.
"Wow.. I can say you really fell head over heels in love with that woman. Well, good luck with
that, buddy. I hope she sees your worth, too." Beth said and rubbed his arm.
He just wished Diana would see his efforts.