CHAPTER 1

ANO NGA BA talaga ang kailangan ng isang tao para masabing kuntento na siya sa buhay niya?

Sabi nila, habang tumatanda ka, unti-unti mo ring mare-realize na 'yong mga bagay na meron ka, ngayon ay hindi na sapat. Na habang nadaragdagan ng isang araw ang edad mo, nagbabago rin ang gusto mo. Na… one day you will wake up that everything you’ve already achieved won’t complete your day anymore, despite the struggles you’d face just to have it.

That no matter how high you’ve fled, no matter how far you’ve walked, it won’t satisfy you anymore. Wala na kasing sayang naidudulot ito sa 'yo. Wala nang thrill. It was now just a hollow. Like a piece of bread with no fillings. Like one of those ordinary days that passed senselessly in your life like a whirlwind.

And now, you’re searching for something new. Something that can brighten up your gloomy sky once more. Can fulfill your cravings like a bomb of different tastes on your tongue. Can bring the fire that will ignite your excitement back again.

But sadly, even you, yourself, can’t still figure out what that thing is.

“Love life—”

“Are you listening, Hija?”

Bahagya akong napalundag nang marinig ang baritonong boses na iyon. Um-echo iyon sa buong opisina. Kumurap ako at makailang beses na umiling para ibalik ang sarili sa tamang wisyo bago ko tiningnan nang maigi si Mr. Sandoval.

“P-Pardon, Sir?”

Mr. Sandoval was in his swivel chair. He looked respectable and proficient in his black tux and with that tousled medium-curly hair. With the playful smirk on his thin lips, he could be mistaken as one of those hot bachelors in town. Kahit may mga kulay abo nang makikita sa kanyang buhok at may mga linya na rin sa kanyang noo. Pero hindi iyon nakabawas sa kagandahang lalaki niya kahit fifty na siya.

“As I was talking, I will need your help,” he said as he turned his attention back to the pile of papers on his table and started to sign them again one by one.

“H-Help?” I secretly pinched myself for that nonsense question. I am his secretary. He will always need my help because it was my job. Gosh! Ysa! Nasa’n utak mo? Of all the times… bakit ngayon ka pa aanga-anga? Sa harap mismo ni Mr. Sandoval. Nakakahiya!

“Yeah.” He didn’t even lift a glance at me. Pinagpasalamat kong hindi niya nakita ang kahihiyan sa mukha ko. I was pretty sure that my face was full of red. “As I remember, I already informed all of you that I will be taking a one month-vacation next week.”

“Yes, Sir.” I nodded as I remembered that he truly told us about that a few days ago. 

Mr. Sandoval lifted his eyeglasses a bit and cleared his throat. 

Nagmamadali kong binuksan ang organizer book na kanina pa hawak at handa nang isulat ang mga sasabihin niya.

“While I am not here, my son will take my seat for the meantime.”

Sinabi niya na rin iyon. Pero isinulat ko pa rin iyon sa notes ko at baka makalimutan kong muli.

“He will arrive today straight from the States,” he continued. “But don’t expect him to come here today and have a grand meeting with him for me to properly introduce him to all of you.” 

Mr. Sandoval laughed, bitterness dripping from his deep voice. 

Natigilan ako sa sinusulat at kuryusong nag-angat ng mukha sa kanya. He was laughing, but I could clearly see the sadness that clouded his face. Mas lalong umukit ang mga linya sa kanyang noo.

Maliban sa edad, sa tingin ko, tanda rin ang mga linyang iyon ng mga paghihirap na ginugol niya sa loob ng opisinang ito para maging successful nang sobra ang kompanya, at maging sa konsumisyong natanggap niya mula sa anak.

I have still never met his son, but I have already heard a lot about him. Hindi maayos ang turingan nilang dalawa. May sama ito ng loob kay Mr. Sandoval. Kaya ginagawa nito ang lahat para bigyan ng problema ang ama kahit pa nasa ibang bansa ito. 

I couldn’t really understand why he could do that to his father. Mabait na tao si Mr. Sandoval. Responsable. After five years of being his secretary, I could tell that he’s a loving father, too. Kahit medyo may pagkaistrikto. Especially sa trabaho at oras. But, if I was her daughter, I would pour out my love and support for him. I will show that I am proud of him and will do all I can to become the best daughter he will have and become successful like him. 

Hindi tulad ng ginagawa ng kanyang anak.

Napahinga ako nang malalim. Mr. Sandoval really deserves to take his break to free himself from the stress he has had for years.

“But I want you to look after him while he’s here. I want you to check on him from time to time and tell me what he’s up to. You know, my son still doesn’t know how to be responsible.” He shook his head, as if something bizarre in his memory had popped out of his head. “He’s still a jockass up until now.”

“So, you were saying… magiging yaya ako ng anak mo, Sir?” Kaagad akong napatakip ng bibig dahil sa tanong kong iyon. Ysa, you and your vulgar mouth! Tsk!

He laughed. But now, with a hint of happiness, unlike earlier. “Yeah,” sabi niya at ibinalik ang buong pansin sa mga papeles na pinipirmahan niya.

I bit my lower lip after I swallowed the lump that started to build up in my throat and scribbled what he said on the spotless white page of the organizer book.

Be a yaya for Mr. Sandoval’s son.

I don’t have any idea how playful his son was. However, malala raw mula sa mga naririnig kong usapan-usapan. He’s really a pain in Mr. Sandoval’s ass. But what am I going to do? I am Mr. Sandoval’s secretary. So, I don’t have any choice but to do my work the best I can— but this time, with his jockass son.

Mr. Sandoval cleared his throat. “And...”

Nag-angat ako ng mukha sa kanya at alertong hinintay ang sasabihin niya para isulat ulit sa notes ko.

“...I want you to look a woman for him—”

“A w-woman, Sir?” I spat in shock. Dahil sa sinabi niyang iyon, tuluyan akong nabato sa kinatatayuan. My eyes stretched bigger as if I stepped on something sticky down on the wide road, and my mind paused for a moment to process what that thing was. “H-Hahanapan ko ho siya ng… babae?”

Mr. Sandoval stopped what he was doing and lifted his eyes to me. Hindi nagbago ang seryosong expression niya kahit, for sure, nakita niya ang gulat at kuryuso sa mukha ko.

“Hahanapan ko ho siya ng babae?” pag-uulit ko. “Did I hear it right, Sir?”

Mr. Sandoval pouted his lips and gave me a nod before he turned his attention again to the papers, as if it wasn’t a big deal for him.

“Yeah. My son. Find him a woman,” he confirmed.

“A-Ako ho?” Tinuro ko pa ang sarili ko. 

Napakurap ako at dahan-dahang ibinaba ang kamay. Huli na nang ma-realize ko na mali ang naibigay kong ideya kay Mr. Sandoval nang kunut-noo niya akong tiningnan muli.

His eyes turned to a slit, and it was screaming for a tease. Humilig pa siya sa swivel chair at ipinag-cross ang mga braso sa dibdib niya. Like he was reading my soul through my eyes.

Kaagad akong umiling para itama ang maling ideyang nasa isip niya. “What I mean, Sir, eh, ako po ang maghahanap ng magiging ka-blind date niya?”

A playful and accusing smirk crossed his lips. Still, there’s a hint of teasing from the wrong idea he got from my sudden reaction earlier. “Yeah. Find him a woman that can make him a real man. A woman who can make him realize that after years of being a jackass, he must now act like a real Sandoval. He must learn how to be a responsible Sandoval now. My age isn't getting any younger anymore.”

Wala sa sarili akong napatango. 

“I hope you get what I’m saying, Hija.”

“Yes, Sir.” 

Naiintindihan ko naman talaga ang lahat. Kaya lang, hindi ko maproseso ang gustong ipagawa niya. Find a woman for his son— a wife material, to be exact!

Is he serious?

Ganoon ba siya kadesperado para pangunahan ang anak niya? 

I mean, his son lived in the States for years. For sure, he already has a woman. Knowing that liberated country, baka nga hindi lang isa ang babae niyon. 

And as if there’s still someone out there who is loyal in the name of love.

Walang ganoon. 

Uso ang cheating.

And love? 

It can’t do anything good to you. It will just ruin you slowly by slowly until you lose yourself completely in the end.

“But, Sir—”

Handa na sana akong mag-reason out pero kaagad akong pinutol ni Mr. Sandoval. “I will take no as an answer, Hija.” He signed the papers again, not showing any interest in hearing my reason. “And I am trusting you. I know you can do it.”

Matapos niyang sabihin ang mga katagang iyon, bigla akong nanahimik. I was thinking if I should do what he said, saan naman ako hahanap ng babaeng gagawing ka-blind date ng anak niya? Aside from being a jackass, I don’t have any idea what his son’s taste in women is!

Saka iisa lang ang babaeng kilala ko. Si Aira. Ang best friend ko. Pero ang rinig ko ay may-boyfriend na ang babae kaya hindi rin ito puwede. Maybe I will ask Tiya Flor’s help. I know she has a lot of knowledge about men. Matutulungan niya ako rito.

Napabuntonghininga ako at saglit na pumikit. Napaigtad nga lang ako nang magmulat. Mr. Sandoval’s eyes were pinching through my soul. Seryoso ang mukhang nakatingin siya sa akin at parang may malalim na iniisip.

“Okay.” He let out a frustrated sigh after that. “For fairness to both parties, if you will agree with this… I will let you early today as what you're asking for, Hija.”

Napangiti ako nang tuluyan nang marinig iyon. Without thinking twice, I nodded and said, “Yes, Sir!”

“And if you succeed in changing my son after a month, I will grant you another wish. Whatever you want… just tell me. I will give it to you.”

“Yes, Sir,” I said. But going out early today was already enough for me. I don’t need the second reward that Mr. Sandoval offered.

Nagpaalam na ako kay Mr. Sandoval matapos niyon. Hindi rin mapawi ang ngiti sa labi ko hanggang sa maisara ko na nang tuluyan ang pintuan ng opisina niya. For the past five years working in Sandoval Engineering Incorporated, ngayon lang ulit napuno ng tuwa ang dibdib ko.

“Pinayagan ka, Ysa?”

I heard someone ask behind my back. Hinila ko muna pababa ng legs ko ang dulo ng red pencil cut dress bago ako bumaling kay Mrs. Ambros— ang HR. Nakatayo siya sa harap ng table ko at parang kararating niya lang ng sixty-sixth floor.

“Opo.” I smiled and pointed at the chair beside her as I sashayed back to my table.

“Pinayagan ka?” Lalong nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa eyeglasses niya.

“Opo.”

Mrs. Ambros was in her mid-60's, but she looked younger than her age in her millennial outfit— an off-shoulder sweetheart pink top, ripped jeans, and black boots. She even has a pink ruffle headband on her head. Kahit military-cut naman ang pula niyang buhok.

“Hindi nga?” Naupo siya sa silyang nasa gilid ng mesa ko at ipinatong ang puting folder. The urge to dig if I was telling her the truth was evident on her face. In her twenty years here at SEI, it seemed like this was the first time she heard that Mr. Sandoval had granted a wish to one of his employees. 

“Oo nga po!” I told her with full conviction in my voice. Medyo nilakasan ko pa ang boses ko para iparating na nagsasabi ako ng totoo.

Kumurap siya, may pagdududa pa rin sa kanyang mga mata. “That’s great. Well, anyway, birthday mo ba?”

Umiling ako. “Sa susunod na buwan pa po.”

“Ay, oo nga pala! Naalala ko na. June ka nga pala.” She giggled. “Well, pakibigay na lang 'to kay Sir bago ka umalis, ha? Kailangan 'yan ngayong araw.”

“Sige po.”

Tumayo siya. “Urgent, Ysa. Urgent. Remember that, huh?”

I smiled and nodded.

Napatingin ako kay Mrs. Ambros nang makailang beses siyang bumaling sa akin hanggang sa makapasok siya sa elevator. I could clearly see the intrigue burning in her eyes. She still couldn’t believe that Mr. Sandoval let me leave my work early today.

Napailing na lang akong sinimulan ang pag-check sa mga papeles na nakatambak sa table ko. Well, to be honest, Mr. Sandoval wasn’t the type of boss that let his employees leave work early. He valued time and work so much. Dapat nagtatrabaho ka sa tamang oras dahil bayad ka.

I think that is the reason why Mr. Sandoval always tells me that he likes me. Because, like him, I also treasured time and work. I always do my job with so much effort. Maybe because of the thought that I was being paid to do that and if it weren't for the company money— his money —I couldn’t afford to enjoy the luxury things that I have now.

Hindi nga lang nagbigay iyon ng magandang ideya sa mga katrabaho ko.

Napaunat ako ng mga braso matapos kong sipatin ang wristwatch ko. It was already ten o’clock. Halos tatlong oras na rin akong nakaupo habang chini-check ang mga papeles na dapat pirmahan ni Mr. Sandoval bago matapos ang araw at bago ako mag-out.

As I was stretching, my eyes saw the black organizer book beside the pile of papers on my table. Kaagad kong naalala ang napag-usapan namin ni Mr. Sandoval kanina.

Is he really serious  about arranging his son for a woman he don't barely knows?

Napailing na lang ako at tumayo. Napagdesisyunan kong bumaba ng pantry para magtimpla ng kape. Mababaliw ako kung hindi makatikim ng pait ang dila ko sa dami ng papeles na tinatrabaho ko.

Pero pagbukas pa lang ng pintuan sa second floor, kaagad nang napunta sa akin ang mga mata ng mga naroroon. Sabay-sabay rin silang nag-iwas ng tingin at umakto na parang hindi nila ako nakita.

 

For sure, I was their topic again.

Hinayaan ko na lang sila at dumiretso na sa coffee brewer matapos makakuha ng tasa sa cabinet.

“End of the month na naman. Sino kaya ang magiging best employee of the month?” tanong ni Murky.

Narinig ko ang pagbuntonghininga ng tatlong kausap niyang mga babae sa pahabang mesa kung saan sila naroroon.

“Sana naman, ako na. Ginawa ko ang lahat ng best ko para makuha ang award na iyon.”

“Lahat naman tayo, gaga!” sabat sa kanya ni Murky. “Laki kaya ng price.”

Sabay-sabay silang nagpakawala ng buntonghininga ulit. Hinayaan ko lang sila at nang matapos magtimpla ng kape ay handa ko na silang lagpasan. Kaso natigilan ako ng tawagin ako ni Mari nang mapadaan ako sa likuran ng kinakaupuan ng baklita.

“Ikaw, Ysa, may alam ka kung sino ang best employee ngayong buwan?” she asked.

I smiled a bit and shook my head as I took a note to myself that I should be nice to them. Kahit pinag-uusapan nila ako tuwing nakatalikod ako. “Wala, eh. Hindi rin nasabi ni Sir.”

“Hindi ba, magbabakasyon si Sir?”

Tinanguan ko si Shiela. Tulad ni Mari, kulot din ang buhok niya. Naka-bun nga lang. “Oo. At iyong anak niya ang papalit muna.”

“Paano iyan? Wala man lang tayong ideya kung sino ang makakakuha ng fifty taw.” Napailing si Monica, parang nawalan ng pag-asa. Tulad ko ay straight din ang kanyang itim at mahabang buhok.

“I will inform all of you kapag nasabi mamaya ni Sir bago ako mag-out.”

The three women smiled at me. Hindi ko nga lang alam ang reaksyon ni Murky dahil nakatalikod siya sa kinatatayuan ko.

“Sige. Balik na ako sa mesa ko.”

They nodded. Pero bago pa man ako makalayo nang tuluyan sa kanila, narinig ko ang pag-ismid ni Murky.

“Hay naku, 'wag na nga tayong umasa! Hindi ako magugulat kung iyang si Ysabella ang best employee of the month!”

Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa tasa nang marinig iyon.

“S****p kasi,” Mari added.

Napailing na lang ako at nagpakawala nang malalim na hininga bago ako tuluyang pumasok ng elevator.