Pagkabukas palang ng elevator, bumungad na saken ang iilang tao na nakahilera.
"So, dito ka?" Tanong ni Yohan na nasa tabi ko pa pala dahilan para tumingin ang iilang taong nasa malapit.
"Uhm, yeah. Salamat" Sagot ko.
"Sure, no problem. Goodluck" sambit nya. Agad naman akong lumapit at naupo sa upuan.
Tumingin ako sa wrist watch ko. Almost lunch na din pala. Di bale, mamaya ako kakain. Importante ito kaya uunahin ko muna. Isa pa, andito na ko eh, alangang umalis pako.
As time passed, paunti ng paunti ang tao dito. Ang iba ay nakaalis na. Mga nasa 15 nalang siguro kaming natira.
Nang biglang lumabas si Yohan mula sa isang pintuan.
"Okay everyone! Sorry to tell you but the CEO calls it a day. Ipagpapatuloy nalang daw the other time, so for now, you may go home"
Natulala naman ako dahil don. Tapos na?
Nagskip ako ng lunch at naghintay ng halos dalawang oras tapos...di pala ako aabot?
Nagsialisan na ang ibang andito habang ako, nakaupo padin. Ewan ko ba. Naiinis ako!
"Hey, Venice" Napatingin ako kay Yohan na tumayo sa harapan ko.
"Di ka pa uuwi?" Tanong nya.
Tumingin ako sa kabilang direksyon. Ang tangkad nya kase, saka against the light yung direksyon nya. Pag tumingala ako, feeling ko, masisilaw ako sa kagwapuhan nya.
"Ahh, hindi pa. Magpapahinga lang ako saglit bago umalis" Sagot ko kasabay ng pagtunog ng tyan ko.
Oh, bad timing.
"Damn, di kapa kumakain?" Tanong nya saka naupo na den sa tabi ko.
Eh pano ako kakain gayung abala ako dito tapos tatapusin ng ganun lang? Ewan ko ba kung bat inis na inis ako. Grr.
"Not yet" Sagot ko saka sumandal.
"Past lunch time na. Almost 3pm na den. Tara, my treat" sabi nya at tumayo, di na hinintay pa ang sagot ko.
"Teka!" Sigaw ko saka tumayo. Lumingon naman sya sakin pero napako ang tingin nya sa likuran ko.
"Uy Jerwin!" tawag nya kaya agad akong lumingon pero pagsara ng pintuan ang bumungad sakin.
Okay, yun ba yung CEO? Rude.
"Tara na Venice" tawag ni Yohan kaya wala na kong choice kundi sumunod.
"Salamat" sambit ko pagkalapag ng order namin sa mesa.
"Kain kalang, wag kang mahiya" sambit nya saka sinimulan nading kumain. Tahimik nalang akong kumain.
"So, how did you found about Rivera Towers?" Tanong nya matapos ang ilang minutong katahimikan.
Uminom ako ng tubig saka sumandal sa upuan.
Pano ko nahanap ang Rivera Towers?
"Simple, they're all over the news every single day" Sagot ko.
"No, what I mean is. Bakit andun ka for interview? You're looking for a job?"
Don na ko natigilan sa pagkain at mas lumalim ang buntong hininga ko.
Yeah, he's right. I'm looking for a job right now. Funny, right? Dati, kami ang employer, ngayon, ako na ang naghahanap nang employer.
"Yeah, and I found out about that job hiring nung mapadaan ako sa building one time and I tried" sagot ko.
"Oh. Pasensya kana kung hindi ka umabot ngayong araw ah. Nabo-bored na daw kasi si Jerwin eh. Paulit ulit lang naman daw ang tanong nya at ang sagot na nakukuha nya"
Walangya.
"Ayos lang" Sagot ko kahit gusto ko nang sakmalin yung Jerwin na yun.
"Maybe tomorrow, ayos na ulit yun" sabi nya.
"Eh ikaw? What's your position in the company?" Tanong ko.
Well, Rivera Towers are very famous not just nationwide but also, worldwide. They owns a cruise and airport den sa pagkakaalam ko. Biggest shipping lines and airlines are owned by them.
Over 25 countries and may branch ng airport at cruise na pag aari nila.
Based on my researches.
And about the CEO, balita ko, pinakilala sya last last month but I didn't have the chance to see his face. And so? Ano kung makita ko pagmumukha nya? Basta, inis ako sakanya. Tapusin ba naman ang interview dahil lang bored.
"My position? I guess, top"
Kumunot ang noo ko dahil pakiramdam ko, may double meaning ang sinabi nya. He noticed it and immediately answered.
"Oh! I mean, top pilot ako ng main branch ng airlines nila" natatawang sabi nya.
"Ah, kaya pala. And, best friend mo yung CEO?" Tanong ko.
"Yes. I met him 3 years ago. He was aloof back then pero unti unti, as time passed, nagiging open na din sya sakin" sambit nya.
"Do you have a company that you owns?" Tanong ko ulit.
"Whoah! Why do I feel na ako yung ini-interview? Diba dapat, ikaw yung interview-hin ko para makapagpractice ka?" Sambit nya.
Oo nga but, gusto kong malaman ang ibang tungkol sa kanya. Or maybe, I need to do some research about him later.
"Sagutin mo muna" Sagot ko.
"Oh well. My family owns a chains of hotels" sagot nya.
Nanahimik naman ako agad. Well, my family used to own a chains of hotels back then.
But, not anymore.
"So, ano? Mind if I ask you now?" Umiling lang ako.
"So, how old are you?" Bahagya akong natawa.
"24 years old" sambit ko.
"Oh, you're with the same age as Jerwin"
At, ano namang kinalaman ni Jerwin dito? Bat ba nasasali yun sa usapan?
Magsasalita pa sana sya ng may lumapit na babaeng naka formal dress. She's wearing a light blue blouse and a white pencil skirt and a white three inches heels.
"Hi, sir" bati nya at napansin ko agad ang paglawak ng ngiti ni Yohan.
"Uy, ikaw pala Tanya" bati ni Yohan bago bumaling sakin. "Tanya, this is Venice and Venice, si Tanya, one of the flight attendants sa main branch ng Rivera Airlines"
Ngumiti sakin si Tanya at di ko itatanggi na ang ganda nya.
"Hi, nice meeting you" sambit nya habang nakalahad ang kamay kaya tumayo din ako at tinanggap ang kamay nya.
"I'm Venice, nice meeting you too" and I smiled.
"Venice, anak. Kamusta?" Salubong sakin ni Mommy pagkauwi. Naupo ako sa couch namin at bununtong hininga. By that, alam na ni Mommy agad. "You didn't make it?" Sumandal ako at pumikit. Actually, di ko alam. Knowing na di ako nakaabot sa amount ng in-interview ngayon. Sayang yung paghihintay ko. Siraulo naman kasi e! Tinapos yung interview, dahil nabored? "Anak?" "Mom, di naman po totally na di ako tanggap. Uhm, pinapabalik mo kami kase limited yung ini-interview ngayon" sabi ko nalang. "Kung ganon, may chance ka pa. Galingan mo! Alam ko namang kaya mo yan!" Nagmulat ako at ngumiti saka nagpaalam na aakyat muna para makapag bihis at makapagpahinga na. Binagsak ko ang sarili ko sa kama pagkatapos maglinis ng katawan. Alas syete palang pero gusto ko ng matulog. Na
10:00 AM ako nagsimulang mag ayos ng sarili ko. I wore a blue long sleeve polo and a red pencil cut skirt saka ko tinali into ponytail ang buhok ko. Mainit din kase at isa pa, para kaaya ayang tingnan. Nagpaalam ako kay Mommy at Daddy at sinabi ko na sa labas nalang uli ako kakain for lunch dahil sure ako na aabutin ng lunch time yan. Ewan ko ha. Kinuha ko na ang bag at folder ko saka h*****k kay Mommy at Daddy. Pagkalabas ng bahay, muli akong huminga ng malalim. "You can do it, Venice" Nadatnan ko na andito na den yung mga applicants na natira kasama ko kahapon. Kumpleto na nga yata kami. Tahimik akong naupo at pilit kinakalma ang sarili ko. Don't be nervous, Venice. Isipin mo nalang na makakatulong ito sa Mommy at Daddy mo. Hindi ko maiwasang di mapangiti ng mapait ng maalala ko ang nangyari non. Hindi inaasahan ang biglang pagbag
Nakatulala lang ako habang naglalakad palabas ng building. What the heck did just happened? Nagkatrabaho na ko agad, wala pa kong sampung minuto sa loob ng opisina nya at hindi pa nga nya ko naiinterview. Weird. But, anyway, masayang masaya naman ako ngayon. Finally, I have a job! Gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ko nang mapagtantong may trabaho na ko. Kahit ang weird ng pangyayari, atleast may trabaho na ko. Dumaan muna ako sa isang karinderya bago umuwi. Funny how we spend our money back then eating on a luxury restaurant but now, hanggang karinderya nalang ako. Ito ang tinatawag na, gulong ng buhay. "Venice, iha!" Bati sakin ni Aling Martha nang makita ako. Si Aling Martha ang may ari ng karinderyang ito at kilala na nya ko dahil madalas na akong kumain dito. Maging sina Mommy at Daddy ay nakakain na din dito. "Hello
Ilang beses akong huminga ng malalim habang nakaharap sa salamin. Kaya mo yan, Venice. Don't be nervous. Nakaharap mo naman na ang boss mo, so, kaya nayan. Pinasadahan ko muli ng tingin ang itsura ko at nang masigurong ayos na, kinuha ko na ang bag ko saka lumabas ng kwarto. "Anak, papasok kana?" Salubong ni Mommy saken habang naghahain ng makakain at si Daddy ay di ko alam kung nasaan. "Yes po, Mommy. Wish me luck" sabi ko saka h*****k sa kanyang pisngi. "Where's Daddy?" Tanong ko saka naupo sa may upuan. "Maagang umalis. May imi-meet daw na dating business partner" nagkibit balikat lang si Mommy habang patuloy sa ginagawa. I can't help but to reminisce how successful our business back then. Plenty of investors are investing on our chains of hotels and marami ding gustong makipag merge but sadly, it's all in the past now. At, imposible na rin sigur
"For today, just make yourself used to your place and when someone came, just tell me through this intercom" sambit ni Mr. Rivera. He's briefing me about my job here as his secretary. He's nice enough na sya pa mismo ang magtuturo sakin nito ah. Kadalasan kasi empleyado ang nagtuturo sa mga bagong empleyado but, see? The boss was the one briefing me about my work. "You understand?" He asked. "Yes po" sabi ko then I smiled. He turned his back at me pero bago sya pumasok ng opisina nya, humarap sya at nagsalita. "Tell me if it's your lunch time" I just nodded then he proceeds to his office. Nilibot ko naman ang tingin ko sa pwesto ko. An overlooking view behind a swivel chair and a brown desk. Naupo ako sa swivel chair at tiningnan ang mga papeles na nandon. Profiles of some business man. Maybe, business partner ni Mr. Rivera. I keep
"Let's go" Oh right, sinabi nga pala ng boss ko na sumama ako sa kanya, but I'm wondering kung saan ba kami pupunta? Nasa first floor na kami ng building at tingin ko, lalabas kami. Katahimikan lang ang bumabalot samin habang papalabas kami ng building. I noticed some people looking at our direction, looking at Mr. Rivera, to be specific. Nginitian lang ako ng guwardya na kanina'y binigyan ko nang kape kaya nginitian ko din sya saka sumunod sa boss ko. Napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa pamilyar na daan na tinatahak namin ngayon. Tahimik lang din na naglalakad si Mr. Rivera habang ako, naguguluhan kung bakit kami naglalakad sa pamilyar na daan. Daan kasi ito pauwi samin. Plano na ba nya kong pauwiin? Agad agad? Eh kung ganon, paano nya nalaman yung daan? O di kaya, may pupuntahan sya na dito din ang daan? Hanggang sa huminto kami sa isang pamilyar na lug
Mr. Rivera entered his office pagkabalik namen sa building. Ako naman, nagsimulang pag aralan ang papeles. I studied every schedule, every business partners at kung maaari, minemorize ko ang bawat mukha ng business partners ni Mr. Rivera para kapag nadayo sila dito sa building, I'll immediately know who they are. I check my boss' schedule for today and saw that he has a meeting with the board this afternoon. I'll take note of this. Chineck ko din ang upcoming schedules nya at tinake note sa notepad na nakalagay sa gilid ng mesa. Habang binabasa ko ang files about sa Rivera Towers, my phone suddenly rang. I picked it up at nakitang si Reishell ang tumatawag. Anong sadya ng babaeng ito? "Hello?" [Veren, girl! What's up?] Inipit ko ang cellphone ko sa pagitan ng tenga at balikat habang patuloy na binabasa ang files na kanina ko pa hawak. Nagsusulat na
"Done" I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard Mr. Riv--Jerwin's voice. It felt weird calling my boss by his first name. "Uhh, salamat sir" I said. Bago pa sya tumayo para iligpit ang first aid kit, inunahan ko na sya. He stopped his attempt to stand up at hinayaan akong ligpitin ang first aid nya. "Next time, when that woman comes, don't let her come in" I heard him say while walking towards his desk. "Yes sir" Sagot ko bago naglakad papunta sa harapan nya. He looks up at me. "May kailangan pa po ba kayo, sir?" I asked. He stared at me for a while before shfting his gaze towards his papers and shook his head indicating that he doesn't need anything. "Just call me if you need anything, Sir" I slightly bowed at him kahit di sya nakatingin saka ako lumabas ng opisina nya. I sat at my chair then sigh tiredly. I lean my head on the table then closed my
Warning: Violence Nakakunot ang noo ko nang makaharap ko si Aling Tere. Yung kapitbahay naming napakiusapan ko na bantayan si Nanay. Walang kabuhay buhay ang mukha nya ngayon na syang pinagaalala ko. Asan si Nanay? Gusto ko syang makita ngayon. Gusto kong humingi nang comfort sakanya at yakapin sya. "Aling Tere?" Inangat nya ang tingin sakin at nagulat ako sa luhang tumulo sa mata nya. "Jeff iho. W-wala na ang nanay mo" Posible pala yung sinasabi nilang pagtigil at pagkasira nang mundo mo. Dahil yun mismo ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Isama pa yung pagkabasag nang puso ko. Napuno nang sakit ang buong sistema ko at napaluhod nalang ako. "Iho, p-pasensya na. H-hindi ko alam n-na may sakit pala syang d-dinadamdam. Jefferson, pasensya na!" Sambit ni Aling Tere pero hindi ako nakasagot. Hindi ako makasagot dahil napalitan nang hikbi ang bawat salitang lalabas sa bibig ko.
After my mom's burial. I stopped working. I also payed my Dad's debts but as my mom says, hindi ko sya pinyansahan. Ginamit ko ang natitirang pera para magsimula ulit. It's been 5 months since my mom's burial and still, the pain is with me. The pain is still buried through my system. I stopped working and just focus on fixing myself. I also went away like how I wish. About Jefferson, he's seems hesitant at first pero pinayagan nya ko. This is a good way to heal myself, he said. He always texts me. Pati sila Reishell. Her wedding happened one month after my mom's burial but I'm not able to attend. I just facetimed her after the ceremony. I apologized and congratulate her. Yohan and Tanya, I heard they are now a thing. They started dating months ago. Hera and Emman, they fixed their relationship. They clarified what they really are. I'm happy for all of them. Me and Jefferson didn't clarified yet what ou
I woke up and my eyes immediately shuts dahil sa hapdi. My head also hurts. I got up and glance around. I stared at the figure beside me. There's Jefferson, sleeping beside me. Hindi ko man lang napansin but I found myself staring at him. This man is always there for me. Mula noon hanggang ngayon. Kahit nung panahong hindi ko pa alam na sya pala si Jefferson. He's always there. He always cares. I slowly leaned forward and kissed his forehead before I stood up. I wanna see my mom. Naghilamos ako at nag ayos. I didn't change my clothes. I'm still wearing a black blouse and black jeans at saka ako lumabas. I'm surprised to see Yohan, Tanya, Hera and Emman on the living room, sleeping. Where's Reishell and Yuan, tho? I glanced one last time at them and a small smile etched on my lips and I go outside. There are some people who's already there and I saw
Warning: Violence I quietly sit infront of my father. Andito kami sa sala kwarto ko nag usap. Jefferson is also with me and some police officer for my father. "Start speaking now" I said. My father cleared his throat. "I was upset when I knew about your relationship with Madrid. Alam mo kung gaano ko inaalagaan ang imahe nang pamilya natin at sa nalaman ko, nagalit ako dahil alam kong kahihiyan yon sa pamilya" I gritted my teeth and continue listening to him. "I did blackmail you to ruin his mothers life if you didn't break up with him pero hindi ko pinakialaman ang nanay nya because you broke up with him" "I was happy when that happens. Walang dahilan nang issue na magiging dahilan nang kahihiyan. Pero, ilang araw lang, muling nagpakita si Jefferson sa tapat nang mansion naten at sobra akong nagalit don. Nalaman ko na ilang araw syang andun sa labas" I already heard this pero hindi a
He quietly went beside me and lied down. He faced me but he didn't say something. He just stared. "My mom... I know, h-how she h-hurt us by how she insulted you back then" I started speaking. Umayos nang higa si Jefferson. Lumapit sya nang mas malapit sakin but still, he didn't speak. "But, I can't stay mad at her. I c-can see how she regret that and on those y-years, I manage to forgive her and also, my Dad. She always tells me how sorry she was and ramdam ko naman na bumabawi sya don. When I told her that I wanted to work, she seems hesitant but I insisted since I know how much she missed our life before. I started working to your company. She seems hesitant to let me at first when she heard about me working at Rivera's. Yun pala, alam nya yung nangyari noon. She knew what my father.. did to you.." My tears started to fall. Jefferson immediately wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. I leaned my head on his chest
Warning: Suicide Mabilis ang flight namin pauwi sa Pilipinas. Jerwin's parents immediately allowed us after knowing what happened. Nung makita nila ang pagkabalisa ko, they immeduately said yes at sila na daw muna ang bahala sa upcoming deals. Jefferson is now driving. Papunta sa mansion namin. I'm nervous at ilang ulit akong huminga nang malalim. I'm nervous in what I would see when I got there. Sana nalowbat lang si Mommy o kaya naman nahulog lang yung phone but... her words. Her words hunts me. Her words sounds farewells. Para syang naghahabilin. "Venice.." Jefferson's voice invaded my thought. I felt him held my hand and gently squeezed. I held back his hand. "Don't overthink. Okay?" He softly said. I just nodded and wait till we got home. Mabilis akong lumabas nang maiparada ang kotse sa tapat nang mansion namin. The whole mansion is so silent. Mukhang walang tao. I hesitantly st
I immediately go to get my things and pull out clothes to change when we got to his condo. I sighed as I started to comb my hair. Nahiga ako sa kama at kinuha ang phone ko. I remembered my Mom. I should call her. Jefferson opened the door and smiled. He's now wearing a white cotton shirt and black shorts. He sits in my bed and taps the space beside me, asking if he could lay down. I nodded and started dialing my mother's number. Jefferson wrapped his arms around my waist and burried his face on my hair. I closed my eyes and leaned on his chest as I wait for my mother to answer. "Who are you calling, hm?" He whispered. "My mom. I want to know how she's doing" sagot ko kasabay nang pagsagot nang tawag mula sa kabilang linya. "Mom?" I called. A silence greeted me. Until I heard sobs. My eyes instantly opened and I immediately sit up causing Jefferson to sit up too.
The meeting started and Jerwin immediately became serious and focused. Nawala yung kaninang nagtatampo nyang mukha. His father and mother seems calm too. And here I am, focusing on the meeting too. Mr. Gutierrez, the man who's making a deal with the Rivera's is speaking right now and I've been noticing how his secretary looks at the man beside me. She's quite young but older than me, I think and eversince she stepped inside with her boss, she can't take her eyes off Jerwin. And it irritates me but I calmed myself. It's immature kung papatulan ko at isa pa, I don't think I have the rights to act possessive. "Is that okay with you, Mr. Rivera?" Mr. Gutierrez asked. He smiled at his friend and waits for his answer. "Of course, your works and ideas always amaze me. And I already know that you're ideas would impress me" Mr. Rivera said. They shook hands and Jerwin did also.
"Ready?" He asked while fixing his tie. Humarap naman ako sakanya and I immediately smile when I saw him looking at me with a smile. Last look at my appearance, I nodded and walked near him. Last night when he confessed that he's Jefferson. We talked and talked until we both fell asleep. I asked him why his face changed but he diverted the topic kaya hindi ko na pinilit. He seems uncomfortable talking about that. Did he change his face so that my Dad wouldn't continue his plan on killing him? But, my Dad seems to know that it's him since narinig ko yung usapan nila ni Mommy non. After talking, we both fell asleep. Next to each other. I remembered hugging him. Feeling the same feeling back then and it all come back. My heart feels satisfied after a long time knowing that Jefferson is back now. "Hey? Come inside now. Mainit dyan baka mapawisan ka" My thoughts vanished