Youth In Love

ONE

I read my three pages article again. Proofreading for some possible typos and grammatical errors. Change some words, do some final touches, and then with all passion, click the send button.

I flash a smile as I lean back on my swivel chair breathing the smell of satisfaction while looking at the plain white old ceiling. Then in a minute, turn my chair around to face the sun preparing to set behind all these towering New York City buildings, which I have all the opportunity to do so since I am on the 47th floor from a building of 65 floors with a fine, clear, glass walls.

God! This is my favorite moment of the day, at five in the afternoon and the skies in pretty colors. This makes the summer season here in NYC feel more familiar, and more like home.

Afterwards, I started arranging my things and getting ready to leave the office wishing that no work-related stuff would come up and hold me hostage.

"Miss Porcalla, I'm so sorry but I really need some of your time right now for some revisions."

Here we go again...

"Okay, just let me make a quick phone call," and Caroline, a typical American-looking girl just did a gesture implying that she'll wait for me inside the conference room.

Then I dialed the number of the most precious person in my life and excitedly wait to hear her cute little voice.

"Let me guess, you're not gonna make it today either so I just have to call uncle Hiro to pick me up."

She instantly said the moment she picked up, and it made me smirk as I can imagine her cute slightly annoyed face, with cheeks turning red.

"I'm so sorry baby, you know naman that I am always needed here in the office or else everyone gets into trouble right?" I heard her sigh on the other line, "I'll make it up to you tomorrow hmm?"

"Okayyy just bring me pizza."

"Thank you, baby, just wait for your uncle and be sure not to talk to strangers okay? Love you."

I next call Hiro which he, as usual, just like my daughter already knew why I called.

"Papunta na ako. 'Wag kang masyadong magpapagabi d'yan at mag-iingat ka sa pagmamaneho, takaw asidente ka pa naman." Pangbungad niya sa'kin.

"Tss, I'm a better driver na 'no. Anyway, I'll buy pizza on my way home, kaya wag ka ng bumili ng kung ano-ano pa." I ended the call and rushed to Caroline.

Mabuti na lang at konting revisions lang ang kinailangan dun sa isang story item for this month's issue of our magazine kaya inabot lang kami ng halos 30 minuto.

"Thank you so much, Miss, please be safe on your way home."

"You too Caroline, see you tomorrow."

Habang papalapit ako sa desk ko ay hindi ko mapagilang makaramdam ng sense of pride habang tinatanaw ang pangalan kong nakaukit sa desk stamp at may nakasulat sa ibaba na 'Assistant Editor' bilang titulo.

Who would have imagined that a 29 years old, single mom, who dropped out of college in her first year and only finishes her degree after seven years would have been an assistant editor in one of New York's famous magazine companies? Kahit ako nga hindi makapaniwala na magiging ganito ang takbo ng buhay ko ngayon. This is so far from what I planned before.

Now, I own a nice car, a big apartment, have a high-paying job, I am also able to send my daughter to a decent international school here in New York, and most importantly I am happily living with my family.