As the Light Lies (Scholar Series #1)

Prologue

Prologue

"Sorry Thalia but, we have to fire you."

Yesterday, in the morning when I woke up, and even up until now ... I could still hear those words left by my previous employer over and over again.

His voice keeps on deafening my eardrums as if it's a shrill sound coming from an EKG monitor that is painful to hear. Irritating loud noise, especially when it beeps only to form a straight horizontal line.

Natulala ako sa kinatatayuan ko, hindi pa rin naipo-process ang lahat. I can't honestly find the reason why they fired me?

Did I just do something they didn't want? Did I just piss them off? Did I disappoint them? Because ... All I could think of at this moment is that, I did everything I could for them.

I continued walking on the street's sidewalk, approaching the waiting shed. I faced myself against its glass wall.

I smiled sweetly despite the hardship I've been experiencing. Today, I was wearing a woman's corporate attire. A black corporate coat with black pants, having maroon pointed toe heels attached to my feet.

Noong nakaraang linggo, nag-submit na ako ng application form ko sa iba't-ibang kompanya pero ni isa sa kanila, walang gustong i-dial ang number ko.

This is the very first time, after a long time, I felt so thirsty for phone calls.

Ilang kompanya na nga ba ang sinubukan ko? One? Two? Three? Uh! No, it was more than the number of my fingers!

Naubos ko na nga yata lahat ng business establishments dito sa northern and southern part ng city na ito, e. But then, until now, no one has accepted me. No one trusted me.

"Annoying..." Inis na bulong ko sa sarili at umirap.

Napahilamos ako sa aking mukha sa pagkapikon. I tilted my head slowly until my eyes viewed the adorable blue-shaded sky. Ngumiti ako. Hindi masyadong ma-ulap kaya kitang-kita ang pagka-asul ng kalangitan.

Whenever I get annoyed, irritated, sad or whatever sorrowful moment it is ... I just look up above the breath-taking image of sky. Sky really comforts me. It tamed the raging waves I felt inside me.

Banayad akong pumikit sa sandaling dumampi ang malamig na hangin sa aking mukha. Nang matapos, nagmulat din ako agad. Sandali akong naupo para makapag-isip-isip.

I took my phone out of my bag snd dialed Zy's number. She's my best friend; we've known each other since we were in high school.

Tinapat ko sa tainga ang phone sa sandaling mag-ring iyon. I sighed in relief when she answered it. She seemed to have someone with her there because she's not responding yet.

"Zy..." Kasabay ng pagbigkas ko sa pangalan nya ay ang pag nguso ng labi ko.

"Natanggal ka sa trabaho because?" Bungad niya.

She's even laughing which was enough to tease me, but I tried calming myself because I really need her now. I know this isn't the best thing to do but I don't have a choice.

I have no other choice.

"Uh, do you know someone looking for a hard worker?" Ngumiti ako ng alanganin kahit na alam kong hindi niya iyon makikita.

"Who's that hard worker? Ikaw?" Sarcasm was all over her voice.

"Ang sama mo sa 'kin! Tulungan mo na lang ako!"

Nang magtinginan ang mga taong dumadaan, naitikom kong bigla ang bibig ko. Shit. Nakakahiya.

"Biro lang, gaga! Actually, hiring ang apparel today. Hindi ko lang in-offer sa'yo kasi alam ko namang tatanggi ka. Ano? Okay lang ba sa'yo na dito ka magtrabaho?"