Light Up The Spark

Chapter 31

Reunion

Magaan ang pakiramdam ko pagkatapos ng pag-uusap namin ni Luke. He even video called Kenzie and Joe and asked them to talk some sense into me.

Hindi tuloy ako nakagawa ng kahit anong trabaho sa hapon na iyon. But for once, I didn't care about it anymore, masaya lang ako na nakapag-catch up ako kasama ang mga kaibigan ko.

I felt more of myself after their constant advice and nags. Hindi naman overnight na magiging okay ako pero at least, I know that there is a problem inside me that I need to resolve.

Recognizing that something is wrong is the first step to solving it anyway.

"Thank you." Pasalamat ko sa waiter pagkatapos akong salinan ng tubig.

We are in a 4 – seater table, nag -uusap habang naghihintay kay Luke na nasa entrance pa, pumipili ng seafood. Siya rin ang pumili ng restaurant na ito at masyado pang namangha sa mga live seafood na nakadisplay sa may entrance kaya pinauna niya kami ni Caden sa loob.

"Nasaan naman sina Wally, Anthony at yung isa?" Kuryoso kong tanong pagkaalis ng waiter.

His finger immediately flew to the air to point at me. "See? Yung isa. Sino yung isa?"

I bit my lower lip. Ano nga ba ang pangalan nun? "At least I remember his face!" I defensed.

He chuckled then drank some water. "Just trying to prove a point so that you won't use that reason against me next time."

I scoffed and he proceeded to snack on the fried peanut that was served.

"Wally worked with us at Nexus for a short time but he got an offer from abroad kaya sumunod siya kay Anthony sa Canada. Meanwhile, yung isa, si Pete, he got absorbed by a big IT company during our internship days."

"Magkakahiwalay na yung grupo niyo..." I absentmindedly thought.

"Well, yes, we don't often see each other anymore. I guess that's part of adulting? As you take different paths, magbabago rin ang circle of friends niyo. Some remain in your life, some don't."

"Then close na close na kayo ni Shelly? Siya nalang yung natitira sa college friends mo."

Kumunot ang noo ko nang tumawa siya ng malakas. "Do you see me as a loner or what? I have other friends too! Very close friends!"

I bit my lower lip again and looked away. Oo nga, ano ba ang iniisip ko?

"Shelly and I are long-time friends pero if you're talking about close friends, like the ones you normally hang out with, we don't have that kind of friendship. Other than work related meetings, we don't see each other outside work."

Dahan - dahan akong tumango. So, nothing more huh?

Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa kanya, he met my eyes then offered me some nuts.

Umiling ako. "Just another thing that I'm curious about... How did I get hired with that short interview?"

He clasps his hands on top of the table at napaisip.

"I liked your answer." He smiled. "I liked that you know how you'd function and work best and so you know what company you are looking for. You had a clear goal, you did your research, were well prepared and you carried yourself with determination."

I fell silent as I processed what he said. For some reason, whenever we're talking about something serious, his answers are always so mature and honest.

The Caden that thinks deeply is indeed a different one.

"Aside from getting the conclusion from your answers, I really just have a good eye in spotting talented people." Dagdag niya pa.