Taste of Life

24

The next day, I went straight to the Grid. Dad wants me to check and sign a few stuff on his behalf. Everyone greeted me of course. I just smiled and made a small talk to everyone.

Noong makarating ako sa office, nakita ko gaano karami ang tambak na paperworks ni Dad. Sumimangot ako. I called him. 10pm palang naman don.

"Nak, nasa office ka na?" Bungad niya sakin. Nasa labas ata sila ni Mom since I don't think bahay nila Lola yung background niya.

"Yes. Lahat ba to, dad?" I turned the camera to his desk

"Hindi natapos ko na pirmahan yung iba diyan. Inemail ko na lahat yan kay Tine." He shrugged. Buti nalang.

"Alin lang need ng pirma ko?" I asked.

At pinabukas niya sakin ang computer niya. His password's Angelette's full name and birthday.

"Merong folder diyan ang file name ay "URGENT" yung files don print mo tas pirmahan mo. Then bigay mo kay Tine." Utos niya pa. I just nodded.

"Yun lang?"

"Yes anak. Thank you." He smiled.

"Okay no problem. Ingat kayo ni Mom. Good night." I ended the call. Baka mamaya nakakaistorbo pa ko sa date nila. I texted Annie  rin. I told her I'll pick her up to give my pasalubong. She told me if chocolate lang daw wag na ko magsayang ng gas. I chuckled at that reply. To be really honest, feeling ko magiging close sila ni Eli. Parehas na parehas sila.

I finished printing dad's files tapos isa isa ko na itong pinirmahan. Noong natapos ako, I head down and put my widest smile to Auntie Tine.

"Here's the files na."

"Wala ako pasalubong? Apaka mo naman." She rolled her eyes and I hugged her. I gave her a bag of chocolates.

"All yours." I winked at tumawa siya.

After an hour of chikahan, I decided to drive to Don Bosco. I'll be just giving chocolates kay Father Jeff. Atyaka 5pm pa naman uwian ni Annie.

It's just a short drive since hindi naman ganon ka traffic. Rare times.

Pagdating ko roon. I prayed for a moment and called Father Jeff. He smiled while walking towards me.

"Oh 'di pa rin nagbabago isip mo?" Paloko niyang tanong. Umiling ako at inabutan siya ng chocolates.

"Salamat. Oh kamusta?"

"Okay naman po. Same pa rin."

"Dumating na ang application forms. Kinuha kita. Halika maglakad tayo roon." Sumunod lang ako kay Father habang kinkwento niya gaano naexcite ang mga ibang pari sa dati kong school nung nabanggit niya na para sakin ang app forms.

"Father, paano pag narealize ko na ayaw ko pala?" I suddenly asked.

"The moment you question yourself, your decision, your commitment, umalis ka na. Do yourself a favor, and leave." He tapped my shoulder to assure me.

"Marami bang naalis?" I asked.

"Oo naman. Meron nga sa first day of school mo lang makikita the next day, wala na eh." Father Jeff is so cool about it pero sigurado ako na he's hopeful na rin na I will continue.

"Just promise me that you wanted this and that the calling, it's something you cannot say no to." He smiled. Tumango lang ako.

Nagpaalam na rin ako agad kay Father. Hinatid niya ko hanggang parking at inalok na samahan ako sa enrollment. Sabi ko email ko nalang siya. He just nodded and waved goodbye.