Cruel Summer

ika-8

Ang bilis ng araw. I've been staying here in Netherlands for 2 weeks already. Time flies so fast, and I'm really enjoying my stay here.

Minsan lang talaga, napapaisip ako kung ano nga ba talaga ang balak kong gawin sa buhay ko. I think I can't just stay here for 3 months without even having a temporary job. Mukha rin namang okay lang si Lolo kahit maiwanan sa buong maghapon dahil naroroon din naman si Ate Tessy, 'yong caregiver.

"So what do you plan to do now, Ate?" tanong naman ni Clau habang kausap ko sa telepono.

"I don't know," tugon ko. "Find a job here, maybe?"

The next days were fine. Lumabas ulit kaming dalawa ni Bryson, at mas malapit na kami sa isa't isa. Still, marami pa rin kaming hindi nalalaman tungkol sa buhay ng isa't isa and we're still working on it.

"I'm starting to work on Monday," sabi sa akin ni Bryson.

I smiled. "Congratulations! I'm happy for you."

I'm happy for him. Ngunit dahil marami nga akong iniisip ay mukhang nakuha niya agad ang ekspresyon ng mukha ko.

His eyebrows furrowed. "Is there something wrong?"

Umiling naman ako kaagad. "Nothing. It's just that... I don't know what to do here now. Umuwi na lang kaya ako sa Pinas?"

"Come with me later," aniya. Kumunot naman ang noo ko dahil parang walang connect ang sinabi niya sa sinabi ko. "I want you to meet my friend. I'm sure he'll find a vacant position for you."

"Huh?"

"Work here."

"Mhmm," I said while nodding. "I actually plan on applying for a job here in Netherlands. Bored na rin ako sa apartment, and I want to experience working here."

The serious mode on his face slowly turns into a smile.

"Buti naman, konting oras pa lang tayong nagkakakilala tapos aalis ka na agad," I couldn't hear him properly dahil bumubulong na naman siya sa sarili niya.

Nilapit ko naman ang sarili ko sa kaniya dahil hindi ko marinig. "Ano ulit 'yon?"

"Wala, sabi ko ang bingi mo," he then leaned closer to me again. Napaatras naman ako sa ginawa dahil hindi ko na naman maintindihan kung bakit nagiging abnormal na naman ang puso ko dahil sa kaniya.

"B-Bingi pala e," I said, trying to sound normal.

"But do you want me to help you?" sabi niya. "May kakilala akong pwedeng magbigay sayo ng trabaho."

I simply shook my head and tapped his shoulder. "I'm fine, I want to get the job on my own. This is my first job, after all."

He seemed to understand my point there kaya hindi na niya ipinilit pa ang gusto niyang mangyari. Tumingin na lamang ako sa kawalan at hindi na nag-isip ng kung ano-ano pa.

It's Saturday today that's why I don't have a lot to do. Wala rin daw gagawin si Bry kaya naman ayon, nakalabas kaming dalawa.

Kinagabihan naman noon ay nagsimula na akong maggawa ng resumè para sa paga-apply ko ng trabaho. I even reviewed some of my lessons para maalala lahat ng mga pinag-aralan ko noon.

I pull out an all nighter just to review some of the most important lessons that might be asked during the interview. I even searched for hiring companies here in Netherlands.

I immediately told the news about me looking for a job here in Netherlands kina Mommy and Daddy. They were so excited about it.

"That's a good decision anak," si Mommy. "Actually, we're eyeing on one of the famous companies there in Netherlands. Half-Filipino ang owner and we want to make a partnership with them!"