Diamond Eyes

Chapter 43

"You're vastly recovering. Just take your medicines and eat healthy food."

"So, can I go to work now?" I asked my Doctor.

"Yes, but no physical activities for the mean time please."

"That's great. I only applied for a desk job." Masaya kong saad at inayos ang damit ko. It's time for my monthly check-up for the injury in my chest that I sustained.

It hurt like hell for the starting months but on the present time, I feel healed. May mga oras din na kumikirot ito pero natitiis ko naman. Hindi na gano'n kasakit tulad ng dati.

I grabbed my handbag and thanked him. I started to walk out of the clinic towards my car. I'm glad that he permitted to work because I decided not to use my cards anymore.

If I want to live alone, I must learn to work alone.

Ilang buwan na ang nakalipas nang tumira ako rito sa Switzerland at maganda naman noong una pero nababagot na ako. Wala akong magawa at parang nagbabakasyon lang ako rito. I decided to apply for this company in the city. Konti lang naman ang populasyon sa siyudad na ito at may nabasa akong flyer na tumatanggap daw sila ng aplikante. Marami naman akong oras kaya itutuon ko na lang ito sa pagtatrabaho.

Days passed and I eventually got in without having an interview. Baka kailangan na kailangan lang talaga nila ng aplikante at saka simple lang naman 'yung trabaho kaya wala namang mabigat na hinihinging qualifications.

"This is the cafeteria and the stairs going up is for the napping area and entertainment room." Verena exclaimed while pointing the rooms to me.

"Napping area?" I asked and she smiled and nodded.

"Yes, our boss values our well-being. If you have a vacant time in your schedule you can use it to nap or do whatever you want to do." She explained. Tumango na lamang ako. Kasalukuyan kaming naglilibot sa building na ito siya ang nagto-tour sa akin dito. This is my first day here and so far so good.

May kalakihan din ang building na ito ngunit hindi naman ito skyscraper. It only has seven floors but it's really wide. It also has a nice white modern interior.

Schaffner Inc.

That's the company name and it also appeared in the computer. After the tour, she showed me my desk and working area. She already gave me pieces of paperwork to encode. Halos ganito lang din daw ang gagawin ko. Mag-eencode at gumawa ng report. Paminsan daw ay natatambakan sila pero depende pa rin sa iyo kung tatambakan mo ang sarili mo.

I also introduced myself to my co-workers but I refuse to make friends with them. I've been betrayed a lot of times and I think friendships aren't really for me.

Hours passed and I just focused on typing. Nang malapit na matapos ang trabaho ay nag-iingay na rin ang buong opisina. I fixed my things and I reached for my bag from below.

"Celaine?"

I looked up and saw Verena. "Hi, do you need something?" I asked while I was standing up.

"No, I just want to invite you to go out tonight. All of our co-workers here will be joining us. It's like a tradition. We'll be having dinner together." Masayang saad niya. Nabanggit niya rin sa akin na malapit sila sa isa't isa rito at kada floor na opisina ay may iba't ibang friend groups.

"I think I'm gonna pass but thank you for inviting me." I politely declined. I'm not just in the mood to socialize with a lot of people. They seem nice and kind but we'll never know.

"That's too bad, we really want to know you more especially that you're new."

I smiled. "I appreciate it, Verena. There's always next time."

"Okay then. I hope you'll be joining us soon." Ngumiti rin siya sa akin at nagpaalam na. Verena is nice too. She's pretty and tall. She has blonde hair and grayish eyes like mine. Ilang taon na siyang nagtatrabaho rito at sabi niya sa'kin na isa iyon sa pinakamagandang desisyon na ginawa niya sa buhay niya. Tama naman nga siya siguro, halatang alagang-alaga rito ang mga empleyado.

As soon as I finished working, I fixed my desk and turned the computer off. Everyone was waving goodbye at me while I was walking outside and I did the same too. Patungo na ako ngayon sa underground parking lot para kunin ang kotse ko. The company also offers a company car for the employees to use but I decided not to get one because I already have one.

It's a Toyota sedan type of car which I bought from my neighbor. When I first got here she was selling it because her son bought her a new car. Konti lang din daw ang tumitingin sa kotse niya kasi lumang modelo na rin ito pero binili ko na kasi maayos pa naman lahat at halatang inalagaan nang maayos.

As soon as I started the engine of the car, I finally went home. Hours passed and I decided to take a bath and eat dinner outside. I was busy blowdrying my bob cut hair when I realized that my make up kit was missing.

"Naiwan ko ata sa opisina." I whispered to myself.

It was on top of my bag the last time I saw it since I applied lipstick earlier. Siguro nga nahulog iyon sa sahig. When I was done, I put my coat and heels on and walked outside. Sinilip ko sa loob ng kotse ko pero wala rin doon. Napagdesisyunan ko rin na maglakad na lang papunta roon. Ilang kilometro lang naman ang layo ng building at matagal na rin akong hindi nakakapaglakad-lakad dito.

It was already 8:30PM when I arrived at the company. 5:30 ang out namin sa opisina at wala na rin na masyadong tao rito, security and maintenance na lang. I immediately went to our office on the 6th floor and started to look for my kit. Swerte naman at nakuha ko kaagad sa ilalim ng lamesa ko. I applied a little bit of make up and went to the elevator.

"Ground floor?" A deep voice asked and I looked at the man who was in front of me.

"Y-Yes." Nauutal kong sagot. He was wearing a grey corporate suit with his shiny hair brushed up. He was also wearing glasses. Maputi ang kanyang kutis at kulay asul ang mga mata.

The elevator was so slow or maybe I'm just impatient. The silence between us was deafening. "What are you doing here in this hour?" Seryoso niyang ani.

Para naman akong tanga na tumingin sa likod ko para makasigurado na ako ang tinatanong niya. I heard him chuckle.

"I left something important so I had to get it."

"I see. Did you comeback from the dinner with your colleagues?" Tanong niya pa. The sound of his voice was very professional. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na ang gwapo niya pala. Ang tangos ng ilong, olive-shaped eyes, and pouty lips. Matangkad din siyang tao at malaki ang pangangatawan.

"No, I declined. I'm still new here." Matipid kong sagot. Napagtanto ko na matagal na pala akong tumititig sa kabuohan ng mukha niya kaya inalis ko kaagad iyon.

"You should've joined to know them better. What's your name?" He asked again. I felt my eyebrows meeting. Kaya pala walang interview kasi ito na ata iyon. At saka sino ba siya? Bakit ang rami niyang tanong?

"Celaine Anthony..."

"Silverio." Nag-aalinlangan kong dugtong.

I saw him smiled that revealed his perfectly aligned teeth. "Nice to meet you, Celaine." And he offered me his right hand.

"And you are..?" Naguguluhan kong tanong habang hinawakan ko rin ang kamay niya.

"Alexander Tellus..."

"Schaffner"