His Paralegal

Chapter 1 - Economy Class

LUMINE

Congratulations is the only word I needed to see on my email to know that I was accepted to the law firm I applied to as a paralegal. I'm not surprised at all, sino ba naman ang mag-re-reject sa isang Summa Cum Laude with consistent flat uno since freshman college diba?

But honestly, my ego wouldn't admit that I was still nervous because of the fact that I just came from a state university. I heard they rather accept those who came from big universities.

Anyways, tapos na, na-accept na ako hindi ko na kailangang ma-insecure. I already proved my worth with my resume. Hopefully, by the time na mag-a-apply na ako sa law school ma-impress din sila. Biglang tumunog ang timer— 5 minutes is up, tapos na ang celebration. Binalik ko ulit sa tamang wisyo ang utak ko para makapag-empake na ako. But my phone rang as I pack my clothes— it's Mom.

"Hindi mo naman kailangan magtrabaho sa Manila pwede ka naman na pumunta dito e." Nakikita ko ang magandang background ni Mama habang nag-vi-video call kami.

I haven't seen Mom since I was 12 and now I'm 21. Being an OFW is tough, I know she wants to see me so badly but I can't leave without settling what needs to be settled in the other side of my family.

I could've just leave already but I have my other reasons beside wanting to save up money before I go there. "Hindi pa alam ni Papa na aalis ako kaya bibisitahin ko sila Lola sa Bulacan."

"Sabi na nga ba." She sighed. "Ang tanong, papayag ba siya?"

I gulped and kept a straight face as I finally finish packing. "Hindi ko itatanong kung papayag ba siya, gusto ko lang makita si Lola bago ako umalis ng tuluyan."

Wala dito ang pangarap ko, matagal ko nang natanggap na dapat maging praktikal ako sa buhay. It's so ironic how I used to be optimistic in life, wanting to stay in the Philippines and be a lawyer here. But seeing my friends go to abroad to have a better life makes me realize that I'm the only left. If it wasn't for my Lola I would leave right away.

After that, I would never look back... ever.

"Well... as you say so. Have a safe flight, Anak."

Before I knew it, I found myself at Cebu Pacific Airlines already in the airplane sitting beside the window. Ilang oras lang naman ang byahe mula Cebu hanggang Manila. After that, I still have to find the apartment complex I rented. Tinignan ko ang listahan ko sa aking planner.

Get in the airplaine. Check.

Find apartment complex.

Visit Lola's house—

Naisip ko din naman na tumira muna kila Lola kaso— wag na, andun si Papa. Kahit anong mangyari, kahit piso nalang ang matira sa bulsa ko, I'd rather live on the streets than live in that house again. Besides, it's far anyways kahit pa gawa na ang train station sa Bulacan malayo parin. Right! Don't think twice Lumine 'yung pride ko ang mawawala.

Nagdagdag pa ako sa mga to-do-list ko ngunit bigla akong may narinig mula sa cellphone ng katabi ko sa eroplano.

"Goodafternoon, I would like to formally introduce myself. I'm Luminescence Seridan, I'm 21 years old and I graduated from—" Wait, what? Bigla akong napatingin sa pinapanuod ng katabi ko. That's my job interview, what the hell?!