Let Her

Prologue

Guys, good news! You may start dialing on Monday and our client releases your commission too. Next week is a blessed week for our team! So prepare yourself everyone, and have a rest day.

A message from our Team leader in our group chat. Finally! After being a no-work no-pay employee for like a week, this news brightens my day.

I am working as a customer service representative also known as a Call center agent. I've been working as an agent for almost two years now and I'm already twenty. I feel like I'm chasing time. I don't know why! Or maybe because I'm left behind already. I should be in school right now and studying, focusing on my studies but look at me now. I'm working hard for what?

"Kanusa ka mo balhin? Para maka-prepare ko'g letchon ba inig hawa nimo." Catherine said. Means that When are you moving? So that I can prepare a letchon when you leave. She's my dorm mate

"Ambot sad gani, nangita pa 'kog bag-o nga boarding house nga doul ra didto sa university." I don't know either, I'm still finding a boarding house that is near the university. I replied to her. I'm living here in Davao for almost two years. Catherine was my only friend here and she was born here so it's lucky for me to have a friend who's living here in Davao. I was born in Manila but I decided to move here for good.

Medyo nahirapan ako noong unang punta ko dito sa Davao. Syempre! I don't know their dialect and It's so hard for me! They call me now 'conyo girl' since I always mixed bisaya and Tagalog. But since all of them can speak Tagalog naman, so they talk to me in Tagalog. That's why I easily cope with the environment since most of them are friendly.

"So kumusta naman 'yong pag apply mo ng scholarship? Payts na? Feel ko makapasa  ka ana kasi matalino ka man gud." I smiled because of how the way she talks! Nahahawa na siya sa akin sa pagiging conyo. "O bakit ka nag laugh?" pahabol pa niya.

"I don't know, I hope they will reach out agad kay medyo nakaipon na ako ng pang tuition." I told her. Well yeah, it's true. I have savings for this academic year but I need more money to provide other educational things. I do have a laptop but medyo laggy na siya kaya naman gusto ko bumili ng bago. Pero hindi 'yon kasali sa budget ko. So sana makapasa ako sa scholarship para naman mabawasan gastusin. Napaisip tuloy ako isa ibang tao na may pamilya and walang sapat na budget for their everyday. That must be so hard for them. Ako nga na walang binubuhay kundi iyong sarili ko ay nahihirapan na, how much more sakanila?

"Mata na dai alas dose na's udto." Nagising ako sa boses ni Catherine at dahil na din mainit! Sino nag off ng electric fan?  Magrereklamo na sa ako kay Catherine dahil naliligo na ako ng pawis kaso nakita ko siyang nakabihis nang maayos at kagagaling lang ng ligo dahil medyo basa pa ang buhok nito. Bigla akong napatingin sa relo at-- oh shit! alas dose na nga.

"Bakit ngayon mo lang ako ginsing Cath? Alam mo naman na may sinusundan ako na schedule. Diba sinabihan na kita kagabi pa, na you should wake me up around 6 in the morning para hindi ma-reset 'yong body clock ko?" medyo napalakas 'yong boses ko at nakita ko ang pagkagulat sa mukha ni Catherine.

"Wait lang ha, pero ha unsa kuno? bakit parang kasalanan ko pa na hindi kita ginising? Galit ka ba Denver?" naguguluhang tanong ni Catherine sa akin. Pinakalma ko muna ang sarili ko at kinuha ang tumbler na katabi ko lang naman. Uminon ako ng tubig at tumayo since nakaupo lang ako sa bed kanina.  I look at her and I felt embarrassed. Oh no, what did I do?

"Uh- sorry kasi ano. Cath please uhm. Let me explain! I'm sorry it's just that--" sumenyas siya na tumigil ako sa pagsasalita. Tinitigan niya pa ako at parang hindi talaga siya makapaniwala sa pagsagot ko sa kaniya kanina. Bumuntong hininga muna siya bago nagsalita.

"Look Denver, I know you're upset and you have a goal lifestyle. I understand that! Pero huwag naman sanang dumating sa punto na magalit ka sa akin. I tried to wake you up earlier pero hindi ka nagising." sabi niya at napahiya ako. I hate my temper! Napakaikli. Malala na talaga anger issues ko.