FUBU

dieceocho

"Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect, he ceases to love."

At 7 AM, I managed to get up of bed and face my team mates. 

The moment I got into the table for breakfast, everybody was clapping their hands like I was the winner of some lottery. 

But I know what they are clapping about. 

I sat beside Joanne who was smiling the moment she saw me. 

Beside her was a plate that's already full of food. I took the liberty of sitting down beside her. 

She beamed a smile at me to which I responded with a slight grin. Across her was of course Sari. Na tila ba, sinasadya nitong sa tapat namin mismo maupo. 

"San ka nga pala natulog kagabi?" Joanne whispered to me just as we were already starting to eat. 

"I slept in Jeremiah's room. Tumakas na ako pagkatapos ng seven minutes na yun. Medyo nahilo na kasi ako kagabi."

"Ahh." she nodded slowly, "kaya pala wala ka sa room ng mga boys nung sumilip ako kagabi."

"Oo eh. Sorry di na kita nasabihan."

"It's okay. I got tipsy as well last night kaya maaga akong natulog."

"I see. Are you feeling okay now?"

"Yes. I'm okay. Kain ka na."

Tuloy-tuloy na kami ng kainan at nagkakabatuhan ng kwentuhan maya't-maya tungkol sa mga nangyari ng nagdaang gabi. 

Somehow, people didn't seem to be too bothered that Sari and I were just gone last night. After breakfast, we were on the beach for the games that once again, Melai prepared for everyone. 

I've heard that team buildings in the BPO industry is usually really fun. 

But to me, its more interesting knowing that Sari is just right there. 

Buong araw namin ay halos binuhos sa team building activities, kainan at paliligo sa beach.

It was a satisfying day and all I could do was be thankful that somehow, I get to experience this industry. 

Around afternoon, we were all separated while the team assigned for dinner was already cooking something up. 

I was sitting down on the sands when Joanne came and sat beside me. 

"Hey loner." she patted on the sand beside me and sat.

"Hi."

"You look lonely here. Baka sabihin nila pinapabayaan kita."

I smirked at her. Sometimes, her presence is a breath of fresh air. 

"I'm just thinking about how beautiful this beach is. I don't get this much abroad."

"Ganyan ang gandang Pinas."

Then a quick silence filled both of us. 

In a few minutes, she turned to me and faced me. 

"I have something that I'd like to ask you and I only want you to be honest with me. Is that okay?"

A sudden burst of guilt started to fill me. I faced her and ,looked at her with the same seriousness she has. 

"Last night, where were you really?"

Somehow, I wanted to keep the lie going for I don't really know how she's going to react of I ever tell her the truth.