Drifting with the Waves (Elyu Series #1)

Chapter 44

"This... is not what I expected."

Matagal na tinitigan ng EIC namin ang resignation letter sa harapan niya bago siya nag-angat ng tingin.

"Are you sure about this, Sereia?"

Tumango ako nang walang pag-aalinlangan. Matagal ko na 'tong gustong gawin, at pagkatapos ng lahat ng nangyari, ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng lakas na loob para simulan ang gusto ko.

She cleared her throat, trying to compose herself.

"What about the HQ? Did you file your resignation, too?"

Tumango ako. "Nakapag-file na po ako sa Manhattan office. The HR is currently processing my resignation. They said I have to render at least 60 days here to find a replacement..."

"But we could never find someone to replace you..."

I smiled politely at her. When I made the decision last month, I was determined not to be swayed by anything. I arranged my affairs so I could make the next two years as fulfilling as I can. Dahil pareho nang malaki ang mga kapatid ko, nakapag-ipon ako nang husto sa mga panahong nagtatrabaho ako. Wala naman din akong ibang pinaggagastusan kundi ang sarili ko, tapos nagbibigay pa minsan si Mama sa akin.

"What exactly are you trying to do? You resigned from both companies."

Nagkamot ako sa batok, nagdadalawang-isip kung sasabihin ko ba talaga sa kaniya o hindi na.

"Magsusulat po ako."

"Your job here is to write." Naguguluhan niyang wika sa akin.

"Magsusulat po ako ng libro." Pagkaklaro ko sa kaniya.

She looked at me, puzzled. "What? Like a novelist?" she laughed, as if the idea is absurd. "You've been in this industry for so long, Sereia. You know how it works. If you're not famous, you're not going to land a single publishing contract with any of the publishing companies here in the Philippines. Why not build your name here in Social Synergy and work on your book during your free time? That seems rational to me..."

Nginitian ko ulit ang EIC namin. I know it sounds absurd, leaving a perfectly stable job so I could get a part-time job that allows me to work at home and write the book. That was the plan all along. Ilang taon ang ginugol kong pagsasakripisyo para sa ibang tao kaya ibibigay ko ang dalawang taon na ito para sa sarili ko... at para sa totoo kong pangarap.

"What is the book about, anyway?" she pursed her lips and tried to be understanding even though I might as well smack my head against the wall for this bad decision I'm making.

"Tungkol sa mga kaibigan ko... at sa La Union. Elyu Series." Tipid kong wika sa kaniya.

She gave me a pitiful look. "A book series, huh? Do you even have experience in writing a novel? It's not easy. I'm telling you this because I have a pipe dream like that, too. When I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming this famous authoress but after my manuscripts have been rejected numerous times, I figured I should just use my writing skills for gossips and controversies. Look where I am right now."

I swallowed. Hard. I know she's going to give me a lecture and try to prevent me from pushing through my resignation but I've really made up my mind. Napapagod na akong hindi pakinggan ang sarili ko.

"Ayos lang po sa akin kung hindi ma-publish ang libro. Gusto ko lang talagang magsulat."

She took a deep breath and finally nodded. Kinuha niya ang resignation letter ko at binasa.

"Alright, then. We'll try to find someone to replace you. You don't need to complete the 60 days. Just give us two weeks."

I beamed at her. "Salamat po!"