FUBU

treinta y tres

I stood in front of this building in the middle of the metro. Yesterday, I got a call from the company that I was applying for. Today, I am in front of their building. For the first time again in my life, I am getting into interviews. 

I am starting over again. 

Kelan ba ako huling na-interview? Or kaya nag-apply?

Realistically, right now I don't really need it. 

But I also can't spend money without feeling guilty. 

So I'll keep earning and building more. 

I wore a jumpsuit today, the worst thing that a woman could actually wear. 

Can you imagine how we pee in this? 

But these interviews usually require for you to wear the part. To convey a great perception to people. They always say, this is an industry where perception management is a huge deal. 

I get accompanied into the a conference room where the seats has been disarranged. I sat in an office chair that was facing what seemed to be a panel. 

There were about three seats across me. 

After five minutes of me arriving, the door opened. 

For a start up company, they surely have a good space and good interior design. I stood up, hoping to welcome the three interviewers. 

But the moment I turned around, an unexpected face welcomed me. 

He wasn't even looking at me. He was looking at the folders in his hand while religiously listening to the woman he was walking with. 

My heart seemed to have skipped a beat. 

After about a year, here he is. In front of me. 

I gulped, trying to get rid of an imaginary lump in my throat. 

Tila nagulong muli ang mundong pilit kong inaayos ng iilang buwan. 

Austin Dela Cerna. 

But like what any sane woman would do, I smiled. 

Despite all the questions that I have at the back of my mind. 

Then slowly, his eyes looked up. He had a poker face on. It was as if he has never met me.

"Good Morning! Sarika Montebon right?" the woman he was talking to a while ago held her hand in front of me. 

"Good Morning!" I beamed as I took her hands and shake it.

I did the same to the other man they were with. 

And then, in all my awareness, I slowly turned to him and shook his hand. 

I know I lingered for a while. Something I knew I shouldn't have done. Because I suffered electricity volts that went right through my spine. 

He smirked, in an arrogant way. 

But I had to steady myself. I have to get through this entire interview without getting affected. 

What I don't understand though, why is he here? Isn't he supposed to be somewhere outside of the country?

I sat back down on the chair that's reserved for me. 

I clutched my bag, sending all the tension I feel to it. 

"Well, how do you want us to call you?" the woman continued to ask.

"Sari. Just call me Sari."

"Awesome. Well, I am Stella, one of the Operations Manager, we're basically filling out the company right now with the right people. Today I am with Crawford here." the man she points to is a half-American, half- Australian individual.