Reek of Rebellion

The Beginning

#RORTheBeginning

Booze

I took my hard hat off as I wiped my sweats around my neck. I just finished visiting the site when our Project Manager asked for an emergency meeting. Umirap ako habang umiinom ng tubig. Isang katok mula sa pinto ng container van ay pumasok ang aming document controller. Napangisi ako. Napag-utusan na naman ang aming nakakaawang docs con. 

"Engineer, pinapatawag na po kayo ni PM. Kanina pa po kayo hinihintay."

I faced her, still drinking on my tumbler. "Papunta na ako. Umiinom lang ako."

I saw how her face remained scared. She licked her lips then breathed out. "Hintayin ko na po kayo. Pasensya na po, ako 'yung pinapagalitan."

Napailing ako at naawa. Gusto ko pa sana magpahinga saglit pero dahil ayoko namang mapaglitan siya, lumabas na ako ng con van at nagpunta na ng office sa kabilang building lamang. 

"Kanina pa kita pinapatawag kay Nora, ah. Alam mo bang kanina pa kami rito?!" The midget shouted as soon as I opened the door of the conference room. I watched how his eyes widened, his whole body tensed only that his head and shoulders remained undivided. Still, wala pa rin leeg. 

"Sorry, PM, nag-site po ako."

"I've been calling you for so many times! Talaga bang wala kang pakialam sa oras?" I wanted to burst out of anger but I stopped myself. Everyone in the conference room remained silent. He heaved a deep sigh, trying to calm himself. "Kailan mabubuhusan 'yung basement 4?" 

"Give me at least two days, Sir. Hindi po talaga kaya. Mamaya pa lang parating 'yung bakal."

"Nahihibang ka na ba?! Tang ina naman! Ngayon ang due date natin para sa pagbuhos ng basement 4! Na-adjust na nga 'yun, pinagbigyan na tayo tapos sasabihin mo sa akin na dalawang araw pa?"

"Hindi nakapasa sa inspector 'yung rebar. Pinababaklas 'yung dalawang column na tatamaan ng buhos. I already talked to Simon about it. Nagkamali ang subcon at hindi nagkaintindihan."

"You only had one fucking job, Quinn! You are the fucking Project-In-Charge! Anong nagkamali? Hindi ba't lagi kang nasa site? Bakit hindi mo nakita?"

I almost groaned. Nagtama ang tingin namin ni Simon, ang Rebar Engineer, na tila namumula na sa takot. He's been working with us for almost a month now. Alam kong nangangapa pa ito sa trabaho at naiintindihan ko kung marami pa ang pagkakamali. After all, doon naman siya matututo. 

"Sir—"

I cut Simon off by shaking my head. I knew what he was going to say. It was his fault, alright. Pero wala nang magagawa 'yun kung sisisihin pa niya ang sarili niya. I am the PIC. It was my fault because I failed to verify that the cutting list he gave to the subcon wasn't the correct one. 

"Ano na naman sasabihin sa atin? Palpak na naman? Tang ina, ayusin niyo 'yung trabaho niyo! Hindi pupwedeng hindi kayo susunod sa schedule."

For someone who always makes commitment without even knowing what was the condition on site, galit na galit ako. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit siya ang naging Project Manager. Ni hindi nga magawang bumisita sa site kaya pagdating sa meeting sa client ay walang masabi. 

I remained silent and just let him throw all the insults and curses he has given me. Sanay na ako, lagi naman siyang gan'yan at sa amin pinapasa lahat ng kamalian. That's the sad truth about construction—marumi at laglagan. 

Everyone went out after the meeting but Simon remained. He seemed so apologetic while looking at me. His hands were shaking in fear when he come near me.