Trapped in a Maze of Life

Chapter One

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you so much for your support!

-----

"Wait!"

Mabibilis na takbo ang ginawa ko upang makarating sa elevator. Pinindot ko ang up button at mabuti na lamang at bumukas muli ito. I'm running late! Lintek na jeepney driver 'yon, ang daming stop over tapos nakuha pang mag pa gas!

"Salamat." hinihingal na tugon ko sa taong inabutan ko sa loob. Magkasalubong ang mga kilay nito na tumango. Napakunot ang noo ko nang makita ang lalaking kasabay ko. He looks familiar. Saan ko nga ba nakita 'to?

I quickly dismissed the thought. Well, normal lang naman na maging familiar ito since nasa iisang workplace lang naman kami. Bumukas ang elevator and I made my way to the floor where my office is located. Mabuti at umabot ako sa oras.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago umupo sa harap ng aking computer. Here we go again, mag ta-trabaho nanaman...

I work in a call center for one of the largest service providers in town, ang Turbo Networks Consultancy Inc. I've been working for this company for almost three years so hindi naman siguro masama kung paminsan-minsan ay makaramdam ako ng pagsasawa. I sometimes thought of looking for another job na hindi toxic. But then I realized that I should be grateful for having a steady job and a source of income. Also, wala naming trabahong madali. Mabuti nalang, I've been assigned a different task, which is to respond only to emails and chats rather than taking calls. That's easier. Well, for me.

"Hi, sis. Good morning!" my friend, Linda, greeted me as she approached her seat beside me.

"Good morning, sis. You're late. Anong nangyari?" tanong ko.

Umupo ito at nag-umpisang kalikutin ang kanyang computer. "Naflat-an kasi ako kanina. Dinaanan ko yung pamangkin ko, sabay kaming bumiyahe papasok sa work dahil ipina-car wash pa ang sasakyan niya. Ayun, puro bubog sa may daan nila, na-stress tuloy ako."

"Ohh, first day nga pala ng pamangkin mo ngayon 'no?" I recall Linda mentioning before that her nephew will be joining our company's Cybersecurity division as a new Head.

"Yep. First day niya kaya medyo kabado pero I know he can do it."

Tumangu-tango ako. "Syempre naman, lahat tayo dadaan diyan so laban lang." pabiro kong sinabi.

"True, pakilala ko siya sainyo pag may time, ah?"

"Sure!"