Taste of Sanity (Seven Deadly Sinners #4)

Chapter 40

POLARIS

"MAG-A-APPLY AKO ng work, Kuya. Do you have any recommen---"

"To Sullivan Empire." Agad na putol ni kuya Tobi sa sinasabi ko at ngumiti nang matamis sa harapan ko bago ilapag ang binili niyang marshmallow. "I heard that they are currently hiring." Suggestion niya kaya napaisip ako.

Kinuha ko ang marshmallow at kinain. I suddenly felt anxious because it is my first time applying in the field of my degree. I recently passed the board exam, and I'm honestly happy as it is a big achievement for me. Kailan lang din naman ako nakauwi ng Pilipinas.

"Ayoko ro'n." Pagtanggi ko at humalukipkip nang matapos mag-isip. "People there are feisty."

"They offer high salary, Polaris." Humalukipkip din si Kuya Tobi kaya napaisip ako lalo at tinuloy ang pagkain.

The marshmallow tastes fine, and it brought back a nostalgia into my system. Has it always been my favorite comfort food? Lagi kasing binibili sa akin ni kuya kaya kinakain ko na lang din. It helps me calm down.

I recently passed the board exam, and I am officially a Certified Public Accountant. Nakakuha na ako ng lisensya, at trabaho na lang ang kulang. Maraming company ang nag-ooffer ng job sa akin, pero hindi ko tinatanggap dahil mababa ang offer nilang salary. Ang balak ko ay sa US based company mag-apply, or kahit sa iba.

I didn't study so hard abroad for the past four years for that kind of salary. It would be unfair for myself. And besides, I am to be successful. I'm not going to settle for what I didn't deserve.

It's been five years since I miraculously woke up from a three-year comatose. Sobrang hirap ng therapy at treatment nang magising ako, kaya inabot ng mahigit isang taon bago ako nakarecover. It is never easy, especially that I have none but kuya Tobi. Halos siya ang nag-alaga sa akin sa mga nakalipas na taon. He said, he's friends with my mother.

And, I am grateful to him. He's patient and cheerful. Kaso, hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nag-aasawa kaya ako ang madalas na kinukulit. I've been pushing him to get married, but he doesn't want to, because he wants me to be happy first.

The treatment was beyond unbearable. I remembered the time when I cannot literally move my own body. I cannot eat on my own. I'm glad that it's not permanent. Matiyaga lang talaga si kuya.

"Look." Binigay sa akin ni kuya cell phone niya at pinakita ang isang poster ng company na sinasabi niya, at nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ang offer.

Natigil ako sa kinakain ko. "Seryoso ba 'to? Hundred fifty thousand? Kahit wala pang experience?" Ang nakita ko lang kasi na qualification ay board passer.

"Oo." Ngumiti si kuya pero parang nakakaloko. It is a smile that is deceiving. Hindi kaya scam 'to? "Mag-apply ka na ngayon. You'll certainly get hired. You qualify, Polaris." He urged me and he looks like he's more excited than I am.

"Hindi ba 'to scam? Baka may ibang ginagawa pala d'yan." Paghihinala ko pero umiling lang siya at inalalayan akong tumayo.

I need to have a regular exercise and check up with my doctors. Marami sila, at may kan'ya-kan'yang specialization. They need to monitor my health.

"No, no. Tara na. Nakahanda naman resume mo, 'di ba?" Tumango ako at hindi na siya nagsalita. Agad niya akong hinatak para ipag-drive!

Sullivan. Sullivan Empire. Paulit-ulit kong binanggit sa isipan ko ang apilyedo dahil pakiramdam ko ay pamilyar iyon. Why does it sound so familiar? I mean, it is a famous successful company, but it feels like I've heard it somewhere before.