To Believe Again (Dream Series #2)

Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Fighters
Zanashi

"Miss San Jose, can you request a copy of the detailed budget report last September? Also, I have a concern on the financial statements prepared by the Accounting Division, so please call a representative from them."

"Only for the month of September, Ma'am? What about the budget report for the whole third quarter po?"

"We will request it some other time. Maybe next week. Just give them a heads up."

"Noted, Ma'am!"

I quickly separated the properly compiled papers from those I haven't checked yet. I placed a steel ruler on top of the papers to prevent it from flying before I rushed out of the office.

A young audit officer was already standing at the hall station. She was a recent passer of the Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountant or LECPA. Pumasa siya noong May at nagsimulang magtrabaho sa KXI Company nitong September lang.

I greeted her courteously and she smiled to recognize my presence. I pressed the up button and stood beside her to wait for the elevator.

"Got some errands to run?" she asked to fill the silence.

"Yes po, Ma'am. My supervisor asked me to request something at the Budget Division."

"I can see you are doing really well."

"I am glad to hear that, Ma'am."

"How are you doing as an intern and student at the same time? I hope your schedule is not that hectic."

"Hindi naman po masyado. Mabuti na lang po at hindi pa audit season."

First quarter of the calendar year is usually the audit season, and during that time, our internship has already ended. Mabuti na lang talaga at first semester ang internship namin, unlike sa ibang school na second semester pa.

"I heard you will be having your comprehensive exam on the 22nd?"

"Argh.." I grunted unconsciously. Nagulat ako sa sarili at agad tinakpan ang bibig. Natawa naman siya at pumasok na sa kakabukas lang na elevator. "Unfortunately, yes po. What floor, Ma'am?" saad ko nang makapasok.

"Ground floor, please."

I pressed the ground floor before the 3rd floor button. Nang bumukas ang lift sa 3rd floor ay nakangiti akong nagpaalam sa kanya. The office of the Budget and Accounting Division are located on the same floor. Kaya naman, mabilis kong natapos ang gawain.

Bago bumalik sa 5th floor ay nakasalubong ko pa si Jescelyn. She looked a bit scared but overall, she was still composed.

"Anong nangyari sayo?"

"Hindi maganda ang timpla ng Budget Officers namin. LQ na naman siguro sila ng Accounting Division."

Natawa ako at tinapik siya sa balikat. "Fingers crossed. Complicated naman ng relationship ninyo with your sister division."

"Relationshit kamo. And what? Sister division? Kita mong araw-araw na lang silang nagpapatayan ng tingin."

Contrary to popular belief, Budget and Accounting Division are not really working harmoniously with each other. Well.. process-wise, definitely, but relationship-wise, apparently no. The need to compete is always there. Tuwing committee hearing, laging may tension. Hindi ko alam kung sa KXI Company lang ba nangyayari ito, o sa lahat ng private firms, o maging sa ibang sectors.

Sa Budget Division nalagay si Jescelyn, samantalang sa Internal Audit naman ako. Mabuti na lang at mabait ang supervisor ko, hindi tulad ng supervisor niya na laging naninigaw. Tuloy ay laging pagod si Jescelyn pag-uwi sa aming apartment.