Buhos na Ulan, Aking Mundo'y Lunuring Tuluyan

CHAPTER 1 - The Bakery in Malate

—AIAH—

It was a Monday morning in June, and nagsisimula na naman ang tag-ulan. Ang hirap talaga dito sa Maynila, ang bilis magbaha. Despite the difficulties, wala namang choice kundi bumangon, kailangan ko pa pumasok sa trabaho.

I dragged myself out of bed, the air heavy with humidity and the distant rumble of thunder. I got up, looked at myself in the mirror, and gasped. "Are those wrinkles around my eyes? Oh no! Wag naman sana, Aiah! 21 pa lang ako!" I muttered to myself. My reflection showed dark circles under my eyes, a testament to countless sleepless nights. I shouldn't be surprised, though. Balancing a day job and studying as a Mass Comm student at the nearby university was bound to take its toll.

Living in the Philippines, you're either poor or mahirap ka. Oh see, walang ibang options?

I went to the bathroom to take a shower. Shower is just a fancy term for maligo using tabo at timba with no heater. The cold water sent shivers down my spine as I poured it over myself. Kailan kaya ako papalarin?

As I got out of the shower, I heard my phone ringing. I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around me. "Sino na naman kaya tong tumatawag ang aga-aga?" I thought to myself.

I walked towards my single bed with holes in it, the thin mattress barely providing any comfort. Syempre kailangan ko idescribe para mafeel niyo ang kahirapan ko. The walls of my small room were bare, save for a few posters of my favorite bands. But I am still grateful, of course!

It was Jhoanna. I swiped my screen to answer the call.

"Bakla, papasok ka?!" she shouted on the line. Walang pa-hello hello yan.

"Good morning, Jho. Saan papasok, beh? Sa work o sa school?" I replied, annoyed at this caller.

"Ay oo nga pala, working girl din ang ferson! Syempre mamaya sa school. Birthday ni Staku, manlilibre daw siya."

"Ah talaga, si Stakung kuripot manlilibre?" It was hard to believe since Staku was the one in our group who always borrowed money at the canteen. She even got posted on the freedom wall once.

"Ay oo, beh, dahil daw dalawang dekada na siya. Akala mo may naiambag sa lipunang ito," she retorted. Staku was probably choking on her own right now.

"Oo sige, papasok ako. Kita na lang tayo mamaya, malalate pa ko sa work ko. May bago daw kaming boss, baka mapag-initan pa ko," I hurriedly replied to Jho.

"Ay, yan ba yung anak ng may-ari?" tanong ni Jhoanna.

"Oo, beks, galing pa daw ng States pero kasing edad ko lang. Mag-oobserve daw."

"Sige, balitaan mo ko. Sana pogi!" May halong kilig pa si tanga.

"Di ko nga sure kung babae o lalaki e! Update kita. Bye!" I hung up the phone.

I quickly got dressed, choosing my usual uniform of a plain white blouse and black slacks. My rain-soaked hair clung to my neck as I tied it up in a messy bun. With a final glance at the mirror, I grabbed my bag and umbrella, bracing myself for another rainy commute to work.

...

I arrived at work five minutes before my shift started. Basang-basa pa ako sa ulan, ang lakas kasi. Wala rin namang plastic cover yung jeep na nasakyan ko. I work as a cashier in a bake shop here in Malate. Matagal na rin tong shop na to, generations na rin. Kilala yung cheesebread saka ensaymada nila. Marami na ring branches pero ito yung main. The factory is just behind the shop.

The moment I stepped into the shop, my supervisor, Sir Lauren, greeted me. "Ms. Arceta, saved by the bell ka yata today?"

"Sorry, Sir, maulan tas traffic pa," I said worriedly. I didn't want to cause any delays.

"Naku, ako maintindihan ko pero nandito si Boss Mikha, yung anak ni Sir," he replied.

My eyes widened. "Nandiyan na agad yung bagong boss? Akala ko sa closing pa sila pupunta!" I whispered to myself.

Just as I was about to say something, a red-haired girl appeared in the doorway.

"Good morning, Boss!" Sir Lauren greeted the red-haired girl.

My eyes followed her as she stepped fully into the shop. She was strikingly beautiful, with porcelain skin and sharp features that made her look almost ethereal. Ang haba ng red hair niya, cascading down her back in soft waves, contrasting starkly with her pale complexion. She wore a tailored black blazer and jeans, looking both casual and authoritative.

Despite her beauty, there was an air of coldness about her. Her eyes, a piercing blue, seemed to look right through me. She carried herself with an almost regal demeanor, her posture straight and her movements calculated.

What, it's a girl? Paano ba yan, Jhoanna, walang pogi.

She glanced at me briefly, her gaze lingering just long enough to make me feel self-conscious about my soaked appearance. Mukhang atribida, I thought. She hadn't even smiled since she walked in.

"Good morning," she replied curtly, her voice as cold as her demeanor. She turned her attention to Sir Lauren, discussing some operational details in a low, serious tone. I couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and irritation. She was undeniably captivating, but there was something about her that seemed... off.

I quickly moved to my station, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling. As I arranged the freshly baked cheesebread and ensaymada in the display case, I overheard snippets of their conversation.

"So, Ms. Arceta," she suddenly addressed me, making me jump a little. Her voice was now directed at me, and I looked up to find her standing closer than before. "I hope you're ready for some changes around here. We're aiming to streamline the operations."

"Yes, ma'am," I managed to reply, trying to sound confident despite feeling intimidated.

She nodded, not quite satisfied but seemingly content to let it go for now. "Good. I'll be observing closely. Don't disappoint me."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me to process the encounter. Great, just what I needed—a mysterious, cold, and beautiful new boss who looked like she wouldn't hesitate to fire anyone who crossed her.

I sighed and went back to arranging the pastries, mentally preparing myself for whatever changes Boss Mikha had in store for us.