Kabanata 5
Dipping Toes in the Water
Two days after my application, I received a call from the HR that I was hired. May parte sa akin na nagulat. I was thinking that maybe they had better choices other than me, considering I am a total stranger to their place. Masaya naman ako at natanggap sa trabaho. I don't have to worry about our daily expenses and I could still keep my savings.
Ang problema ko na lang ay kung paano ko ba maaalagaan si Lola. I can't believe I am really saying this after talking about having all the time to take care of her. Turns out, in order for us to live, I have to work. At isa pa, akala ko ay maaalagaan ko rin siya habang nagt-trabaho. Sa susunod na linggo na ako magsisimula and I need to find someone to look out for my grandmother while I work.
Kung pwede lang ding dalhin si Lola sa trabaho ay gagawin ko. Or maybe I could ask if it's possible. After all, pag-aalaga rin naman ang aking trabaho roon. But I worry Lola might not like a lot of people around her. Ayaw ko rin namang may makaaway kami dahil sa kondisyon ni Lola. She goes violent whenever she sees someone as a threat. Para bang palagi niyang iniisip na nasa panganib kaming dalawa, which is something I have never understand until now. Siguro ay sa mga napapanuod sa tv at naririnig niyang drama sa radyo. It's her only entertainment so she might have adapted it.
I asked Carla if she could do a crowd sourcing for me since I don't know much about everyone. Nag-post siya sa kaniyang social media at kung may kumagat man sa post na iyon, I'll do a thorough interview to make sure that Lola's in good care while I am away. It's funny to think that I took a social worker job while my Lola's in the care of someone I don't even know personally. Dapat nga trabaho ko iyon but we are also in desperate need of money. Ang pinag-ipunan ko ay mauubos din naman kaya kailangang may savings pa rin kami. Someday we'll move out of this place and start over somewhere. I need to be financially alert.
Pumatok din siguro ang post ni Carla dahil may agad na nag-inquire. Carla would send me screenshots of those who left her a private message. Doon pa lang, inii-screen ko na kung sino ang papaunlakan. I had a specific details about caregivers so I don't want to make any mistakes about choosing. Para kay Lola ito. Ang iniisip ko lang naman ay ang kapakanan ni Lola.
"Dagian, si Laila nga pala. Siya 'yong huli kong nakausap at na-approve mo."
"Good morning. Pasok kayo." I opened the gate for them. Ngumiti si Laila sa akin. She was in her mid 30's and a bit older than Carla.
I didn't like someone younger than 25. I don't like someone older than 45, either. Ang gusto ko ang kayang alagaan si Lola at kaya siyang bigyang-pansin. If I take someone younger, it felt like a lot of responsibility for me. If I take someone older and with other responsibilities, hindi ko rin naman alam kung matutuunang pansin ba talaga si Lola.
"My Lola's asleep upstairs. Umupo muna kayo at maghahanda ako ng inumin. Do you want something in particular?" I asked as they sat down.
"Kahit ano lang, Dagian," Carla answered.
I prepared some biscuits and orange juice. Nag-uusap naman sila tungkol sa akin. I can hear it from the kitchen since Carla's voice is a little loud. Wala naman problema sa akin dahil kinukuwento lang naman ni Carla ang paglipat ko.
"Okay lang ba na nandito ako, Dagian?" tanong ni Carla.
"Yes, it's okay. I'm only going to ask a few questions."
I started asking Laila things about her. She's a single woman, living separately from her parents. She's got a lean body and a good height. She had taken a few nanny jobs in Manila and provided papers about her previous job. She said I can call her reference if I had any doubts about her. She's got a good personality based on my observations. She's timid but also looks very caring. The only thing to observe is if she can take some orders in details. Gusto ko kasi ay iyong mabilis matandaan at maalala ang mga paalala ko.
