Can't find way out ASHA

Trying too hard

It was one of those days where I had to admit—napasobra ata ako sa effort ko para mapansin ni Jino. When a girl has a crush, she’ll do just about anything, diba? So, that morning, I set my alarm for 5 AM, convinced na kailangan ko ng extra time para magmukhang fresh from a fashion magazine. The result? Mukha akong nag-audition for a role sa isang “trying too hard” music video, complete with bouncy curls and way too much eyeliner. Girl, para akong chismosa Barbie!

Joana woke up with one eye open, "Alis ka na?! Aga mo ha!"

I grinned at her. “Of course! My future husband and boss is waiting! Babush!” I dramatically flipped my hair, exited the room like a runway model, only to walk out... at maghintay lang ng jeep. Yes, queen, glam tapos jeep, gur?! Nilakad ko pa yung  jeep papuntang gasulinahan! Himdi ako hinintay.

to walk in with a sense of purpose. Pero syempre, dahil ako ito, I tripped over my own feet and almost face-planted into the welcome mat. A classic Asha move! Pero ayos lang, I was early and had a front-row seat to Jino’s grand entrance. Watching him was like watching a movie—tall, impeccably dressed, and super focused. Ako naman, I was definitely the overenthusiastic audience member. My “popcorn”? A stack of documents that I promptly dropped, creating a mini paper explosion.

Perfect! 10/10, Asha!

For the rest of the morning, mission ko ang sumulyap kay Jino habang nasa meetings siya. It felt like being back in high school, pero instead of hiding behind a locker, I was crouching behind a potted plant. Yes, a potted plant. I figured if I positioned myself just right, baka magmukha akong part of the decor. Spoiler alert: mukha akong naglalaro ng hide-and-seek with zero stealth. Kung may award ang awkwardness, panalo na ako.

At one point, I decided to grab some water para mag-pacing kuno. As I approached the cooler, nakita ko si Jino inside the conference room through the glass walls. Mmhmm, focus on your goals, girl! I took a sip of water habang tinutukan siya. Pero of course, dahil sa kabobohan ko, nasamid ako. So now, instead of being mysterious and cute, I was a choking mess in front of the whole office. Well played, Asha. Well played.

My blouse was soaked as I awkwardly dabbed at it with a paper towel, pretending everything was normal. Kainis!

Focus, Asha, focus! Pero paano ba? Ang pogi niya! As in! Tapus every time he talks, para akong natutunaw! He smiled at someone. Ugh! Yung asawa ko talaga! Ka-flirty!

Later, I found myself inside the elevator, mentally preparing myself for another Jino sighting. My phone rang, and syempre, I answered it like it was the most urgent call of the day. Why? Para lang makasabay kay Jino, of course! He was on the phone too, so I pretended to look busy and important, holding my phone like I was taking some serious notes. In reality? Nagsusulat lang ako ng “ASHA LOVES JINO” sa notes app ko. Kayo nalang ang mahiya para saakin!

Habang inaayos ko pa ang bangs ko, I overheard Jino’s conversation. “Yes, I’m at work. Oh, she’s here? I thought she was on a shoot today. Tell her she can wait. She should know I’m too professional to leave my work just for her.”

She? My heart raced. Nako! Pakialam ko ba, professional ka, diba? Ignore her, Jino!

Lunch came, and I just had to go to his office again. Kailangan ko talaga makasabay kay Jino. Kung swertehin, kahit elevator, okay na! The elevator dinged, and as the doors opened, I was greeted by Jino. He had that look on his face—confused and amused. Ako naman, walking confidently—at muli, nabangga ako sa elevator door. Girl, why am I like this?

Jino chuckled softly, trying to hide his amusement behind a cough. I, on the other hand, was blushing like a tomato. “Hi, just—uh—delivering some—uh—documents!” I squeaked out, waving the papers like I had any idea what I was doing.

He raised an eyebrow. “Documents, huh? Hindi ko alam na kasama na sa delivery service ang… extra enthusiasm?”

I nervously laughed. “Yeah, it’s a new office trend. High-energy document delivery! By the way… here are the files you asked for earlier.”

Jino smiled. “Thanks.”

OH MY GOD. I MADE HIM SMILE.

As I retreated to the safety of my desk, I heard Kyle’s voice from behind me. “Busy ka yata today, Asha.”

I turned around to see Kyle with that annoying smirk on his face. Bakit ba ang dami mong alam, kuya?! “Oh, you know, just a normal day!” I said, trying to act natural but clearly failing.

Kyle raised an eyebrow. “Normal, huh? I think someone’s trying to impress a certai, handsome boss. Trying to impress me Asha?”

I gasped. “Ikaw naman, kuya, iba ata ang target ko. Hindi ikaw ‘yun!” I flipped my hair dramatically. Pero, wait, hinahabol? Ako ba yung hinahabol, or ako yung habol ng habol?

Kyle smirked again. “I think you’ve succeeded—just maybe not the way you planned. Mukhang na-enjoy ni Jino ang performance mo.”

I groaned and felt my face heat up again. Kainis! “I’m just trying to make a good impression! For everyone, okay?!” Asha, calm down!

Kyle chuckled. “Well, you definitely made an impression. Maybe not the one you were aiming for, pero definitely memorable.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. Kung hindi ka lang gwapo, hampas ko na sayo itong documents na ‘to! Kakairita!

Later, habang nakaupo ako sa desk ko, reflecting on all my cringe-worthy moments of the day, I couldn’t help but laugh. Okay, Asha, chill. Minsan ang pinaka-memorable na moments ay nangyayari sa pinaka-hindi mo inaasahan. And who knows? Maybe next time, less awkward comedy and more success story na! Or at least, sana next time, iwasan ko na ang glass doors, water coolers, at elevator mishaps.