Beautiful Escape

wait

"So, Ms. Maraguinot, how can your skills contribute to the betterment of this company?"

"My past job experience taught me to be well-oriented with the different aspects of this industry. I am well-rounded, I can easily adapt to change, I am willing to learn new things, and I'm passion-driven. Any form of art excites me but photography is my passion and I believe that it's the most important trait that you got to have when you work. Passion." I may sound confident but Lord, kinakabahan talaga ako. I wanted this job ever since I graduated.

Nagka-opening sila last week so I immediately passed a resignation letter to my former boss and here I am - praying to the universe na makuha ko 'to.

Tinitingnan ng interviewer ko yung portfolio ko.

Ano ba naman, bes? Kanina mo pa yan tinitingnan. Yung minuto parang nagiging isang oras sa sobrang kaba ko. Bes, ano na? Ano na, bes? Di ko namalayan na kanina pa pala ako nakatitig sa mesa ng interviewer ko.

"Well..."

"Ay, palaka!!!"

"Did I startle you, Ms. Maraguinot?" Nakangiting tanong ng interviewer.

"I'm sorry, bes. Ay! Sir. I'm sorry, Sir. Medyo kinakabahan lang po talaga ako. Yes, Sir, You may continue." Ano ba naman, Jhoana. Don't mess this up!

Tumayo yung interviewer ko kaya napatayo na rin ako.

"I guess, I will see you Monday, next week?" He offered his hand for a handshake.

Nanlaki yung mata ko. (Kahit alam ko namang malaki na talaga to.) Wait. Does this mean?

"Uhh. I just want to make this clear. Tanggap na po ba ako?"

"Yes. Ms. Maraguinot. Welcome to Silver Lens Media!" Inabot niya yung kamay niya kaya nakipag handshake na rin ako.

"Oh my, Thank you for the trust, Sir. Rest assured, I will do my best po to make this company better."

"Good to hear. See you next week!"

"Thank you again, Sir. See you!"

Ang sarap sumigaw!!! Ang sarap tumalon at tumambling pero relaaax. Breathe in, breathe out.

Pag labas ko ng office, sinalubong ako ng mga bagong officemates ko ng ngiti at 'welcoming' messages.

"Welcome to Silver Lens Media, Jhoana! Mag eenjoy ka rito for sure!"

"See you next week, new officemate!"

"See you!" Medyo awkward yung pag pansin ko kasi di ko pa sila ganon ka kilala. Ngumiti na rin ako at dumirecho na pababa ng parking lot.

Sumakay ako ng sasakyan at pagkasarado ko ng pinto, sumigaw ako ng malala at pinalo-palo ko yung steering wheel.

"WOOOHHHH!!! THANK YOU LORRRRRD!!! I DID IT!!! I GOT  THE JOOOB!!!"

I just can't believe it! This is my dream job. And now, magiging trabaho ko na - for real!

Pinaandar ko na yung sasakyan at umatras. I don't know what happened pero nung palabas na ako ng parking spot, biglang may sumuntok ng compartment ko. Napa brake ako bigla at natigilan.

I was scared for a minute kaya di ko alam anong gagawin ko. Hinintay ko na umikot yung tao papunta sa bintana ko. Pumikit ako at di ko inalis yung kamay ko sa steering wheel.

*knock knock*

Naku po.

Mas lumakas yung katok.

"Hey! Excuse me?! Are you blind?? Di mo ba ako nakita??"

Dahan-dahan kong binukas yung mata ko at nilingon yung tao sa labas.

I flashed my signature 'Jho Maraguinot' smile and slowly pressed the window button.

"Hi. Uhmm. I'm really sorry. I admit di talaga ako nakatingin sa likod. Masyado lang talaga akong overwhelmed ngayon. Pasensya talaga ha. May masakit ba sa'yo? Pwede kitang samahan sa clinic."

Pinatay ko yung makina at lumabas ng sasakyan.

Parang nahimasmasan naman siya. Pero tiningnan niya ako head to toe.

"I'm really sorry. I'm Jhoana. I just got hired."

Matipid na sabi ko. Ano ba. Ba't biglang bumawi naman yung mga pangayayari.

"Bagong hire ka nga. Obvious. Newly-licensed driver ka rin ba? Ugh."

Mabilis na naglakad yung babae papasok ulit ng building. Sinundan ko siya at napabilis din ang lakad ko.

"Uy! Miss! Wait lang! Sorry na nga!"

Tumigil yung babae at nilingon ako.

"Look, if you're really sorry. Pabayaan mo na ako. Kaya ko naman pumunta ng clinic mag-isa. Also, please tumingin ka naman sa rearview mirror mo pag aatras ka ng wala ka ng mabangga pa. Bye."

"Okay. Okay. Okay. I'm sorry talaga. Dito ka ba nagtatrabaho? If yes, can I please at least give you snacks or libre kitang lunch."

"Lunch would be nice. Monday."

Sus gutom lang pala si bes. Kaya masungit.

"Deal. Monday."

Umirap ako at tumalikod na.

Bigla kong naalala.

Tungak! Paano ko siya ililibre eh I don't know her.

"Wait! Miss. Anong pangalan mo?"

Lumingon din siya sakin.

"Tina."