Light Up The Spark

Chapter 1

Outcast

"Congratulations Ms. Alizah for passing the first round of interview." Ms. Quezon enthusiastically told me.

I gave her a big smile, tuwang tuwa na nakapasa ako.

"I must say, your credentials are impressive. You have a high chance of getting hired by Nexus. Galingan mo lang sa interview mo with your soon-to-be boss then I'm sure you'll get hired." She continued.

Mas lalo lang akong ngumiti, feeling proud and confident because of her comment. "I will, Miss."

"Your next interview will be at the office of Nexus. I will give you all the details you need before you leave. And don't worry, direct hire ito ng Nexus so you don't have anything to worry about kapag na-hire ka."

After giving me more reminders and congratulating me, nagpasalamat na din ako at umalis na doon.

Akala ko sa Nexus agad ang interview ko pero dito muna pala, probably one of the outsourced services Nexus availed for finding applicants.

Sinabi din ni Ms. Quezon na pwede na akong mag-start sa pag-gather ng requirements ko. I have a high chance of getting hired by Nexus anyway, at kung hindi man, I could still use the requirements for the next company that will hire me.

I prefer the first option, which is getting hired by Nexus. My mind is already set that I will be working there, and I will see my crush again.

Listahan ng requirement ng Nexus ang ibinigay niya sa akin, not any other company. I guess she was that sure that I will be hired by Nexus.

Ang sabi ni Ms. Quezon ay dahil sa ibang bansa daw ako nag-college, kakailanganin sakin na kasama ang high school diploma sa requirements.

The only problem is I don't have a copy anymore dahil ipinasa iyon sa college dati and the next thing to do is to go to my alma mater - which I'm very much hesitant about.

I stood outside our car for a long time, contemplating if I should go now or ipagpaliban ko muna?

Sa huli, pumasok nalang ako sa kotse at sinabi sa driver na ihatid ako sa dating high school.

I want to get this done fast para wala na akong ibang iisipin at makakapag-focus ako sa susunod kong interview.

Mabilis lang ang naging byahe at sa daan palang ay ginagapangan na ako ng kaba. I just didn't have the best high school experience. And to know na baka may makasalubong ako na dating teacher o di kaya classmate na doon na nagtratrabaho scares me.

I gathered my courage to go in when we arrived. Nakayuko lang ako at mabilis ang lakad patungo sa registrar.

Wala naman akong nakasalubong na kakilala, I guess I was just being paranoid.

I requested for an original copy of my diploma at the registrar. Pagkatapos kong mag-fill out ng form, pinapunta ako sa cashier para magbayad.

The queue of the students at the cashier is quite long kaya kinailangan ko pang pumila.

My nerves are calmer now that I don't see any familiar faces pero dahil nandito na ako sa loob ng building, hindi ko mapigilang mag-reminisce ng mga masasamang alaala.

"Mommy, please. I want to transfer school." I was crying and begging my parents to transfer me to another school.

Our whole family started school at Alvyno High. Nursery palang ay nandoon na ako, most of my classmates too kaya pare-parehas ang nakakasama ko until I reached high school.

It was the people that I hated the most. Well, sila din ayaw sa akin so I guess the feeling was mutual.

"Anak, we have already talked about this right? It's not safe to transfer to other schools right now." My mom answered me.