Lost in Love

(32)

"Mia, can you help me with these print outs, please?" my boss asked me as she approached me with piles of papers.

I hurriedly came to her and helped her bring some of the papers and walked inside my aquarium.

"Ang dami naman nito boss?" tanong ko sa kanya habang nilalapag ko sa table yung mga papel na hawak ko.

"Hay nako, Mia. I feel pity for you." sabi niya habang pabagsak na nilagay yung santambak na papel na hawak din niya.

"Ha? Bakit naman?" as I sat down and scanned through the papers. "Ano ba 'tong mga 'to?"

"Quality Assurance papers yan. You have to review it one by one and ieencode mo sa new PC set mo. This is also a part of your training para masanay ka din dun sa system since wala ka pang idea kung pano yun gamitin."

"Oh.. Talaga? Kung alam ko lang hindi na pala sana ako nagpapromote." I jokingly told my boss. Apparently, she didn't find it funny. "Kidding" and I continued scanning the papers na hawak ko.

"Oh, Mia.. As much as I wanted to laugh at your jokes now, hindi ko ata kaya. Ang daming pending sa akin ngayon kung alam mo lang dahil sa biglaang pagreresign ng Account Manager natin. Ngayon hindi ko alam kung anong sisimulan ko." Bigla siyang naupo na akala mo pagod na pagod na sa buhay niya at gusto nang sumuko.

"Ayaw mo nun? You'll climbed up the ladder. Mapopromote ka na din."

"Hindi ganung kadali ang process dito noh." Then she held my hand. "But I'm thankful pinagbigyan mo kami. Kahit papano naman blessing in disguise sayo since you've been promoted."

"What more can I say, boss? Kayo pa. Malakas kayo sakin." And I gave her a reassuring smile.

"But this is just the beginning for you. Remember, you've got 6 months to get confirmed sa post mo. Understood? And I'm looking forward to see your very best." She now stood up and ready to leave.

"As always. Copy that boss." And I saluted her while she's on her way out.

I was alone sa isang aquarium away from the operations floor left with all these dusty papers that I need to review for my new post.

Well, yes. I've got promoted just a week ago. Hindi ko din inaasahan yung pagkakapromote ko na 'to. Wala naman kasi akong balak mag-step up sa pagiging agent. Sabi ko nga, mas okay na akong umuuwing matutulog na lang at magigising para pumasok lang. Ayoko ng too much responsibilities sa work since my media days.

Then, what happened?

I handed my resignation letter to my team manager (which I just called boss) two months ago. I was very ready to go and leave this company for good. Three years na din ako dito and bata pa ako to think of settling down sa isang company up until my retirement.

Well, things gone roller coaster. For every resignation, there's always an exit interview. But you know what happened to me? It's a promotional interview that happened. My TM did not sign the resignation letter and begged for me to stay.

The account that time was badly in need of support group and cannot just hire externally. Don't think of my promotion as if the management got "no-choice". I have been consistent for being listed in Top 3 Agents for 3 years now. So I guess I still deserve the offer.

What makes you stay sa isang company nga ba? Salary here was good. Benefits, check. Vacation and Sick Leaves all paid and non taxable allowances. People outside this industry stereotyped us for being the most toxic environment. But not in this account. We have such a warm and family-like relationship from the big bosses down to the level 1 agents. And that made me stay. Hindi ko kayang tanggihan yung Team Manager ko sa pabor na hiningi niya. And in return, I want to be good in this position that I accepted. May I be confirmed for the next 6 months is up to my performance.

But beyond all these blessings I've received, should I still consider myself lucky? After all, meron naman talaga akong isang malaking dahilan kaya sana ako aalis.

*phone rings*

I smiled and answered my phone, "Hi."

***

"Hmm, quite busy. What's up?"

***

"Will be having lunch at 2am pa. May mga tatapusin pa ako e. Why?"

***

Then I laughed out. "No wayyyy. Ano ka ba? Ok lang noh. Ang layo pa niyang panggagalingan mo."

***

"Mahihirapan ka lang. Wag na. You still have some works to finish."

***

"Ang kulettt. We can meet naman after shift right?"

***

"Sige na. I'll see you at 5am, okay?"

***

"Alright. Byeee."

Then I hung up. This guy never fail to draw a smile on my face every time.