Lost in Love

(33)

Scanning all the papers one by one and encoding all of it in my PC. In between, I was busy listening to call copies of each agent para magawan ko ng grade sheet yung calls nila for that week. Mga co-agents ko 'to before, good thing na kahit papano napromote ako sa pioneer account ko, at least, hindi na ako mahihirapan pa sa process namin.

I was listening to one of the calls nang kumatok yung isang agent na friend ko sa aquarium ko. I removed my headset and turned my swivel chair sa pinto.

"Yes, my dear?"

"Nothing. I was just checking on you. How's your new job?" Ela asked me.

I began my answer with a big sigh. "I love it more than just taking calls and being stagnant sa spiel natin. But you know, miss ko din naman yung chill lang kapag avail time. Musta? Queuing? Is it your break?"

"Yep. Lunch ko na. Sama ka? Naghihintay sila Tony, Pat and Joyce sa labas"

I checked my wrist watch. Shoot. I almost forgot the time. "Yeah, okay. Lunch time ko na din naman." I locked my PC and get my wallet and tumbler. I locked my aquarium and went outside with them.

It is 2am already and yes, "lunch" is still our term for our 1 hr break. We got no choice but to get our lunch either sa Ministop or 7 Eleven or Family Mart. Wala naman kasing nearby fastfood chains sa area namin. Actually meron naman pero hindi 24/7. I just grabbed a chicken meal and I ate with three of my friends (former co-agents).

I missed this much. Yung may kadaldalan habang kumakain. A week before ako mapromote, mag-isa lang akong kumakain. Tine-train kasi ako nung pinalitan kong QA staff during the turnover and kung kelan lang niya ako gustong mag-lunch, dun lang niya ako ia-allow.

"How lucky naman this girl", sabi ni Tony habang uma-action pa nang turo sa akin. Sabay nagtawanan naman sila Pat, Joyce and Ela.

"Why naman?" I asked.

"Well, you've got your own office na. And you can bring your phone na inside. May internet access ka na din." Tony answered.

"Plus, may additional allowance and salary increase. San ka pa?" Joyce added.

"Well guys, hindi lang naman additional allowance at increase or any additional perks ang nadagdag sa akin. Nadagdagan din naman ang workload ko noh." I told them while I narrowed my eyes on them.

"Sus. Ngayon ka lang naman mahihirapan noh. Kasi bago palang sayo ang lahat. Sooner makakapa mo din yan and I'm sure, petiks na lang yan sayo." Pat rebutted.

"Korek! Pero guys, totoo ba? Mapopromote si Ms. Mary to AM since nagresign nang biglaan yung AM natin?" Ela asked.

"Well, it depends. Actually yan din sabi ko sa kanya kanina. Exhausted na siya sa dami ng workload na naiwan sa kanya. Pero sabi ko look at the bright side kasi for sure she'll get promoted in no time." I answered.

"O, anong sabi niya?" Pat asked.

"Sabi niya, possibly but not probably. Kasi it could be another cost for our client. Pero if company natin ang magdedecide na let's say, kukuha ng ibang manager from other accounts na pwede and kaya pang maghandle sa account natin, mas makakatipid. You know, business as usual." I explained.

"Ohhh.. naks naman this girl! Bumi-business terms na! Kung agent ka pa din for sure, you'll just shrug it off." as Ela teased me.

"Loka ka!" I laughed.

"So meaning, pwedeng ibang account manager ang mag-handle. I see. Tipid nga naman yun. Pero sino naman kaya yung ipapalit nila? Naku! Sana naman lalaki this time! Puro na kasi babae ang officers natin! Para naman gana-ganahan ako sa pagpasok!" Joyce blurted out.

Sa kaartehan ni Joyce, muntik na siyang batukan nung dalawang lalaking kasama namin. Si Ela naman nakisabay pa sa kilig nung isa.

Habang ako, nawala bigla sa mood ng usapan. I feel like explaining to them everything pero mukhang may nakalimutan ata akong iexplain sa sarili ko. That time, I felt my heart beating fast. Hindi ko alam kung anong ibig sabihin ng biglaang pagkabog ng dibdib ko. Para akong hindi makahinga sa sobrang bilis ng beat.

Halos maubos ko na din agad yung water sa tumbler ko. Without finishing my food, I get my wallet and stood up.

"Guys, mauna na akong bumalik sa floor ha."

"Ha? Ang aga pa ah. Wala ka pa namang one hour. Saka hindi mo pa ubos yung food mo." Pat said.

"Busog na din ako. And may food naman ako sa table, so okay lang."

"Are you sure? Gusto mo ipa-take out na lang natin 'tong sayo?" Tony added.

"No, I'm fine, guys. Dami ko kasing pending na need tapusin."

"Alright. As long as you're sure about it." Ela added.

"Yep. I'll go ahead." And I walked myself out of the shop.

Bakit hindi mo nga ba naisip yun, Mia? as my inner goddess gets back to its routine of talking to me.