How am I so into you? (RICCI RIVERO)

Chapter II: Inhale, Exhale

Nakakaoverwhelm na tiwala si Sir Paco sa akin na kaya ko yung assignment na binigay nya sa akin. This is the reason why I chose the Diem Mirror kahit ang daming kong applications na tinanggap ako, they have shown me enough trust that I can take on whatever this job gives me. Not in a pressuring way na parang hinahampas ako ng kadangkal na trabaho but in helping me grow by taking risks and making decisions. Kaya I'm really looking forward to being permanent here. Pero kung hindi, I'll still be showing great recognition for I've learned so much.

"Ay gano'n po ba Sir? Sorry Sir, akala ko po kasi na wrong send pero I'd be happy to do it Sir kahit na medyo nakakachallenge. Thank you sa opportunity Sir!" sabi ko habang parang tangang nakangiti kahit hindi naman niya ko nakikita.

"You're welcome, Ms. Rodriguez. Bring home the best ratings!"

"I'll try my best Sir Paco, salamat po ulit. Bye po, God bless!" sabi ko at ibinaba ang phone ko. Napabuntong  hininga ako na puno ng hope na sana wala akong gawing ikakatrending ko tulad nung nasabi ni Jiggy Manicad live na "nagdagsaan ang mga tae" na dapat "mga tao". Hindi ko kakayanin.

I flipped my handy leather notebook this time. Ano bang mga kailangan kong information? I wrote there the things I should ask significant people. This would greatly help me for tomorrow.

Hindi ako pwedeng mapahiya. Ang daming tao dun at iaair sya sa TV live. I have to look presentable so I decided to leave the café and head to the mall and look for something I could appropriately wear.

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After buying the things I need, or at least I thought I need, alam mo naman . I wasn't in the mood to go home yet so I roamed for a bit more inside the mall. 

I sort of felt thirsty so I went to a tea house to grab a cup of iced milktea to go.  While waiting for my drink I sat near and in front of the hanging television. The TV was quite small so I had to get near. Nagcommercial ng Gatorade. Ngayon ko lang 'to nakita ah? Matagal tagal na rin pala akong hindi nanonood ng TV. It was Ricci Rivero and the white Gatorade. I actually have never tasted that. I would always go for the blue bolt ba yun? or the purple one.

Naalala ko tuloy during high school, crush ko yun tapos kung ano-anong imagination ginagawa ko. Napapagalitan pa kami minsan pag pinaguusapan namin sya kasi maingay daw kami.

"Zaunea? "  the crew calling me and placing my drink on the counter.

"That's me. Thank you!" as I grabbed it and rushed out of the tea house.

I should get home early so I could get enough sleep. I have a big day tomorrow.

I arrived home a little earlier than expected. My mother opened the door for me and nagmano naman ako sakanya and to my Papa.

I changed clothes then I left the bedroom to tell them my big news.

I saw my Papa on the couch busy playing with his phone. I had to get his attention so I sat beside him.

"Pa, alam mo ba.." panimula ko.

"Hindi pa." Talaga pa?

"Naassign ako magreport sa UAAP bukas" Di ko na siya pinatulan. Tinuloy ko kwento ko. Di parin sya nakatingin pero alam kong nakikinig sya.

"Ah talaga? Saan daw?" bakas sa "talaga" nya na proud sya. Papa never makes me feel like my hard work is put to waste far alike my mother.

I'm not in very good terms with my mother. We're good pero, she's different eh. And maybe I am too. We don't have the typical mother and daughter relationship na gets to share secrets. I can't. Even girl stuff? Ang awkward. I'd rather keep it to myself even if it haunts me at 3AM than tell her.

I'm not mad. But I admit I hoped a lot more from her. On the other hand, I'm quite thankful na ganun sya. I've been independent at a very young age unlike my younger brother, Blake. He's a complete brat.

"Sa Araneta, Pa"

"Anong oras?"

"Di ko pa alam, Pa eh. Pero regular time parin punta ko sa Diem (Mirror). Sagot nila." Sabi ko. I had the feeling he thought he had to drop me by. He's just the best.

"Di na kita hahatid? Malaki ka na talaga 'nak." sabi nya at ginulo yung ulo ko at umalis ng nakangiti. Lumabas sya sa garahe para magyosi. Hindi ko maimagine na mawawala si Papa. Pero medyo hinahanda ko na yung sarili ko kasi matagal na syang naninigarilyo eh. Ewan ko ba, he usually jokes about quitting pero he keeps litting sticks. It must be very hard to quit. Pag tinatanong naman naming sya kung bakit, minsan daw tangga stress, minsan wala lang, naging routine nya nalang na magsinde tuwing bored.

Madalas kong mapicture na may sakit sya na dulot ng bisyong yun, nakakatakot. That's when I started cursing smoking. It's no good. Sobrang sakit panoorin unting-unti inuubos yung taong special sa'yo ng sigarilyo na 'yan.

Kaya ako, kung magkakasomeone ako, ayoko ng naninigarilyo. Di ko kakayaning panoorin na pinapatay nya sarili nya sa bawat stick at hindi nya mapigilan. Kung lang naman, kung.

I also told my mom about it before I went to bed. Maaga rin nilang pinatulog yung dalawa kong kapatid para daw hindi ako maingayan, baka daw mag muka akong adik sa TV pag napuyat ako.

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I woke up and got dressed. Medyo extra compared sa regular days because di pwede haggard hello?

Pagdating ko sa office ng Diem Mirror kinabahan na ako. Parang gusto ko nang umuwi. Ngayon lang ako nagalangang pumasok simula nung napunta ako dito. Agad naman akong sinalubong ni Sir Paco with two hot cups in both of his hands. Dahan dahan nya pang inabot sa akin ang isa.

"Start your day right, Zaunea" sabi niya nang nakangiti at umalis na.

Guess I don't have a reason to quit today.

⚠️ Votes and comments would greatly help me 💞

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