Throwback Feels

Chapter One

Year 2018
Present time

EMILY walked with dignity and pride as she strolled down the lobby of Sebastian Publishing House where she worked as the newest head of the marketing department. With her conservative yet classy outfit, perfectly bunned hair, clear glasses, killer heeled shoes, intimidating personality, no wonder her subordinates were distant to her. Puro tango lang ang sagot niya sa bawat 'Good Morning, Ma'am' na bati sa kanya ng mga empleyadong nadadaanan niya. She's not accustomed nor those employees of her greeting them back. Kilala siya nga mga ito bilang istrikta, suplada, at mailap.

She even heard around na marami ang may ayaw sa kanya dahil hindi daw siya approachable. Some of them even sees her as the famous antagonist, Ms. Minchin. She often hears bad talk about her but she didn't really care and to change was never in her mind. She's not sorry for being herself. Hindi siya mag-aadjust. The way people think of her does not affect her performance in the job. Besides, kahit ikaw pa ang pinakamabait na tao sa buong mundo, people have always something to say towards you. Walang mangyayari kung magpapaapekto siya sa mga sinasabi ng iba sa kanya. She knows herself better than those itchy tongues judging her. She is the boss so they should deal with her and not the other way around.

When she reached the 10th floor of the building ay dumeritso siya sa opisina niya. She immediately turned to her laptop and on the papers on her desk. Mayamaya ay kumatok ang sekretarya niya.

"Come in," she said while her eyes are still on the papers.

Pumasok ito kaagad.

"Good morning, Ma'am. Here is the report that you asked from me."

This is Lucy, her secretary for three years now.  So far ay maayos naman ang trabaho nito. She had her right after Lucy graduated from college. Assistant head pa lang siya non'. When she got promoted, she brought Lucy with her dahil talagang magaling ito. Marunog ito'ng makinig at mabilis matuto. Hindi rin ito tamad.

"Just put it there and give me some coffee. Black please. Thank you."

Instead of doing what she said, Lucy just stood still kaya nagsalita siya ulit.

"Is there anything else, Lucy?"

"Ah, Ma'am may dumating din po palang invitation para sa inyo."

Invitations are not new to her especially when she started to lead the department. She occassionaly receives invitations for business congress, executive dinners, and the likes.

"From whom? Sandiego Enterprises or Lopez Corporation?"

"No, Ma'am. It is from Asian University in the Philippines."

Natigilan siya at napatingin bigla dito. Lucy handed her the invitation and walked out of her office.

Asian University in the Philippines

You are cordially invited to our 21st Alumni Homecoming . . . . . .

Napailing siya bago itinabi ang invitation at bumalik sa ginagawa.

Asian University in the Philippines is one of the prestigious schools in the country where she had her degree in Business Management and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Every five years kung magconduct ng alumni ang school and this is the first invitation she received after she graduated. She had a lot of memories in the school. Dito siya unang nangarap, sumaya, umasa, at nasaktan.

She immediately closed her laptop and massaged her temple.

Matagal na yon , Emily. You are not the same anymore.

Mayamaya ay pumasok si Lucy dala ang kape niya pagkatapos ay lumabas din kaagad. She immediately took a sip on her coffee. Baka sakaling magising siya at lumiwanag ang utak niya. Ilang sandali ay nagring ang intercom niya at nabosesan si Lucy.

"You have a call from line 2, Ma'am."

Agad na sinagot niya ang tawag.

"Hello."

"Good morning. May I speak with Ms. Emily Grace Luna?"

"Speaking. May I know who's calling?"

"Ma'am, this is Andrea Dizon from the Alumni Affairs of Asian University in the Philippines. Did you receive the invitation for the alumni homecoming?"

"Yes."

"Great. The event will be two weeks from now. Will you be able to join?"

"I don't think I can. My schedule is always full."

"That's so unfortunate to hear, Ma'am but in case you change your mind you may call this number or reach us on our email and the other number that we have which you can find in your invitation. Just inform us three days before the said event so that I can put your name on the list of the attendees."

"Sure."

"I really hope you can come. We only conduct our alumni homecoming every five years. I'm sure you would want to catch up with your college friends."

There's no catching up because there were no college friends, gusto niya sanang sabihin.

"I'll just inform your office if ever I can attend the alumni."

"Alright. Thank you for your time, Ma'am. Have a good day."

Hindi na siya sumagot at agad na pinutol ang tawag.

Tumayo siya at tinanaw ang kabuoan ng Metro Manila mula sa kanyang opisina. The massive glass window in her office showcased the magnificent buildings of Manila a mere symbol of success and how far life has gone through the place. She was like this place. Successful, firmer, independent, smarter, matayog, at malayo na ang narating. This is her world now. This is her. This is where she belongs and this is what she deserves.

But with just a simple invitation, na wala siya'ng plano'ng puntahan, ay napukaw bigla ang isa'ng nakaraan na nais na niya'ng kalimutan at ibaon sa karimlan. It opened a lot of wounds and painful memories from the past. A past which never failed to make her feel empty, vulnerable, weak, and stupid.

Five years, Emily. It's been five long years already.

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