Collided (Rastro Fanfic)

Chapter 1

"Another win for Cordova!"

"Congrats, Ellie! Keep it up!"

"You were amazing in court, Ellie."

Narinig ko ang masayang pagbati at papuri ng mga colleagues ko pagkapasok ko pa lang ng firm. I just came from a big win of a criminal case ng isang high profile na tao. This was one of the most challenging cases that the firm has handled and it was an honor in my part that they have entrusted it to me. Normal naman talaga sa trabaho ko ang halos walang tulog pero this case was a lot worse. For months, mas wala akong tulog at pahinga. Isama mo pa ang tripleng stress na hatid nito. But even if it was one heck of a ride, I loved it. I admit, I like challenge. I'm a person who likes to go on a tough road. For me, mas nakaka excite pag mas nahihirapan ako. Sabi nga nila nothing good comes easy at yun na ang tumatak sa aking isipan. I actually have envied many great people who led difficult lives but led them well. Their stories have motivated me to make my own great story and leave a mark in this world. So far, malayo pa ako sa aking inaasam.

After the pleasantries with the people I pass by, agad na akong dumiretso sa aking opisina. Ang gusto ko munang gawin ay mag pahinga at damhin ang aking pagkapanalo nang mag isa. I immediately slumped myself into my favorite hi-back mesh office chair after removing my lucky 3/4 sleeved blazer. Napukaw ang aking atensyon nang mapansin ko ang aking nameplate sa aking desk na kumikinang dala ng ilaw sa labas na tumatagos sa aking bintana.

Literal na nag niningning ang aking pangalan. Natawa na lamang ako sa aking naisip. Sana nga nag niningning talaga ako in any way possible. Sa field of work ko sana. Pero marami pang bigas ang lulutuin ko at kakainin para maabot ang rurok ng tagumpay. Marami ang nag sasabi na ang layo na raw ng narating ko. Marami na rin akong papuri na natatanggap mula sa iba't ibang tao. Pero ewan ko ba, feeling ko hindi pa sapat. Parang may kulang. Feeling ko mas may maganda pa akong magagawa. I feel like I can do better than what I can now. Siguro nga dala na to ng misyon ko simula pagkabata ko. I've been trying to prove my worth kasi since I was a child. Hindi man nila hiniling literally from me, pero ako na ang nag kusa na ibigay yon sa pamilya ko. I don't want to look like a black sheep in the family. Ayokong may masabi pa ang ibang tao na makakasira sa pamilya ko nang dahil sa akin. Pasalamat na nga lang ako na tanggap ako sa bahay. Nabuhay ako nang normal at sobra sobra pa sa inaasahan ko. Kaya heto, todo kayod sa pag papabango ng sarili kong pangalan para naman maging proud sila sa akin.

Two knocks were made on door that brought me back from my trail of thoughts.

"Come in."

Samuel, my senior, walked in with a bottle of champagne in his left while juggling two champagne flutes on his right. Agad naman akong tumayo at sinalubong siya sabay abot niya sa akin ng champagne glasses.

"Congratulations!" he exclaimed while popping the bottle and pouring the content into the glasses.

"Thanks, Sam." I made a toast as I thanked him.

"You surely impressed the managing partner, Ellie. Lahat kami actually. What you did was wise and you took me by surprise. I'm proud of you." Sam enunciated.

"I learned from the best." I teased. Pero totoo naman talaga yon. Si Sam ay parang naging mentor ko na nung nag sisimula pa lang ako. He has done a lot of great things over the course of his career. I have studied his cases and tactics and it surely did help me devise my own.

He just snorted at my remark. "Too much flattery, Cordova. Di mo ako madadala diyan."

"What flattery?" Pag mamaang-maangan ko.

Napailing na lamang si Sam. Tinungga niya ang laman ng kanyang baso bago nagsalita. "Till the next case, Cordova." Ngumiti muna siya bago tumalikod at lumabas ng aking opisina.