Fall Into Places (Into Trilogy #1)

Wakas

Time really changes so fast that I haven't check how many years had passed since the day of my graduation from my senior high school.

Sitting in front of my working desk, I can't help but wonder how long has it been since the day I last saw my friends. I don't even know if they're still my friends since they both left me all alone while grieving for all the things that I lost.

Pinaglaruan ko ang hawak na ballpen sa kamay ko habang inaabangan ang paparating na lawyer ng magaling kong ama. He said that he has something important to tell me and it's urgent as hell. I wasn't really planning on meeting with him but he really convinced me kaya ito ako ngayon, a little anxious to what he's going to tell me after he arrives.

Mabuti na lang at nasa opisina pa ako ngayon at break ko. I'm a working student now since no one is there to support my financial needs. I had to do something to provide for me and my needs to survive this shitty life. Mabuti na lang at kahit noong senior high school lang ang natapos ko ay tinanggap pa rin ako. The company I applied was very kind-hearted enough to accept someone without any working experience as what other companies should do also with other fresh graduates since isa iyon sa mga dahilan kung bakit naga-apply sila, to gain experience.

A close co-worker of mine called my attention kaya napatigil ako sa pag-iisip at paglalaro ng ballpen na hawak ko.

"Moira, may naghahanap sa'yo, papuntahin ko ba dito sa cubicle mo?"

"Ah, yes. Salamat." Ngumiti ako ng bahagya.

Kaagad naman siyang bumalik sa table niya at may kinausap sa telepono, must be the receptionist. Siya kasi ang tumatanggap ng mga tawag galing sa ibaba dahil siya ang sekretarya ng boss namin.

Muli siyang humarap sa'kin.

"Paakyat na raw siya."

"Sige, salamat ulit."

I waited for about three minutes until I finally saw him getting out of the elevator with his formal office suit and a briefcase in his right hand. The old man was unsmiling but it can be seen from the crinkles beside his eyes that he's a very happy person. His thick eyeglasses reflected mine as he stopped in front of my desk to where I finally stood to greet him formally.

"Nice seeing you again, Mr...?"

Bahagya siyang ngumiti sa'kin. A lot comfortable than our first meeting years ago. "I'm Ricardo Hugo, Madame." He offered me his hand.

Kaagad ko namang tinanggap iyon. "Alright, Mr. Hugo. Please sit down." I said after we've finished our handshake.

He sat down at the chair in front of my desk while I sat on my swivel chair too. Kinuha kong muli ang ballpen na hawak-hawak ko kanina habang hinihintay siya na magsalita.

Tumikhim siya. "To start with this, your father wanted me to deliver a message to you before he finally said his goodbyes to us. He said-"

"Cut that crap, Mr. Hugo." Kaagad na napalis ang pagkaaliwalas ng mukha niya noong putulin ko siya sa kanyang pagsasalita. "I don't wanna hear any of his bullshits, just tell me your main purpose of going here. As you can see, I still have work after this."

Parang may sasabihin pa sana siya tungkol sa magaling kong ama pero mabuti na lang at pinili niyang itikom na lamang ang bibig tungkol do'n at nag umpisa ng ipaliwanag sa'kin ang ipinunta niya dito.

I only observed him while he opens his briefcase. Kumunot ang noo ko nang may kinuha siya doon na parang isang letrato. He gave it to me by sliding it on my desk. I stared at it carefully. It was a picture of an unfamiliar young girl.

"Her name is Lorraine Keziah Elizalde. She's 14 years old." His brief introduction na hindi ko mabuting napagtuunan ng pansin.

I was staring at the child's smiling face. I don't know why but seeing her face reminded me of something I decided to forget a long time ago. Pakiramdam ko ay muling nabubuhay ang katiting na kasiyahang natira sa isip ko dahil sa ngiti niya lang.