She's So Extra (Kiligserye Book1) | ✅

Chapter 53

I don’t think I’ve ever felt this special, kahit sa mga past birthdays ko hindi ko feeling na ganito ako ka-special, pero this time I felt the effort that they gave just for me. They put up banners and balloons, there’s food and a cake that said “Best of Luck!”

They had games and everyone’s been super nice to me, wishing me luck and even apologizing for what happened before. The best surprise was when I saw May come forward and extended her hand to me, not saying anything else because let’s face it – I don’t think there’s anything she can say that I won’t be suspicious of, but I took her hand and shook it. She gave me a small smile and walked away. I guess that’s how I know that I’ll leave here with a grateful heart and without any regrets, it’s because even if we could have pretended everything’s okay and show everyone na we’re okay na it wouldn’t be real. I know she has some sort of galit pa rin for what I did in the cafeteria, and she knows that I won’t be her next best friend and that it’s fine if we don’t like each other as long as we’ve accepted that. Hindi man ako nagkaroon ng new friend in her at least I can say na hindi naman ako bitter at hindi naman siya super bitchy.

“Okay, let’s hear it from the woman of the hour, speech naman diyan Andi.” Napaikot ako sa upuan ko nang nagsalita si Ms. Claire, speech? Ako? Anak ng pating.

Napalunok lang ako at dahil nagpapalakpakan na sila napilitan na akong tumayo, pinisil ni Ms. Claire ang mga balikat ko at sya ang naupo sa pinag-alisan kong upuan.

I look around me and feel a pang of sadness, sobrang iyak na ang ginawa ko today and I want them to remember my last days here na masaya at hindi puro drama. So I put on a big smile and say, “First, I would like to say thank you sa effort sa party na ‘to, sobrang unexpected kaya I feel so overwhelmed right now.” I put my hand on top of my heart, “So thank you talaga for putting in the effort for me, I feel like I don’t deserve it.” They clap and someone whistles while I compose myself, nung medyo naka-bwelo na ako para magsalita ulet I say, “All I can say is that I will forever be grateful for the chance this company has given me.” I look at them and say, “Alam ko na somehow may naitulong siguro ako sa kumpanyang ito in my own little way, pero parang ako yung may babaunin when I leave.” I look at Jem, Cherrie and Ms. Claire and say, “I got myself real friends.” I look at May and pretend to roll my eyes, “I made enemies.” They all laugh at that at nag-peace sign lang ako kay May, she smiles but looks annoyed.

“And although things were not always perfect, this place gave me the much needed push para maka-survive at maging strong. Natutunan ko rin kung ano yung kaya ko palang gawin na dati hindi ako sure sa sarili ko, na may maibubuga rin pala ako.” I look at Ms. Claire, “Salamat sa pagkakataon.”

I took a deep breath and just said, “Ayun lang. Salamat.”

They clapped their hands and some hugged me while I tried not to cry na naman. I feel weird being in this situation thinking na a few weeks back hindi ko na ma-imagine  na magtagal pa sa office na ito, now I feel like I don’t want to leave.

 

***

 

Akbay akbay ako ni Jem habang naglalakad kami sa lobby nila Cherrie, each of them may bitbit na gamit ko – yung isa my box of personal stuff from my table and si Jem yung bag kong malaki with goodbye trinkets from my cubicle na nilagyan nila ng decorations for the day. It’s finally my last day here in the office and although the day was uneventful as far as last day’s go, I still feel sad to leave.

Ms. Claire and I had a long talk in her office; mainly she just wanted to talk daw before she had meetings to attend since malamang raw hindi na nya ako abutan dahil maghapon ang meeting nya today, so we just talked about life and kung ano ano pa ang plano ko. I also gave her reminders for when I leave na. I think we both agreed to not be sentimental about it kasi we both promised we’ll make time for each other kahit na hindi na ako dito nag-wo-work.

Pero syempre despite our friendly situation I think Ms. Claire still feels awkward na makita kaming magkasama ng ex nya so umiiwas na lang sya every time magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na pwede nyang makita kami ni Chuck. Dahil heto na ako at ihahatid for the last time ng mga friends ko sa lobby kung saan nag-aantay ang pogi kong boyfriend.

Nagtatawanan si Cherrie and Jem at parang gusto ko na naman maiyak dahil mami-miss ko ang mga baliw na ‘to. They look at me at bago pa ako makapagsalita, hinampas na ako ni Jem sa braso.

“Hoy. Quota ka na sa drama kaya huwag kang iiyak, iiwan kita dito. Bahala ka magbitbit ng gamit mo.” Pero umiiwas ng tingin si Jem so I know na nagpipigil lang rin sya ng luha.

“Oo nga girl. Magkikita pa rin tayo.” Nakangiting sabi ni Cherrie sa akin.

I nod and bite my lip para ma-distract ako sa mga luhang gusto na naman makatakas.

Nang nasa door na kami, humarap ako sa kanilang dalawa at niyapos sila ng mahigpit, “Thanks guys. Ma-mi-miss ko kayo.”

“Oo na. Oo na” Ang pag-di-dismiss sa akin ni Jem habang sinasalubong nya na si Chuck para iabot ang mga gamit ko.

Niyapos ako ni Cherrie at sinabihang, “Kapag sawa ka na, tumatanggap ako ng second hand.”

Bumitiw ako kay Cherrie at tumawa ng malakas at dahil nasa loob na rin ng lobby si Chuck he says, “I heard that.”

Ngumiti si Cherrie sa kanya at sinabing, “Sinadya ko talaga yun, Sir.”

I laugh harder.

Nang mahimasmasan na ako, I look at Chuck, he gives me a soft smile and he says, “Ready?”

I look around the lobby and look back at my friends who are both giving me sad smiles, I wave back at them and look at Chuck where my future now lies, and I smile at him and say, “Ready.”