Chapter Seven
I couldn't sleep after that encounter with Typhoon. Iyong mga bangungot ko tungkol sa kanya ay biglang nagsibalikan. Toff stayed at my condo because of it. Alam niyang may history ako ng panic attacks at halos mangyari na iyon kahapon. I reasoned out that I got fired because of the circulating pictures of us.
I decided to deactivate all my social media accounts. It never comforted me so I'll just delete it in my life. Toff said he'll find me a better job pero tinanggihan ko iyon. I can find a job myself. I know he's just concern and I'm thankful for that.
"I'm off to work." Sabi ni Toff habang naghuhugas ako ng pinagkainan namin. Naghugas ako ng kamay at sinamahan siyang lumabas.
"Lalabas ba tayo for lunch?" Tanong ko. Nasa hamba ako ng pinto habang siya ay nasa labas na.
"You decide. What you want is what I want." Sagot niya.
I froze. What Jane wants, Typhoon wants too.
"I– I'll just cook your favorite." nasabi ko.
He beamed. "Great! Can't wait!" Sabi niya.
I lightly chuckled and bid my goodbye. Pagkasara ko ng pinto ay nabura kaagad ang ngiti sa labi ko. My hands started to shake so I closed my eyes to relax. Toff helps me with my attacks. Deep breaths, happy and fun things. When I began to relax again, I finished washing the dishes and took a shower. Wala na akong trabaho ngayon kaya dapat maghanap na kaagad ako. Toff still doesn't know I was fired. Ang sinabi ko lang ay nagkaproblema.
After putting some make up on, I went off and looked for a job suitable for me. I've researched some hirings and I decided to apply for a position in a company that supplies metals and cement. An office clerk isn't that bad, as long as I have work and I earn.
Nang maihatid ako ng isang empleyado sa tamang palapag ay sinimulan ko ng mag ensayo sa mga dapat kong sagutin sa mga posibleng maitanong saakin.
"Miss... Velazques, you're next!" Tawag ng hula ko'y secretary. Tumayo ako at huminga ng malalim.
I walked with confidence kahit na nanginginig ang aking tuhod. Why am I so nervous today?
Naglahad ng kamay ang babae, sumesenyas na pwede na akong pumasok. I nodded and went in. I was immediately greeted with a pair of stormy eyes. I stopped walking and stayed still. The way he looks at me and the defeaning silence is killing.
I cleared my throat. "G-good morning Sir. I would like to a-apply."
He motioned me to sit infront lf him, still looking at me coldly. I walked slowly and carefully.
"Why would I hire you?" He asked immediately. I would huh?
"I'm efficient and respon–"
Pinutol niya kaagad ako.
"Then why were you fired in your previous job then?" Matalim ang boses niya.
Gusto ko siyang irapan pero pinigilan ko lang.
"It's because of my other previous job." Nasabi ko nalang. Totoo naman.
"What's your other previous job?" He asked.
"I was a model but I stopped a long time ago." Sagot ko. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya.
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid I can't hire you, Miss Velazques." He said, not looking apologetic.
"Bakit? Ni hindi mo pa nga nakikita ang–"
"You may leave." Putol niya.
Uminit ang pisngi ko sa pagkairita. Tumayo ako at tinalikuran siya.
"JERK!" Sigaw ko paglabas ko ng opisina. Nagulat pa iyong sekretarya niya at ang ibang aplikante na nakaupo pero dire-diretso lang ako sa paglalakad.
"YOU WERE FIRED?"
Iyon kaagad ang bungad ni Toff pagdating niya sa unit ko. Nilapag niya sa couch ang kanyang gamit at nilapitan akong nag aayos ng mesa para sa lunch naming dalawa.
"Yes pero I'm looking for another job." Sabi ko. He pinched his nose and closed his eyes.
"Bakit hindi mo kaagad sinabi? I could've done something!" Giit niya.
"I can't always depend on you Toff. I have to face this alone." Malumanay na saad ko.
"But I want you to always depend on me. Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.
"I know pero paano naman ako matututo nito? I appreciate your help and you so much. Pero kailangan ko ring matutong tumayo mag isa. Please?"
He sighed and nodded understandingly.
"Of course Cat. But I'm just here when things go tough." Malambot na saad niya. I chuckled and motioned him to sit.
I prepared his favorite caldereta with extra cheese and peanut butter. Para siyang batang nabilhan ng bagong laruan nang makita niya ang niluto ko. Pinaupo niya kaagad ako para makakain na.
"Gutom na gutom lang?" Natatawang tanong ko nang makaupo.
"I'm just excited. Lately puro fast foods nalang nakakain ko dahil sa trabaho. Besides, you cooked this!" He said.
Nilagyan ko ang plato niya ng kanin at ulam pagkatapos ay sumubo agad. Pumikit siya at umungol na parang sobrang sarap. I just chuckled.
"The best caldereta!" He exclaimed after his second rice.
Natawa ako. "Pangalawang kanin mo na yan, may trabaho ka pa ng ala una Toff."
He glanced at his wrist watch. "Nah. Hawak ko ang oras ko." then continued eating.
After lunch ay nagkukumahog umalis si Toff dahil may meeting pala siya ng 1:30. I teased him until he left. Nang matapos kong hugasan ang mga pinagkainan namin ay sumalampak ako sa couch at binuksan ang TV.
Mamayang alas dos na lang ako maghahanap ulit, but this time through online na. I switched the channel and it revealed a news about one of the most prominent bachelor in the Philippines and the President one of the most successful supplying companies nationwide. Typhoon.
He had really changed. Akala ko noon ay siya ang maiiwang "mahirap" saaming dalawa. Hindi siya gaanong ka-hands on sa pag aaral pero eto ngayon at ni-reject pa ako sa pag a-apply sa kompanya niya.
I was snapped out when I heard my phone ringing. Kinuha ko iyon at tinignan.
Dad calling...
"Hello Dad?" I greeted.
"Hello dear, did you have lunch already?" He asked gently.
"Hmm yes po. Why did you call, Dad? May nangyari ba?"
"Nothing dear! I just heard you got fired? Do you have a new job now?"
I sighed. "Saan mo naman po nalaman iyan? But yes, I was and I'm still searching."
"You know, you can always work for our company." He suggested.
"Yes Dad, but I don't want people to think na pinapaburan mo ako dahil anak mo ako."
"People have their own businesses, dear. And we're in the 21st century, people are open minded now." Giit niya. I sighed and thought of it.
"Okay dad. I'll work in our company."
—✿•✿•✿•✿—
