Borrowed Time (completed)

4. jobs

Rj stared at the switchboard, mesmerized by the blinking lights. He remembered the times when he would watch the machines attached to his chest as they blinked and beeped while monitoring his heart.

"...good morning, thank you for calling guest services, this is Richard, how may I help you?" Rj said as he responded to one of the calls. His Ninong Sam helped him secure a job as a switchboard operator at a hotel. He had regular working hours and was not required to face clients and guests.

"...but given your excellent speaking skills, we might transfer you to a higher position in the near future..." Mr. Richardson, the head of guest relations told him after a week of on-the-job training.

"...yes sir..." Rj replied hesitantly.

"Is there anything wrong?"

"No sir...I'm pleased that you are considering me to work in the front line but I do not think I am ready for it yet..."

"I spoke with Sam. I know your background. Don't worry, your secrets are safe. For as long as you do your job and you do it well, I don't think you'll have any problems."

"Thank you, Sir."

Meng looked at her passengers through the rear view mirror while she waited for the light to change. She had been driving the shuttle for a little over two years and had made it a point to know a little something about each of her regular customers/riders. Her shuttle could accommodate 12 passengers comfortably. Being young at 20 years old, she respectfully called them Ate or Kuya. She addressed them by their first names as well. In fact, some of her passengers became friends because of this interaction they had as passengers in Meng's shuttle.

"Mami-miss ko tong pagsakay ko sa shuttle mo..." Kuya Lito said. He worked at the hotel as a waiter but was moving to a different workplace.

"...bisitahin nyo nalang kami minsan..." Meng replied, hopeful.

"Oo naman..."

"Aasahan ko yan, Kuya..." Meng smiled.

Rj replaced Kuya Lito's spot in Meng's shuttle. "Good morning Kuya!" Meng greeted when she noticed Rj in line.

Unsure that he was the one she was referring to, he pointed to himself, "ako?"

"Hmm...unless na naging lalake yang si Ate Melody sa harap mo at si Ate Sarah sa likod mo..." Meng replied, giggling. Melody and Sarah giggled as well. The ladies were wearing dresses.

"Ah...h...hello..." Rj replied, embarrassed.

"...ganyan talaga si Meng...mabait yan at palabati sa mga tao..." Sarah, the girl behind him, said as they saw how Meng engaged in friendly banter with the other people around the area before getting in the driver's seat.