LOVE AND LIMITATION

#5: Curiosity Kills the Cat

"So, when can you start Engr. Vergara?" Mr. Galvez asked her matapos ang halos tatlumpong minuto nilang interbyuhan.

"Po?" she asked again. Pliny wasn't actually sure kung tama ba ang narinig nya. Normally kasi, hindi naman kaagad sinasabi sa mga nag aapply after ng interview kung matatanggap ka or not. Kadalasan, sasabihin sayo na tatawagan ka lang. She didn't expect that she will be hired right then and there.

"Sabi ko, kelan ka pwedeng magsimula? Based on your information here and experience, overqualified ka sa position but if you are willing to work with us, we would gladly welcome you to our company."

Pliny was beyond ecstatic. Ang saya nya na parang gusto nyang maiyak sa tuwa. At last,  matapos ang apat na buwan na wala syang work,  magtatrabaho na sya ulit.  At sa CCDC pa!

"Ah, I'm free anytime you need me, Sirs, Mam. I- ahh,  I mean, I can start whenever you want me to." she stuttered.

"Ok, report at my office tomorrow at 9 am. " Mr. Galvez said habang kinukuha nya ang sunod na folder ng aplikante. It was a sign na tapos na ang kanyang interview.

"Yes sir, I'll be here. Is that all for now?"

"Yes, Engr. Vergara. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you, sirs, mam." She said as she stood up. then she looked at Third and mouthed "Thank you" to him.

"Welcome to CCDC, Ate!!! Matutuwa si Dos! "

****
After all the interview for the draftsme was done,, Third excused himself to leave.  It's already 11 am at may lunch date pa sya. He was almost on the ground floor, ready to leave when he received a text message from his Kuya Uno to see him first before he leaves. So, wala syang magawa but to go up to his office again.

Nang pumasok si Third sa kanyang office, he saw Uno sitting behind his desk and frowning, holding his pen. He looked at him as he approached him.

"Bakit kuya?"

"What was that for?" seryosong tanong ni Uno kay Third.

"What was what?" he asked back as he raised his hands in question.

"I saw you hugged an applicant. That was was so unprofessional of you Third. She is an applicant. Do you know her?"

"Kuya, that was Ate Pliny! Engr. Josefina Vergara. She was a graduate from Ford,  she belonged to Top 10  board passers last  2018. Don't you know her? Di ba kayo nagpang abot sa University noon?"

"No." his forehead furrowed. "Was she hired? " he asked again.

"Of course. It will be a waste kung di sya mapupunta sa atin. She is one of the best! Oh,  maybe you haven't met her.  You never needed any help from school before. Ate Pliny was "almost" every student's angel. "

"Tss, eh bat nag apply sya bilang draftsman? Sabi mo Licensed Engineer na sya at top notcher. Anong nangyari? Why settle for being a draftsman?" Uno asked,  arching his right brow.

"Oh well, she wasn't that fortunate. At isa pa, she was also underprivileged. She was able to go to Fords because she had an academic scholarship. Walang connections, walang backing...alam mo na. Sometimes, gaano man ka impressive ng record mo kung wala kang kapit, wala din. She didn't have that. And let's admit it, maraming prejudice sa mga babaeng engineers."

"Not us. So, why do you know so much about her?" Uno was bewildered.

"Mahabang kwento, pero basta, malaking utang na loob namin ni Dos sa kanya. Wait, and why do you ask so many questions about her?"

"Why not? She will be working with us dahil sabi mo, she is hired. Isa pa, it is not everyday na makikita mo ang isang executive mo na niyayakap ang applicant. That was so unprofessional."