Dreams Within Us

Chapter 2

Nasa coffee shop kami ni Aly while we're so busy facing our laptops at nage-edit ng resume. And suddenly he will ask me if he should pursue a job in Singapore?

Okay, I'm not ready for this. Yes, hindi pa naman sure. Nagta-tanong pa lang naman siya. Though totoo na-mentioned n'ya na sakin before na may ino-offer 'yung tita n'ya na job sa Singapore and sa isang advertising firm. Hi-hintayin lang din na makagraduate siya and hinihintay na rin nung tita n'ya 'yung sagot n'ya. Actually, when he first told me that he was so excited and he couldn't wait na maka-graduate kami. Of coure, he considered my feelings since sabi n'ya nothing was sure. At pag-iisipan n'ya pa daw ng maigi since meron pang 2 months before the graduation. And here we are now, him asking me the same question. Before wala pa masyado sa isip ko, hindi pa ako masyadong nag-worry. But things are different now. We're in the real world at walang assurance na magiging successful ka agad. Swerte mo na nga lang kung makakuha ka agad dito ng trabaho. And yes a better opportunity is coming to his way. Alam ko kahit hindi n'ya sabihin he wants to accept it because it has always been his dream. Well, totoo naman sino namang hi-hindi sa ganung offer? A job in Singapore? Not everyone are given a chance so might as well accept the opportunity.
Pero ang problema, ready na ba ako if ever na tumuloy siya? Am I ready to face the real world on my own? Na wala si Aly sa tabi ko? Yes, I'm too dependent on him.

I feel like hindi ko na kaya ng ako lang. Sinasabi na nga sakin ng ibang kaibigan ko na laging naka-depende kay Aly ang mga desisyon ko. Because I think he knows what's best for me and for us. Kung anong pangarap n'ya ganun na rin 'yung akin.

Bakit nga ba ako ganito? Maybe because I still don't have a concrete path for myself? Or maybe I don't have enough confidence?

I know I'm in the right age to decide for myself. Alam ko na rin dapat on how to stand on my own. Pero mahirap kasi buwagin 'yung nakasanayan na. Nasanay ako na nandyan si Aly para sakin.
And now he's planning to take a big step for himself? And who am I to stop that, right? Gusto ko rin naman what's best for him so I just take a deep breath before saying "oo naman." Mahirap para sakin but that's life, maybe we need to prioritize our own growth.

"Really?" Sobrang kita mo 'yung pag uplift ng mood n'ya. He seems so happy.
"You said better opportunity, so grab it."
"Paano ka?"

Oo nga, so paano ako?

"Ano ko ba? Don't mind me. And besides we need to grow individually."
"Kailangan ko rin kayanin na ako lang. All this time hindi ko rin sinanay 'yung sarili ko to stand on my own. I will be fine." I assured him.

"Are you sure? What if sumama ka na lang din sa Singapore?"

Mas lalo naman akong naguluhan dun sa tinanong n'ya. Ako, sasama sa Singapore?

"Ha? Wala pa naman akong sure na trabaho dun."

"Ako rin naman. Offer pa lang naman 'yun and kino-consider pa lang naman nila ako. So wala pang sure."
"Pero wala naman masama if we try?" He added.

Bigla akong napaisip, oo nga naman. Wala naman sigurong masamang subukan. Wala naman din mawawala.

"Okay, sige. Pero Aly ikaw kasi may offer na sayo, paano naman ako? Paano agad ako makakahanap ng job opening dun?"

"I'll ask Tita Judith right away kung may iba pa siyang alam na job opening. Don't worry, love. For sure may maha-hanap tayo for you."

I just nodded though ang dami ng tuma-takbong what if's sa utak ko. But just like what he said, wala namang masama if we try. And maybe it's about time na magkaroon naman ako ng goal.

After a week, wala pa rin akong naririnig na balita galing kay Aly. Medyo naging busy din kami parehas. I'm busy passing my resume to different companies. May mga job interviews na rin ako na pinuntahan though I'm not confident enough na mata-tanggap ako. As for Aly, nakapag-yes na rin siya sa tita n'ya. So naka-schedule na ang interview n'ya two weeks from now. He's preparing all the things that he need. Hindi pa nga lang siya nagpapa-book ng flight since he's very optimistic na meron pang makikitang new job offer para sakin. And sabay na daw kaming bumili ng ticket.
Kauuwi ko lang sa bahay from a job interview when I received a call from him.

"Hey, love! " Sobrang excited n'yang bungad.

"I have a good news for you. May isa pa daw na opening dun sa same company kung saan ako may interview. And Tita Judith recommended you for the position."

Wow, I'm really surprised! Hindi pa nagfu-function sakin.

"Hey? Ano na? Any reaction?"

"OMG! YES!" Sobrang excited ako at 'yan na lang ang nasagot ko.

"Prepare all the things that you need. I'll send all the requirements. And mag-book na rin tayo agad ng ticket."
You can really feel how ecstatic and excited he is. At talagang nag-send siya agad ng list of requirements sakin.
And before anything else, I need to ask for my parents permission. At wala na akong inaksayang oras. Hinintay ko lang silang makauwi from work then tinanong ko agad sila kung pwede silang maka-usap.

"Daddy and mommy, can I talk to you for a while."

"Sure, anak. What is it?" my dad asked.

Sa may living area na lang kami nag-usap.

"I just want to ask for your permission if I can go to Singapore for a job interview?"

"Job interview?" sabay nilang tanong.
"Ano namang trabaho?" my mom asked.
"And saang company?" dad added.

"Advertising firm, dad. Tita Judith recommended me."

"Judith. Sister ng mom ni Aly?"
"Yes po. Actually may offer din dun kay Aly. Same company din."

"Sure ka ba d'yan? I mean dapat ready ka and buo ang decision mo. At hindi lang dahil may job offer din dun si Aly."
I confidently answer,
"Yes, ma."
Nagkatinginan muna sila before saying their answer,

"Papayagan ka namin. Sino naman kami to stop you? Basta just do your best." my dad answered.

"And behave kayo dun ha." he added.

"Tama." pag-sang ayon naman ng nanay ko.

"Thank you." I just hugged them.

Sobrang excited na ako so I texted Aly since siya ang kukuha ng ticket namin. And after an hour, he texted me na-nasend na daw n'ya 'yung flight itinerary sakin. So I check it right away.
Nagtaka lang ako kasi 5 days kami dun so tinawagan ko siya agad to clarify.

"Love! Bakit 5 days' yung nasa ticket?"

"Of course, Sam. It's our first time in Singapore and sabi rin ni Tita mag-extend naman tayo kasi ipa-pasyal n'ya daw tayo dun. And besides ngayon na lang ulit tayo makakapag-travel after grad."
True enough, ngayon na lang ulit kami makakapag-travel.

"Btw, love. May interview pala for initial assessment pero via Zoom na lang. So get ready. I think mage-email naman sila kung kailan and for the complete schedule ng panel interview."

"Thanks, love. I'll just wait for their e-mail."

Now everything is set. Excited ako since we will conquer a new challenge together but at the same time worried. Paano kung hindi ako matanggap? I'm hundred percent sure na matatanggap si Aly considering na magaling talaga siya and plus pa na ang ganda ng credentials n'ya. Or maybe I'm just being pessimist again? Basta gagawin ko na lang 'yung best ko and bahala na muna sa outcome.