Nasa adjusting period pa ako for the first 3 months. Nasa iisang apartment kami ni Nicole with another colleague.
Culture is really different especially work ethics.
I noticed that people here are really strict and serious when it comes to work. So unlike what we were used to in Philippines.
But once work is finished, makikita mo ang difference. I attended several gatherings and night outs with them. Almost every night during the first two weeks ay nasa labas kami tuwing gabi. Kahit na medyo may language barrier ay nagagawa pa rin namin magbiruan.
Now I know why people who experienced training say they missed the after work shenanigans but not the work itself.
I always tell Arvic about my day and he tell me his and embarrassing stories of our friends during their night outs.
Usually gabi kami lagi magkausap ni Arvic and I also facetime with Pepper from time to time. Lagi siya nasa cafe to see Denver and wait for the end of his shift.
It was nice knowing Pepper is finally getting serious in his relationship.
Arvic was right, mabilis lang ang araw. After 6 months of staying here, I'm learning a little bit of Japanese since it was included in our training.
I'm also learning to cook. At least now edible na ang luto ko. My roommates approved.
I took a picture of my menudo and sent it to Arvic.
"Make that for me when you come back." He told me when we video chat.
He sent a picture of his dinner also. Japanese take out from our favorite resto.
"Because I miss you. This makes me feel that I'm closer to you."
Nicole bumped her hips to me teasing me and squeezed herself in the frame. "Hi Arvic! Don't worry, behave kami dito."
For the 8th month, his birthday came. I asked Pepper to buy a cake for him.
"Subukan mong kalimutan mga pabili ko sayo makikita mo talaga! Ang dami mo nang utang sa akin." Irap niya pero gagawin niya naman.
"Love you, sis."
"Pasalamat ka talaga. Oh siya sige, mag-ingat ka dyan, sis. Mwa."
Note to self to buy more pasalubong for Pepper.
Arvic became busier when Christmas came. Laging may nag Chr-Christmas party sa cafe which is a good thing.
The company gave us a Christmas vacation too. We planned to travel to other cities pero naisip namin na tsaka nalang so we just partied in one of our colleague's apartment.
Puro Filipino foods ang handa. Sympre hindi mawawala ang spaghetti sa handa. May pa-games rin na hinanda at exchanged gift.
Arvic called before midnight so I left to answer it.
"Merry Christmas!"
Arvic chuckled. "Merry Christmas! Were you that happy?"
"Yup. Nakakamiss rin pala ang Pinas at ang pagkain." I had to raise my voice because they were starting to get loud.
Before Arvic could answer the phone was snatched away by his friends.
"Mandy! Merry Christmas!"
"Ang damot ni Arvic hindi sinabi na ikaw pala ang tatawagan."
"Good boy kami dito. Hindi na kami pumaparty. Wag kang mag alala kaming bahala kay Arvic."
I heard them complain when Arvic shoo them away.
I missed those guys too.
We didn't get to talk for long so we hang up after greeting each other.
Mas lalong hindi kami nakapag-usap ng New Year. Arvic was wasted. They were partying at Arvic's house New Year's Eve.
He called to greet me but his words are slurry. He even accidentally clicked the video so I can see everything. It's so funny that I didn't end the call even when I couldn't even understand him.
At one point nahulog pa ang phone niya dahil nag aagawan ang mga lasing para kausapin ako.
1 year just passed by like that.
After 1 year it feels like what's coming will be easier. We still have each other so it wouldn't be too hard.
We are each other's pillar so no matter how hard it is as long as we're together I know that we can do this.
For the second year, they surprised me. Pepper, Arvic, Trisha and Vince came to visit me. It was a short 4 days but it made me feel the warmth.
Pepper kept on complaining that he's a fifthwheel to us pero sa totoo lang ay mas naleleft out ang boys because we kept on going to cosmetics shop and vintage shop.
"Sabi mo hindi mo ako bibisitahin?"
"Who said I'm visiting you? I'm here for leisure."
"Hay nako don't believe him! Alam mo ba siya ang may gusto nitong trip? Ayaw pa nga kami pasamahin." Sumingit si Trisha.
Arvic hissed.
Trisha stuck her tongue out.
"Huling huli ka na ayaw mo pa umamin." Inasar ko siya lalo.
"Sinong ayaw umamin?" Then he suddenly stopped walking to lower his head and paused next to my ear. "I missed you, love." And quickly pecked my lips.
He turned and continue walking as if nothing happened.
I blinked twice and pursed my lips before realizing that they already left me. I quickly regained my composure and followed behind.
I went back to my routine after they went back. It must have been great to go back with them.
When my birthday came, Arvic also prepared something for me. Kausap pala niya si Nicole. Nicole prepared everything but it was his idea.
We had a simple celebration at home courtesy of Arvic. He transfered money and asked Nicole for a favor to prepare a surprise party.
They are decors inside our apartment and lots of my favorite Japanese food.
"Happy Birthday, love."
"Thank you. You didn't have to spend money for me though."
"This is the least I could do."
"Thank you."
"And no need for thank you."
So I let him hear a better version of thank you instead. "I love you."
"I love you." His voice soften.
2 years is almost up but bad news is we have to extend for half a year more.
Arvic is calm when he took the news. Told me that it's okay.
I know he would say that but I still feel sad.
"Konti nalang mag mumukha na akong Japanese. What do you think, Mands?" Nicole showed me her outfit and hairstyle.
She's wearing a skirt and high socks. She even had her hair cut like most Japanese girls do.
"Cute pero malayo ka pa sa pagiging Japanese." I said as a matter of fact.
Nicole has big eyes and she's tall.
"Let's go out for ramen tonight. I'm craving."
I nodded. I will never say no to ramen nights. Also, ramen makes everything better.
6 months is easy. 2 years nga nakaya ko. I kept on repeating this everyday. Naging mantra ko na nga kakaulit.
Video chats with Arvic will have to do for now before we can see other again.
