To-get-her Again

Chapter 2: Marketing Manager

"Y-Yana, anak...Theo went to the USA with his parents. We don't know when he'll be back."

It was the day after my birthday. My heart grew painful. I felt aches, but it wasn't my attack. My disorder's gone. Learning about Theo leaving me is the most painful thing I've ever felt.

That statement bugged me for the past years, every time I think of my fast-approaching birthday. It sucks being left behind. Was it easy to let go of someone you loved shortly?

I sighed, exhausted. It's my second week at work and I'm still laying down on my bed without a single plan to move.

Napakinggan ko ang katok sa labas ng kwarto ko. I glanced at the door and sighed again. I guess I should work than to let those memories be remembered.

I ate breakfast together with my family. It's a quiet one. Daddy was busy reading the tabloid while my Mom's busy with her plants.

I can't help but feel bitter. Five years had gone since I had my disorder, and now, they're not taking care of me anymore. 'Cause they don't have reasons to worry about me too much. I'm older now. I can do anything.

"Mom, Dad, I want to ask you about something..." I began.

Tumingin sila saglit sa akin. Tipid akong ngumiti.

"I've been thinking about this a lot. I want to live on my own. Will you allow me?" I asked directly.

I've been wanting to live alone. Hindi naman ibig sabihin niyon ay ayaw ko na silang makasama, I'm twenty-five years old, I should decide what I want to do.

"Hindi ba napaka-aga pa para isipin mo iyan? You're still adjusting to your new job, right? You should take one step at a time, baby," mother worried.

Huminga ako nang malalim. I clasped my hands to reason out.

"I've always wanted to live independently. My birthday is approaching, I want a condo, please?"

I'm too childish begging them like this. This is why I must live without them, to be matured enough to face everything alone.

"If you're persistent, I would allow you to have your condo. In one condition..." ani daddy.

I nibbled my lips and waited for him to continue.

"You should live with a roommate," he added.

I pouted. "Hindi naman po iyan ang gusto ko."

"I'll allow you after a year. I will forever worry about your safety. If you don't want to, live with a nanny."

"Nanny? Really, Dad? I'm not a teenager anymore!" I exclaimed.

"Don't talk back with your father, Yana," seryosong singit ni mommy.

I exhaled a sigh and apologized to Dad. Hindi na ako muling nagsalita. I lost today, but I'm going to insist on my wish to them until the day of my birthday.

Nagpaalam ako na aalis na para pumasok sa trabaho. Ganoon ulit ang hiniling ko kay Manong Rio. He stopped the car in the shade and I waited for a taxi.

Hindi naging madali ang araw na ito katulad ng mga sumunod na araw. I didn't know that marketing officers are busy as much as the other jobs in the company.

"According to our market research, this is the analyzed market trends in the year twenty-twenty five," Angieline presented in front of the team.

I was sitting beside Vince and noting the things Angieline had said. Marami akong natutunan magmula nang pumasok ako sa kompanyang ito. Naging magaan din ang loob ko kay Vince at Angieline. Tinutulungan nila ako sa mga bagay na hindi ko gaanong alam.

"We also found out that we should improve the company's marketing strategies, product offerings, and sales tactics."

"Nariyan na raw ang bagong marketing manager," bulong sa akin ni Vince.

Tiningnan ko siya na ngayon ay tumitipa sa kanyang phone. Ang bilis niyang sumagap ng balita, mas bagay nga sa kanya ang newscaster or reporter. But I must admit, he's good in this field as well.

Nangunot ang noo ko habang iniisip kung sino ang bagong marketing manager ng department namin. Isang linggo na ring namba-bash sina Vince at Angieline sa temporary manager dahil masungit at marami raw sinasabi. What if the manager that the company hired is also grumpy?

I noted some things that are written on Angieline's slides. I do understand them because we worked with it together, with Vince as well. Iyon nga lang, siya ang naatasang mag-present ngayon sa meeting dahil mas effective siya pagdating sa pagre-report. Although, nag-away muna silang dalawa ni Vince bago pumayag si Angieline.

"Kailan kaya matatapos ang palengkera sa unahan?" bulong ulit ni Vince.

Napangiti ako. "You're front stabbing your friend."

Ngumuso si Vince at nagpa-halumbaba. "Gusto ko nang makita 'yong bagong manager, nasa elevator na raw, e," dugtong niya.

Tumango-tango ako. "Excited much?" I asked, still focused on Angieline's presentation.

"Tama na 'yan, girl. Ano ka estudyante?" tukoy ni Vince sa pagsusulat ko sa notebook.

I love writing because I love my handwriting. I don't mind wasting my time doing this. At least, I'm participating.

"I want to kill time," I mumbled.

"Hayst, nangangati na ako rito...."

Nangunot ang noo ko. Tumingin ako sa nakasimangot na si Vince. He has red lipstick on his lower lip and a lip tint on the top. I don't get the style, but I must admit it looks good on him. We're both wearing polo, coat, and slacks. I don't want to wear a skirt, though si Angieline ay naka-pencil skirt. I'm not comfortable showing my skin.

"Alin ang nangangati? Should I help you?"

"Girl, walang talo-talo. Sa lalaki lang ako nagpapakamot," he said, giggling.

I winced. He meant different, I don't want to ask what that means.

Nagpatuloy ang presentation for another hour. I got bored and Vince was drained. Walang nagsalita nang matulog siya sa harap ng presenter. Walang nagsalita nang matulog din si Angieline sa tabi ko after niya sa unahan. In fact, iilan na lamang ang nakikinig kay Joseph.

Ngumiti ako nang magtuloy-tuloy siya. His presentation was precise, tackling the marketing campaign that was needed for this month. He was about to click the next slide when the door of the conference room opened.

I watched Joseph's eyes widened. I was about to glance at the door when Angieline woke up and hit my forehead.

"Ouch," I murmured.

Nahuli na ako sa pagtayo nang bumati sila sa pumasok. I was busy massaging my forehead, hindi naman alam ni Angieline na natamaan ako ng siko niya. Hindi ko na rin sinabi dahil umiirit na sila ngayon ni Vince sa tabi ko.

"Good afternoon, I'm Mr. Salazar and I'm your new Marketing manager."

I can't believe I'm witnessing all of this right now. My jaw fell when I saw the face of our manager.

I thought my heart would leave me right now. Para itong nagsabog ng bomba sa loob at sobrang lakas niyon. I gritted my teeth when I stared at the man in front of us. I could hear Angieline and Vince's squeals as I imagined myself killing our Marketing manager.

"Yana!" I heard Angieline whispered.

I looked behind me. Mas lalo akong napanganga. Namutla na rin yata ang mukha ko nang makitang nakaupo na silang lahat at ako ay nakatayo pa rin.

"Everyone, take a seat I said," our manager said in a serious tone.

Umupo ako nang biglaan. Napatama naman ang siko ko sa armrest. I squirmed painfully and quietly.

I totally don't get this day, I hope I didn't move an inch on my bed and didn't work today. I'm such a stupid woman. Now, I think I'm having a reunion with the man I used to love.

It's Theo. How could fate play with me? Bakit sa dinami-rami ng kompanya rito sa Pilipinas, dito pa siya nag-apply? Above all else, bakit siya bumalik sa bansang ito? Sana nanatili na lang siya roon.