It's been five years, unfortunately, life challenged me again. Though hesitant at first, but I don't have other choice but to accept the project given to the team. Yes, you heard it right. I was promoted after two years and now I'm the assistant executive editor. Along with, I was given a team of to hired writers and photographers for the magazines and newspapers assigned to us.
We're not
simply launching magazines and newspapers to the company alone. We do also accept from various companies not just here in the Philippines but also abroad.
For this year's project, I was asked by my Executives to visit my own province and promote the life there. Though having second thoughts, I travelled with my
team consisting of three writers and two photographers. Though a bit hesitant what awaits me there, I just thought that it's a wonderful opportunity to reunite
with the local folks and along with visit my family.
We landed early six in the morning and there I saw my dad waiting for us in the terminal station smiling widely at me. He helped us with our luggage towards the hotel in the town area where my team would spend their days while on
travel.
We just rested for few hours until we decided to start documenting the place,took pictures and do some write ups for the content. The local folks were very supportive to us and very accommodating to our needs especially in terms of
transportation to neighboring islands.
We do also visit historical landmarks and beaches which some of them became our love nest together. The local atmosphere and picturesque view add the serenity of the place.
While busy monitoring the shots taken by our photographers, I received a call from my producer requesting me to gather some documents concerning the education of the folks- the place I removed from my list.
We spent almost three days and only have two days left to gather visit schools and universities. With my team, we headed that day to feature the university hoping that our ways would never cross. Though quite impossible, I would still manage to act professionally.
My secretary sent a letter beforehand that's why we were easily accommodated and so we directly headed to the director's office. Unfortunately, their secretary told us to wait in the lounge since the staffs assigned to each department tours were still in the middle of the meeting.
We waited for almost two hours so I asked my team to have first their lunch. I waited there by myself. I got bored so I try to distract myself by listening to
random music in my playlist. To my surprise, a familiar voice spoke in front of me telling me that the meeting finally ended. So, I directly open the door just opposite the lounge.
There, a table and a swivel chair welcomed me that made me very disappointed.I waited for few more minutes hoping that the chair will be occupied soon by the person whom I've set an appointment.
Thirty minutes and still counting but I
couldn't find even the shadow of that person. I convinced myself to patiently
wait and so I distracted myself again. I feel like a volcano sooner will erupt. I
slacked myself. Tired and hungry but I still manage to smile and be positive that this would end up soon.
“Sorry to keep you waiting”, a familiar voice speak to me behind my back.
By that moment, I couldn't be mistaken but still my instinct hope it's not. I slowly moved my head towards the direction of the footsteps approaching towards me.
“You…you are…”, he interrupted me by cutting the short distance between us and suddenly moved towards his swivel chair.
“Hi. It's our pleasure to have visitors from the city. By the way, I'm the new assistant director of the university so I was in- charge of your appointment in this visit. The director was out for a seminar in Singapore thus in case you needed anything, just feel free to approach my staff or my secretary. So, how
may I help you?” He finally said.
The moment he talked, I feel like my tongue was cut off. Still, in few minutes time, I manage to utter some words.
“Documentaries…We're here to document the university as one of the premier institution in the province.” I replied.
He acted so professional so do I. Our conversation took almost an hour purely about work until he guided me to where my staff resides. We both agreed to
finish documenting of the place as what has been planned and agreed in the letter.
Gladly,the faculty and staff are very welcoming and friendly but there's one thing that disturbed me while working- his stares and presence. He's almost in every corner supporting and giving us few suggestions and recommendations for the project. One thing has never changed in him. He's still hands-on towards everything.
Finally, we hit our call time and my team was starting to pack up our things. I sincerely thanked the staff and some students who participated in the pictorials
but unfortunately he's nowhere to be found to hand to him the papers for some signatures. His secretary then approached me when she noticed me wandering my eyes looking for him.
“Hi ma'am, our assistant director would like a minute with you in the office. Please come with me”, his secretary said.
There were twists and turns towards his office but the scent of his perfume
earlier guided me towards the place.
“I felt sorry for being late to our appointment. Something urgent came up thus I call for an emergency meeting with my staff. I hope my secretary explained it to
you”. He explained while calmly sitting on his chair.
“She had.”, I briefly said.
He‟s quite annoyed and disappointed with my answer. His face slightly frowned.
By this time, he hasn't managed to act professionally. I thanked him for the full
support of the staff as I showed to him the papers to be signed to support the document. As I handed him the papers, I was surprised when he likewise handed me an envelope on his left hand. I was quite puzzled at first.
“In exchange for my signature, we would highly appreciate if your team would attend our Centennial Celebration to be held tomorrow”. He said as he handed to me an invitation.
“No problem, sir. My team would surely appreciate it. I will inform them later in our meeting”. I said.
“I hope you didn't misunderstand my invitation. It's not just your team but your presence as well being their team leader”. He said.
“My presence… I think my team is enough to attend in your celebration. I'm sorry but I still have lots of things to finish before we headed back in the city”. I said to him.
“You and your team for my signature and that's final”. He finally said.
I was dumbfounded. I silently reached out the door knob and headed towards my team tirelessly. The pressure towards my job plus the restless nights just to edit the documents added in my situation that moment. I don't know what to feel. Would I be disappointed or annoyed towards his behavior? I don't know.
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