I Fell For You

Chapter 14: Keeping it Real

My eyes were already heavy as I stare at the numbers on my calculator. Sunod kong nilingon naman ang answer sheet para sa problem na iyon. Instantly, my face contorted in dismay.

The correct answer is 115.22 meters, and guess what my answer is? 323.45!

I sighed and ruffled my hair in frustration. Apat na tanong na na sunod-sunod pero sa apat na tanong na iyon ay wala akong nakuhang tama nang hindi tinitignan ang solution sheet!

"You'll go bald, Ieva," Ephraim commented. Napatingin ako sa iPad ko kung saan naka-open ang screen para sa videocall namin ng prinsipe. "You should rest. You had a long day at work, and you're losing sleep because of your review. I told you to have a proper time management."

I sighed and rested my back on my swivel chair. Nilaro ko ang hawak na ballpen. "Why am I not good with numbers?"

"It's not like you're not good at it, I think you're just stressed and frustrated, Ieva," he showed a smile. "You see, kapag ang utak mo ay loaded na masyado, you won't be able to think straight and solve any problem. Your mind needs to rest."

"You think, I should give it a day na?"

"Yes, baby," malamyos niyang sabi. "It's already midnight there. And you still have work tomorrow. Baka ma-late ka nanaman. Yari ka sa head."

Tumango ako at sinunod siya. I went to the bathroom to do my skincare. Dala-dala ko ang iPad hanggang sa banyo dahil pinag-usapan namin saglit ang tungkol sa araw niya. After that, I went back to my room, turned off the lampshade and slumped my back on my bouncy bed.

It's been four months since I went back to the Philippines, and since then, Ephraim and I never failed to communicate. He'd update me wherever he is, or what ever he is doing at ganoon rin naman ako. Kahit minsan natatagalan ang replies namin sa isa't isa, hindi naman namin hinahayaan na hindi kami makapag-usap ng mag-hapon.

Most of the time, I'd stay up late at night to wait and talk to him. Medyo mahirap din dahil sa time difference, but while I wait, I make sure I occupy my time by reviewing or designing for work. Minsan naman gumigising siya ng madaling araw sa kanila para lang masabayan ang morning dito sa'min.

Parehong free time namin ay gabi at umaga lang. Dahil sa buong mag-hapon, busy kami pareho sa mga responsibilidad. But like I said, I make sure to update him pa din. He likes being updated kung nakapag-lunch na 'ko or nasa site ako. Kahit hindi siya nakakareply, naappreciate niya na may nababasa siyang updates galing sa akin. And ganoon din naman ako.

Like after a long tiring day, kahit magkalayo kaming dalawa, pakiramdam ko'y umuuwi ako sa kanya.

I was quick to find a job. S'yempre dahil may sariling firm si Kuya ay sa kanya ako nag-apply. Though, ininterview pa rin naman ako at hindi lang din basta-basta naipasok. It also helped na I was an intern there before so the seniors know me na.

Iilang mga maliliit na residential projects pa lamang ang nahahawakan ko, tapos assisting lamang dahil nga fresh graduate palang. I had yet to get a big break in my career, but that's okay. I know it'd be hard. Saka hindi naman talaga ako iyong super galing sa napili kong kurso, unlike noong iba na talagang nag-eexcel agad.

Minsan nga napapagalitan rin ako ng mga head architects namin dahil sa iilang kapalpakan na nagawa. Pero naappreciate ko ang ganoon dahil kahit alam nilang kapatid ako ng may-ari, they're not scared to tell me my mistakes. In that way, I was able to improve.

Dahil hindi pa ako makakapag-take ng licensure exam next year because I still need two years work experience, I try my best to recall the things I learned in school. Especially the concepts dahil sobrang dami noon.