I Would Hate To Be You

Chapter 48 [harder than you know]

Chapter 48

January 13

Sash Marquez: Happy four months sa inyo ni Jin!

Sash Marquez: Matagal kong hinintay ang araw na 'to para mabati ko kayo. You guys already surpassed the three-month threshold. Safe na kayo. HAHAHA

Kararating ko lang ng office at pagtingin ko sa screen ng phone ko, ito ang mga text messages na bumungad sa'kin. Iba rin talaga ang isang 'to. Talagang siya pa ang unang nagpaalala sa'kin ng date ngayon. I have this feeling that she secretly took note of the date last year and put it on her calendar so she can be reminded. Hence, her greeting today.

Linagay ko ang bag ko sa swivel chair at sumandal ako sa desk bago ako nag-type ng message.

Me: Sira ka.

After sending that message, I saw Bella enter the office. Without much aforethought, I put down my phone so I can go to her.

"Oh, my God, you're finally here!" I shrieked while running towards her direction. When she saw me, she immediately put down the two large eco bags she was holding. Nang makalapit na ako sa kaniya, agad ko siyang yinakap. "Sobrang na-miss kita!" I almost cried while hugging her. Paano naman kasi, kahit na tapos na ang holiday break last week, hindi pa rin siya pumasok dahil naka-leave pa siya. Samantalang ako, January 5 pa lang, pumasok na ako agad.

We both jumped while hugging each other. "Na-miss din kita, girl!" She held my shoulders and pulled me away from the hug. "And wow! New hair color, I approve!" Her eyes widened in surprise as my new look started to register in her head.

Yes, I already changed my hair color. Last year, I waited until all of the classic brown balayage with highlights completely faded for me to replace it with a totally different one. Now, I have ash blonde ombré hair. But I still kept its length which falls until my collarbone. Mula nang maging ganito na kaikli ang buhok ko, mas nadalian na akong i-maintain. Kaya since then, hindi na ako nagpahaba pa. Lagi kong pinapa-trim kapag lagpas na sa length na gusto ko. Plus, sobrang nababagayan talaga ako sa ganitong ka-ikli tapos kita 'yung helix piercings ko, which by the way, don't hurt anymore. My ear has reached its full healing.

"Thanks. I had this two weeks ago. Figured I can surprise the officemates, you know." I winked at her. "New year, new hair color," I added, all smiles while touching my hair. "Anyway, bakit ang dami mong dala?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan habang tinuturo ang eco bags sa tabi niya.

She lowered her body to pick up the bags. Instead of her getting the two bags, I immediately grabbed the other one. "Thank you, Atom," she said, smiling at me. Naglakad kami papunta sa desk niya. "Ito 'yung mga gifts ko sa inyo na hindi ko pa napamimigay," she explained.

After putting down the bags, I took a peek of what's inside. Ang dami ngang mga regalo na nakabalot. "Nandito na ba 'yung regalo mo sa'kin na check worth one million?" I joked.

She laughed because of that. "Sorry, wala pa. Pwede bang to follow na lang kapag nakapangasawa na ako ng mayaman?"

I scrunched my nose and faked my disappointment. "Hmm, okay. I'll wait," I humored her. Parehas kaming natawa.

"Here's yours," she said while taking out a gift that's covered with this fancy white wrapper with a pink ribbon.

I immediately giggled as soon as she handed it to me. "Can I open it now?"

"Sure," nakangiting sagot niya. "Alam ko namang hindi ka makakapaghintay nang matagal," natatawang dagdag niya.

Well, that's very true. I really can't handle surprises. Not even my own. In fact, last year, mas excited pa ako kaysa sa mga officemates ko nang dumating ako isang araw na bitbit ang mga regalo ko sa kanila. Unlike Bella kasi, bago pa lang kami nag-holiday break, napamigay ko na 'yung mga akin. At may personal touch ang mga pinamigay ko sa kanila dahil gawa ko mismo. For Bella, Trinie, Pat, Sir Ken and Ms. Joyce, I gifted them framed paintings which I drew myself. For the rest of the people in our department, I gave them customized items. For guys, leather key holder and for the ladies, leather coin purses with their initials on it. I put each inside an envelope with waxed stamp seals na ako mismo ang gumawa. It's very artsy and very Atom. November pa lang, sinimulan ko na ang preparation ko para sa mga 'yun dahil ayaw kong ma-haggard. And every effort I put in doing all those paid off when I saw the look on their faces. Ugh, worth every tear and sweat—literally!