A Little Bit Of Something (On-Going)

#75

(Cace)

Before the year ended, I got stucked most of the time at the office. We're going to launch a new room interior for the local branches of the hotel. Since the second quarter of the year, the team had has been busy preparing from the designs, the quality of the products, started the bidding and attended different presentations just to make sure that the new face of the hotel would fit the hotel image.

   This project is very important, this is going to be the biggest input I'd be giving to the company ever since I handled the maintenance department. At first I was weary, anxiety took a toll on me, ilan'g beses ako'ng nagduda sa kakayahan ko. I didn't want to disappoint the company, my family and worse myself.

   Malaki'ng tulong na pumayag si Kuya na magtrabaho sa Romero Group, kahit papaano ay may naging karamay ako. I know I couldn't handle everything on my own, that's why I am grateful for the team.

   Also, Jonnie's presence is more than enough to be my resting place; her warmth is rejuvenating my soul.

     "Welcome home!" a familiar voice greeted me as soon as I opened the door of my condo.

   Our eyes then met when she sneaked out from the kitchen, garbed in her sunflower printed apron, yellow headband and a fork on her right hand.

     "Nagluto ako." she was proud and wiggling her body as she waited for me to reach her.

   I immediately rested my forehead on her shoulder.

     "Let me borrow your shoulder for a while."

     "Sige. Pero one minute lang kasi baka masunog na 'yun'g niluluto ko."

   Nangiti ako and circled my arms around her waist.

   It's the last week of the year, at dahil nga pagod na 'ko'ng bumiyahe pa-Marikina ay sa condo malapit sa trabaho ako naglagi. Jonnie has her own key, she can visit or spend time at that place anytime she wants.

   At natutuwa ako na sa pag-uwi ko nga sa gabi'ng 'yun, she's there to welcome me.

     "Aaahhh." she was feeding me chicken pesto pasta and a freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice.

     "You're not eating?" tanong ko matapos ang isa'ng subo.

     "Busog ako, patikim-tikim ako kanina habang nagluluto."

   Hinila ko palapit lalo sa'kin ang inuupuan niya'ng bangko. I just want to feel her close.

     "Patapos na ba kayo sa tinatrabaho niyo?"

     "We're more or less 90 percent done."

     "10% nalang. Malapit na 'yan, babu. Good job!" she gave me double thumbs up and sparkling eyes.

     "How's your work?" it was my turn to ask her.

     "Um, busy ako sa pagtapos ng year-end report ko."

     "Sorry that you still have to make dinner after your tired day from work."

     "Sus, alam ko ilan'g araw ka nang nagpapa-deliver lang ng hapunan. Tsaka kagabi," her eyes squinted, "late ka nang naghapunan, kung hindi pa kita kinulit na kumain, for sure hindi ka kakain."

   Nangiti ako.

     "Babu, sabi ko naman sa'yo kailangan mo rin alagaan ang physical health mo. Mentally draining na nga 'yun'g ma-stuck ka buo'ng araw sa trabaho, tapos 'yun'g kalusugan mo napapabayaan pa. Alam ko na kapag marami'ng laman ang utak natin ay sumasara ang gana natin. Pero babu, lumaban tayo. Labanan natin 'yan. Okay?"